Fascinating Historical Photos of New York City’s Crowded Streets

In the early 1900s, New York City was on the brink of an unprecedented boom. The city’s population was growing rapidly, with an influx of immigrants who sought a fresh start in the land of opportunity. Fast forward to the 1920s, the age of flappers, jazz, and speakeasies. The streets were filled with stylishly dressed men and women, encapsulating the city’s trendsetting fashion scene. Times Square, even then, was a popular hub of activity. However, the optimism of the Roaring Twenties came crashing down with the Great Depression.

The end of World War II marked the beginning of a new era for New York City. Huge crowds gathered to welcome the troops home from war to speak volumes about the city’s spirit of celebration and relief.

Below are some fascinating historical photos that will take you on a nostalgic journey through the bustling streets of early to mid-20th century New York City. Step back in time and witness the vibrant energy, crowded sidewalks, and iconic scenes of the city that never sleeps, captured in these fantastic images.

#1 Crowd at suffragette meeting City Hall, 1908.

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#2 Suffragettes on 23rd Street, 1908.

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#3 Crowd on Arbor Day, N.Y. Public Schools, 1908.

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#4 Labor parade in rain, 1909.

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#5 Geo. Philibiss, French Syndicalist, 1910s.

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#6 Huge crowd of baseball fans watching baseball scoreboard during World Series game, 1911.

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#7 Crowd watching “playograph,” World Series, 1911.

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#8 Crowd with signs at the May Day rally of the Socialist Party, 1912.

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#9 Crowd watching for Gibson, 1912.

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#10 Crowd gathered around exit at Pennsylvania Station awaiting the arrival of Billy Sunday, 1917.

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#11 Actors’ strike on 45th Street, 1919.

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#12 A sea of hats as hundreds flee after terrorists bomb Wall Street, 1920.

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#13 People in Harlem celebrate after Joe Louis’ win over Primo Carnera, 1935.

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#14 Lower East Side, 1942.

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#15 Penn Station during wartime, New York City, 1943.

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#16 Crowded streets in Harlem, 1943.

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#17 Crowd of people, many waving, in Times Square on V-J Day at time of announcement of the Japanese surrender in 1945.

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#18 Crowd at Nathan’s from corner, 1947.

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#19 People waiting to be vaccinated at the Department of Health building, 1947.

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#20 Typical crowded urban scene in Midtown Manhattan looking north on 5th Ave from 31st Street, 1948.

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