We hope you enjoyed our epic three-part tour through the history of the Bronx. This was the first time we’ve ever tackled the story of a borough over the course of a few shows, and we really had to learn to think concisely and in big concepts, lest each episode be a couple hours long.
Here are the three shows in case you missed one:
The Bronx Is Building (1875-1955)
The Bronx Was Burning (1955-today)
There are of course many aspects of Bronx history that we didn’t even get to properly cover — Fort Schuyler, Marble Hill, the Quakers of Hunts Point, the Bronx Terminal Market, the former amusements of Clason Point, Saint Raymond’s Cemetery, the Hub. That simply means we’ll be returning to the borough in future episodes.
But a special treat arrived in our mailbox this week from the NYC Department of Records. Archivist Alexandra Hilton curated a Bronx centennial exhibition a couple years ago featuring images from the deep trove of riches in the department’s collection. And she’s kindly offered to share some with us here!
Enjoy this look back through many era of the Bronx through perspectives you’ve perhaps never seen.
You’re not seeing things — this is a baseball game next to Woodlawn Cemetery, somewhere along the Bronx River Parkway, date unknown, but most certainly late 19th century.
The auditorium of Morris High School, the first high school built in the Bronx. Picture is from November 1926,
The NY Catholic Protectory, an orphanage, in Parkchester, date unknown.
A couple images of the Bronx River within Bronx Park and the New York Botanical Garden (which was contained within the confines of the park), from its early years, c. pre 20th century.
The Haupt Conservatory within the botanic garden.
Inside old Fort Schuyler at Throgs Neck in the late 1930s, as military operations are dismantled and the structure becomes New York State Merchant Marine Academy (now SUNY Maritime College).
The scene — St. Mary’s Park in Mott Haven. I believe this is the construction of a new playground, but the park has been through a lot of changes, so it may be something else. Date is April of 1934. Any guesses? Also, see the mansion in the background?
Bungalows develop near the location of Orchard Beach, April 1929.
The beautiful Bronx County Courthouse, pictured here a bit after its completion in 1935.
The opening of Orchard Beach on July 25, 1936. Some extraordinary fashions on display here!
An overhead view of Orchard Beach, 1938
At the crypt of Lewis Morris at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church in Morrisania, c. 1930s.
Kids living in a Bronx cooperative apartment building, 1938
Construction site for Hunter College, c. 1938, on the area of the former Jerome Park Racetrack (a portion of which was turned into Jerome Park Reservoir). Today this is the site of Lehman College.
Robert Moses at the dedication of the Whitestone Bridge, May 25, 1939.
A blessing at the Shrine Church of St. Ann’s in Norwood, December 1939. Unfortunately the church closed last year.
Keating Hall on the campus of Fordham University, c, 1935-1941
The Bronx NYU campus and the Hall of Fame of Great Americans, c. 1935-1941.
This image perfectly captures the mix of housing styles and transportation infrastructure in the Bronx during the mid 20th century. This particular image, from 1938, is of 3477 Bronx Boulevard.
FDR’s campaign headquarters in 1940, above some breathtaking neon signage.
The scene at the Bronx Terminal Market in Hunts Point, 1941.
Inside the Bronx Terminal Market, date unknown.
The re-opening of the New York, Westchester and Boston Railroad, May 15, 1941, with Mayor La Guardia cutting the ribbon. The railroad line had been a financial failure and was purchased by the city and converted into a subway line. (Today it’s part of the 2 and 5 lines to Wakefield.)
Marie LaGuardia speaks at the memorial service for her husband in Woodlawn Cemetery, September 1947.
The scene at the St Mary’s Park playground, 1949
Illustration of that super wacky set of undulating highways and ramps along the Bronx River, October 1948.
And an extraordinary artifact — an anti-Robert Moses flyer that would have been found in the Parkchester and Westchester neighborhoods, retaliating against plans to construct the Cross-Bronx Expressway. Â “The needs of the people must not become a political football to be kicked back and forth….” Issued by the Communist Party of the Bronx!
Former Bronx borough president Fernando Ferrer joins in the Puerto Rican Parade, 1992
A South Bronx town hall meeting featuring David Dinkins in October 1993. He would lose the mayoral race the following month to Rudy Giuliani.
Fernando Ferrer oversees some ‘helpful’ wall writing — DON’T DUMP ON THE BRONX. Date: 1994
3 replies on “Look Back At The Bronx — Exclusive Images from NYC’s Department of Records”
A wonderful trip down memory lane. Thank you for sharing.
I lived from 1938 till 1956 at 1510 Boston Rd cor Charlotte St. In a period of 5 years from 1956 till 1962 drugs and dumping welfare people into the area, killed that place as a haven for the working lower classes. People left in droves to be replaced by lowlifes and savages. The politicians ruined that area with a total disreguard because the “older”residents were politically naive and disorginized. Morris highschool turned into a holding facility for future crimminals and at best was a third rate education. We and our extended family members who all lived within a three block radius voted with our feet and left NYC for places as far away as Fl,Calif,Pa. with a sense of relief and regret. But no it was not the “good old days” for us. Just a way station to the upper middleclass.
Was the first picture of the Bronx Terminal Market in Hunts Point or over along the west side over by Exterior where the Bronx correctional facility was.