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History of NYC - 1920 to 1925

Like many other cities in the aftermath of a global war and pandemic, New York was ready to kick off a decade with a spirit of celebration. Society would break much new ground, including a boon in home ownership, and the expansion of civil rights. In the US, the sale of alcohol became prohibited, but this did little to stop the speakeasies which would define nightlife. Many great traditions and institutions were established during this time, including Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and New York Port Authority, The Cotton Club and New Yorker Magazine.

A night time photograph of Broadway and Times Square looking North from 45th Street.

1923: Times Square Looking North

A night time photograph of Broadway and Times Square looking North from 45th Street.

Photograph of construction workers repairing granite stonework for the pavement on a New York City street.

1924: Granite Block Repair in New York City

Photograph of construction workers repairing granite stonework for the pavement on a New York City street.

A photograph of cars and pedestrians making their way around Columbus Circle looking north.

1921: Columbus Circle and 59th Street

A photograph of cars and pedestrians making their way around Columbus Circle looking north.

An aerial view looking towards the southern tip of Downtown Manhattan from the Woolworth Building, which was the tallest building in the world from 1913 to 1930.

1920: View of Downtown Manhattan from the Woolworth Building

An aerial view looking towards the southern tip of Downtown Manhattan from the Woolworth Building, which was the tallest building in the world from 1913 to 1930.

An illustration depicting a bird's eye view of Columbia University, South Field and surrounding campus grounds.

1922: Columbia University from Above

An illustration depicting a bird's eye view of Columbia University, South Field and surrounding campus grounds.

Photograph of downtown Manhattan's iconic skyline from the shores of Jersey City.

1921: Manhattan Skyline from Jersey City

Photograph of downtown Manhattan's iconic skyline from the shores of Jersey City.

Photograph of The New York City Public Library, looking north on 5th Avenue from 42nd Street.

1920: New York City Public Library

Photograph of The New York City Public Library, looking north on 5th Avenue from 42nd Street.

Photograph of Hudson Street, covered with snow and crowded with automobiles, trucks, wagons, and horses.

1920: Snow Storm on Hudson Street

Photograph of Hudson Street, covered with snow and crowded with automobiles, trucks, wagons, and horses.

Photograph of 11 year old Tony, who shines shoes in Union Square making anywhere from $2 to $4 per day.

1924: Shoe Shiner in Union Square

Photograph of 11 year old Tony, who shines shoes in Union Square making anywhere from $2 to $4 per day.

Photograph of The Cunard Building, also known as the Standard & Poors Building - a 22-story office building located at 25 Broadway next to Bowling Green Park.

1921: The Cunard Building

Photograph of The Cunard Building, also known as the Standard & Poors Building - a 22-story office building located at 25 Broadway next to Bowling Green Park.

Photograph of three men participating in a gardening experiment at Bryant Park.

1922: Gardening at Bryant Park

Photograph of three men participating in a gardening experiment at Bryant Park.

Photograph of a crowded street scene in front of The New York City Public Library at 5th Avenue & 40th Street.

1922: Fifth Avenue & 40th Street

Photograph of a crowded street scene in front of The New York City Public Library at 5th Avenue & 40th Street.

Photograph of Yankee Stadium with a lone figure walking towards the camera.

1923: Yankee Stadium

Photograph of Yankee Stadium with a lone figure walking towards the camera.

Photograph taken outside of Yankee Stadium's main entrance.

1923: Yankee Stadium Main Entrance

Photograph taken outside of Yankee Stadium's main entrance.

Photograph of fans waiting to buy their ticket at the right field rgandstand of Yankee Stadium.

1923: Yankee Fans Line Up at Right Field Grandstand

Photograph of fans waiting to buy their ticket at the right field rgandstand of Yankee Stadium.

Photograph of baseball fans lined up for World Series bleacher seats at Yankee Stadium.

1923: Yankee Fans Lined up for World Series

Photograph of baseball fans lined up for World Series bleacher seats at Yankee Stadium.

Babe Ruth and The New York Yankees on Opening Day Wednesday, April 18, 1923

1923: Babe Ruth and New York Yankees on Opening Day

Babe Ruth and The New York Yankees on Opening Day Wednesday, April 18, 1923

Babe Ruth shaking hands with President Warren Harding

1923: Babe Ruth and President Warren Harding

Babe Ruth shaking hands with President Warren Harding

Frank Chance & Miller Huggins, managers of the Red Sox & Yankees shaking hands before the opening game at Yankee Stadium, kicking off decades of rivalry between NYC and Boston.

1923: Frank Chance and Miller Huggins on Opening Day, Yankee Stadium

Frank Chance & Miller Huggins, managers of the Red Sox & Yankees shaking hands before the opening game at Yankee Stadium, kicking off decades of rivalry between NYC and Boston.

Photograph of Jacob Ruppert, Governor Al Smith & his wife escorted by police on the field of Yankee Stadium on opening day.

1923: Governor Smith & Wife at Yankee Stadium Opening Day

Photograph of Jacob Ruppert, Governor Al Smith & his wife escorted by police on the field of Yankee Stadium on opening day.

Photograph of police saluting the flag while the band plays on the field of Yankee Stadium on opening day.

1923: Raising the Flag at Yankee Stadium on Opening Day

Photograph of police saluting the flag while the band plays on the field of Yankee Stadium on opening day.

Photograpg of the packed stands behind the dug out at Yankee Stadium on opening day.

1923: Yankee Stadium Dugout on Opening Day

Photograpg of the packed stands behind the dug out at Yankee Stadium on opening day.

Team portrait of the New York Yankees (Babe Ruth is in the center of the picture).

1925: New York Yankees Baseball Team

Team portrait of the New York Yankees (Babe Ruth is in the center of the picture).

Photograph of the New York Yankees posing for a portrait during spring training in New Orleans.

1925: Yankees in New Orleans for Spring Training

Photograph of the New York Yankees posing for a portrait during spring training in New Orleans.

The corner of Broadway and Park Place, with pedestrians walking along street. A sign on top of the building reads "Irving Underhill General Photographer"

1922: The Varick Building

The corner of Broadway and Park Place, with pedestrians walking along street. A sign on top of the building reads "Irving Underhill General Photographer"

Photograph of the newly constructed Bellevue, the first public hospital in the United States.

1920: Bellevue Training School and Hospital

Photograph of the newly constructed Bellevue, the first public hospital in the United States.

A group of New York women transcribing popular fiction into Braille for blinded ex-service man under the direction of the New York County Chapter ARC.

1922: Braille Books for a Veteran

A group of New York women transcribing popular fiction into Braille for blinded ex-service man under the direction of the New York County Chapter ARC.

Photograph of workers in the NYC Chapter Red Cross turning old clothes into warm, substantial garments for the needy children of central Europe.

1921: Volunteers Making Winter Clothes

Photograph of workers in the NYC Chapter Red Cross turning old clothes into warm, substantial garments for the needy children of central Europe.

A photograph of pedestrians on Wall Street with Trinity Church in the background.

1924: Wall Street and Trinity Church

A photograph of pedestrians on Wall Street with Trinity Church in the background.

Photograph of a young mechanic tightening the bolts of a steam pump with a wrench.

1921: Mechanic and Steam Pump

Photograph of a young mechanic tightening the bolts of a steam pump with a wrench.


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Frequently Asked Questions

What Is History101.nyc?

Welcome to the History of New York City - A Unique Online Gallery of NYC's Origins, Curated and Digitally Restored by Fine Print New York.

We're opening our archives to present this Collection of Vintage Photos, Historical Images and Rare Lithographs. This Exclusive Series of High Quality Art Prints are only Available for Purchase Exclusively on this Site.

What Time Periods, Eras, Decades of NYC History are available?

We cover a great portion of the city's history, ranging from its earliest days as New Amsterdam to the late 1980s. Artists are currently working on photos from the 90s to present day,

Here's a current list of what is covered:

Dutch Era: When New York Was New Amsterdam

NYC in the 1600s

Georgian Era

NYC in the 1700s • NYC from 1800 to 1850

Victorian Era

NYC in the 1850s • NYC in the 1860s • NYC in the 1870s • NYC in the 1880s

Progressive Era

NYC in the 1890s • NYC from 1900 to 1905 • 1905 to 1910 • 1910 to 1915 • 

World War 1

NYC from 1915 to 1920

Art Deco

NYC from 1920 to 1925 • NYC from 1925 to 1930

Depression Era

NYC from 1930 to 1935 • NYC from 1935 to 1940

World War 2

NYC from 1940 to 1945

MidCentury Modern Era

NYC from 1945 to 1950 • 1950 to 1955 • 1955 to 1960 • 1960 to 1965 • 1965 to 1970

Energy Crisis

NYC from 1970 to 1975 • 1975 to 1980

Reagan Era

NYC from 1980 to 1985 • 1985 to 1990
Can I License Any of These Images?

Digital licenses are available for educational institutions (schools, universities, non-profit organizations). Please contact legal@fineprintnyc.com to discuss conditions for licensing.

NOTE: Any form of commercialization or redistribution of these images, either as tangible goods or third party licenses, is expressly forbidden.

Who started History101.nyc?

Joseph Gornail, printer/photographer and founder of Fine Print New York. Joseph grew up in SoHo, Manhattan and is part of a long lineage of NYC printers, learning the family trade from his grandfather. While working for Dolo Records/Stretch Armstrong in 1996, Joseph founded All City Marketing & Printing, and in 1999 Co-Founded the legendary street wear company "Orchard Street " with lifelong friends Benjamin Holloway and Greig Bennett. Fine Print NYC was established in 2004 with a Nike project being the launchpad for a commercial printing company that has not only survived, but thrived in the digital age.

Steven Garcia, designer/illustrator and creative director of Fine Print New York. Born and raised in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Steven attended Fashion Industries High School and F.I.T. before building a successful career at Saatchi & Saatchi for as a professional retoucher and storyboard artist in 1995. Steven started ShinyDesign in 1998 and partnered with Fine Print in 2004 as the exclusive design firm for the company. Steven has independently worked on major advertising campaigns for many brands over the years, such as Snapple, The Waldorf Astoria and Sony to name a few.

Together, Joseph & Steven are responsible for the curation and direction of the History101.nyc project, which has been under development since 2006. They have a long history of collaborating together, going back as far as 2001 when Joseph was gallery manager and Steven was a curator at The New York City Urban Experience, an art gallery & museum that was located at 85 South Street and owned by Mike Saes of the Nike Bridge Runners and True Yorkers.

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