in Manhattan

Spectacular Vintage Photos of Manhattan in 1973 Capturing Streets and Landmarks

In 1973 Manhattan was still reeling from the economic downturn of the early 70s, and crime rates were high. Edmund V. Gillon, with his camera and his keen eye for detail, captured the essence of this complex era, documenting both the challenges and the enduring spirit of New York City.

Gillon, a prolific author and photographer, dedicated much of his career to documenting New York City’s architecture and urban landscape. His photographs offer a unique perspective on the city’s history, revealing not only the grand landmarks but also the everyday details that make up its character. In 1973, his lens captured a city at a crossroads, a city grappling with its past while looking towards an uncertain future.

A City of Extremes

Manhattan in 1973 was a city of extremes. The opulent high-rises of Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue stood in stark contrast to the neglected neighborhoods of the South Bronx and Harlem.  The newly completed World Trade Center, a symbol of progress and ambition, cast a long shadow over the aging buildings of Lower Manhattan.  Gillon’s photographs documented these contrasts, capturing the city’s diverse neighborhoods and the people who inhabited them.

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The city’s streets were a microcosm of its diversity.  Businessmen in suits hurried alongside artists and musicians, while tourists gawked at the sights and sounds.  Gillon’s photographs captured the energy and chaos of the city’s streets, documenting the everyday life of its residents.

Despite its challenges, Manhattan in 1973 showed signs of change and renewal. SoHo, once a neglected industrial district, was becoming a haven for artists and galleries.  The cast-iron buildings, once symbols of the city’s industrial past, were being repurposed as studios and lofts, attracting a new generation of residents.  Gillon’s photographs documented this transformation, capturing the early stages of SoHo’s rebirth.

Greenwich Village, a historic neighborhood known for its bohemian spirit, was also undergoing change.  The construction of Washington Square Village, a large-scale housing development, sparked controversy and raised concerns about gentrification.  Gillon’s photographs documented the changing landscape of the Village, capturing both the old and the new.

Gillon’s photographs from 1973 offer a glimpse into the everyday life of Manhattanites. His photographs also reveal the city’s architectural details, from the intricate facades of historic buildings to the modern lines of new construction.  He captured the city’s changing skyline, documenting the rise of new skyscrapers and the impact of urban renewal projects.

#1 The Bulldog emblem on the American Express Horse Stables, Hubert Street facade, 1973.

The Bulldog emblem on the American Express Horse Stables, Hubert Street facade, 1973.

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#2 A view through “Atlas” in Rockefeller Center to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, 1973.

A view through "Atlas" in Rockefeller Center to St. Patrick's Cathedral, 1973.

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#4 Looking west on 55th Street past Fifth Avenue to the Gotham Hotel, 1973.

Looking west on 55th Street past Fifth Avenue to the Gotham Hotel, 1973.

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#5 A view through “Atlas” in Rockefeller Center to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, 1973.

A view through "Atlas" in Rockefeller Center to St. Patrick's Cathedral, 1973.

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#6 Looking east on Broome Street at the intersection of West Broadway and Watts Street, 1973.

Looking east on Broome Street at the intersection of West Broadway and Watts Street, 1973.

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#7 Bowery Savings Bank at 110 East 42nd Street, 1973.

Bowery Savings Bank at 110 East 42nd Street, 1973.

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#8 Bayard-Condict Building at 65-69 Bleecker Street, 1973.

Bayard-Condict Building at 65-69 Bleecker Street, 1973.

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#9 Bowery Savings Bank at 110 East 42nd Street, 1973.

Bowery Savings Bank at 110 East 42nd Street, 1973.

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#10 Looking across Fifth Avenue from the steps of the New York Public Library’s main branch, 1973.

Looking across Fifth Avenue from the steps of the New York Public Library's main branch, 1973.

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#12 Hotel Mercer at 99 Prince Street, across the street from Fanelli Cafe, 1973.

Hotel Mercer at 99 Prince Street, across the street from Fanelli Cafe, 1973.

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#14 The Ottendorfer branch of the New York Public Library at 135 Second Avenue, and Stuyvesant Polyclinic at 137 Second Avenue, 1973.

The Ottendorfer branch of the New York Public Library at 135 Second Avenue, and Stuyvesant Polyclinic at 137 Second Avenue, 1973.

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#16 The northern facade of the Surrogate’s Court at 31 Chambers Street, 1973.

The northern facade of the Surrogate's Court at 31 Chambers Street, 1973.

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#17 Surrogate’s Court (originally Hall of Records) at 31 Chambers Street, 1973.

Surrogate's Court (originally Hall of Records) at 31 Chambers Street, 1973.

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#18 Surrogate’s Court (originally Hall of Records) at 31 Chambers Street, 1973.

Surrogate's Court (originally Hall of Records) at 31 Chambers Street, 1973.

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#19 Bryant Park Studios at 80 West 40th Street, 1973.

Bryant Park Studios at 80 West 40th Street, 1973.

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#20 Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank building at 51 Chambers Street, 1973.

Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank building at 51 Chambers Street, 1973.

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#21 Grounds of the General Theological Seminary, 1973.

Grounds of the General Theological Seminary, 1973.

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#22 Grounds of the General Theological Seminary, 1973.

Grounds of the General Theological Seminary, 1973.

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#23 Looking across Trinity Churchyard to the American Surety Company Building, 1973.

Looking across Trinity Churchyard to the American Surety Company Building, 1973.

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#25 J. B. & W. W. Cornell’s Iron Works at 135-143 Centre Street, New York, 1973.

J. B. & W. W. Cornell's Iron Works at 135-143 Centre Street, New York, 1973.

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#28 View of the architectural iron works, 13th & 14th Streets, East River, 1973.

View of the architectural iron works, 13th & 14th Streets, East River, 1973.

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#29 220 Front Street and Milligan & Higgins Corporation at 222 Front Street, 1973.

220 Front Street and Milligan & Higgins Corporation at 222 Front Street, 1973.

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#30 Aerial view of the buildings at 142-144, 146-148, and 150-152 Beekman Street, 1973.

Aerial view of the buildings at 142-144, 146-148, and 150-152 Beekman Street, 1973.

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#31 OK Harris Works of Art at 383 West Broadway, 1973.

OK Harris Works of Art at 383 West Broadway, 1973.

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#32 S & S Fish Co. at 38 Peck Slip and Beekman Fish Co. at 34 Peck Slip, 1973.

S & S Fish Co. at 38 Peck Slip and Beekman Fish Co. at 34 Peck Slip, 1973.

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#34 Looking southwest toward Piers 15-17 at the South Street Seaport and the skyscrapers of Lower Manhattan, 1973.

Looking southwest toward Piers 15-17 at the South Street Seaport and the skyscrapers of Lower Manhattan, 1973.

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#35 Looking south from Pier 17, South Street Seaport, 1973.

Looking south from Pier 17, South Street Seaport, 1973.

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#36 Carmine’s Bar & Grill at 140 Beekman Street, 142-144 Beekman Street, and 146-148 Beekman Street, 1973.

Carmine's Bar & Grill at 140 Beekman Street, 142-144 Beekman Street, and 146-148 Beekman Street, 1973.

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#37 Looking southeast through a window toward Schermerhorn Row, 1973.

Looking southeast through a window toward Schermerhorn Row, 1973.

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#38 Looking north on Front Street from Fulton Street, 1973.

Looking north on Front Street from Fulton Street, 1973.

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#39 Peck Slip facade of Meyer’s Hotel at 116-119 South Street, 1973.

Peck Slip facade of Meyer's Hotel at 116-119 South Street, 1973.

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#40 Looking west from the window of 279 Water Street, 1973.

Looking west from the window of 279 Water Street, 1973.

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#41 Looking northwest across the rooftops of buildings on Beekman Street, 1973.

Looking northwest across the rooftops of buildings on Beekman Street, 1973.

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#42 213-215 Water Street and Bowne & Co. Stationers at 211 Water Street, 1973.

213-215 Water Street and Bowne & Co. Stationers at 211 Water Street, 1973.

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#43 Cobblestone paving and metal steps in front of 165 John Street, 1973.

Cobblestone paving and metal steps in front of 165 John Street, 1973.

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#44 Cellar door, metal-covered steps, and cobblestone paving at 165 John Street, 1973.

Cellar door, metal-covered steps, and cobblestone paving at 165 John Street, 1973.

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#45 Stuyvesant Square and Friends Meeting House, 1973.

Stuyvesant Square and Friends Meeting House, 1973.

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#49 Bedford Street between Christopher and Grove Streets, 1973.

Bedford Street between Christopher and Grove Streets, 1973.

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#50 The Century Association at 7 West 43rd Street, 1973.

The Century Association at 7 West 43rd Street, 1973.

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#51 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church at 321 East 61st Street, 1973.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church at 321 East 61st Street, 1973.

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#53 St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral at 260-264 Mulberry Street, 1973.

St. Patrick's Old Cathedral at 260-264 Mulberry Street, 1973.

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#54 Ages Past Antiques at 450 East 78th Street, 1973.

Ages Past Antiques at 450 East 78th Street, 1973.

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#55 Consulate General of Poland at 233 Madison Avenue, 1973.

Consulate General of Poland at 233 Madison Avenue, 1973.

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#57 Andrew Carnegie mansion at 2 East 91st Street, 1973.

Andrew Carnegie mansion at 2 East 91st Street, 1973.

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#58 West 23rd Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues, 1973

West 23rd Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues, 1973

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#59 Pinking Shears Corporation building, 102 Prince Street, 1973

Pinking Shears Corporation building, 102 Prince Street, 1973

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#60 Advertising Club of New York, 23 Park Avenue, 1973

Advertising Club of New York, 23 Park Avenue, 1973

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#62 First Avenue from 37th Street to the Florentine Craftsman and Con Ed’s Waterside Station, looking north, 1973

First Avenue from 37th Street to the Florentine Craftsman and Con Ed's Waterside Station, looking north, 1973

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#64 Fifth Avenue between 46th and 47th Streets, looking south, 1973

Fifth Avenue between 46th and 47th Streets, looking south, 1973

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#65 Ninth Avenue from West 13th Street, looking north, 1973

Ninth Avenue from West 13th Street, looking north, 1973

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#68 Church Street between Lispenard and Walker Streets, 1973

Church Street between Lispenard and Walker Streets, 1973

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#72 30th Precinct station house (originally 32nd Precinct), NYPD, 1854 Amsterdam Avenue, 1973

30th Precinct station house (originally 32nd Precinct), NYPD, 1854 Amsterdam Avenue, 1973

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#81 King Street in the Charlton-King-Vandam Historic District, looking west, 1973

King Street in the Charlton-King-Vandam Historic District, looking west, 1973

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#83 30th Precinct station house (originally 32nd Precinct), NYPD, 1854 Amsterdam Avenue, 1973

30th Precinct station house (originally 32nd Precinct), NYPD, 1854 Amsterdam Avenue, 1973

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#84 St. Jean Baptiste Church, 1067-1071 Lexington Avenue, 1973

St. Jean Baptiste Church, 1067-1071 Lexington Avenue, 1973

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#85 IND electrical substation, 253 West 13th Street, and 251 West 13th Street, 1973

IND electrical substation, 253 West 13th Street, and 251 West 13th Street, 1973

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#86 Third Church of Christ, Scientist, 585 Park Avenue, 1973

Third Church of Christ, Scientist, 585 Park Avenue, 1973

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#88 West 23rd Street between Tenth and Eleventh Avenues, north side, 1973

West 23rd Street between Tenth and Eleventh Avenues, north side, 1973

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#90 A.T. Demarest & Co. building, 339 Fifth Avenue, 1973

A.T. Demarest & Co. building, 339 Fifth Avenue, 1973

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#91 Horatio Street between Greenwich and Washington Streets, north side, 1973

Horatio Street between Greenwich and Washington Streets, north side, 1973

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#93 Racquet and Tennis Club and the Seagram Building, 1973

Racquet and Tennis Club and the Seagram Building, 1973

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#95 Confucius Plaza from a ramp to the Manhattan Bridge above Market Street, 1973

Confucius Plaza from a ramp to the Manhattan Bridge above Market Street, 1973

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#96 Broome Street at West Broadway and Watts Street, looking east, 1973

Broome Street at West Broadway and Watts Street, looking east, 1973

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#99 Manhattan, aerial view looking south from Ladies’ Mile Historic District, 1973

Manhattan, aerial view looking south from Ladies' Mile Historic District, 1973

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#101 Jolly Hotel Madison Towers and Morgans Hotel rooftops, 1973

Jolly Hotel Madison Towers and Morgans Hotel rooftops, 1973

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#104 Architectural detail of 253 West 73rd Street, 1973

Architectural detail of 253 West 73rd Street, 1973

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#106 The El Dorado, 300 Central Park West, from Central Park, 1973

The El Dorado, 300 Central Park West, from Central Park, 1973

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#107 Consulate General of Poland, 233 Madison Avenue, roof detail, 1973

Consulate General of Poland, 233 Madison Avenue, roof detail, 1973

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#109 Trinity Churchyard to the American Surety Company Building, looking across, 1973

Trinity Churchyard to the American Surety Company Building, looking across, 1973

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#112 Architectural detail of 253 West 73rd Street, 1973

Architectural detail of 253 West 73rd Street, 1973

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#118 Silver Center for Arts and Science, Hemmerdinger Hall, 1973

Silver Center for Arts and Science, Hemmerdinger Hall, 1973

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#123 National Maritime Union of America buildings, 1973

National Maritime Union of America buildings, 1973

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#125 Madison Avenue toward St. James Episcopal Church, 1973

Madison Avenue toward St. James Episcopal Church, 1973

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#126 Macy’s Herald Square, original 34th Street façade, 1973

Macy's Herald Square, original 34th Street façade, 1973

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#128 Detail of the Madison Avenue façade of the Appellate Division, New York State Supreme Court, 35 East 25th Street, 1973

Detail of the Madison Avenue façade of the Appellate Division, New York State Supreme Court, 35 East 25th Street, 1973

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#131 “Justice” statue on City Hall cupola, with “Civic Fame” statue on Municipal Building tower, 1973

"Justice" statue on City Hall cupola, with "Civic Fame" statue on Municipal Building tower, 1973

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#134 Fifth Avenue in front of Charles Scribner’s Sons, 597 Fifth Avenue, 1973

Fifth Avenue in front of Charles Scribner's Sons, 597 Fifth Avenue, 1973

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#136 Tower of the Con Ed building, 4 Irving Place, 1973

Tower of the Con Ed building, 4 Irving Place, 1973

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#137 Cast iron railings of 136 West 11th Street, 1973

Cast iron railings of 136 West 11th Street, 1973

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#139 Second Church of Christ, Scientist, 77 Central Park West, 1973

Second Church of Christ, Scientist, 77 Central Park West, 1973

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#141 Cooper Square Assembly of God, 59 Cooper Square, 1973

Cooper Square Assembly of God, 59 Cooper Square, 1973

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#145 Second Church of Christ, Scientist, 77 Central Park West, 1973

Second Church of Christ, Scientist, 77 Central Park West, 1973

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#146 Cartier, Inc., 651-653 Fifth Avenue, and Cartier, Inc. extension, 4 East 52nd Street, 1973

Cartier, Inc., 651-653 Fifth Avenue, and Cartier, Inc. extension, 4 East 52nd Street, 1973

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#147 American Drapery & Carpet Company, 33 East 17th Street, 1973

American Drapery & Carpet Company, 33 East 17th Street, 1973

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#148 Water Street and Peck Slip, South Street Seaport Historic District, 1973

Water Street and Peck Slip, South Street Seaport Historic District, 1973

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#151 American Drapery & Carpet Company, 33 East 17th Street, 1973

American Drapery & Carpet Company, 33 East 17th Street, 1973

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#152 Northwest toward the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel towers, 301 Park Avenue, 1973

Northwest toward the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel towers, 301 Park Avenue, 1973

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#154 Barba Negra Vancouver docked at Pier 16, South Street Seaport, 1973

Barba Negra Vancouver docked at Pier 16, South Street Seaport, 1973

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#155 Barba Negra Vancouver docked at Pier 16, South Street Seaport, 1973

Barba Negra Vancouver docked at Pier 16, South Street Seaport, 1973

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#159 South along Ninth Avenue near Little West 12th Street in the Gansevoort Market Historic District, 1973

South along Ninth Avenue near Little West 12th Street in the Gansevoort Market Historic District, 1973

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#160 Carriage driver passing the Bell Telephone Building, 435 West 50th Street, 1973

Carriage driver passing the Bell Telephone Building, 435 West 50th Street, 1973

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#161 Across Fifth Avenue from the New York Public Library’s main branch, 1973

Across Fifth Avenue from the New York Public Library's main branch, 1973

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#164 Barrymore Theater, 243-251 West 47th Street, 1973

Barrymore Theater, 243-251 West 47th Street, 1973

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#165 Barrymore Theater, 243-251 West 47th Street, 1973

Barrymore Theater, 243-251 West 47th Street, 1973

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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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