31 Dec 2003
New York in living color
Gothamist linked a great collection of New York City photographs today from the 1940s-60s. Just like the amazing turn-of-the-century Russian photo collection at the Library of Congress, these color photos help to erase the black and white conception of the past.
I was particularly interested in this photo, which shows Maiden Lane running beside my building (I’m catty-corner to the Federal Reserve in the distance). What is now Louise Nevelson Plaza (photo), a triangular wedge of land outside my building with sculptures, was apparently occupied by a building as late as 1960.
Another neighborhood tidbit: here’s the story behind the series of numbers on the side of the building at the corner of John and Water St.