New York City was a bustling metropolis by the early 20th century, the city was a booming business and industrial hub, with new skyscrapers going up all around during this time. The Woolworth Building on Lower Broadway topped out in 1912 and was the tallest building in the world until 1930.
Over the centuries, immigration has been one of the largest drivers of America’s success. It seems no coincidence that during a time when immigration increased significantly, so did America’s growth and prosperity. People came from all over the world looking to make their dreams a reality in great nation. Population figures skyrocketed from 1900 to 1920, going from roughly 3.4 million residents to over 5.6 million.
The rapid development of business and industry was exciting in such a short period of time. It gave residents access to more business opportunities while providing jobs and economic growth. Although there were a few growing pains associated with it, business and industry took center stage during this time, making the city an interesting place to visit or live.
Take a look at these amazing photos to see what New York looked like in the 1900s.
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| Italian bread peddlers, Mulberry Street, New York, circa 1900 |
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| Cab stand at Madison Square, New York, circa 1900 |
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| Casino Theatre, Broadway, New York City, New York, circa 1900 |
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| New York Central freight sheds, Buffalo, New York, circa 1900 |
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| Pell Street, Chinatown, New York, circa 1900 |
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| The Bowery near Grand Street, New York, circa 1900 |
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| The tracks of the Third Avenue El passing the Bowery Savings Bank, Manhattan, New York, circa 1900 |
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| Flatiron Building, the Manhattan landmark under construction, New York, circa 1902 |
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| Santa Claus on Broadway. Collecting donations for Volunteers of America, New York, circa 1902 |
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| A characteristic sidewalk newsstand, New York, circa 1903 |
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| Manhattan from under the Brooklyn Bridge, New York, circa 1903 |
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| South end of Bowery, Coney Island, New York, August 1903 |
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| A flower vender's Easter display, Union Square, New York, 1904 |
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| A race, Manhanset House, Shelter Island, New York, circa 1904 |
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| Gen. Sherman statue at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street. Hotels Netherland, Savoy and St. Regis, New York, circa 1904 |
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| Goat carriages in Central Park, New York, circa 1904 |
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| Longacre Square, soon to be renamed Times Square, New York, circa 1904 |
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| Rockaway Beach, Long Island, New York, 1904 |
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| Station City Hall, New York City, New York, 1904 |
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| A life guard. Brighton Beach, New York, circa 1905 |
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| Dreamland at twilight, Coney Island, New York, circa 1905 |
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| Grace Church, New York, circa 1905 |
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| Home to Best & Co's - Lilliputian Bazaar, West 23rd Street, New York, circa 1905 |
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| Johnstown Flood, an attraction commemorating the deadly Pennsylvania disaster of 1889, Coney Island, New York, circa 1905 |
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| L Station, Chatham Square, New York City, New York, circa 1905 |
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| On the beach at Coney Island, New York, circa 1905 |
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| Subway entrance and exit kiosks, East 23rd Street, New York City, New York, circa 1905 |
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| The Belmont coach, New York, circa 1905 |
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| The Bowery looking east, Rockaway, New York, circa 1905 |
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| The docks, New York, circa 1905 |
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| The miniature railway, Coney Island, New York, circa 1905 |
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| View of the Flatiron Building, New York, 1905 |
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| Where the subway is an elevated, New York City, New York, circa 1905 |
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| 14th Street Store, New York, circa 1906 |
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| Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York, 1906 |
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| John Wanamaker store, Broadway and 10th Street, New York, circa 1906 |
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| Williamsburg Bridge Plaza, Brooklyn, New York, circa 1906 |
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| Williamsburg Bridge Plaza, New York 1906 |
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| Brooklyn Bridge, New York, circa 1907 |
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| East Twenty-Third Street and Fourth Avenue. Anchored by the shelter of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, New York, 1908 |
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| New York Downtown, 1908 |
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| Traffic Squad Parade, New York, November 5, 1908 |
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| Knickerbocker Hotel, Broadway & 42nd Street, New York, 1909 |
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| Manhattan Bridge under construction, New York, March 1909 |
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| Panorama of Madison Square, New York, circa 1909 |
