History of New York City - 1955 to 1960
In the late 50s New York is still coasting on the success of the previous decade. The economy is strong and the population has just passed 7.7 million people. Air travel has become affordable for the working class, leading to the construction of TWAs iconic terminal, and a lot more immigration. Puerto Rico becomes a US territory, granting citizenship to its inhabitants and establishing a strong link between the City of Dreams and the caribbean’s richest port. The Puerto Rican Parade begins its yearly celebration and the musical “West Side Story” becomes a box office hit. The Guggenheim Museum building opens and The Village Voice newspaper begins publication. A sister city relationship is established with Tokyo, Japan – a move which benefits both communities in the long term while increasing the City’s international profile.
1957: Midtown Manhattan from Roosevelt Island
Panoramic photograph of Manhattan's skyline taken from Roosevelt Island, known at the time as "Welfare Island".
1959: Cars Parked Near Saint Paul's Chapel
Photograph of cars parked along Broadway & Fulton Street in front of St. Paul's Chapel in downtown Manhattan.
1959: Saint Paul's Chapel
Historic American Buildings Survey photograph showing the church yard of St. Paul's Chapel from the west, framed by Broadway & Fulton Streets.
1957: The Bowery
Photograph of The Bowery and Delancey Street showing cars at a stoplight and signs for the People's Bar, and the Crystal Hotel and Pioneer Hotel in distance.
1956: Balthazar Korab with TWA model
Photograph of architect Balthazar Korab with a scale model of his proposed design for the Trans World Airlines Terminal and John F. Kennedy Airport in Queens.
1955: TWA Terminal, Exterior Facade
Photograph of an exterior wall of the Trans World Airlines Terminal which highlights its mid-century modern aesthetic.
1955: TWA Terminal Ticket Counters
Photograph of TWA Terminal Interior. On the left we see the mezzanine support structure with ticket counters beyond the right.
1956: Fly TWA Advertisement
Art poster featuring an abstract interpretation of Times Square in New York with a TWA jet and jetstream at the top of the image.
1956: A New Diamond in Manhattan's Sky
Photograph shows beacon lights beaming brightly from atop the Empire State Building at night illuminating the clouds in the sky.
1956: Two Women Talking in Midtown Manhattan
Photograph of two women in striped sweaters chatting on a sidewalk corner near East 41st Street.
1957: Man Standing in Front of Macy's
Photograph of a man in shorts with feathered cap, standing on a street curb with Macy's department store in the background.
1955: Woman Holding an Umbrella
Photograph of a woman holding an umbrella and leaning on a bannister against a bustling backdrop of pedestrians, traffic, and storefronts.
1956: Marquee in Times Square
Photograph of Marquee in Times Square - The neighborhood would become renowned for go-go bars and peep show establishments.
1955: Rivington Street Scene
Photograph of Rivington Street bustling with pedestrians against a backdrop of business signs and the local elevated railroad.