History of Times Square in Pictures (1904 - 1989)
Formerly known as Longacre Square, Times Square was renamed in 1904 after The New York Times moved its headquarters to the then newly erected Times Building, now One Times Square. It is the site of the annual New Year’s Eve ball drop, which began on December 31, 1907, and continues to attract over a million visitors to Times Square every year
1904: Times Square at Night
The bright lights of Times Square are not a new phenomenon as this picture reveals, albeit on a much smaller scale.
1907: Election Night in Times Square
Voters congregate near the Times Building at the "Great White Way" (Broadway from 42nd to 34th Sts.)
1908: Times Square, New York
A daytime photograph of Times Square and the New Times Building, with pedestrians and trolleys in the foreground.
1923: Times Square Looking North
A night time photograph of Broadway and Times Square looking North from 45th Street.
1927: Air Mail Plane on Display in Times Square
A group of onlookers crowd around the Post Office's Air Mail plane in the middle of Times Square.
1943: A Rainy Day in Times Square
Photograph of wet street and pavements at Time Square with the Times Building barely visible through the rain.
1943: Times Square Advertisement
Photograph of an iconic Times Square advertisement for Camel Cigarettes, featuring actual smoke blowing onto the street.
1943: Rainy Day in Times Square
Photograph of traffic and pedestrians with umbrellas walking along Times Square in midtown Manhattan.
1944: D Day at Times Square
Photograph of sailors and civilians watching an electronic sign in Times Square for news of D-Day invasion.
1945: Crowd at Times Square on V-J Day
Crowd of people, many waving, in Times Square on V-J Day at time of announcement of the Japanese surrender in 1945.
1945: Kissed in Times Square
Photograph of a sailor kissing an unknown woman in Times Square upon the announcement of Japan's surrender.
1945: Times Square Crowd Celebrates the Surrender of Japan
Crowds Gather in Times Square to Celebrate V-J Day (Victory over Japan Day) on Tuesday August 14, 1945
1947: Jazz Band at Times Square
A portrait of musicians Art Hodes, Kaiser Marshall, Henry (Clay) Goodwin, Sandy Williams, and Cecil (Xavier) Scott, playing on the back of a wagon in Times Square.
1947: Portrait of Jazz Musicians in Times Square
Photograph of jazz musicians Art Hodes, Kaiser Marshall, Henry (Clay) Goodwin, Sandy Williams, and Cecil (Xavier) Scott at Times Square.
1953: Times Square Showing Advertisements
Photograph of Times Square showing advertisements and businesses such as the Crossroad's Cafe and Nedicks.
1953: Times Square at Night
Aerial Photograph of a busy night in Times Square, illuminated by its many billboards, storefronts and the lights of passing traffic.
1954: Times Square Traffic
Photograph looking north at traffic along 7th Avenue facing Times Square with its many billboards 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.
1973: Rush Hour Traffic in Times Square
Photograph of gridlock traffic in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, on 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues.
1989: Sailor Photographing a Police Man in Times Square
A sailor on liberty during Fleet Week photographs a New York City policeman on horseback in Times Square.
1989: Three Sailors Posing in Times Square
Three sailors stop to look around Times Square while on liberty during Fleet Week.
