Broadway

Herald Square, New York City

by

Looking north along Broadway at Herald Square, around 1905. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress, Detroit Publishing Company Collection.

193_1905c-loc

Herald Square in 2014:

193_2014

Although the New York Herald went out of existence in 1924, the square at Broadway and Sixth Avenue retains its name.  The newspaper’s headquarters was in the building on the right-hand side of the photo; it was built in 1895 and was demolished in 1921, 3 years before the newspaper was acquired by the New York Tribune to create the Herald-Tribune, which went out of business in 1966.  Another, much larger newspaper building is also visible in the first photo – the New York Times Building in the distance.  It is still there today, although overshadowed by the rest of the Midtown development.

Santa Claus at Herald Square, New York City

by

Santa Claus at Herald Square, around 1903. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress, Detroit Publishing Company Collection.

195_1903c-loc

The view in 2014:

195_2014

Apparently this was before Santa put on some weight. I suppose 110 years of milk and cookies will do that to a guy. In any case, both photos show the scene looking north along Broadway at Herald Square.  The Macy’s building is on the left in both photos, and the New York Herald building is partially visible on the far right. The Santa in the picture is collecting money for Ballington and Maude Booth’s Volunteers of America organization.  The sign indicates that they are looking to raise funds to give clothing and shoes to 5,000 poor for Christmas.

Casino Theatre, New York City (2)

by

The Casino Theatre in New York City, around 1900. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress, Detroit Publishing Company Collection.

Theaters

The scene in 2014:

197_2014

A view of the Casino Theatre looking south from across 39th Street and Broadway. The theater was completed in 1882, but was closed and demolished in 1930 as the theater district moved its way north along Broadway.  At the time of this photo, the theater was playing “The Belle of Bohemia,” and the round sign on the corner of the building advertises that all seats for Wednesday matinees cost 50 cents.

Casino Theatre, New York City (1)

by

A group of people waiting outside the Casino Theatre for matinee tickets, between 1900 and 1910. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress, Detroit Publishing Company Collection.

196_1900-1910-loc

The same location in 2014:

196_2014

Located at the corner of Broadway and West 39th Street, the Casino Theatre was built in 1882 and demolished in 1930. It was home to a number of plays and musicals, but over time the Broadway theater district drifted northward, and the Garment District expanded into this area, leading to its 1930 closure. In this photo, a group of people wait outside for matinee tickets on a Saturday.

Broadway & 29th Streets, New York City

by

The view looking north along Broadway, just above 29th Street, after a snowstorm around 1905. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress, Detroit Publishing Company Collection.

192_1905c-loc

The same scene in 2014:

192_2014

I’m sure the “straw hats for this sweltering weather” really came in handy in the 1905 photo.  Not much has stayed the same along this stretch of Broadway – the only building I can identify in both photos is the one on the far right, although even this building has been altered in the past 100+ years.

Times Square

by

Times Square, as it appeared around 1905. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress, Detroit Publishing Company Collection.

130_1905c loc

The same view in 2014:

130_2014

The tall building toward the right-hand side of the 1905 photo is actually still there – it’s the Times Square Building, and was the headquarters of the New York Times in the early 20th century, hence the name “Times Square.” The New York Times hasn’t used the building in a century, but it’s still there, covered in billboards, and with the famous New Years ball at the top. Because of the building’s narrow dimensions, it’s actually more profitable to cover it in billboards and electronic signboards instead of renting it out.  Otherwise, all of the other buildings in the first picture are either gone or are completely hiding behind billboards and signs.  I think I like the 1905 photo better.