History of Union Square Manhattan: NYC's Hub of History, Culture, and Social Activism in Pictures

An aerial view of people, horses and wagons crossing Union Square Park.

Sarah Fairchild's painting, "Union Park, New York," offers a captivating glimpse into the early history of American landscape design and the role of public parks in 19th-century urban life.

A group gathered around the newly constructed monument of George Washington in Union Square, dedicated in 1856 the the oldest sculpture in any NYC Park.

An aerial photograph shows a large crowd of spectators enjoying a parade on Broadway.

A view of 14th Street and 4th Avenue looking northwest over the Washington's Equestrian Statue at Union Square, New York City.

Photograph by George Stacy showing the bronze sculpture of George Washington by John Quincy Adams Ward, originally installed at Federal Hall National Memorial.

Aerial view of Union Square on an overcast morning. The streets are sparsly dotted with pedestrians and street cars.

A photograph shows a famous intersection of downtown Manhattan, lined with trolleys and a vastly different urban landscape.

A northeast view of Union Square and 4th Avenue crowded by trolleys and pedestrians during peak hours.

Instantaneous Panoramic View of Union Square, flanked on the right side by the famous electric trolley cars that once served as mass transit.

Print shows portion of a St. Patrick's Day parade at Union Square with a float in the center bearing a bust of Daniel O'Connell.

Views of Union Square, including the park, equestrian statue of George Washington, and the rustic buildings which once inhabited the neighborhood.

A drawing which shows a night of celebration in Union Square on July 4th, 1876, exactly 100 years since the nation's founding.

An elevated view of celebrations at Union Square Park on Decoration Day, or as we would currently know it, Memorial Day.

Aerial photograph above Union Square filled with people and horses and the Lincoln Statue in the foreground.

Photograph of the Decker Building overlooking Union Square. The structure was completed in 1892 for the Decker Brothers piano company, and designed by John H. Edelmann.

Discover the 1896 photograph capturing NYC's hansom cab driver, a testament to urban transportation's evolution and the city's enduring spirit

Photograph of a man selling flowers to customers, framed by large bouquets against the iconic backdrop of the surrounding buildings.

A woman buys flowers from a vendor in Union Square, surrounded by local children.

Construction worker perched 5 stories above the ground during the construction of a new building at Union Square.

Rapid transit construction work at Union Square at the intersection of Fourth Avenue and 14th Street, New York City, June 8, 1901

A close-up view of the Union Square Fountain with the Metropolitan Building in the background.

Unemployed men and boys meet in Union Square, which as the name implies was a common meeting point for both celebrations and protests.

Children trying to catch goldfish in the remaining puddles of Union Square's Fountain.

Two young messenger boys converse in front of a carriage near Union Square. Most of the messengers worked for telegraph companies or pharmacies.

Photograph shows overhead view of crowds tightly packed into Union Square for May Day.

Photograph of a crowded scene at Union Square for May Day - an ancient festival of spring celebrated by European cultures.

Photograph of 11 year old Tony, who shines shoes in Union Square making anywhere from $2 to $4 per day.