/r/nycHistory
Exploring the history of New York City
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/r/nychistory is dedicated to the history and lore of New York City. We welcome photos, blog posts, news articles, discussions and questions about the city's rich history.
Have a question? Feel free to ask!
AMAs by our resident NYC historian
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/r/nycHistory
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"Human Fly" George Willig scales the World Trade Center's South Tower on May 26, 1977. After he scaled the building in 3 and a half hours, he was arrested by police and fined $1.10 — a penny for each floor he climbed.
16:00 UTC
The New York Central's first electric train on its test run from High Bridge, seen outside the soon-to-be-demolished train shed behind Grand Central, 1906.
23:07 UTC
Thanksgiving menu at the Plaza Hotel in 1899
13:36 UTC
Thanksgiving ragamuffins approaching folks and asking them "Anything for Thanksgiving?," 1904. This curious tradition arose after the Civil War, with children dressing up in makeshift costumes and begging for treats. If you didn't give them pennies, candy, or fruit, they might play a trick on you!
21:15 UTC
Yorkville — New York's little Germany in 1938
22:24 UTC
The Crescent Athletic Club's second boathouse, located on the shore of the narrows (along Shore Road) in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. It burned down in 1904. If you're in NYC on Sat 12/14 at 1PM I'm doing a tour of Old Bay Ridge's "Mayhem, Money and History" — https://shorturl.at/bAcYi
20:13 UTC
New Yorkers in the 1960s
03:49 UTC
The Uncle Sam balloon during the 1940 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo courtesy of Macy’s
02:15 UTC
A Plan of the City and Environs of New York, 1742-1744
16:44 UTC
Searching for old photos for my Dad - E 71st & 1st
Hi everyone -
I have been desperately searching for photos of the E 71st and 1st neighborhood of Manhattan for my Dad for YEARS. My dad grew up there in the mid 40's - 50's and his family owned the Czech Frozen Pastry Company at 357 E 71st. I believe the front-facing name of the bakery was Hajek's, his mother's maiden name. I've been able to find photos in the 80's/2nd Ave area, but keep coming up short on the exact neighborhood I'm looking for. My dad is 81 years old and that neighborhood is the source of most of his best memories. Would love any help I can get with this search!
16:22 UTC
Lower Manhattan May 1960
Blind peanut vendor in lower Manhattan, May of 1960. Scan of 35mm kodachrome color positive slide
15:29 UTC
Times square 1942
01:58 UTC
1927 footage of Macy’s Thanksgiving parade
20:27 UTC
Macy's Thanksgiving Parade 1997
16:20 UTC
ISO - 1940 American Jubilee Dancers Primping Backstage NY Worlds Fair
I'm hoping someone can help me out. In August I bought a photo on eBay (American Jubilee Dancers Primping Backstage World's Fair). The seller gave me a tracking number, blocked me, and resold the photo. I actually had to do an eBay claim to get a refund.
Now, I'm searching for this photo to use in my research project. The NYPL and Library of Congress do not have it in their collections.
18:00 UTC
The Flatiron Building, Astoria 1931/2024
https://i.redd.it/mywyhkjjjn1e1.gif
The “Astoria flatiron building” at 18-23 Astoria Boulevard, built in 1889 for the L.Gally furniture showroom. Manhattan's Flatiron building would be built 12 years later.
12:20 UTC
Steam pours over the streets of Broadway’s Times Square, November 1987. — Photograph by Jodi Cobb for National Geographic.
22:41 UTC
Nicholas Schenck House Original Location at Canarsie Park
I’ve been reading about the Nicholas Schenck house, originally in Canarsie Park, which was donated by the Parks and Rec department to the Brooklyn Museum in 1929 for restoration. I’m trying to find the original location at Canarsie Park - does anyone know where it was? I know the original park was between 88th and 93rd St / Seaview and Skidmore Ave (before being expanded in the early 1930s). The house was apparently used as a concession stand in the 1920s before being dismantled to be relocated.
14:08 UTC
Request: Frutti di Mare Restaurant Pictures
My family used to have a restaurant in Manhattan called Frutti di Mare, it was located on 84 East 4th Street (on the corner of 2nd Ave).
I don't know exactly when it was opened but it was sometime in the 80's and it closed in 2004-5.
We want to recreate the place for the head chef's birthday but we are unable to find any pictures of the place.
Does anyone here maybe have an idea of where I can find such photos?
09:38 UTC