Looking back at old photos of the early 1900s, it is clear to see how landmarks have drastically changed, while others, have remarkably stayed the same. New York City, like most older American cities, is a place that has witnessed many changes - perhaps the only thing that has indeed remained the same is its peoples' desire to photograph it. In this collection of images from times gone by, we are given the opportunity to look back at New York just before the turn of the 20th century. These images, supplied by the Library of Congress, give us an idea of what life was like in the early 1900s.
This photo shows Federal Hall. Originally, it served as a home to the first Congress, US Supreme Court and federal executive-branch offices. It now stands as a museum and memorial.

One of the oldest buildings in the US - Manhattan's City Hall.

What a difference from today! Times Square hadn't yet been bombarded with advertisements at the turn of the 20th century.

Here's something which hasn't changed since the early 1900s - today, you can still buy flowers every week at the Union Square Greenmarket.

This photo shows a hot-dog festival that took place in Greenwich Village.

Even in the 1930s, Prospect Park was known for the white-faced sheep roaming the grounds with their caretakers.

Here's a sight you will not see nowadays - today you'd see a lot more bathing suits in Coney Island.

This photo shows the Grand Army Plaza, at the northwest corner of Prospect Park, honoring John F. Kennedy and Civil War generals.

The Harlem River - a narrow strait dividing Manhattan from the Bronx.

The Washington Bridge - it crosses the Harlem River between Manhattan and the Bronx. Below it, to the left is Harlem River Drive.

Over the years, Madison Square Park has been home to several temporary arches. This picture shows the Dewey Arch which was constructed in 1899, in honor of Commodore George Dewey's victory over the Spanish.

In 1869, construction of the Brooklyn Bridge began, and was open to traffic by 1883.

This photo shows South Street Seaport, neighbor to Manhattan's Financial District - it is now a designated historic district.

Still hustling and bustling (probably more so today) - here's Mott Street in Chinatown.

This is what the Metropolitan Museum of Art looked like when it officially opened in April 1870.

Looks quite bare, doesn't it? Here's what 11th Avenue looked like at the start of the 20th century. Now, it is bustling with traffic (both by foot and vehicle).

Originally founded as the Free Academy of the City of New York, pictured here is the College of the City of New York.

A man stands outside shops on 34th Street and 5th Avenue. These classic shops are hard to come by these days.

Pictured is the City Hall subway station - not much has changed here - its long-lasting architecture still stands.

9 Crazy Homes: These Houses Are Out of This World!
Every man's house is his castle, to be really proud of. And some people really take this to heart, building incredibly unusual houses. These are 9 of the best!
Welcome to Wat Rong Khun, Where Imagination Comes to Life!
Check out Wat Rong Khun, commonly known as Thailand's White Temple. We bet you've never seen anything quite like it!
One Look at These Photos & You'll Fall in Love With Seoul!
Take a close look at these photos and you'll find it very hard not to fall in love with this beautiful Korean city.
Some Building Designs You Just Donโt See Every Day
Some buildings around our planet are architectural masterpieces. These are certainly NOT some of them.
These Photos Prove How Weird Our World Has Always Been
These strange yet intriguing photos depict what our world has gone through in its history.
15 Iconic American Buildings We Will Never See Again
These iconic buildings were once great examples of American architecture, but they are now lost forever.
10 of the Most Spectacular Royal Crowns in the World
Crowns have long been seen as a strong symbol of power and wealth. Here are some of the world's most recognized crowns and tiaras.
3:00
This Nonagenarian Gymnast Will Leave You Speechless
Johanna Quaas, at the grand old age of ninety-one, is the world's oldest gymnast. In this video, she showcases her skills - be prepared to be amazed!
The US Is Home to 6 Extremely Valuable Hidden Treasures
Yes, hidden treasures truly exist. And they might be closer than you though - these 6 lost treasures are believed to be somewhere in the US...
The Astonishing Life and Philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein
It is the true story of Ludwig Wittgenstein, the man who sat in the same classroom as Adolf Hitler, became the protรฉgรฉ of the philosopher Bertrand Russell, and changed the face of 20th-century philosophy
How Much Influence Do Secret Societies Have? Find Out Here
Learn all about six of the most famous secret societies that seem to have quite a degree of influence even today.
Work Safety? Never Heard of It!
The people involved in these construction fails and work safety violations have never heard of the phrase โSafety First!โ
Where Did Famous Tongue-Twisters Come From?
Many traditional tongue twisters have long histories full of unexpected twists and turns - not unlike the acrobatics our tongue goes through as we pronounce them.
14:52
What Are the Odds?! - 20 Creepy Historical Coincidences
These are some of the creepiest, and most spine-chilling coincidental occurrences in history...
25 Incredible Facts About the Famous Genghis Khan
Genghis Khan struck fear into the hearts of his subjects during his reign, but there's a lot more to the man than meets the eye. Here are 25 intriguing facts.
13:08
Watch the Great City of Chicago as it Was in the 1930s...
A rare and vivid window into the daily life, fashion, and architecture of Chicago during a defining decade in American history.
Collection: The Most Influential People In History
The collection before you is one that celebrates the most incredible people in history that inspire, motivate, amaze us and show us the way.
These Regulations Should be Adopted by Every Country!
There are weird laws in different parts of the world, but some of them are so amazingly beneficial, they should be put into use everywhere.
7 Facts About Ancient Humans That May Surprise You
Our ancient forefathers displayed many moments of courage and even ingenuity. Here are 7 fascinating and surprising facts about prehistoric humans.
These 15 Interesting Facts Really Surprised Me!
Our world is full of surprises, amazing stories, funny coincidences and events you've never heard of - so we've collected 16 of them to share with you ...
10:15
This Animal Video is Sure to Turn a Smile Into a Grin!
Get ready to wear a big smile and a giggle, this video will make your day!
18 Fun Facts You Likely Never Heard of Cutely Illustrated
Don't the cute exterior of these illustrations deceive you. This is a real treasure trove of fascinating facts about the world we live in
You Don't See a Lot of Vintage Portraits Like These...
In this post we will give you a swift glimpse of the portrait collection of one of the leading photographers of 19th-century Washington.
7 Guns that Changed History
This article explores famous firearmsโ backstories, the events they were part of, and the legacies they left behind.
16 Jaw-Dropping Archeological Finds
Even if you werenโt a fan of the subject back in school, youโll love the visual history lesson we prepared for you today.
How to Tell If You Have a Shopping Addiction
Studies indicate that 5-8% of the worldwide population suffers from this condition Addiction Help, making it a significant global behavioral health concern.
13 Geniuses, Who On Some Level, May Have Been a Little Mad
These geniuses may have been smart, but they are incredibly weird too!
14 Charming Photos of Schools from Back in the 1950s
Peek inside 1950s classrooms with these charming photos.
You Won't Find These Unusual Facts in An Encyclopedia!
In this article we have collected some incredible facts about our world that you definitely wonโt find in an encyclopedia! Take a look!
If You Knew These English Facts You Must Be a Genius
Yeah, you are fluent in the English language, but do you really know that much about it? We bet we can surprise you with these language facts.
10 Food Products You Should Never Freeze
Take note of this list of food products that should be kept far away from the freezer.
Here's Some Laughter You Can Pass Along...
Brighten someone's mood today by sending them a funny message.
Impress Your Friends With These Quirky Latin Phrases
Make yourself look wiser and more romantic by using these ten Latin phrases on a daily basis.
Add Extra Sunshine to Your Life With These Feel-Good Books
Need a little pick-me-up? These feel-good books are guaranteed to leave you smiling.
The Streets of Rome: 15 Illustrations of Daily Life
Here are 15 artistic depictions that offer a glimpse into what life was like in ancient Rome.
Letโs Learn About 7 of the Longest Words!
Did you know that the longest word to appear in literature clocks at a staggering 183 letters? Find out about more such longest words.
21 Incredible Items Unearthed by Metal Detectors
Metal detecting is a surprisingly popular hobby. Here are some of the coolest and most valuable items found by amateur metal detector hobbyists.
These So-Called Facts Have Been Officially Disproved!
These beliefs we were taught as concrete facts were disproved and are no longer true!
9:01
Learn With a Smile: A Funny History of Japan
If you've ever wanted a crash course in Japanese history without it being too dull - this is the perfect video for you.
Itโs a Shame We Stopped Using These 17 Old English Words
These 17 old words are definitely missing in our modern vocabularies and deserve to be brought back into day-to-day speech
The Fascinating Last Words of Famous Historical Figures
Some of the most important figures in world history, along with some of the most notorious, had some fascinating things to say just before they left this world.
10 Surprising Facts About the Food in Your Kitchen
Did you know that ordinary foods like carrots, jelly beans, sandwiches, and broccoli have a fascinating story to tell?
10 Unspoiled Fossils of Animals & Other Items Explained
Every year, new amazing fossils are uncovered, and in this article, we explain some impressive recent finds.
2:10
God Thought Long & Hard Before Creating the Dog...
They do say dogs are our best friend, and there is a reason for that.
Louis Armstrong Said it Best, Didn't He...?
This amazing song can really open your eyes to nature's beauty, and the beauty we make for ourselves.
8 Bizarre Customs From Not-So-Long Ago
Here are 8 practices that used to be viewed as normal in the past, but today they seem bizarre, dangerous... or both!
The Most EGGstravagant Chicken Coops Weโve Seen!
The owners built their chicken coops so extravagant, we got jealous of their lavish lifestyle!
To enable your Ad-Free Subscription, please fill the fields below
Your subscription was successful, now you can enjoy an ad-free experience!! Note: To make sure you get no ads, please make sure to log in to your account. If you are logged in already, then refresh the page. The subscription can be cancelled at any time.