1970's New York City

**aragond** · January 4th, 2010, 09:28 AM

I just had to register 'n' logon just so I could say "Thank you" for this blast from the past thread. Y'all have done some astounding researching finding all these photos and then taking the time to link them into this thread.

NYC certainly is different today. It blows my mind just how so, how the city had crumbled in many ways and yet, in parts, retained a character that is so very different to what it has today. I think I recall reading someone comment that back then it wasn't the financial crowd flocking to the city, but a different crowd altogether, artists, bohemians? How incredibly different would it have been to... I mean, compared to these photos of Times Sq. and 42nd St, those places today are positively... uh... Disneyworld! "Family friendly" comes to mind.

While I wouldn't want the poor ole city to return to those days of grime and crime, she did have some definitive character in her derelict buildings and emerging twin towers, her decaying riverfront warehouses and ... HA! ... the Jersey shoreline lacked a building over twenty feet.

What a world.

So, anyway, thanks.

**Agile** · February 18th, 2010, 11:30 PM

Wow, am I glad I stumbled on this thread. I grew up in Tribeca and SoHo in the 70's & 80's. These photos bring back so many memories.

I used to go to Dave's Luncheonette on Canal & Broadway. They made a mean Lime Rickey. I lived in a few places. Broadway between Grand & Broome, right next to the Fleisig & Sons clock. That ugly yellow neon sign was locked in my memory.

I also lived on the corner of Mercer & Houston. Love the shot looking west on Houston, where the Angelika is today. You can see across the street the construction for NYU's Cole center. That used to be a big, vacant sandlot where my friends and I played baseball. We hated NYU for building a big, beautiful athletic building that me and my friends weren't allowed to be a part of.

My early Tribeca memories are of riding my bike on the old elevated West Side Highway in the summer. I lived on Greenwich & Beach. We only lived on the 4th floor but had a clear view of the Colgate clock in NJ.

I could go on and on!

**stache** · February 19th, 2010, 12:40 AM

What you're writing is interesting.

**ZippyTheChimp** · February 19th, 2010, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by Agile

I used to go to Dave's Luncheonette on Canal & Broadway.

I once had an argument with him outside at the counter. I don't remember what it was about, but I was really angry, because I threw a knish at him.

**nycla3** · February 19th, 2010, 03:39 PM

^Musta given you kasha instead of potato...I hate when that happens...

**stache** · February 19th, 2010, 06:43 PM

The dreaded knish throw -

**Agile** · February 20th, 2010, 12:07 PM

Especially if it's not a fresh knish.

**ZippyTheChimp** · February 20th, 2010, 12:34 PM

For a while, a Thursday lunch ritual. From work to a place called the Microskirt on Canal near Layfayette. No food, so the stop at Dave's.

Knishes
Beer
Half-naked women.

**stache** · February 20th, 2010, 02:04 PM

By any chance was payday on Thursdays?

**lofter1** · February 20th, 2010, 03:22 PM

Dave’s Luncheonette and the Art-Corps

Basquiat photographs by Nicholas Taylor, 1979

**lofter1** · February 20th, 2010, 03:31 PM

Dave's Luncheonette, Canal Street, NYC c. 1985

Gone, but not forgotten. Scanned from a contact sheet.

robertklurfield

**ZippyTheChimp** · February 20th, 2010, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by stache

By any chance was payday on Thursdays?

In the 70s, payday was Tuesday.

It worked out well if you were disciplined on Tuesday and Wednesday. If you blew the paycheck over the weekend, you only had to suffer on Monday.

Besides, this wasn't exactly a big-ticket lunch. I remember the afternoon beer was half price, so like 50 or 75 cents.

**yankeesfan81** · February 20th, 2010, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by NYC4Life

East 176th Street and Boone Avenue

This picture gave me chills. I remember seeing abandoned cars like it was yesterday....

**stache** · February 20th, 2010, 11:35 PM

Originally Posted by ZippyTheChimp

In the 70s, payday was Tuesday.

It worked out well if you were disciplined on Tuesday and Wednesday. If you blew the paycheck over the weekend, you only had to suffer on Monday.

Besides, this wasn't exactly a big-ticket lunch. I remember the afternoon beer was half price, so like 50 or 75 cents.

I was thinking of tips for the micro-mini flock.

**Agile** · February 27th, 2010, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by smellslikeabid

My god it was such a mess! Testament to how amazing it looks now! I cannot get over these pictures of squalour and decay, and how the city is so clean and tidy now (well the bits i saw!)

That subway station is from a movie set for "Beat Street". It's a real station, but made to look even worse than it really was.