Woolworth Building at Night: c. 1913

The Woolworth Building was constructed with its own DC power plant in the basement. The power needed for the lights in this picture would have been cheaper than you think.

[What did it run on. Oil? - Dave]

Of course, Robcat, that's entirely probable, and I was just making a joke. I'm sure electricity to light the whole building was even MORE expensive then. And for a night picture, it makes sense. Gorgeous picture too.

As an aside, in San Francisco where I live, we drove past a brand new downtown office building at midnight on a weekend ( we were on an elevated highway and could see the entire building) and every single light was blazing from every window in an empty building. Pretty wasteful, we commented.

I suppose it's entirely possible they just left the lights on for the occasion of that photograph, perhaps commissioned by the building's owners?

Even back then people made references to "the electric light bill".

The rest of the buildings seeme to be appropriately unlit.

…that shows the Woolworth Building today:

(Photo by sd.)
I notice they don't keep all the lights on in it any more.

Glorious electricity! Wlll the last person leaving make sure that every single room is blazing with the Edison's limitless Promethean light? Thank you!
:)