What did old New York look like years ago, after night fell? Here’s a peek at the “city that never sleeps” as it appeared by the light of the moon, the stars… and the skyscrapers.
These views of NYC night scenes include old photographs, vintage illustrations, and postcards based on pictures that have been colorized — either years ago by a hand-colorist, or enhanced digitally in this century.
Every color may not be precisely correct, but we hope it gives a somewhat realistic view of city life all those years ago. (For the purists, some uncolorized images are also included at the end of the page.)
Night reflections in New York City (1897) – Colorized
ALSO SEE: See NYC’s stunning historical Fifth Avenue mansions (1890s)
NYC at night – Bird’s-eye view of the southern part of the city (1906)
Waldorf-Astoria Hotel New York at night (1908)
NYC night – City Hall and Hall of Records, Brooklyn NY (c1909)
Woolworth Bldg. and City Hall Park at night NYC (1911)
Bird’s eye view of Manhattan, East River and Brooklyn from Woolworth Building, by night, New York City (1913)
MORE: See old New York City in 1911 via this amazing rediscovered film footage
New York the wonder city at night – Vintage postcard (1918)
Night view of lower New York City from the Metropolitan Tower (around 1920)
The Great White Way – Broadway above Times Square New York City – Colorized (1927)
Art of Brooklyn Bridge and New York skyline at night – Colorized (1920s)
Woolworth Building at night – NYC – Colorized (1920s)
Times Square Building by night – Colorized (1920s)
Manhattan – Times Square to the south at night – Colorized (1930s)
Birds-eye view of New York City – Colorized (1937)
Non-colorized NYC at night (black & white or sepia)
Broadway’s midnight sun – Photos of old NYC from 1909
The Great White Way – night scene on Broadway above Times Square, New York City (1927)
New York city views — Times Square to south at night
Night reflections in old New York City (1897)
Night view of lower New York City from the Metropolitan Tower (c1920)
The Statue of Liberty at night (1924)
ALSO SEE: Statue of Liberty construction: See her like you’ve never seen her before
