42nd Street

This photograph was taken atop of the former elevated subway, known as the Third Avenue El, facing west on 42nd Street towards Times Square.

The building in the foreground is what was then the Old Commodore Hotel. In the early 1980s, this building was stripped down to its steel skeleton and renovated to become the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Just behind it is Grand Central Station.

The man seen in the center of the photo is crossing over the trolly tracks. Trollys were common in this era, but, like other nostalgic elements, it was removed early on.

Interested in purchasing prints of these fabulous photos of New York in the Swing Era? Visit our Visions of NY merchandise site! Here you can view and purchase photos, t-shirts, mugs, mousepads and an assortment of additional items. You will also find photos of old New York not shown in our current site.