in Manhattan

A Photographic Journey Through 1977 Manhattan with Edmund V. Gillon

1977 was a year that tested the very soul of Manhattan.  The city, still reeling from the fiscal crisis, faced a series of challenges that pushed it to the brink.  A devastating blackout plunged the city into darkness and chaos, while a sweltering heatwave added to the sense of uneaseEdmund V. Gillon, with his camera as his witness, documented this tumultuous year, capturing the city’s struggles, its triumphs, and its enduring spirit.

Gillon, a dedicated chronicler of New York City’s urban fabric, possessed a keen eye for capturing the essence of the city through his photography.  He focused not only on the iconic landmarks and grand architecture but also on the everyday details that defined the city’s character

A City in Darkness

The New York City blackout of July 13th, 1977, plunged Manhattan into darkness and chaos.  Looting and vandalism erupted in many neighborhoods, and the city’s fragile sense of order seemed to unravel.  Gillon’s photographs, though primarily focused on architecture, subtly captured the atmosphere of uncertainty and fear that gripped the city during this time.

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Despite the darkness, acts of kindness and community spirit also emerged.  Neighbors helped each other, sharing food and resources.  The blackout, in a strange way, brought people together, reminding them of their shared humanity in the face of adversity.

A Summer of Discontent

The blackout was followed by a sweltering heatwave that further tested the city’s resilience.  The combination of heat, power outages, and social unrest created a sense of unease.  Yet, life in Manhattan went on.  People sought refuge in parks and public spaces, finding ways to cope with the challenging conditions.  Gillon’s photographs captured these scenes of everyday life, documenting the city’s ability to adapt and endure.

Despite the challenges, 1977 also witnessed signs of renewal and revitalization in Manhattan.  The city’s art scene continued to flourish, with new galleries and performance spaces opening in SoHo and other neighborhoods.  The punk rock scene, centered in the East Village, provided an outlet for creative expression and rebellion, capturing the raw energy of the times.

Gillon’s photographs documented these cultural developments, capturing the city’s vibrant artistic spirit.  He also captured the ongoing transformation of neighborhoods like SoHo, where former industrial spaces were being converted into artists’ lofts and galleries, contributing to the area’s unique character.

#2 The 19th Precinct station house (originally 25th Precinct), NYPD, at 153 East 67th Street, 1977.

The 19th Precinct station house (originally 25th Precinct), NYPD, at 153 East 67th Street, 1977.

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#5 Stewart & Company Building at 402-404 Fifth Avenue, 1977.

Stewart & Company Building at 402-404 Fifth Avenue, 1977.

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#8 G. La Rosa & Son Bread Co. at 209 Elizabeth Street, 1977.

G. La Rosa & Son Bread Co. at 209 Elizabeth Street, 1977.

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#9 Cylindrical fire escape on the facade of 62 East 4th Street, 1977.

Cylindrical fire escape on the facade of 62 East 4th Street, 1977.

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#10 Racquet and Tennis Club at 370 Park Avenue, 1977.

Racquet and Tennis Club at 370 Park Avenue, 1977.

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#11 National Arts Club at 15 Gramercy Park South, 1977.

National Arts Club at 15 Gramercy Park South, 1977.

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#12 National Arts Club at 15 Gramercy Park South, 1977.

National Arts Club at 15 Gramercy Park South, 1977.

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#13 Bialystoker Synagogue at 7-13 Bialystoker Place/Willett Street, 1977.

Bialystoker Synagogue at 7-13 Bialystoker Place/Willett Street, 1977.

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#14 Bialystoker Synagogue at 7-13 Bialystoker Place/Willett Street, 1977.

Bialystoker Synagogue at 7-13 Bialystoker Place/Willett Street, 1977.

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#16 Home Life Insurance Building at 253-256 Broadway, 1977.

Home Life Insurance Building at 253-256 Broadway, 1977.

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#18 Looking west across a parking lot to the Flatiron Building at 949 Broadway, 1977.

Looking west across a parking lot to the Flatiron Building at 949 Broadway, 1977.

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#21 Looking northeast from the base of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, 1977.

Looking northeast from the base of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, 1977.

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#22 Entrance to the Flatiron Building at 949 Broadway, 1977.

Entrance to the Flatiron Building at 949 Broadway, 1977.

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#23 Looking west across a parking lot to the Flatiron Building at 949 Broadway, 1977.

Looking west across a parking lot to the Flatiron Building at 949 Broadway, 1977.

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#24 Durst Industries at 409-411 Lafayette Street, 1977.

Durst Industries at 409-411 Lafayette Street, 1977.

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#26 Looking west on West 42nd Street from Seventh Avenue, 1977.

Looking west on West 42nd Street from Seventh Avenue, 1977.

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#28 Townhouses at 35, 37, and 39 East 68th Street, 1977.

Townhouses at 35, 37, and 39 East 68th Street, 1977.

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#31 Looking west from Peck Slip to the twin towers of the World Trade Center, 1977.

Looking west from Peck Slip to the twin towers of the World Trade Center, 1977.

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#39 19th Precinct station house (originally 25th Precinct), NYPD, 153 East 67th Street, 1977

19th Precinct station house (originally 25th Precinct), NYPD, 153 East 67th Street, 1977

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#41 Division and Canal Streets at Ludlow Street, looking west, 1977

Division and Canal Streets at Ludlow Street, looking west, 1977

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#42 Washington Arch, aerial view looking southeast, 1977

Washington Arch, aerial view looking southeast, 1977

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#45 Lower Manhattan from Ellis Island, looking north, 1977

Lower Manhattan from Ellis Island, looking north, 1977

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#46 Bialystoker Synagogue, 7-13 Bialystoker Place/Willett Street, 1977

Bialystoker Synagogue, 7-13 Bialystoker Place/Willett Street, 1977

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#49 St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, Mott Street entry, 1977

St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, Mott Street entry, 1977

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#59 Lower Manhattan skyline from the South Street Seaport, 1977

Lower Manhattan skyline from the South Street Seaport, 1977

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#61 Crosby Street between Grand and Howard Streets, 1977

Crosby Street between Grand and Howard Streets, 1977

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#62 Westbeth Center for the Arts, 155 Bank Street, 1977

Westbeth Center for the Arts, 155 Bank Street, 1977

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#67 Granite rainbasin at cellar entrance to Bowne & Co. Stationers, 211 Water Street, 1977

Granite rainbasin at cellar entrance to Bowne & Co. Stationers, 211 Water Street, 1977

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#70 Crosby Street between Grand and Howard Streets, 1977

Crosby Street between Grand and Howard Streets, 1977

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#71 Renwick Triangle and Stuyvesant-Fish House, 21 Stuyvesant Street, 1977

Renwick Triangle and Stuyvesant-Fish House, 21 Stuyvesant Street, 1977

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#73 Mott Street entry to St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, 260-264 Mulberry Street, 1977

Mott Street entry to St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, 260-264 Mulberry Street, 1977

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#74 Southwest over the East River to Lower Manhattan, 1977

Southwest over the East River to Lower Manhattan, 1977

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#75 Interior of Sweet’s Restaurant, 2 Fulton Street, 1977

Interior of Sweet's Restaurant, 2 Fulton Street, 1977

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#78 19th precinct station house (originally 25th precinct), NYPD, 153 East 67th Street, 1977

19th precinct station house (originally 25th precinct), NYPD, 153 East 67th Street, 1977

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#81 Bleecker Street Cinema, 144-146 Bleecker Street, 1977

Bleecker Street Cinema, 144-146 Bleecker Street, 1977

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#82 Stewart & Company Building, 402-404 Fifth Avenue, 1977

Stewart & Company Building, 402-404 Fifth Avenue, 1977

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#83 East on East 94th Street from Fifth Avenue toward Squadron A Armory, 1977

East on East 94th Street from Fifth Avenue toward Squadron A Armory, 1977

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#84 “America” statue and Custom and Culture sign in front of Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, 1977

"America" statue and Custom and Culture sign in front of Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, 1977

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#85 Westbeth Center for the Arts, 155 Bank Street, 1977

Westbeth Center for the Arts, 155 Bank Street, 1977

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Written by Makayla White

An amateur content creator and dreamer. I Run, Cycle, Swim, Dance and drink a lot of Coffee.

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