Nostalgia

17 Retro Photos That Show How Times Square Has Changed Over the Years

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A busy city street scene in Times Square, New York, with people walking, cars and yellow taxis driving, and bright advertisements and billboards for products and movies covering the buildings.
Bettmann / Contributor

Times Square has been the epicenter of New York City for more than 120 years, since construction on One Times Square — the building after which the square was originally named — first started in 1903. It’s a hub for entertainment, whether it’s New Year’s Eve or a new show debuting on Broadway.

But its hustle and bustle is nothing new. Since the first buildings went up, Times Square has been buzzing with people, taxis, and neon lights, proven by these old photos.

1. Taxi Cabs and Light Posts (1957)

A busy city street scene in Times Square, New York City, with vintage cars, people walking and billboards advertising theaters and shows. The image appears to be from the mid-20th century.
GoodGriefWhatsNext / Reddit.com

2. Advertisements Everywhere (1948)

A nighttime street scene in a city with bright neon signs, vintage cars, and people walking along the sidewalks; prominent signs include Chevrolet, Kinsey whiskey, and Coca-Cola.
Systepup / Reddit.com

3. Reading the News of the D-Day Landings on the Electronic Billboard (1944)

A group of well-dressed men and women from the mid-20th century stand on a city street corner, looking up with anticipation. Tall buildings and street signs are visible in the background.
EggsAckley / Reddit.com

4. The New York Times Building Under Construction (1903)

A tall building under construction towers over a busy city street with scaffolding covering its upper floors. Pedestrians, horse-drawn carriages, and early automobiles fill the lively urban scene.
Systepup / Reddit.com

5. Looking South on Broadway From 47th Street (1944)

People stand at a crosswalk in a busy city street, surrounded by tall buildings with vintage signs and billboards. A red traffic light hangs overhead, and cars are visible in the background. The scene appears to be from mid-20th century.
UserDeleted / Reddit.com

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6. ‘A Star is Born’ Marquee (1954)

A black-and-white photo of a rainy city street with many pigeons. Cars drive by, and buildings feature large movie marquees, including one advertising “A Star Is Born” starring Judy Garland and James Mason.
UserDeleted / Reddit.com

7. Traffic as Far as the Eye Can See (1978)

A busy city street filled with yellow taxis and cars, surrounded by tall buildings and billboards under a hazy sky, capturing the hustle of urban life.
UltimateLazer / Reddit.com

8. People Everywhere (1959)

A busy city street scene from the mid-20th century with crowds of people, classic cars, and vintage storefronts and signs, including “Klein’s,” “Admiral Television Appliances,” and “Florsheim.”
AxlCobainVedder / Reddit.com

9. The Insane Crowd on New Year’s Eve (1954)

A large crowd fills Times Square at night, surrounded by bright, illuminated billboards and signs, including Chevrolet, Canadian Club, and Admiral Television Appliances.
susierabbit / Reddit.com

10. Snow on the Streets (1978)

A busy city street in winter with people crossing, snow on the ground, yellow taxis, cars, and many colorful billboards, including signs for Burger King and The Wiz. Tall buildings surround the scene.
UltimateLazer / Reddit.com

11. Planters Peanuts and Coca-Cola Ads (1936)

Black and white photo of a busy city street in the 1940s with pedestrians, vintage cars, and large advertisements for Planters Peanuts, Coca-Cola, and Camels cigarettes on tall buildings.
thrifterbynature / Reddit.com

12. Larger Than Life Advertising (1956)

A busy city intersection filled with cars, taxis, and buses, surrounded by tall buildings with colorful advertisements; many pedestrians cross the street. The image has a vintage, mid-20th-century feel.
UserDeleted / Reddit.com

13. Rainy Day (1943)

A rainy city street scene at night, featuring people with umbrellas, vintage cars, and bright neon signs reflecting on wet pavement in a bustling urban area.
ColorizedHollywood / Reddit.com

14. Old School Public Shaming in Times Square (1955)

A giant wire-frame litter basket filled with trash stands in a busy city intersection. A sign reads, "THIS LITTER BELONGS TO YOU." Buildings, cars, and pedestrians are visible in the background.
UserDeleted / Reddit.com

15. New Yorkers Watching the ‘Seinfeld’ Finale in Times Square (1998)

A crowd of people stands on a busy street at night, watching a large outdoor screen showing a movie scene with subtitles in Times Square, New York City, surrounded by bright signs and storefronts.
SirTimaey / Reddit.com

16. Winter in Times Square (1947)

A snowy city street at night in the mid-20th century, lined with illuminated theater and advertising signs. People walk along sidewalks beside deep snowbanks under the bright lights.
UserDeleted / Reddit.com

17. Military Police in Times Square on New Year’s Eve (1941)

Two military police officers stand on a city street at night near a police booth, surrounded by vintage cars and bright neon signs. The scene appears to be from the 1940s.
rollotomasi07071 / Reddit.com

Nostalgic for more old-school NYC?

Take a trip back in time with These 17 Vintage Photos Capture the Grit and Glamour of 1960s NYC. We think you’ll also enjoy 15 Photos That Show Famous World Landmarks in Their 1950s Glory and 25 Photos That Celebrate Coney Island’s Golden Days.

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Meet the Writer


Rachel Schneider

Rachel is a Michigan-based writer with a bachelor’s degree in Professional Writing and English. Throughout her career, she has dabbled in a variety of subject matter from finance and higher education to lifestyle pieces and food writing. She also enjoys writing stories based on social media trends.

Find her on Instagram @rachel.schneider922



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