Looking north from Cooper Square in 1912

That’s the date on the postmark. But judging by the fact that there are no cars on the road yet—only horses, wagons, and elevated tracks—I’d say this postcard image was taken earlier.

Turn of the century Cooper Square

A web of elevated train tracks is flanked by sloped-roof buildings on the right and lovely Cooper Union—described in this postcard as “the Cooper Institute”—on the left.

Looks like some really sweet buildings have long since disappeared.