What Broadway looked like in the 1860s Through These Stunning Historical Photos

Broadway is one of New York’s most famous avenues and the heart of the American theatre industry since it is the only oblique street to cross the city centre. It is a thoroughfare that traverses the length of Manhattan, near the centre of which are the theatres that have long made Broadway the country’s most important showcase for stage entertainment.

In the mid-19th century, Broadway became the centre of a vital theatre district, attracting impresarios with its central location and fashionable reputation. The number, size, and magnificence of Broadway theatres increased as New York City’s prosperity and power grew, and the brightly lit street became known as “the Great White Way” in the 1890s.

Here are some stunning historical photos showing what Broadway looked like in the 1860s.

#1 Grace Church and Stewart’s Store, Broadway, New York City, 1865

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#2 View on Broadway, 1860s

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#3 Hoffman House, Broadway and 24th St. New York City, 1864

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#4 The Broadway Bridge, including St. Paul’s Church and the Astor H

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#5 Horse-drawn carriages on Broadway and Howard Streets, New York C

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#6 Worth Monument, New York City City, 1860s

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#7 Broadway Passenger Bridge with St Paul’s Chapel and the Old Asto

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#8 Lowe Bridge, 1866

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#9 Niblo’s Garden, Broadway, New York City, 1860s

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#10 Broadway, looking north, Grand Hotel, Baker & Record, 1860s

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#11 Instantaneous Broadway view, New York City, 1867

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#12 Broadway and post office, New York City, 1860s

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#13 Trinity Church, Broadway, New York City, 1865

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#14 Instantaneous Broadway view, New York City, 1865

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#15 U. States Hotel, Broadway, 1860s

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#16 Up Broadway from Metropolitan Hotel, New York City, 1860s

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#17 America’s greatest thoroughfare; Broadway from the Empire Buildi

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#18 Broadway during the American Civil War, 1862

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#19 Broadway, looking north from new post office, 1860

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#20 Broadway, 1864

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#21 Looking north from the corner of Fulton Street showing Broadway

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#22 Broadway, looking north from the Foot Bridge, 1860, New York Cit

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#23 Broadway, from Broome Street looking north, 1860

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#24 Looking down Broadway, from the corner of Chambers Street, 1860

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#25 Broadway, from corner Houston Street looking north, 1860

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#26 Looking up Broadway from the corner of Broome Street, 1860

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#27 Broadway, below Grand-Street, 1867

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#28 Looking north from the corner of Fulton Street showing Broadway

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#29 Looking down Broadway, from the corner of ChambersBroome Street,

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#30 Broadway, looking north from the Foot Bridge, 1860

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#31 Broadway, from Broome Street, looking north, 1860

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#32 Broadway on a rainy day, 1860

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#33 Broadway from the balcony of the Metropolitan, looking south. Th

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#34 Japanese Procession through Broadway, New York City, 1860

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#35 Stereoscopic view of along Broadway, during rainy weather, New Y

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#36 Broadway in the Rain, likely taken from 308 or 310 Broadway, New

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#37 Broadway with horse-drawn carriages, 1860s.

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#38 Broadway and Fifth Avenue from St Germain’s looking north, 1860.

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#39 Broadway in the rain, New York City, 1860s

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