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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 26/12/2025

Winter scenes in Central Park, 1864.

Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 21/12/2025

A wonderful cross-section of the Airlines Terminal building, 1941. It stood on the SW corner of 42nd Street and Park Avenue. Passengers heading to the new LaGuardia airport could take a "limousine bus" to the airport from here.

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 10/12/2025

One of my favorite views of the Spuyten Duyvil Creek, seen from Tippet’s Hill, 1866. The factory on the spit of land jutting into the creek is the Johnson Iron Works, which produced Delafield cannons during the Civil War.

A pastoral color view of the meandering Spuyten Duyvil Creek, seen from Tippet’s Hill (Berrian’s Neck). In the distance is the Johnson Iron Works and the rolling hills of Manhattan and the Bronx.

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 02/12/2025

Scenes in Prospect Park, 1868. Some areas of the park were open, while others, such as the lake, were still under construction and would be for some time.

Scenes in Prospect Park in Brooklyn, which was still partially under construction in 1868. The views include manmade structures such as bridges, the playground pool, and the bed of the lake (which would be filled in), along with natural features such as Lookout Hill. A view of the city from the park is also included.

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 01/12/2025

Quick timeline cleanse: The view aside the old Park Row Terminal, c. 1900. It shows a Flatbush-bound trolley heading up to cross the Brooklyn Bridge, with a train heading into the terminal.

Trolleys and horse-drawn wagons on the approach to the Brooklyn Bridge. To the left is the outside of the Park Row Terminal, which a train is nearing. Pedestrians are walking below, and in the distance an elevated railroad station can be seen passing under the bridge approach.

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 20/11/2025

It’s off of the Well House Drive, right before it crosses the bridge over the lake.

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 14/05/2025

A long time ago I did a deep dive into the history behind Gangs of New York & explored how accurate the movie was. It was accurate in some surprising ways! while being completely wrong in others. Anyone want to see this revived for a new blog post? Also ofc Daniel Day Lewis can do no wrong!

The Five Points, where Orange Street, Cross Street and Anthony Street met. From Valentine's Manual of Old New York, 1855. It is a reproduction of an oil painting by George Catlin from c. 1827.

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 07/05/2025

Old Penn Station appreciation time, just because. Not that one ever needs an excuse to share this beauty.

Track level, showing stairways and elevators leading to the exit concourse.

Exit concourse, showing an elevator and stairway.

The concourse, looking towards 33rd Street.

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 27/04/2025

Obligatory Five Points post (I can't believe I haven't done one yet!). This view shows the eponymous junction, where Orange Street, Cross Street & Anthony Street met. From Valentine's Manual of Old New York, 1855. It is a reproduction of an oil painting by George Catlin from c. 1827. #NYChistory

The crowded Five Points district c. 1827. On the far left is Orange Street, which extends to the right. The next intersection is Cross Street, which extends out of view to the far right. Between them is Anthony Street. Note the presence of numerous groceries. You could get food at some, and liquor and beer at many others.

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 23/04/2025

The colorful monorail built by the American Machine and Foundry Company for the 1964-65 World’s Fair. Fully automatic, it featured seven two-car trains running along a 4,000 foot loop. Visitors could "see the fair from the air" in the air-conditioned cars, which must have been a treat! #history

Folks ascended an escalator to the loading platforms within the angular striped terminal. Going around the loop took eight minutes, with the trains proceeding around 9 miles per hour. Enthusiastic attendants were on hand to point out notable features and attractions as folks enjoyed the beautiful views. Visitors flocked to ride the futuristic mode of transportation.

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 22/04/2025

On April 22nd, 1964, the 1964-65 World's Fair opened in Flushing Meadows. Here's a fantastic aerial view of the expansive fairgrounds in Flushing Meadows park, showing Shea Stadium on the left. From 30 years of progress, 1934-1964 by the Department of Parks. #NYChistory

An aerial view of the 1964-1965 World's Fair fairgrounds. North is to the left in this view, which highlights the layout of the fair. To the left is the old Shea Stadium, and between the stadium and the fairgrounds the Flushing subway and LIRR line can be seen.

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 20/04/2025

For anyone celebrating today’s other “holiday” 😜: discovering.nyc/the-short-hi...

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 20/04/2025

Happy #Easter for those who are celebrating! Here are impeccably dressed crowds promenading up and down 5th Avenue after Easter Services, c. 1900.

Crowded sidewalks on 5th Avenue, with people dressed in their Sunday best. Many are coming from Easter services. This view is looking north from 47th Street.

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 14/04/2025

In 1902, the now-familiar entrance opened on 5th Avenue, designed by Richard Morris Hunt. Visitors enter directly into a grand new great hall and wing. Interestingly, funds ran out and the planned Karl Bitter sculptures atop the columns (see view 2 below) were never completed. #history

The 5th Avenue facade nearing completion, 1902. You can see the old building peeking out behind it on the right. From Scenes of Modern New York.

The plan for the four sculptures on the 5th Avenue facade. They were to be designed by Karl Bitter as allegories of Sculpture, Painting, Architecture and Music.

The new wing with the old building behind. This view has been obscured by subsequent additions. From New York, the Metropolis of America.

The view along 5th Avenue c. 1940. From New York, the Wonder City.

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 14/04/2025

As the museum collections grew, so did the building, with two subsequent additions designed my Thomas Weston. Note that the original approach to the museum was from Central Park. #NYChistory

The first addition to the old building. From A History of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Early Institutions of Art.

Sketch of the expanded building, with Cleopatra's Needle behind. From Leslie's Popular Monthly, December 1889.

The expanded building, with the original building with its distinctive roof seen on the right. From Greater New York illustrated by Rand McNally.

The building from the park. By this time, it had been expanded twice. From An album of selected views of Greater New York.

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 14/04/2025

On April 13, 1870, the Metropolitan #Museum of Art was officially incorporated. Originally housed in a brownstone and then a mansion on 14th Street, its first dedicated building, designed by Calvert Vaux and Jacob Wrey Mould, opened in 1880. Sources and more info in the alt text + more images below!

The first building in Central Park, designed by Calvert Vaux and Jacob Wrey Mould and opened in 1880. From A History of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Early Institutions of Art.

Celebrating the opening of the new building in March 1880. From A History of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Early Institutions of Art.

Scenes at the newly opened Metropolitan Museum of Art. From Frank Leslie's Illustrated Weekly, April 10, 1880.

Folks enjoying the art. From Harper's Weekly, April 10, 1880.

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 09/04/2025

High Bridge and the old "High Service Works" reservoir as they would look when completed. This early view also includes a curious rendering of the iconic water tower. Now a familiar feature, the octagonal water tower opened in 1872. From D.T. Valentine’s Manual, 1868. #engineering

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 08/04/2025

"Wheelman's Rest" in Prospect Park c. 1895. Bicycling up and down nearby Ocean Parkway, which had a dedicated path for doing so, was an immensely popular activity. Clubs such as the Kings County Wheelmen provided a space for people to plan outings and other similar activities. #Brooklyn

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 05/04/2025

A four car train on the 9th Avenue el near 116th Street, 1880. Although many of the lots are still empty or have shanties, development is quickly encroaching. The buildings behind are part of a growing Harlem. From The Tracks of New York Number 3 by Alan Paul Kahn and Jack May. #history

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 04/04/2025

The magnificent Dorilton Apartments seen from 70th Street, 1909. This view looks up Broadway, with the Ansonia Apartments across on 73rd. The sketch is by Joseph Pennell, from The New New York: A Commentary on the Place and the People by John Van Dyke.

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 26/03/2025

A "west side cowboy" riding ahead of an engine which is proceeding down 11th Avenue, c. 1930. These men on horseback warned pedestrians and clear traffic to let the trains pass. The "cowboys" served until 1941, when surface running ended.

A man on a horse proceeding in front of an engine, running on the surface of 11th Avenue.

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 25/03/2025

It's cut off in the preview (grr) but here's the full John Sloan picture drawn for The New York Call on March 27, 1911. #Skystorians

A menacing skeleton stands on the right, and a fat cat businessman on the right, crying a single tear. They are leaning on a triangle, representing the Triangle Shirtwaist Company, with the words "Rent," "Profit," and "Interest." In the middle is a worker burning to death, reaching out in her last moments through the triangle. The newspaper to her left reads "Employer's Liability Bill," and the knife driven into it says "Courts."

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 24/03/2025

City Hall decked out in bunting and flags, with numerous city officials gathered to celebrate beginning construction on the new #subway, March 24, 1900. Mayor Robert Van Wyck broke ground for the project using a silver spade from Tiffany & Co. The day was lauded as "Tunnel Day" in the press.

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 14/03/2025

A rendering of a "continuous moving platform" loop to replace the 42nd Street shuttle, 1919. It would have a capacity of 10,000 passengers, with three platforms facilitating boarding and exiting. The innermost of these would have chairs and hand rails for passengers, whisking them along at 9 MPH.

A rendering of a massive 130 foot loop at Times Square. It features three continuous moving platforms that move at staggering speeds, from 3 miles per hour to 9 miles per hour. The innermost loop, the fastest, has chairs and handrails for passengers.

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 13/03/2025

Folks enjoying a stroll along the Water Terrace (later called Bethesda Terrace) and watching rowboats on the Lake in Central Park, 1868. The Angel of the Waters statue, sculpted by Emma Stebbins, would not be installed until 1873. It gave the terrace its distinctive nickname. #history

A beautiful day out at the Water Terrace. A large fountain is spraying water, causing a rainbow to appear. Beyond is the Central Park Lake, with folks on rowboats enjoying themselves. In the background rises the labyrinthine Ramble.

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 11/03/2025

All of these views are from The construction of the Harlem river tubes, a portion of the subway system in New York City by Howard Babcock Gates. #history

Caption: Section C in position and almost filled with water, tremie scow in the background.

Caption: Section D partially submerged, showing access shafts and circular plate covering to make the end compartments airtight. These plates were accessible after the tubes were filled with water and having served their purpose were removed.

General view showing Section E and plant for sinking of section (note alignment mast on Section A, which has been submerged).

The bridge in the background was operated by the New York Central Railroad.

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 11/03/2025

Constructing the Harlem River Tubes, 1913-1915. These connect to the tunnels of the Lexington Avenue #subway line (today's 4/5/6), allowing trains to pass from Harlem under the river and into the Bronx. #engineering Additional pictures will be attached below - more info is provided in the captions.

Four tubes floating on a wooden platform, each of which will hold a subway track, being put into position by long derricks. This section, section "A" is one of five that will be sunk under the Harlem River to bring the Lexington Avenue line into the Bronx.

Caption: South end of Section A before launching, with its full equipment of bulkheads, valves, masts, etc.

Caption: Section B placed upon flatboats and being towed out of the slip.

Caption: Section A showing details of buoyancy chambers and general details of plant arrangements and tube details.

Section A in position in the water, with lowering plant assembled.

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 05/03/2025

The first view is from Palmer's views of New York, Past and Present, and the second one is from The World Almanac, 1891. Also from the latter is this fascinating plan showing more details about the top floors of the building, and the 1st and 2nd stories of the dome. #Skystorians #domescrolling

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 05/03/2025

If you need a moment to pause from your doomscrolling, may I present: dome-scrolling? Here's a great view of the New York World Building c. 1909, along with a look at Joseph Pulitzer's office on the dome's 2nd floor. Excellent views could be had from the top of the gilded dome. #architecture

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 04/03/2025

A proposed "merry-go-round accelerator device" that would allow mail planes to take off from the old city post office, 1918. According to the report of inventor H. Gernsback this contraption would be "entirely feasible & practicable." #history This certainly puts the sky in #SkyStorians

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 03/03/2025

Two views under the 9th Avenue el at 89th Street, showing the rapid development that took place along the line from 1879 (left) to 1889 (right). #transit

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 25/02/2025

An interesting map of New York drawn for and printed in The London Magazine, 1778. It shows the development of New York and the settlements in Long Island, notable geographic features, some well-known property owners, and fortifications. #map #history

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 23/02/2025

From Scientific American, February 1897, Volume 76 Number 8. Here's two more pictures of the USS Columbia in Dry Dock Number 2. #history

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 23/02/2025

The Brooklyn Navy Yard was established 224 years ago, on February 23rd, 1801. Here's the USS Columbia Cruiser (C-12/CA-16) in Dry Dock Number 2 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, 1897. The Columbia was the fastest cruiser of its size at the time. #maritimehistory

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 21/02/2025

The engine was a modified J-3a Hudson. Promo materials also included a size comparison to the DeWitt Clinton locomotive (1831), which is really quite amusing. #history

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 21/02/2025

A promotional image of the Commodore Vanderbilt, which was billed by the New York Central #railroad as the world's first streamlined high-powered steam locomotive. It debuted at Grand Central Terminal in December 1934.

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 20/02/2025

Looking north from lower Manhattan, with excellent views of the Singer Tower and Woolworth Building, c. 1925. #skyscrapers

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 19/02/2025

New Yorkers tearing down the statue of King George III, July 9, 1776. The statue was pulled apart (some pieces still exist, including the horse's tail at the @nyhistory.bsky.social), taken to Connecticut, and melted down, providing enough lead to make 42,088 musket balls for Patriot guns #history

A group that has attached ropes to the gilded lead statue of King George III in the process of pulling it to the ground. The statue was carted away to be melted down, although the pedestal stayed in Bowling Green for some time. The fence, which had been erected to protect the statue, still stands today, although the crowns that used to top it were hacked off with saws the same day the statue was pulled down.

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 18/02/2025

Theodore Roosevelt giving a speech at the Battery after returning from his 15 month tour through Africa and Europe, June 1910. A large crowd gathered to watch. TR also fraternized with his Rough Riders, and rode around in a carriage with #NYC Mayor William J. Gaynor #history

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 17/02/2025

This is from A monograph of the work of McKim, Mead & White, 1879-1915, Vol 1. George #Washington Accompanied by Fame & Valor (1916) was sculpted by Hermon Atkins MacNeil; George Washington as President, Accompanied by Wisdom & Justice (1918) was sculpted by Alexander Stirling Calder. #architecture

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 17/02/2025

The Washington Square Arch c. 1900. A temporary arch designed for the 1889 Washington Centennial proved to be immensely popular & Stanford White was hired to design a permanent memorial. The pedestals for the two statues on the north side were still empty, as they were not finished until later.

The Washington Memorial Arch, designed in the fashion of other iconic triumphal arches, stands at the foot of 5th Avenue in Washington Square Park. It is decorated with eagles, stars, and laurels befitting the tradition. In the distance through the archway is the campanile tower of Judson Memorial Church.

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 17/02/2025

Here's two advertisements for the New York, Woodhaven, and Rockaway #Railroad, which opened in 1880. From Frederick Law Olmsted's New York by Elizabeth Barlow Rogers.

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 16/02/2025

Canal boats moored off of Coenties Slip, c. 1900. This particular slip (or rather what's left of it) had long been a popular place for canal boats to dock. During the winter months, they would be kept here, with operators and their families living on the boats full time. #maritimehistory

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 15/02/2025

A lively scene on lower Broadway with people enjoying the #snow and sleighs plying the streets, 1858. When it snowed, the omnibus companies switched the cars out for giant sleds, one of which can be seen on the left. From Harper's Weekly, March 6, 1858.

People riding on all manners of sleds, sleighs, and sledges on lower Broadway during a snowy day.

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 12/02/2025

A view of the picturesque Gowanus Bay as it appeared just on the cusp of industrialization, 1867. From History of Long Island from its discovery and settlement to the present time by Benjamin F. Thompson, with additions by Charles J. Werner #Brooklyn #history

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 12/02/2025

Subways of Down-Town New York, 1919. This great drawing by George Wall shows the relationship between the subways, East River tubes, and the elevated lines at the lower end of Manhattan. #transit

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 09/02/2025

This is from Scenes of modern New York, published by the L.H. Nelson Company. Citation tax: The Manhattan Viaduct under construction, 1903. This view is looking west along 125th Street. In the distance is the viaduct that carries Riverside Drive over the Manhattan Valley. #NYChistory

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 09/02/2025

The annual Army-Navy football game at the Polo Grounds, November 1923. It ended in a 0-0 tie. From Midweek Pictorial, December 6th, 1923. #history

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Discovering NYC @discovering.nyc · 08/02/2025

The above is from Annual Report of the Interborough Rapid Transit Company for The Year Ended June 30, 1923. Here's another map from 1913 (Annual Report, The Year Ended June 30, 1913), showing plans for the new lines. It offers a great comparison & one that shows some notable changes #NYChistory

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