New York in the 1980s Through Fascinating Photos

Compared to the 1970s, the 1980s were a time of restrained optimism in New York. The boom on Wall Street was fueling the speculative real estate market, and unemployment numbers dropped noticeably.

The illegal drug trade flourished, causing the murder rate to soar, and dividing the city into areas ruled by different drug lords. It became known as the crack epidemic. The New York City Subway fell victim to a crime epidemic that saw more crimes being committed on the subway each year than in any other subway system around the world.

Homelessness became a serious problem during the 1980s. The city outlawed discrimination against gay and lesbian people in such matters as employment and housing in 1986.

These fascinating photos were taken by Meredith Jacobson Marciano that captured street scenes of New York in the 1980s.

43 St Marks Place, East Village, 1980

Battery Park, 1980

Democrat Convention, 7th Ave, 1980

Man in the East Village, St Marks Place between 1st Ave and Ave A, 1980

The Launderama at First Ave, East Village, 1980

The Little Missionary's Day Nursery, East Village, 1980

Moondance Diner, SoHo, 1983

Circus Bar, Woodhaven, Queens, 1986

Coney baths and Parachute Drop, 1986

Coney boardwalk, 1986

Coney Island coaster, 1986

Cyclone and graffiti train, Coney Island, 1986

Cyclone, Coney Island, 1986

Hair salon, Queens, 1986

Lane, Staten Island, 1986

Nathan's, Coney Island, circa 1986

Wonder Thrills, Coney Island, 1986

Wonder Wheel, Coney Island, circa 1986

Hydrant fun at East 4th Street between 1st and 2nd Aves, East Village, 1987

Man and his dogs, Brooklyn Heights Promenade, 1987

Nathan's sign, Coney Island, 1987

Surf Ave, Coney Island, 1987

Victory Diner, Staten Island, 1987

Walking around the 1964 World's Fair ruins of the New York Sate Pavilion, 1987

Popcorn dispenser at Brooklyn Heights theater, circa 1988

Hester Street store for dried fruit and nuts, 1989

Hester Street store, Lower East Side, 1989

Orchard Street between Hester and Grand, circa 1989