Metro NY/NJ Historical Photos

[Radiohead]

Rather than post in different metro city threads, which are predominantly focused on present and future projects anyway, I'll start a new thread for vintage photos and other historical items. In many cases, the photographer may be unknown, but absent watermarks and descriptions, I'll do my best to identify the source. I hope others will post whatever they come across as well.

The Hoboken Museum has some great historical information and photos.

1900 great pier fire in Hoboken


1949 aerial of Hoboken, with part of Jersey City in the distance


1950 night view from Hoboken toward midtown



1955 Hoboken waterfront


1960 shot of Hoboken and lower Manhattan


Early 70's aerial of the Erie railroad yards


These 2 aerials of the Hoboken/Newport area from 1987 really show how much has been built up in the past 20 years





Here's a view from 1998


Heading into the Holland tunnel, early 80's. Apparently, the Yankees post-Reggie star power was in the form of Steve Kemp. No wonder they went 14 years without a playoff appearance.

[NYC4Life]

Great photos. A lot for sure has changed along the Jersey waterfront.

[Radiohead]

You're right, and many more changes are to come, I'm sure.


Here are some great old maps from the archives of Rutgers Univ.

1804 Jersey City (Powles Hook)
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1848 Jersey City
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1868 Hudson County
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1872 Jersey City/Hoboken
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1889 Jersey City
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1911 Jersey Journal Promo Map of JC
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1925 Journal Square Map
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Lincoln Tunnel Entrance Looking South 1991
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Lembeck & Betz Eagle Brewery Buildings 1996(Built 1868 w/ later additions; Demolished 1997)
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JC Medical Center Powerhouse Building 1980 (Built 1918; Demolished 1982). The old Medical Center that surrounds it (now the Beacon) still stands.
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[tone99loc]

Awesome.

[stache]

I especially like the proposed subway on the 1911 map.

[Radiohead]

^ I never knew about the rapid transit tunnel between Manhattan & Brooklyn either.

Several from the Library of Congress and NJ Central archives

'80's photo of the Pulaski Skyway with NYC in the distance.
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Roosevelt Stadium from around 1950, where Jackie Robinson made his major league debut a few years before with the Dodgers.



Roosevelt in 1985, just prior to it's demolition
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The entrance/exit road from the stadium, which leads out to 440 and Danforth Avenue.
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NJ Central RR Terminal. Liberty State Park has yet to be built, so this is pre-1976. The NJ Central Railroad went out of business in 1967.
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A late 1970's or early 80's shot, with the terminal property completely abandoned, rotting and overgrown.


Demolition is on the way. Fortunately, the main terminal was spared.


Some Conrail shots
1990's


Mid 80's


Those orange 1960's/70's Bergen Ave buses

[NYC4Life]

Jersey City was so sparse back in the 70's.

[millertime83]

Too bad the Hudson County Subway was never built...

Never heard about that before. Anyone have anymore information about it?

[stache]

Googling "Hudson County Subway" only gave one link. I think it referred to the City Subway.

[STT757]

Looking at the Map showing the former Hudson and Manhattan railway brings to light the fact that 33rd street was not meant to be the terminus, rather it was supposed to be Grand Central.

New Jersey needs access to Grand Central, I would settle for extending PATH from 33rd street straight up to 50th street.

[brianac]

Another super set of photographs from Radiohead.

[Don31]

Great stuff, thanks for sharing!