New York City Avenues

Aerial view of Midtown Manhattan showing buildings of the Rockefeller Center, Central Park and some of the New York City main avenues running south-north in Manhattan, including Fifth Avenue, Sixth Avenue, Madison Avenue and Park Avenue. Photo dated 1937. Source: National Guard Bureau, Records of the Army Air Forces.

From the late 19th century and early 20th century, this area grew rapidly. A great number of luxury hotels and apartment buildings were constructed in he area. Central Park became New York's main leisure location. The Rockefeller Center buildings were built in the 1930s. The 36-story 1 Rockefeller Plaza building was completed in 1937 (year of the photo above).