In Honor of the RNC: A picture tribute to NYC

Lake Victoria | Today | Brainhose

[Brainhose]

In honor of the RNC here is a set of old postcards of NYC
These were made prior to the construction of the Empire State Building.
Please click on the thumbnails to see a much larger version in a new window.

[jocon307]

Nice pics! Love that Flatiron Building.

[bitt]

great pics, where did they come from?

[Brainhose]

The other night I was over my folks house (scamming a free dinner) and my Mom and I started going through some old stuff, my Mom's house is pretty much like a museum (so is my apartment), so I borrowed these to post for everyone. She has some others of N.Y.C. that I'll post soon.
I also have some terribly unpolitically correct postcards that I'll have to post. :) Very glad you liked them.

[Brainhose]

You probably know that the Flatiron building is often considered to be the world's first 'Skyscraper' there are many good links about it. Here is one: http://users.commkey.net/daniel/flatiron.htm

[beaversmom]

Wow those are so neat. Do you know what time they are from? Thanks for taking the time to share.

[thackney]

You probably know that the Flatiron building is often considered to be the world's first 'Skyscraper' there are many good links about it. Here is one:

Not by a long shot. Shibam in Yemen (yes, Yemen) had 5 to 16 story buildings in the 1300's.

[Brainhose]

Definitely before the Empire state building was built, which began construction in 1930 (Please see: http://www.esbnyc.com/tourism/tourism_history_timeline.cfm?CFID=7742199&CFTOKEN=14771568), but after the Flatiron building was built around 1890. I've been doing Google Searches on some of the photogs., God bless Google and one of the artists, Mr. Irving underhill lived from 1872 to 1960 but seemed to be most active at his craft between 1890 and 1942. One or two of these were by the HH Tammen Co. and they were active around 1905. So in conclusion I'm guessing that these pics are from around 1905 to 1910, especially going by the automobiles in the Times Square card. Glad you liked the cards.

[Brainhose]

I guess that depends on your interpretation of a skyscraper :) I understand that a Viking in Largs Scotland once made a hut 1 story tall in the year 1200. And that Indians in the west used to make homes way up on the faces of cliffs, so that's even taller :). The Flatiron building would possibly be the first Modern Skyscraper since it had a skeleton made of metal.

[AgThorn]

And never to forget ... the most important tribute of them all

[Brainhose]

It's still hard to believe that they aren't the tallest buildings in NYC anymore!

[nutmeg]

Very nice work, THANKS! I'll ping some NYC-area FRiends...

[nutmeg]

Great NYC pics ping!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.

[Clemenza]

Thanks for contributing to my homesickness. ;-)

[BushMeister]

I used to work on Broadway & Houston, and I could see the WTC from my windows. I used to pick up a pair of binoculars and watch the people milling about on the outdoor observation deck.

I was living in SF when the towers went down, and it really didn't sink in until I drove over the Whitestone Bridge and saw the terribly altered skyline.

[BushMeister]

More vintage views:

postcards

[beaversmom]

Wow, it's got to be sad for people who lived in NY. It's sad for me to see that picture and I've never been in New York City. I'm also in awe--how huge they look and that picture can't even do them justice, I'm sure.

[beaversmom]

Well before you said anything I was thinking Titanic era--around 1912--just a guess from a lay person because of the look to them.

[ELS]

I know you are interested in NYC history.

[Pharmboy]

Excellent! Thanks so much for the ping...