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An ad-free Educational Platform Offering Access to Restored Vintage Photographs and Prints Documenting New York's Rich History.
Expertly Curated by Joseph A. Gornail & Steven D. Garcia of Fine Print New York • 315 Madison Avenue • Email Us • 212.619.5446

History of Penn Station's Evolution: A Landmark's Impact on Architecture and Preservation in Pictures (1904 - 1962)

Constructed for the Pennsylvania Railroad, Penn Station, a New York City landmark, epitomized Beaux-Arts architecture when completed in 1910 by the renowned firm McKim, Mead, and White. Renowned for its grandiose interiors and distinct waiting areas, it became a key transportation and architectural icon. Following WWII, dwindling rail usage prompted the sale of air rights in the 1950s, leading to the notable demolition of its primary structure from 1963 to 1966.

This event marked a turning point in the U.S. historic preservation movement, directly influencing the creation of stronger preservation regulations and the founding of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1965. The current Penn Station, redesigned as an underground complex, exists alongside Madison Square Garden and Pennsylvania Plaza, which replaced its original above-ground location.

Aerial view of the New Pennsylvania Station whose construction is nearly complete.

1904: Construction of New Pennsylvania Station

Aerial view of the New Pennsylvania Station whose construction is nearly complete.

Interior view of Penn Station's famously opulent waiting room, with its high vaulted ceilings and turn-of-the-century stonework.

1905: Main Waiting Room at Pennsylvania Station

Interior view of Penn Station's famously opulent waiting room, with its high vaulted ceilings and turn-of-the-century stonework.

Interior view of Penn Station's concourses, drenched by the sun due to the greenhouse-inspired design of its glass ceiling.

1905: Track Level and Concourses at Pennsylvania Station

Interior view of Penn Station's concourses, drenched by the sun due to the greenhouse-inspired design of its glass ceiling.

A photograph which illustrates the great style, symmetry and lighting of Penn Station's Main Concourse.

1905: Main Concourse at Pennsylvania Station

A photograph which illustrates the great style, symmetry and lighting of Penn Station's Main Concourse.

Explore Penn Station's 1910 debut, a Beaux-Arts jewel by McKim, Mead & White, pivotal in reshaping NYC's transportation and urban fabric

1910: Penn Station: Architectural Masterpiece Shaping NYC's Transit History

Explore Penn Station's 1910 debut, a Beaux-Arts jewel by McKim, Mead & White, pivotal in reshaping NYC's transportation and urban fabric

Pedestrians walk in front of the recently completed Penn Station - whose opulence and grand design would make it one of the city's most cherished landmarks.

1910: East Facade of Pennsylvania Station

Pedestrians walk in front of the recently completed Penn Station - whose opulence and grand design would make it one of the city's most cherished landmarks.

Photograph of pedestrians commuting at the Pennsylvania Station, where the Long Island Railroad opened to the public on September the 8th, 1910.

1910: Pennsylvania Station Interior

Photograph of pedestrians commuting at the Pennsylvania Station, where the Long Island Railroad opened to the public on September the 8th, 1910.

Passengers in the waiting room at Pennsylvania Station, with statue of Alexander Johnston Cassatt, president of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.

1911: Waiting Room at Pennsylvania Station

Passengers in the waiting room at Pennsylvania Station, with statue of Alexander Johnston Cassatt, president of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.

Soldiers and sailors line up inside the concourse of Pennsylvania Station.

1942: Soldiers at Pennsylvania Station

Soldiers and sailors line up inside the concourse of Pennsylvania Station.

Photograph taken from a Historic American Buildings Survey on April 24, 1962 of the Pennsylvania Station Concourse from the south.

1962: Clock at Pennsylvania Station

Photograph taken from a Historic American Buildings Survey on April 24, 1962 of the Pennsylvania Station Concourse from the south.

Photograph of Pennsylvania Station's Entrance and Waiting Area.

1962: Pennsylvania Station, Interior Entrance

Photograph of Pennsylvania Station's Entrance and Waiting Area.

Photograph of the steel support beams of Pennsylvania Station's famous Main Concourse.

1962: Pennsylvania Station

Photograph of the steel support beams of Pennsylvania Station's famous Main Concourse.

Photograph of the elaborate stonework and pillars that once adorned the walls of Pennsylvania Station.

1962: Pennsylvania Station Interior Masonry

Photograph of the elaborate stonework and pillars that once adorned the walls of Pennsylvania Station.

Photograph of Pennsylvania Station's southern facade along 31st Street.

1962: Pennsylvania Station Facade

Photograph of Pennsylvania Station's southern facade along 31st Street.

Photograph of Pennsylvania Station's Entrance at 370 Seventh Avenue.

1962: Pennsylvania Station and Seventh Avenue

Photograph of Pennsylvania Station's Entrance at 370 Seventh Avenue.

Photograph of passengers waiting for their train at Pennsylvania Station's Main Concourse.

1962: Pennsylvania Station Concourse Interior

Photograph of passengers waiting for their train at Pennsylvania Station's Main Concourse.

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250 Million Years to Present Day NYC: Natural Wonder to World's Most Famous City

Explore NYC's transformation over 250 million years, from its origins in Pangea to becoming the world's most famous and dynamic city today


Discover How History101.nyc Sustains Its Ad-Free Educational Platform

History101.nyc has established itself as a leading educational platform, uniquely supported by Fine Print New York, experts in the restoration of antique, rare, and damaged wallpapers. This collaboration enables History101.nyc to offer rich, well-researched content without the distraction of advertisements. Fine Print NYC's reputation for excellence in the niche field of wallpaper restoration highlights their commitment to preserving history, aligning perfectly with History101.nyc’s educational goals.

Learn More About Wallpaper Reproduction

Meet the Founders: The Creative Minds Behind Our Platform

Joseph Gornail a distinguished printer/photographer and the visionary behind Fine Print New York, hails from SoHo, Manhattan. Rooted in a family tradition of NYC printing, Joseph mastered the craft as a teenager. His significant impact on the New York printing industry ignited in 1996 with Dolo Records/Stretch Armstrong. He founded All City Marketing & Printing in the late '90s and co-created the iconic streetwear label Orchard Street with partners Benjamin Holloway and Greig Bennett in 1999. In 2004, Joseph launched Fine Print NYC, establishing it as a leading commercial printing firm. The company debuted with a landmark project for Nike, epitomizing innovation and resilience in the modern digital landscape.


Steven Garcia, a prominent designer/illustrator and creative director at Fine Print, originates from Bushwick, Brooklyn. A graduate of Fashion Industries High School and F.I.T., Steven has carved a notable path in the design world. His early career highlights include a role as a sought-after professional retoucher and storyboard artist at Saatchi & Saatchi in 1996. Embracing his entrepreneurial side, Steven founded ShinyDesign in 1998, which later became a key design partner for Fine Print NYC in 2004. His extensive portfolio features collaborations with elite brands such as Snapple, The Waldorf Astoria, Netflix and Sony, cementing his status as a key influencer in New York's vibrant advertising and design industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Defines History101.nyc? Explore NYC's Historical Journey

Welcome to "History101.NYC," an unparalleled online gallery featuring the beginnings of New York City, exquisitely restored by the experts at Fine Print New York. This exclusive collection vividly resurrects key historical moments, celebrating the city's rich history and diverse cultural heritage. Each meticulously crafted piece in our gallery offers a genuine look into NYC's past, embodying exceptional artistic skill and meticulous attention to detail.

Dive into our archives for a selection of exclusive, premium-quality art prints, encompassing a range of vintage photos, historical images, and rare lithographs unique to our site. These curated artworks narrate the dynamic evolution of the Big Apple, providing history enthusiasts and art collectors with a rare opportunity to own a part of NYC's illustrious legacy. Don't miss the chance to explore and acquire these captivating representations of New York City's historical journey.

What Time Periods, Eras, Decades of NYC History are available?

We cover a vast span of New York City's history, from its inception as New Amsterdam to the vibrant late 1980s. Our artists are actively working on expanding our collection to include photos from the 90s up to the present day.

Here's our current coverage list, showcasing the city's evolution:

Dutch Era: When New York Was New Amsterdam

NYC in the 1600s

Georgian Era

NYC in the 1700s • NYC from 1800 to 1840NYC in the 1840s • 

Victorian Era

NYC in the 1850s • NYC in the 1860s • NYC in the 1870s • NYC in the 1880s

Progressive Era

NYC in the 1890s • NYC from 1900 to 1905 • 1905 to 1910 • 1910 to 1915 • 

World War 1

NYC from 1915 to 1920

Art Deco

NYC from 1920 to 1925 • NYC from 1925 to 1930

Depression Era

NYC from 1930 to 1935 • NYC from 1935 to 1940

World War 2

NYC from 1940 to 1945

MidCentury Modern Era

NYC from 1945 to 1950 • 1950 to 1955 • 1955 to 1960 • 1960 to 1965 • 1965 to 1970

Energy Crisis

NYC from 1970 to 1975 • 1975 to 1980

Reagan Era

NYC from 1980 to 1985 • 1985 to 1990

Each period is richly represented through a variety of art mediums, offering a comprehensive and immersive historical journey of NYC. This chronological approach provides enthusiasts and scholars a unique lens into the city's architectural, cultural, and social developments.

How many historical Images are on this site?

There are currently 803 photos, lithographs, illustrations and maps on this site. Each one has been digitally restored and cleaned up by hand, which makes this collection truly unique.

Can I License Any of These Images?

Digital licenses are available for educational institutions (schools, universities, non-profit organizations). Please contact legal@fineprintnyc.com to discuss conditions for licensing.

NOTE: Any form of commercialization or redistribution of these images, either as tangible goods or third party licenses, is expressly forbidden.

Can I purchase prints of the historical images available on the site?

History101.nyc is an ad-free and non-profit learning resource. We do not sell prints of these images. All operational costs are covered by Fine Print NYC

Do you accept admissions to this collection?

Absolutely! Feel free to send us an email with a preview of the image and we will let you know if it's a good fit for the archives.

How do you handle feedback or corrections regarding the historical context of images?

We welcome any feedback that you may have. If it proves to be historically accurate the changes will be reflected on the site shortly after our correspondence.

Do you collaborate with other historical societies or archives?

We have collaborated with NYC's Municipal Archives, The Tenemant Museum, Bronx Historical Society and a number of prominent NYC photographers to produce a series of limited edition postcards which free of charge, but only available via street distribution, primarily in Manhattan.

Do you also provide image restoration as a service for personal photos?

Yes, we can repair, restore and cleanup your old family photos, slides and negatives. You can either send us the digital files or the original photos to be professionally scanned.

Can you repair any type of image damage?

We can restore just about any level of damage or signs of aging, within reason. As long as most of the photo is intact we cn work with it. The one flaw we cannot fix is source material that is blurry. A poorly take photo can only be improved so much.

@History101NYC

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History101.NYC is an ad-free learning resource available to the public at no charge.
This project is dedicated to exploring New York’s fascinating heritage through the restoration of vintage photographs and prints.