The makers of this postcard may not have realized it at the time. But they selected an image that gives contemporary viewers a glimpse at all the different transportation options available to New Yorkers in 1910.
Trolley cars would continue at least through the 1930s. Horse-drawn wagons had another decade before they were banished to quiet side streets or out of the way neighborhoods. The automobile would soon dominate city streets.
Pedestrians walk on what looks like a new sidewalk. And on the left, one of the original subway kiosks hint at the mass transit option of choice for city residents through the 20th century.
[Postcard: MCNY]
Tags: 59th Street Subway Kiosk, Columbus Circle, Columbus in New York City, Early Automobiles New York City, trolley cars Columbus Circle, Vintage postcards New York City
Ephemeral New York 
October 23, 2017 at 8:07 am |
I doubt I’d have seen that until you pointed it out. It is an almost amazing convergence of transportation eras.
And now another change? Is the Columbus statue coming down? (I hesitate to write this & possibly start a riot in this thread). No more art project living rooms built around him…
October 23, 2017 at 1:30 pm |
Yes, it’s on the Mayor’s blacklist. I can’t imagine it’ll go down—though it’s statue-hating season in NYC these days.
October 23, 2017 at 2:46 pm |
What is the building, back center, with the short steeple?
This is a great picture post card. I didn’t know big bird had a blacklist. This statue-hating has gone too far by too few. We came out that subway kiosk, then walked around Chris Columbus last year and admired the detail. A young couple were dancing around the statue for a tour bus. Only six of us were in that inner circle.
October 24, 2017 at 1:12 am |
Looks like the Broadway Tabernacle Church at B’way and 56th, another gorgeous structure that went by the wayside:
https://www.oldnyc.org/#717579f-a
October 24, 2017 at 11:53 am
I presume this picture is looking north, not south.
October 24, 2017 at 4:48 pm
I did too, but if you look at the statue of Columbus, his back is to the camera, which means he and the photographer are facing south. Also, the location of IRT entrance was (and still is) on north end of Columbus Circle.
October 23, 2017 at 3:46 pm |
Technically the statue blacklist is a “90-day review of all symbols of hate on city property.” I’m not sure when the 90 days is up though but I think Chris will make it through. The statue of Dr. Marion Sims on the other side of the park, however, is probably a goner.
I’ll do a little digging to find out what that steeple is.
October 24, 2017 at 11:51 am |
This could be the 104th Field Artillery Armory, Broadway & 68th St. Demolished in 1930.
October 24, 2017 at 5:00 pm |
As mentioned above, steeple is Broadway Tabernacle Church at corner of 56th Street. We all assumed the photographer was facing north, but pic is actually looking south.
See link here, which clearly shows the squat steeple:
https://www.oldnyc.org/#717579f-a
October 29, 2017 at 9:13 pm |
It’s easier to get to Columbus Circle than Carnegie Hall, of course….
October 29, 2017 at 9:22 pm |
I got lost a few times on my way to Columbus Circle, so I had to practice, practice, practice 🙂