Framed or unframed, desk size to sofa size, printed by us in Arizona and Alabama since 2007. Explore now.
Shorpy is funded by you. Patreon contributors get an ad-free experience.
Learn more.
New York, 1901. "Central Park -- Bethesda Terrace and Fountain." Starring "Angel of the Waters," a winged bronze by Emma Stebbins dedicated in 1873. Panorama made from two 8x10 inch glass negatives. Detroit Photographic Company. View full size.
This is a place I used to ride past on my bicycle every day, and still go to as often as possible. The trees and the foliage have certainly grown over the years, and the number of people on the plaza is usually significantly more than seen here, but the place itself remains essentially unchanged. It is still a place of repose, rest, and enjoyment in the middle of NYC, and remains one of the most dramatically beautiful pieces of urban park design anywhere.
I believe this was the centerpiece of Tony Kushner's play and the HBO miniseries.
I was in NYC in 2002 in October. The fountain was drained for the winter (and the Rockefeller Center skating rink was open) but it was 70F on a Sunday so people thronged the park to enjoy the day.
It was a common walk on Sunday. In the 1930s, there were many more people in the park.
Hard to believe that just past the treeline in the background lies Fifth Avenue and the mansions of the rich and famous. In 1901, some construction along the Avenue would have reached north of the 70s, but there would still be vacant lots to be filled in.
The view to-day:
On Shorpy:
Today’s Top 5