Whatever you think of Christopher Columbus, you have to admit the circle named for him at 59th Street looks pretty spectacular in this 1934 postcard.
It’s a rich and detailed view looking toward Central Park South and into the park itself. There’s the Columbus monument, the Maine monument at the entrance to the park (no pedicab traffic, wow!), the Sherry Netherland hotel all the way on Fifth, and a streetcar snaking its way to Broadway.
[postcard: postcardmuseum]
Tags: Central Park South in the 1930s, Columbus Circle in 1934, Columbus Circle Monument 1930s, New York in the 1930s, Vintage postcards New York City
Ephemeral New York 
October 11, 2021 at 12:05 pm |
That is the same picture in your post of September 12, 2016 but slightly different cropping and colourised – today’s is a clearer print. Both fascinating posts. Thanks
October 11, 2021 at 10:47 pm |
As long as it’s a slightly different crop, that’s okay with me. I try not to repeat images!
October 11, 2021 at 4:59 pm |
Interesting to see a streetcar snaking around such a prominent spot. They’re making a comeback in other cities.
October 11, 2021 at 5:25 pm |
Yes, I just read a long article in the LA Times about street cars coming back in, among other places, Berlin. When the Wall went up, the tracks in West Berlin were removed, but East Berlin’s stayed. So now the plan is to return the tracks to the western side of the city. Given the flooding problems (among others) faced by NYC’s subways, due to rising sea levels, I wonder if street cars might ever make a comeback there.
October 11, 2021 at 5:45 pm |
Ah, perhaps a gentler time, although still fraught with anxiety. Remember that 1934 was in the depths of the Depression.
October 12, 2021 at 5:12 am |
How long will it be before the Cancel Culture has this monument removed? Even the GOOGLE DOODLE makes a point of not recognizing this explorer or his discovery anymore.
October 25, 2021 at 10:41 am |
Christopher Columbus is one of very few individuals who had a lasting foot print on the long term ecology of the planet earth relocating plant life from one area of the world to another. Ireland’s harsh conditions, for example, made a sustainable human existence there almost impossible until the potato was introduced. Think also sugar, tobacco, coffee, corn…