Southern Manhattan, New York City

Aerial photo of the Southern Manhattan seen from the Upper New York Bay, dated March 14, 1930. Source: Mitchel Field, N.Y., Records of the Army Air Forces.

The buildings reflect the high density of the southern tip Manhattan. In 1930 the population of New York City was 6,9 million people and, since the late 19th century, NYC business and residents were moving to Midtown Manhattan. That was the year that three of the buildings that became the tallest in the world were under construction at the same time in Manhattan (two in Midtown): The 40 Wall Street (tallest building in the center), built from May 1929 to May 1930, Chrysler Building (in the distance), built from September 1928 to May 1930 and the Empire State Building, built from March 1930 to May 1931. The Woolworth Building, completed in 1913, is one of the three tallest skyscrapers in this picture and was the tallest building in the world until 1930, when it was surpassed by 40 Wall Street.

The old houses, churches, chapels, parks, monuments, shops and government buildings in Lower Manhattan are like pieces in an historical jigsaw, fitting together to tell the story of New York City. Battery Park is in the foreground and the East River is to the right. Enlargement of the center is below.