Blimps over Lower Manhattan

Aerial photograph taken from the Upper New York Bay, showing airships (blimps) over Lower Manhattan. Photo dated April 15, 1931. Source: Mitchel Field N.Y., Records of the Army Air Forces / U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.

The Battery Park and the South Ferry terminals are in the foreground. Hudson River is on the left. The South Street is on the right.

This area shows many skyscrapers built on Lower Broadway, Broad Street and Wall Street, including 40 Wall Street, completed in May 1930. It was the tallest building in the world for about two months, when it was surpassed by Chrysler Building. Most of these skyscrapers were built until the early 1930s, when the Great Depression took its toll on everyone.