What happened in the 30s?

2011年 8月 09日(火曜日) 13:01

New York City Guide - Visiting New York

1664 is the year when NYC was named by the English, but in reality this entire area was discovered over a century before this. Anyway, in 1920 NYC was the most populous urbanized city in the world and became the first megacity in 1930 with more than 10 million inhabitants. So what happened in NYC since then? Step back in time with our compilation of photos of New York throughout the ages...

New York City

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In the 1930s, NYC went through the Great Depression that overcame most of the country. But it is also a decade of great invention such as the birth of television, or at least the idea of creating something that could send images to people. It is also during this period that the Empire state Building was built.

The 1940s are considered as the Golden Age for NYC. It is the decade when the economy went up again and when the United States proved their importance and power to the world with their remarkable intervention during WWII.

In 1950, NYC‘s political influence was emphasized by the United nation Headquarters. It is also a turning point for the world of art as NY became the center of art world over taking Paris. It is a time when the US are seen as the savers of the world, the war is over, Europe is greatly impacted and the USA are one of the only country with a viable and stable economy able to help reorganize the world.

The 60s are more difficult for NYC as economic problems popped up and crime rates rose dramatically.

During the 1970s, we can observe the departure on the periodization of metropolitan development. However the city is seen as very dangerous and with the highest crime rates in the world and other social disorders.

During the following decades you can see the evolution of the city with more construction the rise of the world trade center and the twin tower that were built during the 70s. You see NYC becoming a dynamic and attractive city with building, strong business centers and tourist attractions. It has grown so much that it is the most populous city of the world and home of many national and international institutions. NYC landscape is reflecting the evolution of the worldwide influence it has built up dunring the past century.

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Times Square

One of the most popular places in the world, it is probably one of the attractions that make NYC so unique. Spotlights, theatres, amazing shops, Times Square is close to what many people would call Wonderland.

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Back in the 30s the place was not so attractive. The great Depression had a real impact on Times Square which became then a dangerous neighborhood. Believe it or not but until 1990s it was seen as a seedy, tacky and dingy place. During this decade, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani decided to clear the place out and make Times Square a tourist friendly district which quickly became the N°1 destination for many people.

You can see the billboards have been part of Times Square’s landscape for quite a while. Thanks to its location, this crossroad has obviously always been a very busy place with many visitors, cars, attractions, etc. It is the place to where companies want to see their ad published, where tourists want to go, where actors want to play, where stores want to settle down…Times Square has become the on-top-of-your-list attraction for

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NYC 's Subway

The subway has been introduced to the world during the industrial area. The first railroads seen in New York City were constructed in 1904 and located in Manhattan and Brooklyn. It took almost 10 years before more lines were constructed. The Government of NYC had established agreements with two different companies, the IRT and BRT so cities throughout the state of NY were joined together.

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The City of NY was then able to build its own subway system and developed more lines thanks to important investments. That is when the Independent Subway System, the IND system, became the most advanced subway system in the world taking over any other company during the 40s.

By the 1980s, the subway system was greatly deteriorated and no longer safe to use. It took five years before we could see lines and cars being restored. In this same decade, the MetroCard was introduced to New Yorkers so they could buy them at the booth and get on the train as they wish.

Today, there are various lines that divide NYC and give an idea of where you might be according to what line you are on. There is the IRT, BMT and IND lines and the Staten Island Rapid Transit. In 2005, the New York Subway reported a total of 1, 45 billion passengers per year with 6 and a half million people accessing the subway stations of NYC and these numbers are not expected to decrease anytime soon as the price of petrol is going up.

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NYC's Markets

Obviously like in any other city, NYC has had and still has markets. There used to be many food markets were farmers were able to sell local products and provide the population with fresh merchandise.

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NYC is also very well known for its many flea markets. There are many of them that are still going on. You can find a couple of flea markets programmed each month in the Big Apple where you can find one-of-a-kind items and souvenirs for less than $20.

NYC has also established green Markets that are managed by GrowNYC. They take place every day of the week. These promote the real spirit of what markets were: farmers selling local and fresh products. This is a way to sustain the local economy and promote a new and healthy lifestyle to the NYC population.

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We can see that the Big Apple has been through many phases since the 1930s. it has grown as a powerful and dynamic city but has experienced more difficult times where the overall city’s reputation and health was threatened. However all these changes have left a mark and have created a unique and magnificent city people have and will dream of for many other decades. Come see for yourself what NYC has become over the past decades and if you want to stay in the city, check out our vacation rental apartments, hundreds to choose from.