Vintage Color Photographs Show What New York City Looked Like in the 1940s

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Charles W. Cushman was an amateur photographer who shot thousands of photographs all around the world from 1938 to 1969.

When Cushman passed, he bequeathed approximately 14,500 Kodachrome color slides to his alma mater Indiana University, where they have setup a searchable online collection of all of them.

Business Insider recently pulled out some of the best New York City photographs from the collection. Enjoy.

Three men sit on a bench in Battery Park during lunch hour.
Three men sit on a bench in Battery Park during lunch hour.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
The old Fulton Market on Manhattan's Lower East Side wasn't quite so bustling on this Saturday afternoon in 1941.
The old Fulton Market on Manhattan's Lower East Side wasn't quite so bustling on this Saturday afternoon in 1941.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
There were still traffic jams on South Street along the East River in 1941.
There were still traffic jams on South Street along the East River in 1941.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
Here, a view of the East River and the majestic Brooklyn Bridge.
Here, a view of the East River and the majestic Brooklyn Bridge.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
Here's a closer view of the South Street Manhattan tower of the Brooklyn Bridge. The tower, which weighs 90,000 tons, helps support over 14,000 miles of wire.
Here's a closer view of the South Street Manhattan tower of the Brooklyn Bridge. The tower, which weighs 90,000 tons, helps support over 14,000 miles of wire.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
Cushman snapped this spectacular view of Lower Manhattan from across the water in Jersey City.
Cushman snapped this spectacular view of Lower Manhattan from across the water in Jersey City.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
Here's a view of skyscrapers from Wall Street in the Financial District.
Here's a view of skyscrapers from Wall Street in the Financial District.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
Cushman took this from onboard a ferry that was approaching Liberty Street in September 1941.
Cushman took this from onboard a ferry that was approaching Liberty Street in September 1941.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
This is a view of the Financial District from the South Ferry port.
This is a view of the Financial District from the South Ferry port.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
This is a glimpse down Fulton Street, which goes through Manhattan's Financial District, from South Street in 1941.
This is a glimpse down Fulton Street, which goes through Manhattan's Financial District, from South Street in 1941.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
Up in Harlem, just north of George Washington Bridge, Cushman captured a shot of Riverside Drive.
Up in Harlem, just north of George Washington Bridge, Cushman captured a shot of Riverside Drive.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
Residents socialize on Clinton Street on Manhattan's Lower East Side on a Saturday afternoon.
Residents socialize on Clinton Street on Manhattan's Lower East Side on a Saturday afternoon.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
Children and adults gather outside various storefronts near the corner of Broome Street and Baruch Place on the Lower East Side.
Children and adults gather outside various storefronts near the corner of Broome Street and Baruch Place on the Lower East Side.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
This horse-drawn carriage waits for passengers in Bowling Green.
This horse-drawn carriage waits for passengers in Bowling Green.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
The men pictured here are collecting wartime salvage left outside on the streets of the Lower East Side.
The men pictured here are collecting wartime salvage left outside on the streets of the Lower East Side.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
The hot-dog carts in New York City have only gotten bigger and more elaborate since 1942. Here, a vendor waits for business in Bowling Green.
The hot-dog carts in New York City have only gotten bigger and more elaborate since 1942. Here, a vendor waits for business in Bowling Green.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
McSorley's Old Ale House is the city's oldest Irish pub. Located on East 7th Street between Second and Third Avenues, it's been open since the 1800s.
McSorley's Old Ale House is the city's oldest Irish pub. Located on East 7th Street between Second and Third Avenues, it's been open since the 1800s.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
The Red Cross station on the Lower East Side offers locals various free items during salvage collection.
The Red Cross station on the Lower East Side offers locals various free items during salvage collection.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
Here's a view of the Empire State Building from 28th Street in 1942, 11 years after it was completed.
Here's a view of the Empire State Building from 28th Street in 1942, 11 years after it was completed.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
This Italian bakery was open for business at 58 Mulberry Street, south of Canal Street.
This Italian bakery was open for business at 58 Mulberry Street, south of Canal Street.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
Three girls talk outside a candy shop in Lower Manhattan.
Three girls talk outside a candy shop in Lower Manhattan.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
This scene from the Lower East Side looks straight out of a movie.
This scene from the Lower East Side looks straight out of a movie.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
Cushman captioned this 1942 image "Sunday afternoon gossip."
Cushman captioned this 1942 image "Sunday afternoon gossip."
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
Today the northeast corner of First Street and Bowery is filled with shops and bars.
Today the northeast corner of First Street and Bowery is filled with shops and bars.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
Here's a view of the other side of the street, at the southeast corner of the intersection. The pictured barbershop is now a boutique clothing store.
Here's a view of the other side of the street, at the southeast corner of the intersection. The pictured barbershop is now a boutique clothing store.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
Cooper Union, pictured here on the right, opened in 1859.
Cooper Union, pictured here on the right, opened in 1859.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
New Yorkers hurry along an undisclosed block between Avenues A and B in 1942.
New Yorkers hurry along an undisclosed block between Avenues A and B in 1942.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
You can see an advertisement for Horton's Ice Cream on this corner of Canal Street. Back in the early 19th century, Horton's supplied over half of New York City's ice cream.
You can see an advertisement for Horton's Ice Cream on this corner of Canal Street. Back in the early 19th century, Horton's supplied over half of New York City's ice cream.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
A statue of Abraham de Peyster, who was mayor of New York City from 1691 to 1694, is seen in Bowling Green.
A statue of Abraham de Peyster, who was mayor of New York City from 1691 to 1694, is seen in Bowling Green.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
This woman enjoys her Sunday newspaper on a stoop in the Lower East Side.
This woman enjoys her Sunday newspaper on a stoop in the Lower East Side.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman
This is a corner on Pearl Street, which runs south through what is now Manhattan's Financial District.
This is a corner on Pearl Street, which runs south through what is now Manhattan's Financial District.
Photo: Charles W. Cushman

via Business Insider

Matt Coneybeare

Matt Coneybeare

Editor in Chief

Matt enjoys exploring the City's with his partner and son. He is an avid marathon runner, and spends most of his time eating, running, and working on cool stuff.

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