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Vintage photos of New York City at the turn of the century

New York was a lot different back then without the taxis, MTA and $1 pizza joints

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New York City, as well as the rest of the country, was a lot different at the turn of the century over 100 years ago. The New York subway was just breaking ground, families were still fighting against child labor laws, and a measly 3 million people lived within city limits. The “First Great Age” also gave the city many of its most beautiful buildings including the iconic Flatiron Building and the illustrious Grand Central Terminal. Get swept away with these beautiful photos of the New York City of yesteryear, as seen in Stephen Braxton Thompson's New York City Views: Vintage Photography.

Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

1885, Fifth Avenue and 42 Street. 
Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

1896, "Lovers Lane" in Central Park.
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Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

1890s, A hansom at Madison Square. 
Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

1897, Organ grinder and his wife. 
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Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

L: 1890, Woolworth Building. R: 1908, The Great White Way
Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

Ca. 1900, Clam vendor in Mulberry Bend in lower Manhattan. 
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Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

L: 1890s, Jewish market on the East Side. R: Ca. 1900, Flatiron building
Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

Ca. 1900, Drying clothing hanging between buildings at Park Avenue, Fifth Avenue, and 107 Street.
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Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

Ca. 1900, Fifth Avenue buses. 
Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

Ca. 1900, Mott Street. 
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Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

Ca. 1900, Canal boats at East River docks. 
Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

Ca. 1900, A living sign on Fifth Avenue. 
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Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

Ca. 1900, Goat carriages in Central Park. 
Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

Ca. 1900, Fifth Avenue. 
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Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

Ca. 1900, A Fifth Avenue stagecoach.
Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

Ca. 1900, Pretzel vendor 
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Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

Ca. 1900, The Driveway, Central Park
Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

Ca. 1900, Brooklyn Bridge walkway. 
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Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

1903, Newsstand. 
Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

1905, Subway entrance and exit kiosks at East 23 Street.
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Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

L: 1905, Broad Street. R; 1900-1906, Grand Central Terminal and Manhattan Hotel.
Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

1905, City Hall and park. 
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Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

1906, Annual parade of the Coaching Club
Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

1908, Excavations for Grand Central Terminal.
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Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

1908, New York Public Library. 
Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

1908, Trinity Church
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Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

1909, Girls protesting against child labor. 
Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

1909, Woman with a child peddling chewing gum on Broadway. 
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Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

Ca. 1910, A trip around the block costs two cents. 
Photograph: Courtesy Library of Congress/Stephen Thompson

Ca. 1900, Up Broadway and Fifth Avenue. 
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