The World Trade Center, as any ambitious piece of architecture, began as a dream, a simple idea. The 1939 New York World’s Fair, an event designed to showcase achievements of New York, included an exhibit called the World Trade Center which promoted the idea of world peace through trade. A big idea conceived in the height of a deep depression, the theme of this fair was “The World of Tomorrow.” Around twenty years later that David Rockefeller, grandson of John D. Rockefeller, suggested building a World Trade Center to re-stimulate urban renewal and economic growth in Lower Manhattan. In addition to reviving Lower Manhattan, Rockefeller hoped building a World Trade Center in New York would begin to promote the idea of NYC as the trade and finance center of the world.This is Radio Row, a six-block radius of radio shops that used to exist where the Freedom Tower now stands. Its residents were evicted to clear the area of the World Trade Center.At the peak of its status as an NYC icon, the Twin Towers dominated both the culture and skyline of Manhatten. As you can see in the picture on the left, no other building came close to reaching the height or grandeur of the Towers.
The Attacks
It was a sunny Tuesday morning and the thousands of businessmen and women who worked in the World Trade Center were just beginning their day, rushing onto elevator queue lines, coffee in-hand, when a Boeing 767 plane crashed into the North Tower. The plane, loaded with over 20,000 gallons of jet fuel, started a massive fire. In just a couple of minutes, a burning hole was left on the 80th floor and the chaos, fear, and devastation that would have a profound impact on the physical and psychological landscape of New York commenced. Just 18 minutes later a second Boeing 767 hit the South Tower. It took just 56 minutes for the South Tower to crumble to the ground, and less than a half hour later, at 10:28, the Twin Towers ceased to exist. The heroic efforts of New York City’s emergency services helped 25,000 people escape from the site, yet 2,996 lives were lost and over 6,000 people were injured.
World Trade Center Today
On the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the public got its first view of the 9/11 memorial. The memorial covers about 8 acres of Ground Zero and contains two large waterfalls, two reflecting pools, a forest of swamp white oak trees, and benches to sit and reflect. The bronze panels surrounding the pools are inscribed with the names of the 2,996 people who were killed in the attacks. The memorial is a safe haven amidst the incessant hums of concrete mixers, beeps of half a dozen cranes, and the general sounds of a Financial District constantly improving and under construction.The Freedom Tower stands tall today, a symbol of hope for New York City.
9/11 Memorial
The 9/11 museum, mostly underground, presents the grief and sorrow of the tragic day – with no censors. To get into the museum, visitors must descend downwards past the large glass windows of the Freedom Tower. Once inside, the displays trigger viewers’ emotions through all senses. A video of the planes crashing into the towers plays on a loop, the sounds of destruction and screams of fear and helplessness play over and over again. The museum, over 110,000 square feet, is separated into distinct rooms and cavernous spaces, each adding a layer of tragedy to the emotions from the previous displays.
This exhibit had three “walls” of faces, which contained a total of ~2900 faces of victims of the attacks. There were also electronic podiums that allowed people to select any person and learn some biographical information and where they were on that day.This was the 9/11 specific cover of the New Yorker, which was starkly different in tone compared to the more playful depictions of the towers in previous issues.
St. Paul’s Chapel
On our first visit, we walked through the cemetery around St. Paul’s Chapel (which is directly outside of the Chambers street train station and just a few blocks away from the freedom tower).The cemetery also includes the Bell of Hope, which was installed on the one-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. It is rung every September 11th as a way of commemorating what happened.
Oculus
The Oculus is a futuristic-looking building across from the World Trade Center and the memorials/museum. The building also connects to the Freedom Tower.Inside of the building is a number of shops and the Fulton Street train station.
Going Foward
This picture is the current skyline. The Freedom Towers are surrounded by competition and the contrast between the Freedom Towers and the surrounding buildings is nowhere as stark as the contrast in the picture with the Twin Towers above. Furthermore, if you look closely at the picture on the right, you can see the cranes and construction as other buildings inch towards the staggering height of the One World Trade Center. At the time of its fruition, the construction of the Twin Towers was a risk. Lower Manhatten was underdeveloped and success was uncertain thus, the Twin Towers were at odds with the neighborhood in which it existed. Now, however, progress is promised and inevitable as the entirely of Lower Manhatten strives to scratch the skyThis is a picture of the future Lower Manhatten skyline, projected by Silverstein Properties. In the next couple of years, several prominent projects such as 125 Greenwich Street and 101 Murray are on their way to transforming the verticle profile of Lower Manhatten drastically.
Before called Times Square in 1904, the area was known as Longacre Square because it was the center of New York’s horse and carriage trade. This name was inspired by Long Acre, London’s horse, and carriage hub.This is the Times Tower. The construction of the Times building brought about a great change in the area. Due to the fact it was the second tallest building in the city during that time and was a popular site to see, Longacre Square was changed to Time Square.Electricity, billboards, and train stations transformed Times Square into the city of lights. It was a spectacle to see due to how bright the area was.The Great Depression led to the dim-out of Times Square. This altered the area for the following decades since it would stifle the number of tourists and people that would visit Time Square.A result of the economic decline of the country, many of the theaters that were built in Times Square during the 20’s, transformed into porn shops and peep shows in the 50’s. This shift in business on 42nd street would later give the area the name “the sleaziest block in America.”Peep Shows became very popular from the time period between the 40’s and 80’s. Twenty-five cent peep shows were especially popular considering they made around $74,000 to $106,000 in 1978.During the restoration of Times Square, many entertainment businesses began to open up. This was a result of Disney setting up business in the area.Theaters also played a major role in the change of Times Square from crime to what we see here today.Now Times Square has become this cultural and commercial center. With advertising billboards everywhere, it has become quite the tourist attraction, especially on New Years.
Remnants of the past
The Paramount Theater was built in 1926, however, it still remains here today as one of the few remnants of the past.The Father Duffy statue was built in 1937 and continues to be a popular sight in Times Square.The Knickerbocker Hotel in the early 1900’s.The Knickerbocker Hotel now in 2018.
By: Erin Wengerter, Karissa Collins, Saray Vazquez, & Veeraj Jethalal
The Present Lincoln Center
An aerial view of Lincoln Center. This displays the major configuration of the Facilities, Plazas, and Park of the Center.
A spectacular angle of Lincoln Center displaying the grandeur of the complex during sunset. From this view, one can see an event being held in Damrosch Park. With its vibrancy, Lincoln Center seems as if it is the center of the City itself.
The Amsterdam Houses essentially marked the beginning of the reconstruction of the San Juan Hill area. It was created as a public housing project for people in the city by Robert Moses and the Mayor’s Committee on Slum Clearance in 1948. As veterans were returning from war, they demanded housing from the government, and this is what they got: low rent, subsidized housing.
Today, the Amsterdam Houses, located between 10th and 11th Avenues, stand almost as a symbol of the demolition of the area and of the result of city planning. They continue to serve the same purpose and are still controlled by the government. As one can see from the photo, parts of the development are still being renovated.
It is interesting to note the stark contrast between the remnants of the old pier along with the Amsterdam houses a few blocks away and the tall, modern residential towers in “Trump Place.” These buildings are big, tall, and beautiful; they’re located right on the Hudson.
The pier and gantry serve as a memory of the longest railroad/port depot where trains, goods, and cattle were transported for a very long time.
The Past Lincoln Center
Photo Eddie Hausner, from the NY Times, 1959. San Juan Hill, containing the largest African American population at the time, was formally declared a slum in 1940 by the New York Housing Authority. Demolition soon began in the 1950s.The construction of Lincoln Center leveled 18 blocks, displacing thousands of people, most of whom were Black. The displacement of thousands of African Americans led to the settlement of Harlem, illustrating the northward movement of immigrant communities in Manhattan as the city developed and industrialized.By the 1920s, San Juan Hill was culturally booming in the Jazz scene. Thelonious Monk (left) and James P. Johnson were significant figures in the Jazz movement-Thelonious Monk in the bebop style of Jazz and Jonson’s creation of the Charleston dance craze.
Passenger lobby which gave access to all train platforms.
The main waiting area of the old Penn Station.
Penn Station Today
One of the outdoor entrances to Penn Station.
Photo of James A. Farley Post Office
Artists and Architects protested the demolition of Penn Station, to no avail. Even artists that did not like the Beaux-Arts style of architecture the station flaunted rushed to its defense.
Remnants of the Past
One of the 2 remaining eagles in Penn Station. The other 20 are scattered across the country.
Art on the wall that resembles the old Penn Station.
David, Royal, and Hussain conversing quietly amongst themselves in the James A. Farley post office, leaving Wasif (the photographer) to contemplate his metaphysical solitude. Notice the classical architecture, reminiscent of the glory days of Penn Station.
Sumaiya Mahin Hufsa Tasnim
Deborah Yau Albert Felix
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Transformation of the High Line:
Before and After
Before the High Line became a locust filled with swarming tourists, it was an on-road railway that ran in the middle of the street alongside cars and pedestrians. Cowboys, similarly to today’s street-crossing signals, waved flags at them to let them know when to cross the street. However, many many casualties arose due to people in a constant rush, thus giving it its nickname “Death Avenue.” After realizing the seriousness of the problem, an elevated railway was constructed, which we know as the High Line.
Death Avenue, with the street-level rail track, being led by a Cowboy. (Photograph by Friends of The High Line)
When the High Line became an elevated railroad system, it entered into warehouses to load and unload cattle, fish, meat, and produce. (Photograph by Friends of the High Line)
The abandoned High Line, overgrown with plants and wildflowers, and soon to be turned into a public park by Friends of The High Line. (Photograph by Friends of the High Line)
The High Line being constructed. (Photograph by Friends of the High Line.)
The High Line today.
It facilitated the transportation of products like milk, meat, and raw and manufactured goods. The increase in accessibility and availability of trucks caused a decrease in the use of railways for the transportation of products. What was supposed to only be a one-year lapse in service turned indefinite, and because of the decline in usage, the tracks were effectively abandoned during this year. The last train that ran on the High Line carried frozen turkey for Thanksgiving.
These photos are of the same person. The first is the most recent, taken in 2018. The second photo is the oldest, taken as earlier as 2013 while on a trip. The last photo was taken some time between 2013 and 2018, probably in 2016 while at the library.
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