New York - Lower Manhattan (Postcard c.1914)

A postcard view looking north in Lower Manhattan, New York's financial district, around 1914. Broadway is the main street in the photo. The Hudson River is at left, and the East River at right.

 

The tower of the Singer Building is in the foreground. It was built for Singer Sewing Machine Co. The Singer Building had 47 stories. The building had a broad base, but most of its height was in the narrow, ornate tower. It was 612 feet (187) meters high. It was completed in 1908, and was the tallest building in the world for a year. The Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. building took that distinction in 1909. The Singer Building was demolished in 1968.

 

The Woolworth Building, built for F. W. Woolworth Co. ("five and dime stores") is the most prominent structure. It was 792 feet (241 m) high, and had 57 floors. It became the world's tallest building upon completion in 1913. The Woolworth Building held that title until 1930, when 40 Wall Street and the Chrysler Building were built. The Woolworth Building still stands, though it has been sold. It was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1966.

 

New York City's Municipal Building, completed in 1914, is at the far right.

 

There are no skyscrapers in Midtown Manhattan, in the background. That would come later.

 

This postcard was never written or mailed.

Done