An ad-free Educational Platform Offering Access to Restored Vintage Photographs and Prints Documenting New York's Rich History.
Expertly Curated by Joseph A. Gornail & Steven D. Garcia of Fine Print New York • 315 Madison Avenue • Email Us • 212.619.5446

History of NYC Subway & Bridges: Engineering Marvels Uniting the City's Boroughs in Pictures (1870 - 1986)

The NYC Subway system, a sprawling network underpinning the city’s dynamic urban life, features several bridges integral to its operation. Among these, the most notable is the Manhattan Bridge, an essential artery for multiple subway lines connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn. Completed in 1909, this suspension bridge was designed by Leon Moisseiff, and its construction was a major feat of engineering at the time. The bridge’s design not only accommodated vehicular and pedestrian traffic but also included tracks for subway trains, making it a critical component of New York City’s transportation infrastructure.

Spanning the East River, the Manhattan Bridge plays a vital role in the daily commute of thousands, carrying several subway lines across its tracks. Its integration into the subway system exemplifies New York City’s innovative approach to urban transportation, seamlessly blending different modes of transit. The bridge’s architecture, featuring Beaux-Arts and Gothic elements, adds to the city’s aesthetic and historical fabric, making it a landmark in its own right.

Apart from the Manhattan Bridge, the Williamsburg Bridge and the Queensboro (59th Street) Bridge also support subway lines, contributing to the interconnectedness of New York’s boroughs. These bridges have facilitated the expansion of the subway system over the years, enhancing accessibility and fostering urban growth.

The construction and maintenance of these bridges reflect the city’s commitment to public transportation and urban development. They have undergone various renovations to accommodate increasing traffic and to ensure safety standards. These bridges are not just functional structures but are also emblematic of New York City’s resilience and engineering prowess.

Today, the NYC Subway bridges are more than mere transit routes; they are iconic parts of the city’s skyline, offering stunning views of the urban landscape. They stand as testaments to the city’s history of architectural and engineering innovation, playing a crucial role in the daily life of New Yorkers. Their presence underscores the importance of sustainable and efficient urban transport solutions in one of the world’s most bustling metropolises.

The NYC Subway (1904) – Timeline of New York City’s History, USA

Photograph of an elevated railroad station constructed by the Manhattan Railway Company.

1870: Elevated Railroad Station

Photograph of an elevated railroad station constructed by the Manhattan Railway Company.

View looking southwest from the intersection of 33rd Street and Broadway.  The Sixth Avenue Elevated Railway is shown on Sixth Avenue where it crosses Broadway.

1870: Elevated Station on a Busy Street

View looking southwest from the intersection of 33rd Street and Broadway. The Sixth Avenue Elevated Railway is shown on Sixth Avenue where it crosses Broadway.

A view looking down elevated railroad tracks. A train is approaching around the curve.

1880: New York Elevated Railway

A view looking down elevated railroad tracks. A train is approaching around the curve.

Located at the intersecton of Bowery and Division Street, Chatham Square was an express station on the IRT Third Avenue Line. It had two levels.

1900: Elevated Railroad at Chatham Square

Located at the intersecton of Bowery and Division Street, Chatham Square was an express station on the IRT Third Avenue Line. It had two levels.

Crowds of shoppers fill the busy streets north of 14th Street in the shade of the elevated train which once ran along 6th Avenue.

1900: Elevated Tracks on Sixth Avenue North of 14th Street

Crowds of shoppers fill the busy streets north of 14th Street in the shade of the elevated train which once ran along 6th Avenue.

Photograph of a busy scene on the Bowery as pedestrians make their way across the street and under the elevated overpass.

1901: Under the Elevated Railroad at the Bowery

Photograph of a busy scene on the Bowery as pedestrians make their way across the street and under the elevated overpass.

Explore the City Hall Loop, where NYC's subway saga began. Discover the station that sparked a transportation revolution and its enduring legacy

1904: NYC Subway Under Construction: City Hall Loop's Historic Inaugural Journey

Explore the City Hall Loop, where NYC's subway saga began. Discover the station that sparked a transportation revolution and its enduring legacy

Chatham Square was an express station on the demolished IRT Third Avenue Line. Its lower level served trains of the IRT Second and Third Avenue Lines.

1905: Elevated (L) Station at Chatham Square

Chatham Square was an express station on the demolished IRT Third Avenue Line. Its lower level served trains of the IRT Second and Third Avenue Lines.

Horses and carriages move along the underpass of the elevated train tracks following 8th Avenue.

1906: Elevated Railroad at 8th Avenue

Horses and carriages move along the underpass of the elevated train tracks following 8th Avenue.

Young folk selling gum at the exit from the downtown side of the Lexington Avenue subway station

1910: Selling Chewing Gum Near a Subway Station

Young folk selling gum at the exit from the downtown side of the Lexington Avenue subway station

Aerial photograph of the Herald Square elevated railroad and Sixth Avenue near 34th Street.

1910: Elevated Railroad Through Herald Square

Aerial photograph of the Herald Square elevated railroad and Sixth Avenue near 34th Street.

Aerial photograph of Manhattan looking north over Washington and Greenwich Streets with Trinity Place on the right.

1940: Aerial View of Elevated Railroad

Aerial photograph of Manhattan looking north over Washington and Greenwich Streets with Trinity Place on the right.

Photograph of midtown commuters waiting at a platform for the Third Avenue elevated train.

1942: Waiting for an Elevated Train

Photograph of midtown commuters waiting at a platform for the Third Avenue elevated train.

Photograph shows an elevated perspective of Cooper Union facing north and flanked along its east wall by the Third Avenue elevated railroad.

1952: Third Avenue Elevated Train at Cooper Union

Photograph shows an elevated perspective of Cooper Union facing north and flanked along its east wall by the Third Avenue elevated railroad.

Photograph shows an elevated perspective of Cooper Union facing north and flanked along its east wall by the Third Avenue elevated railroad.

1952: Third Avenue Elevated Train at Cooper Union

Photograph shows an elevated perspective of Cooper Union facing north and flanked along its east wall by the Third Avenue elevated railroad.

Explore Angelo Rizzuto's 1957 photo of New Yorkers gathered near the 8th Avenue subway entrance, with Duffy's Bar Lounge in the background, capturing midtown Manhattan life

1957: Street Scene: People at 8th Avenue Subway Entrance in Midtown Manhattan

Explore Angelo Rizzuto's 1957 photo of New Yorkers gathered near the 8th Avenue subway entrance, with Duffy's Bar Lounge in the background, capturing midtown Manhattan life

Discover a 1974 snapshot capturing New York City's subway token booth, reflecting the daily rhythm of 1970s urban life and the spirit of New Yorkers

1974: New York City Subway Token Booth: A Glimpse into the Past

Discover a 1974 snapshot capturing New York City's subway token booth, reflecting the daily rhythm of 1970s urban life and the spirit of New Yorkers

The first subway token change occurred in 1970 when the fare was raised to 30 cents and 50 million tokens were minted.

1974: Subway Tokens

The first subway token change occurred in 1970 when the fare was raised to 30 cents and 50 million tokens were minted.

Color photograph of the Third Avenue Elevated Railroad tracks on a clear day.

1978: Third Avenue Elevated

Color photograph of the Third Avenue Elevated Railroad tracks on a clear day.

Explore the original City Hall Subway Station's tile-clad control room, showcasing NYC's historic subway architecture and preservation efforts

1986: City Hall Subway Station: A Glimpse into NYC’s Architectural Subway Masterpiece

Explore the original City Hall Subway Station's tile-clad control room, showcasing NYC's historic subway architecture and preservation efforts


250 Million Years to Present Day NYC: Natural Wonder to World's Most Famous City

Explore NYC's transformation over 250 million years, from its origins in Pangea to becoming the world's most famous and dynamic city today



Discover How History101.nyc Sustains Its Ad-Free Educational Platform

History101.nyc has established itself as a leading educational platform, uniquely supported by Fine Print New York, experts in the restoration of antique, rare, and damaged wallpapers. This collaboration enables History101.nyc to offer rich, well-researched content without the distraction of advertisements. Fine Print NYC's reputation for excellence in the niche field of wallpaper restoration highlights their commitment to preserving history, aligning perfectly with History101.nyc’s educational goals.

Learn More About Wallpaper Reproduction

Meet the Founders: The Creative Minds Behind Our Platform

Joseph Gornail a distinguished printer/photographer and the visionary behind Fine Print New York, hails from SoHo, Manhattan. Rooted in a family tradition of NYC printing, Joseph mastered the craft as a teenager. His significant impact on the New York printing industry ignited in 1996 with Dolo Records/Stretch Armstrong. He founded All City Marketing & Printing in the late '90s and co-created the iconic streetwear label Orchard Street with partners Benjamin Holloway and Greig Bennett in 1999. In 2004, Joseph launched Fine Print NYC, establishing it as a leading commercial printing firm. The company debuted with a landmark project for Nike, epitomizing innovation and resilience in the modern digital landscape.


Steven Garcia, a prominent designer/illustrator and creative director at Fine Print, originates from Bushwick, Brooklyn. A graduate of Fashion Industries High School and F.I.T., Steven has carved a notable path in the design world. His early career highlights include a role as a sought-after professional retoucher and storyboard artist at Saatchi & Saatchi in 1996. Embracing his entrepreneurial side, Steven founded ShinyDesign in 1998, which later became a key design partner for Fine Print NYC in 2004. His extensive portfolio features collaborations with elite brands such as Snapple, The Waldorf Astoria, Netflix and Sony, cementing his status as a key influencer in New York's vibrant advertising and design industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Defines History101.nyc? Explore NYC's Historical Journey

Welcome to "History101.NYC," an unparalleled online gallery featuring the beginnings of New York City, exquisitely restored by the experts at Fine Print New York. This exclusive collection vividly resurrects key historical moments, celebrating the city's rich history and diverse cultural heritage. Each meticulously crafted piece in our gallery offers a genuine look into NYC's past, embodying exceptional artistic skill and meticulous attention to detail.

Dive into our archives for a selection of exclusive, premium-quality art prints, encompassing a range of vintage photos, historical images, and rare lithographs unique to our site. These curated artworks narrate the dynamic evolution of the Big Apple, providing history enthusiasts and art collectors with a rare opportunity to own a part of NYC's illustrious legacy. Don't miss the chance to explore and acquire these captivating representations of New York City's historical journey.

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

We cover a vast span of New York City's history, from its inception as New Amsterdam to the vibrant late 1980s. Our artists are actively working on expanding our collection to include photos from the 90s up to the present day.

Here's our current coverage list, showcasing the city's evolution:

Dutch Era: When New York Was New Amsterdam

NYC in the 1600s

Georgian Era

NYC in the 1700s • NYC from 1800 to 1840NYC in the 1840s • 

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

Each period is richly represented through a variety of art mediums, offering a comprehensive and immersive historical journey of NYC. This chronological approach provides enthusiasts and scholars a unique lens into the city's architectural, cultural, and social developments.

How many historical Images are on this site?

There are currently 801 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.

@History101NYC

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History101.NYC is an ad-free learning resource available to the public at no charge.
This project is dedicated to exploring New York’s fascinating heritage through the restoration of vintage photographs and prints.