History of Broadway in Pictures (1785 - 1986)
There are few streets more emblematic of New York City’s cultural success than Broadway. In a modern context, most people associate this famous street with midtown’s theater industry – a prolific haven for some of the world’s best playwrights, actors, dancers and performers.
Beyond its glamorous image, most New Yorkers understand how essential Broadway is to how the city functions. Historically it has always been prime real estate for business & entertainment, due to the massive amount of foot traffic.
One of its most striking features is that it completely breaks the grid, winding its own, organic path from State Street at Bowling Green, all the way up to the Bronx and 29 miles into Westchester County.
The reason that Broadway shows no regard for Manhattan’s grid is because the city was literally built around it. Long before settlers arrived this path thrived for centuries as a place of commerce and culture.
It was known as Wickquasgeck trail, named after the native tribes that carved its path through the brush, swamps and rocks of “Manahatta” (Island of Many Hills). Various dialects define Wickquasgeck as “the end of the marsh, swamp or wet meadow”, “place of the bark kettle”, and “birch bark country”, which was suitable at the time but seems like a long forgotten dream to New Yorkers walking that path today.
When the Dutch arrived, they immediately saw the potential of this trail and widened the path significantly. They called it the Heeren Wegh or Heeren Straat, meaning “Gentlemen’s Way” or “Gentlemen’s Street” – an homage to a street in Amsterdam – “High Street” or “the Highway”. It was renamed “Broadway” by the British due to its its unusual width.
As the centuries passed, the city thrived and this once rural path was converted into a technological marvel – a river of innovation and commerce snaking through the heart of Manhattan leaving a trail of iconic landmarks in its wake: including Times Square, Herald Square, Columbus Circle and Belvedere Castle in Central Park.
To this day it continues to play an integral role in the evolution of New York City, and will likely continue to do so, well into the distant future.
1785: Broadway and Canal Street
A painting by Thomas Horner depicting each building from the Hygeian Depot corner of Canal Street to beyond Niblo's Garden in the year 1785
1831: Broadway and Bowery
Engraved illustration depicting the corner of Broadway & the Bowery in downtown Manhattan.
1855: Broadway and Broome Street
The East side of Broadway and Broome Street looking North, capturing the hum and activity of downtown Manhattan during a cold winter.
1855: Broadway and Vesey Street Looking South
Watercolor Illustration of Broadway and Vesey Street Looking South.
1860: Instantaneous Broadway View
A slightly elevated perspective of a bustling street known as Broadway, which remains a hub of commerce and culture to this day.
1860: Parade on Broadway near Union Square
An aerial photograph shows a large crowd of spectators enjoying a parade on Broadway.
1865: Aerial View of Broadway
Photograph shows traffic and businesses along Broadway, one of the busiest streets in the city. Taken by George Stacy in 1865.
1865: Broadway and the Bank of the Republic, NYC
Photograph taken in 1865 shows the "National Bank of the Republic" (NBR) surrounded by other commercial buildings, pedestrians and traffic on Broadway.
1865: 23rd Street and Broadway - Madison Square Park
Photograph of the Fifth Avenue Hotel, across from Madison Square Park, New York City.
1868: Northern View of Union Square and Broadway
A photograph shows a famous intersection of downtown Manhattan, lined with trolleys and a vastly different urban landscape.
1868: Light Traffic at Union Square and Broadway
Aerial view of Union Square on an overcast morning. The streets are sparsly dotted with pedestrians and street cars.
1895: Broadway and John Street
Photograph of Broadway near John Street filled with carriages and pedestrians.
1900: Bowling Green and Lower Broadway
A colorized photochrom print depicting an aerial view of Bowling Green and its surrounding buildings.
1900: Columbia College - 116th Street and Broadway
Aerial photograph showing Columbia University Campus looking north from Broadway and 116th Street.
1903: Broadway and Times Building
One Times Square was completed in 1904 to serve as the headquarters of The New York Times, which officially moved into the building in January 1905
1952: Houston Street from Broadway
Photograph shows busy intersection at Houston Street looking east from Broadway. An elevated train track visible in the background.
1967: Broadway and the Singer Tower
Photograph of 149 Broadway, The Singer Building Facade from the southeast.
1974: Houston Street between Lafayette and Broadway
Photograph of wall paintings on Houston Street which would grace the backdrop of many films and mark the style of the era.
1986: 71st and Broadway
Photograph of the subway station at 71st Street and Broadway for Interborough Rapid Transit (Original Line).
1986: 125th Street and Broadway
Photograph of Manhattan Valley Viaduct station's east stairway and platform showing a new escalator built over the stairs.
