Vintage Panorama Photograph From 1904 Shows Eighth Avenue Trolley and Pedestrians Downtown

The Eighth Avenue trolley, New York City, sharing the street with horse-drawn produce wagon and an open automobile. Downtown, looking north
The Eighth Avenue trolley, New York City, sharing the street with horse-drawn produce wagon and an open automobile. Downtown, looking north

The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration has a great digital collection titled American Cities which "depicts the city, its development, and its people and their way of life from the early 19th century to recent times." This photograph from the American Cities series (archive #541891) features the Eighth Avenue trolley sharing the street with pedestrians, a horse-drawn produce wagon, and an open automobile back in 1904.

It is difficult to tell exactly where downtown this photo was taken, but with the layout of the streets, it appears it could be where Abingdon Square Park is today, in Greenwich Village. Here is a Google Street View of this area today.

Abingdon Square Park
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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