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.

15 Candid Snapshots of the Past That Feel Surreal Now
Let's take a look at some fascinating vintage photos that give us a fascinating glimpse of what life used to be in the past.
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.
Architect Transforms Everyday Things into Unique Buildings
Brazilian architect and urban planner Felipe de Castro likes to reimagine everyday items as unusual buildings. Take a look.
Would You Pay $15 Million for This Grand House?
This mansion has it all, but is it worth the money?
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.
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!
These Crazy Pawn Shop Stories Will Have You in Stitches
Check out these weird and hilarious stories that pawn shop workers have encountered over the years.
8 Shocking Items Unearthed During a Home Renovation
If youโre planning a home renovation, be prepared for the unexpected, as you may dig up some pretty surprising things, like the people in these 8 cool stories
These Wonderful Shots Are From Many Special Times Gone By
Nostalgia can be a beautiful thing, and these beautiful black and white images reinforce that notion. Jump back into the past with these shots.
8 Mysterious Objects Found By Deep Sea Divers
The oceans are vast and mysterious, and they hide many strange and curious lost objects. Here are 8 such items, unearthed by deep-sea divers.
20 Safety Fails That Will Make Your Heart Skip a Beat
You'd be surprised to see how often people just throw safety regulations to the wind with these 20 heart-stopping images
This Dog Saved Her Owner From Certain Death!
This dog proved her love for her owner in an amazing way: she used her incredible sixth sense to help save the woman's life.
17 Fascinating Facts About Anything and Everything
The world never ceases to surprise us. Here are 17ย fascinating factsย about history, nature, recent affairs, and anything in between.
12 Genius Ancient Chinese Inventions We Use to This Today
In this article, we'll focus on 12 surprising everyday items we all use that got their start many centuries ago in Ancient China...
15 Quotes by Meryl Streep That Inspire Everyone
Meryl Streep, the queen of acting, has shared many wonderful words on life and success that everyone will find inspiring.
9 Highly Praised Comedies from 2020-2025
Here is a look at nine highly praised comedies released between 2020 and 2025 that have defined the decade so far.
10 Food Products You Should Never Freeze
Take note of this list of food products that should be kept far away from the freezer.
8 Incredible Historical Predictions that Actually Came True
Here, we present some truly remarkable fictional predictions made in history that actually turned out to be true.
6:28
Discover Similarities Between Ancient & Modern Math
Did you know that the ancient Egyptians used the same system of math as the supercomputers of today do? Find out more in this informative video.
10:20
These Acrobatic Performances Will Make Your Jaw Drop
A breathtaking compilation of the 100 best female acrobatic performances by Cirque du Soleil
4:56
Historyโs First Author Is Largely Unknown, Who WAS She?
Meet the First Author in History - Enheduanna, an ancient Sumerian high priestess with a tragic and heroic life story...
Older Characters Steal the Show in These Brilliant Films
Here are ten unforgettable films where older characters take the lead in extraordinary ways.
These Handy Charts Offer All Sorts of Practical Knowledge!
These charts have a lot of practical info, like how to make a wind-proof fire, or how the color of a specific fruit can tell you which antioxidants it contains.
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!
10 of the OLDEST Perfumes in the World
Here's a list of 10 perfumes on the scale from vintage to antique you can still buy today WITHOUT breaking the bank!
Find Inspiration in These Amazing Japanese Sayings
These beautiful Japanese proverbs offer invaluable lessons on love, life, and wisdom.
Mysteries From Ancient History Science Still Canโt Explain
From buried treasures to undeciphered languages, this list contains 8 perplexing ancient mysteries.
Youโll Love Learning Of These Surprising Facts!
We assure you - these 14 facts are as entertaining and as they are unbelievable!
You Won't Believe These Stories of the White House
The White House stands as a glorious monument to American politics, and in its 200 years of history, has had quite a few interesting encounter!
22 ODD Facts You Didnโt Knowโand Still Might Not Believe
This collection digs up the most peculiar truths that slipped through the cracks of common knowledge.
7 Conspiracy Stories that Turned Out to be True
These stories are shocking... and they turned out to be true!
The World Is Full of Interesting Curiosities, Take a Look
This collection of photos illustrates some surprises you've likely never seen before.
Keep a Conversation Flowing With These Historical Facts
If a conversation you're having starts to stall, just throw out some of these amazing historical facts and youโll be talking long into the night!
Rare Footage: Historical Photos Renewed with Color
Old historical photos have been through expert recoloring and retouching in order to bring the past back to the present!
6:15
John Williams Conducts the Theme Song from โJurassic Parkโ
Watch legendary composer enthrall the audience as he conducts the famous theme music from โJurassic Parkโ.
Snuggle Up with These Feel-Good TV Shows This Winter
Cozy up this winter with these feel-good TV shows.
10 Insightful Greek Proverbs You've Never Heard Of
Take a look at some common Greek proverbs that are full of wisdom.
I Bet You Never Knew These U.S. Geography Facts...
Do you consider yourself to be a proud American who knows all there is to know about the good olโ U.S. of A.? We bet you didn't know these facts!
27:39
5 Terribly Disastrous First Contact Stories from History
Each story is a lesson in misread intentions, power struggles, and the high stakes of meeting the unknown. Watch how these pivotal moments shaped the world.
You Wonโt Believe These 11 Phrases Are Over a Century Old
These 11 words and phrases seem like they're a recent invention in English, but they're actually at least a century old...
These So-Called Facts Have Been Officially Disproved!
These beliefs we were taught as concrete facts were disproved and are no longer true!
Meet 10 Teachers Who Made Our World a Better Place
Without the right teacher, educating children and adults alike would be close to impossible, so here's a list of 10 teachers who changed the world!
19:11
What's the Secret of Reigniting Desire in a Relationship?
The desire for erotic stimulation stands in contrast to the desire for a stable relationship. So how can we get past this. This witty TED talk informs us.
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!
3:25
Saxophone Magic: 15 Unforgettable Solos
These renditions of epic sax solos are just perfect.
8 Facts You Learned at School that Are No Longer True!
The passage of time leads things that were once accepted as facts to actually be proven as incorrect. Here are 8 supposed facts that arenโt really true.
Collection: The Greatest Moments in History
A collection of fascinating, sometimes controversial and surprising stories from the annals of history. Explore and learn about the fascinating past of humanity and some of its most outstanding figures.
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.