Manhattan in the 1930s – 50 Vintage Photos Show the Face of New York 80 Years ago

These are what Manhattan looked like in the 1930s.

28th Street looking east from Second Avenue, Mnhattan, April 1931

42nd Street and 6th Avenue, 1938

178-183 West Street, Manhattan, April 08, 1936

Blossom Restaurant, 103 Bowery, Manhattan, October 03, 1935

Broad Street looking toward Wall Street, Manhattan, July 16, 1936

Broadway and Thomas Street, Manhattan, March 06, 1936

Broadway near Broome Street, Manhattan, October 07, 1935

Broome Street, Manhattan, October 09, 1935

Church of God, 25 East 132nd Street, Manhattan, 1936

City Vista, West Street, looking east, Manhattan, August 12, 1938

Department of Docks and police station, Pier A, North River, Manhattan, May 05, 1936

Downtown Skyport, Pier 11, East River, Manhattan, August 12, 1936

Ferry, Chambers Street, Manhattan, April 09, 1936

Fifth Avenue, March 20, 1936

Fulton Street Dock, Manhattan, November 26, 1935

Fulton Street fish market, Manhattan, June 18, 1936

Grand Opera House, northwest corner, West 23rd Street and Eighth Avenue, Manhattan, September 03, 1937

Hanover Square, Manhattan, May 25, 1936

Henry Street, Manhattan, November 29, 1935

Herald Square, 34th and Broadway, Manhattan, July 16, 1936

Hot dog stand, West St. and North Moore, Manhattan, April 08, 1936

Huts and unemployed, West Houston and Mercer Street, October 25, 1935

Lyric Theatre, Third Avenue between 12th and 13th street, April 24, 1936

Madison Square, looking northeast, Manhattan, March 20, 1936

McSorley's Ale House, 15 East 7th Street, Manhattan, 1937

Midtown Manhattan view from McGraw-Hill building, October 9, 1931

Mulberry and Prince Streets, October 25, 1935

Municipal Building, Manhattan, 1936

Murray Hill hotel, Manhattan, November 19, 1935

Murray Hill hotel, Manhattan, November 19, 1935

Newsstand, 32nd Street and Third Avenue, November 19, 1935

Oak and New Chambers Streets, Manhattan, October 28, 1935

Park Row, Manhattan, July 23, 1936

Penn Station, Manhattan, ca. 1930s

Pier 11 or 12, East River, Manhattan, April 09, 1936

Pier 13, North River, Manhattan, April 09, 1936

Pike and Henry Streets, Manhattan, March 06, 1936

Radio Row, Cortlandt Street, Manhattan, April 08, 1936

Seventh Avenue looking south from 35th Street, Manhattan, December 05, 1935

Sixth Avenue - West 42nd Street

South Street and Jones Lane, Manhattan, March 26, 1936

Spring and Varick Streets, October 07, 1935

The New York Central Building at center, 230 Park Avenue - East 45th Street

The Washington Arch

Tri-boro Barber School, 264 Bowery, Manhattan, October 24, 1935

Unemployed and huts, Mercer Street, Manhattan, October 25, 1935

Union Square, 14th Street and Broadway, Manhattan, 1936

Warren and Murray Streets, April 08, 1936

Waterfront, South Street, Manhattan, October 15, 1935

Willow and Poplar Street, May 14, 1936

(Most of photos from New York Public Library)