
Circa 1900. "New York from East River." At right we see the dual domes of the 26-story Park Row building, at 391 feet the world's tallest office tower at the turn of the century. Dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size.
My great grandfather was a tug engineer working in the harbor and both rivers around this time. I've always wondered what it looked like to him. This is scenery he must have seen hundreds of times. Thanks for an insight into my ancestry.
At first glance, it looks a bit like a miniature version of those other famous buildings.
The Park Row building is still going strong today, though it's been rather overshadowed by a much taller building under construction directly behind it.
I love these old New York river photos. The waterfront is packed with ships, boats and ferries. Except for South Street Seaport, there aren't any ships docked along the East River anymore.