Stepping onto Fifth Avenue in 1911 was like entering a world both grand and bustling, where the elegance of the past mingled with the energy of a city on the rise.  It was a time of transformation, where horse-drawn carriages shared the road with sputtering automobiles, and grand mansions stood shoulder-to-shoulder with towering new skyscrapers. Let’s take a virtual stroll down this iconic street and uncover the sights and sounds that defined Fifth Avenue over a century ago.

Mansions of the Elite

Fifth Avenue in 1911 was synonymous with wealth and prestige. The stretch known as “Millionaire’s Row” was lined with opulent mansions, amassed by families like the Vanderbilts, Astors, and Carnegies. These elaborate homes, adorned with intricate details and sprawling gardens, showcased the architectural styles of the era, from Beaux-Arts to Italian Renaissance. A walk down this stretch was a glimpse into the lives of New York’s elite, a world of luxury and privilege.

Amidst the mansions, iconic landmarks added to the avenue’s grandeur. The newly opened New York Public Library, with its majestic marble facade and imposing lions guarding the entrance, symbolized the city’s commitment to knowledge and culture. St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture, stood as a spiritual haven amidst the urban bustle. These landmarks, both old and new, contributed to the unique character of Fifth Avenue, a blend of history and ambition.

A Shopper’s Paradise

Fifth Avenue was not only a showcase of wealth and architecture but also a bustling commercial center. Department stores like Lord & Taylor and B. Altman & Company attracted shoppers with their lavish window displays and wide array of goods. The avenue was a fashionista’s dream, offering the latest styles from Paris and London. The air buzzed with the excitement of shoppers browsing the latest trends, their conversations mingling with the clip-clop of horse hooves and the rumble of early automobiles.

Beyond shopping, Fifth Avenue was a place to see and be seen. Ladies in elegant gowns and hats promenaded along the sidewalks, while gentlemen in tailored suits strolled arm-in-arm, discussing business and politics. The avenue was a stage for social interactions, a place where New Yorkers displayed their wealth and status. Cafés and restaurants offered a respite from the bustling crowds, providing a space for leisurely lunches and afternoon teas.

#1 Washington Arch – No. 12 Apartment house, West 8th St.

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#2 No. 1 Wm. Butler Duncan, East 7th St. – No. 19 Dr. E.L. Partridge, East 8th St.

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#3 No. 24 Charles de Rham – No. 42 Wm. Brockie, West 10th St.

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#4 No. 23 Daniel E. Sickles- No. 41 Miss M.L. Kennedy, East 10th St.

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#5 West 11th St – No. 62 Mrs. Geo. L. Kingsland, West 12th St.

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#6 No. 49 John Dallert, East 12th St.-No. 61 Wernz & Koehne, East 13th St.

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#7 West 13th St. No. 72 – Princess Corsets – Ed. Pinaud, perfumerie – West 14th St. -No. 86 S.N. Wood & Co.

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#8 No. 59 O.T. Luis & Co., East 13th St.- Manhattan Hair Works – East 14th St.

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#9 East 14th St. No. 90, Ed. Pinaud – Peerless Film Ex. Naething’s Restaurant -West 18th St.

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#10 East 14th St.- Fourteenth St. – Voss & Stern – East 15th St.

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#11 West 15th St. – The Union Skirt Co. – West 16th St. – No. 112 Louis Meyers & Son

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#12 [East 16th Street] No. 79 Stern & Stern – Houghton Mifflin Co. – Marshall Field & Co. – Julius Strauss, laces

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#13 No. 126 Johnson Cowdoin & Co. – No. 140 Hardman Piano Co.

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#14 No. 99 Cohen Bros. & Co. – Bamberg & Risser – Lord & Taylor, East 19th St.

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#15 No. 152 F. Schumacher & Co., West 20th St. – Crouch & Fitzgerald, trunks – West 21st St.

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#16 No. 143 Park & Tilford – Bonwit, Harris & Co. ladies wear – No. 159 O.J. Gude Co.

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#17 West 21st St. – Ryer Mfg. Co. – Sternberger, Sinn & Co., brokers Dunlap & CO, hatters – No. 182 Pennsylvania R.R. Co.

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#18 No. 155 Chas. Scribner’s Sons, publishers – O.J. Dude Co. – Flatiron Building – East 23rd St.

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#19 West 23rd St. – United Cigar Co. – Albemarle Hotel – Hoffman House – No. 202 Berlitz, School of Languages

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#20 Metropolitan Tower – Madison Square Garden – Brunzwick Building, East 26th St.

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#21 No. 200-202, Berlitz School – Mark Cross – Cafe Martin – No. 224

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#22 Metropolitan Life Ins. Building – Long Beach Estates – Brentanos, books – No. 233, Pickslay & Co.

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#23 No. 222, Lingerie Shop – Peck & Peck, hosiery – No. 240, The 5th Avenue Linen Store.

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#24 No. 236-8, Smith, Gray & Co. – Second National Bank – No. 258 Marceau, Photographer, Rice & Duval, Tailors.

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#25 No. 251, Coleman, Tailor, Little Shop – Pennsylvania Railroad Co. – No. 265 Calumet Club.

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#26 No. 284 Gilman Collamore & Co. – No. 304 W.A. McLaughlin, shirt maker.

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#27 No. 277 Mme. Estelle, millinery – International Sleeping Car Co. – Behning Piano Co. – No. 297 Dunne & Co. tailors.

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#28 No. 318 Kaskel & Kaskel, haberdashers – Reed, Barton Co. silversmith Walk-over Shoes – West 33rd St.

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#29 No. 303 F.A.O. Schwarz, toys, Haas Bros. – Kinckerbocker Club – No. 327 Geo. H. Everall.

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#30 No. 345 McCutcheon & Co., McKnight Realty Co. – No. 257 B. Altman, dry goods.

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#31 West 33rd St. – Hotel Waldorf-Astoria – Knickerbocker Trust Co. – Aeolian Hall, pianos – No. 362 Maillards, confectioners.

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#32 Best & Co. N.W. 35th St. & 5th Ave. – West 36th St. – Singer Sewing Machine Co. – No. 398 Tecla, jeweler.

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#33 East 35th St. – Costikyan & Co, rugs – Chas. C. Kurzman, millinery – No. 391 C. G. Gunther & Son, Furs.

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#34 No. 392-No. 394 – Singer Sewing Machines – Landay Bros., talking machines – Brick Presbyterian church – No. 414 Franklin Simon & Co

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#35 No. 391 C.G.Gunther & sons, Furriers – Tiffany & Co. jewellers – William Schaus, art dealer – East 38th St.

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#36 West 38th St. – Black, Starr & Frost, diamonds – No. 442, Miss Mary A. Wendel.

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#37 East 38th St. – Hardman Piano Co. – Benson & Hedges, tobacconists – Union League Club.

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#38 No. 450 Mirror, candies – Knox, hatter – New Public Library – West 42nd St.

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#39 No. 471 Ufland Millinery & Co. – Frederic’s pearl shop – No. 491 Wadley & Smythe, florists.

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#40 No. 504 Youngs Hats – West 43rd St. – No. 522 Sherry’s caterers.

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#41 East 43rd St. – Temple Emanu-el – Harriman National Bank – East 44th St. – Delmonico’s.

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#42 No. 530 Fifth Avenue Bank – A. Roman, Ladies’ tailor and Habit maker – L. P. Hollander & Co. – No. 556 M. Knoedler & Co.

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#43 Delmonico’s, N.E. Cor. 44th St. & 5th Ave. – Margaret Murtha – Church of the Heavenly Rest – No. 555 Lewandos, cleaners, Dyers

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#44 No. 550 L.P. Hollander & Co. – Dreicer & Co. – West 46th St. – Pickslay, jeweler – No. 572 Budd, haberdasher.

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#45 No. 572 Budd, haberdasher – West 47th St. – Miss Carroll – Scott & Fowles, art dealers – West 48th St.

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#46 No. 561 T. Strausberger, lamp shades – Alex. McConnell – Windsor Trust Co – No. 579 Miss. Helen M. Gould .

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#47 No. 604 Miss. Russell Sage – West 49th St. – Frederick Flower – No. 618 Equitable Trust Co.

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#48 No. 507 Mrs. C.H. Gardner – East 49th St. – Belgravia Apartments – No. 621 Buckingham Hotel – St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

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#49 West 50th St. – Joseph, importer – Crichton, Experts in Old English silver – No. 640 Henry Clay Frick.

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#50

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