South of Union Square logo
South of Union Square
Story
Summer in the City

Labor Day weekend marks the traditional end of the summer season in NYC. So before you fire up the BBQ, check out this tour of historical summer scenes across the city.

ByNew-York Historical Society logoNew-York Historical Society
Start
1
Cascades Pool
Cascades Pool icon

Cascades Pool

Swimmers flock to the Bronx's Cascades Pool around the 1930. The Pool—which, oddly, was located under the rumbling Jerome Avenue El—was a saltwater pool and had a giant slide. It later became the “Palm Beach Pool.”
1
2
Cascades Pool
Cascades Pool icon

Cascades Pool

More swimmers around 1930.
2
3
Hart Island
Hart Island icon

Hart Island

A cottage on Hart Island off the Bronx on July 12, 1913.
3
4
Hart Island
Hart Island icon

Hart Island

Hart Island is located off the eastern coast of the Bronx and is part of the Pelham Islands Archipelago. In its long history, it has served as a quarantine station, a hospital for the physically and mentally ill, a prison, a home for delinquent young men, and a burial ground.
4
5
Isham Park
Isham Park icon

Isham Park

Children drill in Isham Park, Inwood, during 4th of July ceremonies in 1915.
5
6
Dyckman Street and the Hudson River
Dyckman Street and the Hudson River icon

Dyckman Street and the Hudson River

Passengers board a boat from Dyckman Street to Palisades Interstate Park on July 5, 1914.
6
7
Mechanics National Bank
Mechanics National Bank icon

Mechanics National Bank

Six little girls sit downtown on August 18, 1904. One has to wonder why these well-dressed kids were sitting on the steps of Federal Hall on a quiet afternoon?
7
8
Sheep Meadow
Sheep Meadow icon

Sheep Meadow

Fly in July! Belle Hassler Welty and James Welty stand in front of a Curtiss NC-4 flying boat in Central Park on July 13, 1919. In May, the NC-4 was the first aircraft to fly across the Atlantic, making four stops along the way, with five crewmen aboard.
8
9
8-01 Astoria Boulevard
8-01 Astoria Boulevard icon

8-01 Astoria Boulevard

A group of boys on Stevens Street—now 8th Street—in Astoria in July 1910.
9
10
Belle Harbor Promenade and Beach 125th Street
Belle Harbor Promenade and Beach 125th Street icon

Belle Harbor Promenade and Beach 125th Street

The view along the boardwalk from Beach 125th Street in Belle Harbor, Queens, on July 11, 1915. It’s hard to imagine people ever wore such fancy clothing to the beach!
10
11
Poppenhusen Library
Poppenhusen Library icon

Poppenhusen Library

Children work in the garden at the Poppenhusen Branch of the Queens Public Library on August 14, 1915. The Poppenhusen is one of seven buildings whose construction was funded by Andrew Carnegie in the early 1900s; four are still in use.
11
12
Coney Island Beach
Coney Island Beach icon

Coney Island Beach

Beachgoers have fun in the sun at Coney Island on August 6, 1898.
12
Privacy PolicyTerms of Service