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History of Central Park in Pictures (1859 - 1984)

Central Park is an urban park in New York City located between the Upper West and Upper East Sides of Manhattan. It is the fifth-largest park in the city, covering 843 acres. It is the most visited urban park in the United States, with an estimated 42 million visitors annually. The biologically diverse ecosystem has several hundred species of flora and fauna. Recreational activities include carriage-horse and bicycle tours, bicycling, sports facilities, and concerts and events such as Shakespeare in the Park.

Main attractions include landscapes such as the Ramble and Lake, Hallett Nature Sanctuary, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, and Sheep Meadow; amusement attractions such as Wollman Rink, Central Park Carousel, and the Central Park Zoo; formal spaces such as the Central Park Mall and Bethesda Terrace; and the Delacorte Theater.

In 1857, landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won a design competition for the park with their “Greensward Plan”. Construction began the same year; existing structures, including a majority-Black settlement named Seneca Village, were seized through eminent domain and razed.

After a period of decline in the early 20th century, New York City parks commissioner Robert Moses started a program to clean up Central Park in the 1930s. The Central Park Conservancy, created in 1980 to combat further deterioration in the late 20th century, refurbished many parts of the park starting in the 1980s.

Illustration of an aerial perspective overlooking Central Park in Manhattan.

1859: Above Central Park

Illustration of an aerial perspective overlooking Central Park in Manhattan.

Photograph of a man in a suit standing pensively on a bridge overlooking the arched footpath beneath.

1865: Archway and Footpath in Central Park

Photograph of a man in a suit standing pensively on a bridge overlooking the arched footpath beneath.

A photograph of Central Park in its pristine and far less developed stage, compared to what we know today.

1865: Elevated View of Central Park

A photograph of Central Park in its pristine and far less developed stage, compared to what we know today.

A photograph of the Music Pavilion on a quiet and overcast autumn day. Taken by George Stacy in 1865.

1865: Music Pavilion in Central Park

A photograph of the Music Pavilion on a quiet and overcast autumn day. Taken by George Stacy in 1865.

A detailed view of Central Park's terrace masonry. The terrace was one of the very first structures to have been built in the park.

1865: Central Park Terrace Stone Work

A detailed view of Central Park's terrace masonry. The terrace was one of the very first structures to have been built in the park.

A unique perspective revealing the ornate patterns of Central Park's stonework designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux.

1865: Central Park Stonework

A unique perspective revealing the ornate patterns of Central Park's stonework designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux.

An artist's rendering of Squatters near Central Park living among farm animals in their shacks.

1869: Scene of Squatters Living near Central Park

An artist's rendering of Squatters near Central Park living among farm animals in their shacks.

A bird's-eye view of New York with Central Park in the foreground.

1873: Central Park and Midtown Manhattan

A bird's-eye view of New York with Central Park in the foreground.

A painting which shows New Yorkers enjoying the foliage and scenery at Central Park.

1874: Central Park, New York

A painting which shows New Yorkers enjoying the foliage and scenery at Central Park.

A small crowd gathers near Bethesda Fountain to enjoy pleasant weather and boat rides on the lake.

1905: Central Park - Lake and Terrace

A small crowd gathers near Bethesda Fountain to enjoy pleasant weather and boat rides on the lake.

Spectators enjoy a musical performance at one of Central Park's pavilions.

1905: Concert in Central Park

Spectators enjoy a musical performance at one of Central Park's pavilions.

A photograph shot from the perspective of the lake at Central Park towards the luxury hotels which form the skyline.

1909: Hotels from the Lake in Central Park

A photograph shot from the perspective of the lake at Central Park towards the luxury hotels which form the skyline.

Photograph of men and women seated beneath the trees, enjoying the view across Central Park Pond.

1949: Benches at Central Park Pond

Photograph of men and women seated beneath the trees, enjoying the view across Central Park Pond.

Panoramic view of Central Park from Apartment 9D at 146 Central Park West.

1956: Central Park West

Panoramic view of Central Park from Apartment 9D at 146 Central Park West.

Photograph of The Dakota Apartments, located at 1 West 72nd Street, Central Park West.

1965: The Dakota, Central Park West

Photograph of The Dakota Apartments, located at 1 West 72nd Street, Central Park West.

Photograph of the The Dakota Apartments taken from a corner in Central Park West.

1965: The Dakota, Central Park West Corner

Photograph of the The Dakota Apartments taken from a corner in Central Park West.

A bird's eye perspective of Central Park looking north with Harlem and The Bronx visible in the distance.

1980: Aerial View of Central Park

A bird's eye perspective of Central Park looking north with Harlem and The Bronx visible in the distance.

Photograph of Bow Bridge overlooking the Lake in Central Park with midtown  buildings in the background.

1984: Bow Bridge in Central Park

Photograph of Bow Bridge overlooking the Lake in Central Park with midtown buildings in the background.

Photograph of Central Park's Bow Bridge. One of the park's many rustic pavilions is visible under the left side of the arch.

1984: Central Park Bow Bridge over Lake

Photograph of Central Park's Bow Bridge. One of the park's many rustic pavilions is visible under the left side of the arch.


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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.

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.

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
How many historical Images are on this site?

There are currently 714 photos, lithographs, illustrations and maps on this site. Each one has been digitally restored and cleaned up by hand, which makes this collection truly unique.

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.

Can I purchase prints of the historical images available on the site?

History101.nyc is an ad-free and non-profit learning resource. We do not sell prints of these images. All operational costs are covered by Fine Print NYC

Do you accept admissions to this collection?

Absolutely! Feel free to send us an email with a preview of the image and we will let you know if it's a good fit for the archives.

How do you handle feedback or corrections regarding the historical context of images?

We welcome any feedback that you may have. If it proves to be historically accurate the changes will be reflected on the site shortly after our correspondence.

Do you collaborate with other historical societies or archives?

We have collaborated with NYC's Municipal Archives, The Tenemant Museum, Bronx Historical Society and a number of prominent NYC photographers to produce a series of limited edition postcards which free of charge, but only available via street distribution, primarily in Manhattan.

Do you also provide image restoration as a service for personal photos?

Yes, we can repair, restore and cleanup your old family photos, slides and negatives. You can either send us the digital files or the original photos to be professionally scanned.

Can you repair any type of image damage?

We can restore just about any level of damage or signs of aging, within reason. As long as most of the photo is intact we cn work with it. The one flaw we cannot fix is source material that is blurry. A poorly take photo can only be improved so much.

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