New York in the early 1940s was a city in the midst of transformation. It was a time of both war and change, as the world grappled with the effects of World War II. The city’s skyline, already iconic, rose even higher as skyscrapers were still being built. The economy was booming thanks to the war effort, and industries thrived with the production of arms and materials for the military.
Despite the war, the city was alive with optimism, as people hurried about their business, yet there was a palpable sense of unity in the air, whether through the crowds at war bond rallies or shared moments of quiet reflection in the midst of the rush.
Take a look at these stunning photos to see what New York street scenes looked like from the early 1940s.
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Looking south along west side of Greenwich Street toward Battery over elevated structure, photo by Stanley P. Mixon, New York, September 7, 1940 |
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Collier's House at PEDAC, New York City, photo by Gottscho-Schleisner, July 15, 1940 |
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Girl at gasoline pump, New York, photo by Royden J. Dixon, 1940 |
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Sachs Quality Furniture Inc., 150th Street & Third Avenue, New York, photo by Gottscho-Schleisner, November 5, 1940 |
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Schrafft's, 625 Madison Avenue, New York, photo by Gottscho-Schleisner, December 1, 1940 |
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Amsterdam, New York, photo by John Collier, October 1941 |
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Broadway from Bowling Green, New York, photo by Arthur Rothstein, December 1941 |
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Burning fallen leaves, New York City suburbs, photo by Arthur Rothstein, December 1941 |
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Children playing in Washington Square, New York, photo by Edwin Rosskam, December 1941 |
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Dressing window in Amsterdam, New York, photo by John Collier, October 1941 |
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Elevated train structure and buildings, Lower Manhattan, New York, photo by Arthur Rothstein, December 1941 |
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Evening in Washington Square, New York, photo by Edwin Rosskam, December 1941 |
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Ice man, New York, photo by Arthur Rothstein, December 1941 |
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Junk men with waste paper, New York, photo by Arthur Rothstein, December 1941 |
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Main store, Fort Hunter, New York, photo by John Collier, October 1941 |
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Railway crossing in Chatham, New York, photo by John Collier, October 1941 |
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Scenes in the Finger Lakes region. This diner depends on the 'truckers' for its trade. Near Cortland, New York, photo by John Collier, October 1941 |
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Store on the Hudson, New York, photo by John Collier, October 1941 |
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Street in Amsterdam, New York, photo by John Collier, October 1941 |
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Truckers' service station, Little Falls, New York, photo by John Collier, October 1941 |
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Vladeck Houses, view from Madison and Scammel Streets, New York, photo by Gottscho-Schleisner, July 14, 1941 |
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Drinking fountain in Central Park on Sunday, New York, photo by Marjory Collins, September 1942 |
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Looking downtown from the Third Avenue elevated railway, New York, photo by Marjory Collins, September 1942 |
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Looking north south on Broadway at Times Square, New York, photo by Marjory Collins, September 1942 |
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Macy's department store at Herald Square, New York, photo by Marjory Collins, September 1942 |
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Second Avenue elevated railway at 14th Street in the midst of demolition, New York, photo by Marjory Collins, September 1942 |
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Taxi driver, New York, photo by Albert Fenn, 1942 |
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Third Avenue elevated railway at 18th Street, New York, photo by Marjory Collins, September 1942 |
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Third Avenue elevated railway station at 8-30 a.m, New York, photo by Marjory Collins, September 1942 |
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Under the Third Avenue elevated railway, New York, photo by Marjory Collins, September 1942 |
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