History of New York City

At the apex of its postwar recovery, New York City continues to prosper at an unprecedented rate. A collaboration of Allies was successful not just in winning the war, but building bridges as the city welcomed a record number of immigrants seeking a new life. Puerto Rico became a US territory in 1952, opening up a wave of migrant citizens from the island and ultimately leading to the first Puerto Rican Day Parade, along with pop/cultural representation in classic NYC films such as West Side Story.

1953: Pedestrians at the New York Public Library

Photograph of pedestrians scattering a flock of pigeons along the sidewalk in front of New York Public Library.

1952: Washington Street Produce Market

A photograph of the produce market on Washington Street at night.

1953: Times Square Showing Advertisements

Photograph of Times Square showing advertisements and businesses such as the Crossroad’s Cafe and Nedicks.

1953: Grand Central Sculpture of Light

Photograph shows the interior of main concourse of Grand Central Terminal with sunlight streaming through windows of main concourse.

1952: Aerial view of Midtown Manhattan

Aerial photograph of Manhattan including the Chrysler Building and other midtown skyscrapers.

1953: Midtown Smog Obscures View of Chrysler Building

Aerial photograph of smog obscuring a view of the Chrysler Building from the Empire State Building.

1952: Man Standing in Building Ruins

Photograph of a man standing in the doorway of a building in ruins against a backdrop of skyscrapers.

1953: Street Artist Painting a Cityscape

Photograph shows half-length portrait of an street artist working on a painting of Manhattan’s urban landscape with the Empire State Building in the background.

1952: Aerial View of Downtown Manhattan

Photograph shows an aerial view of Manhattan including the East River featuring the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges.

1954: A View across the Brooklyn Bridge

Aerial photograph looking across the East River towards Brooklyn from Manhattan’s perspective.

1952: Aerial View of City Hall Park

Photograph shows view of Broadway looking south from above the 135 highway with large skyscraper in distance and subway tracks emerging from the ground.

1953: Washington Square Arch

Photograph of the Washington Square Arch located at Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village, with its iconic fountain in background, visible through arch.