in Places & People

1930s New York City: Fascinating Historical Photos Show Streets, Landmarks And Everyday Life Of New Yorkers

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These historical pictures show streets, landmarks, stores, cityscapes everyday life of New Yorkers in the 1930s. It was a difficult era for the New York City and America, as the city was struggling with the Great Depression. People were suffering from unemployment, massive wage cut, many New Yorkers could not afford to eat on their own expense, and often resulted to waiting on bread-lines for food.

The Newly elected government under the leadership of Franklin Roosevelt, launched a federally funded recovery program known as the New Deal. Massive housing and building projects including highways, bridges, public housing, parks, new schools, and expansion of the Brooklyn Navy Yard reshaped the future of the New York City.

These historical photos will take you back to the old New York City in the 1930s.

#3 Miniature golf courses in New York City on 50th Street next to Roxy’s theatre, 1930s.

Miniature golf courses in New York City on 50th Street next to Roxy's theatre, 1930s.

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#7 Surrealistic window display, Bergdorf Goodman, New York City

Surrealistic window display, Bergdorf Goodman, New York City

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#9 NY-Overhead view of pedestrians and traffic at 42nd St. and Fifth Avenue, 1930s.

NY-Overhead view of pedestrians and traffic at 42nd St. and Fifth Avenue, 1930s.

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#10 Hecksher Building, in left center, at 57th Street and 5th Avenue.

Hecksher Building, in left center, at 57th Street and 5th Avenue.

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#11 Two way automobile traffic on fifth avenue at 33rd street, Manhattan, NYC, 1930s.

Two way automobile traffic on fifth avenue at 33rd street, Manhattan, NYC, 1930s.

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#12 View of pedestrian and vehicle traffic at the intersection of 42nd Street and 5th Avenue, New York City, 1930s.

View of pedestrian and vehicle traffic at the intersection of 42nd Street and 5th Avenue, New York City, 1930s.

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#13 Crowded Manhattan sidewalk, New York City, 1930s.

Crowded Manhattan sidewalk, New York City, 1930s.

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#14 Intersection Of West 54th St. & 12th Ave, NYC, 1930s.

Intersection Of West 54th St. & 12th Ave, NYC, 1930s.

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#15 Exterior of the Lyric Theatre, New York City, 1930s.

Exterior of the Lyric Theatre, New York City, 1930s.

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#16 A view looking north down Park Avenue, with Grand Central Station and the newly-completed New York Central building, Manhattan, New York City.

A view looking north down Park Avenue, with Grand Central Station and the newly-completed New York Central building, Manhattan, New York City.

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#17 George Washington Bridge during its construction, New York City.

George Washington Bridge during its construction, New York City.

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#18 Fluctuations in the New York Stock Exchange are reflected in the mood of Wall Street, 1930s.

Fluctuations in the New York Stock Exchange are reflected in the mood of Wall Street, 1930s.

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#20 First international photographic exhibit. New York City

First international photographic exhibit. New York City

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#23 Peanut wagon on Lenox Avenue and 133rd Street, New York City

Peanut wagon on Lenox Avenue and 133rd Street, New York City

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#24 NBC mobile transmitters in operation at the New York World’s Fair in 1939, during the visit of their majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II of England.

NBC mobile transmitters in operation at the New York World's Fair in 1939, during the visit of their majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II of England.

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#25 The beach and boardwalk at Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City, 1930s.

The beach and boardwalk at Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City, 1930s.

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#26 Aeriel view of a neighborhood of nearly identical houses, New York City, 1930s

Aeriel view of a neighborhood of nearly identical houses, New York City, 1930s

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#27 View east along Cortlandt Street across West Street, New York City, 1930s.

View east along Cortlandt Street across West Street, New York City, 1930s.

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#30 Greyhound Bus Terminal, 33rd and 34th streets between Seventh and Eighth avenues

Greyhound Bus Terminal, 33rd and 34th streets between Seventh and Eighth avenues

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#31 Manhattan skyline, from South Street and Jones Lane

Manhattan skyline, from South Street and Jones Lane

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#33 Mrs. Montefiori at the kitchen of her apartment. 340 East 63rd Street

Mrs. Montefiori at the kitchen of her apartment. 340 East 63rd Street

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#34 A woman and girls at the back of an apartment house on East 63rd Street

A woman and girls at the back of an apartment house on East 63rd Street

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#37 Typical New York luncheonette selling fruit drinks in the 1930s.

Typical New York luncheonette selling fruit drinks in the 1930s.

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#38 Shoppers in a New York City department store, 1930s.

Shoppers in a New York City department store, 1930s.

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#40 Street Vender selling sodas for 3 cents, NYC, 1930s.

Street Vender selling sodas for 3 cents, NYC, 1930s.

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#42 A group of people in formal attire celebrate on New Years Eve at the El Morroco night club in New York City, 1935.

A group of people in formal attire celebrate on New Years Eve at the El Morroco night club in New York City, 1935.

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#43 A group of children in shorts play in an open fire hydrant on a cobblestone street, New York City.

A group of children in shorts play in an open fire hydrant on a cobblestone street, New York City.

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#46 Rockefeller Center, Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas

Rockefeller Center, Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas

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#48 61st Street between 1st and 3rd Avenues. Children playing in the street

61st Street between 1st and 3rd Avenues. Children playing in the street

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#49 Children on East Sixty-first Street, probably between First and Second Avenues

Children on East Sixty-first Street, probably between First and Second Avenues

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#51 Children playing in the 61st Street between 1st and 3rd Avenues

Children playing in the 61st Street between 1st and 3rd Avenues

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#53 A Harlem woman in a Father Divine parade, New York City, 1930s.

A Harlem woman in a Father Divine parade, New York City, 1930s.

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#54 Girl Scouts taking notes on methods of a New York street cleaner, 1930s.

Girl Scouts taking notes on methods of a New York street cleaner, 1930s.

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#55 Teenage couple dancing in the aisle of New York’s Paramount Theater, 1930s.

Teenage couple dancing in the aisle of New York's Paramount Theater, 1930s.

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#56 Wealthy accused murderer Harry K. Thaw eats a breakfast supplied by Delmonico’s restaurant in his jail cell in New York City.

Wealthy accused murderer Harry K. Thaw eats a breakfast supplied by Delmonico's restaurant in his jail cell in New York City.

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#57 A view of 14th Street and the exterior of the 14th Street Cafeteria, circa 1930.

A view of 14th Street and the exterior of the 14th Street Cafeteria, circa 1930.

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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