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  4. 31 beautiful vintage photos that show what New York City looked like in the 1940s

31 beautiful vintage photos that show what New York City looked like in the 1940s

The old Fulton Market on Manhattan's Lower East Side wasn't quite so bustling on this Saturday afternoon in 1941.

31 beautiful vintage photos that show what New York City looked like in the 1940s

There were still traffic jams on South Street along the East River in 1941.

There were still traffic jams on South Street along the East River in 1941.

Here, a view of the East River and the majestic Brooklyn Bridge.

Here, a view of the East River and the majestic Brooklyn Bridge.

Here's a closer view of the South Street Manhattan tower of the Brooklyn Bridge. The tower, which weighs 90,000 tons, helps support over 14,000 miles of wire.

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Three men sit on a bench in Battery Park during lunch hour.

Three men sit on a bench in Battery Park during lunch hour.

Cushman snapped this spectacular view of Lower Manhattan from across the water in Jersey City.

Cushman snapped this spectacular view of Lower Manhattan from across the water in Jersey City.

Here's a view of skyscrapers from Wall Street in the Financial District.

Here

Cushman took this from onboard a ferry that's approaching Liberty Street in September of 1941.

Cushman took this from onboard a ferry that

This is a view of the Financial District from the South Ferry port.

This is a view of the Financial District from the South Ferry port.

This is a glimpse down Fulton Street, which goes through Manhattan's Financial District, from South Street in 1941.

This is a glimpse down Fulton Street, which goes through Manhattan

Up in Harlem, just north of George Washington Bridge, Cushman captured a shot of Riverside Drive.

Up in Harlem, just north of George Washington Bridge, Cushman captured a shot of Riverside Drive.

Residents socialize on Clinton Street on Manhattan's Lower East Side on a Saturday afternoon.

Residents socialize on Clinton Street on Manhattan

Children and adults gather outside various storefronts near the corner of Broome Street and Baruch Place on the Lower East Side.

Children and adults gather outside various storefronts near the corner of Broome Street and Baruch Place on the Lower East Side.

This horse-drawn carriage waits for passengers in Bowling Green.

This horse-drawn carriage waits for passengers in Bowling Green.

The men pictured here are collecting wartime salvage left outside on the streets of the Lower East Side.

The men pictured here are collecting wartime salvage left outside on the streets of the Lower East Side.

The hot dog carts in New York City have only gotten bigger and more elaborate since 1942. Here, a vendor waits for business in Bowling Green.

The hot dog carts in New York City have only gotten bigger and more elaborate since 1942. Here, a vendor waits for business in Bowling Green.

McSorley's Old Ale House is the city's oldest Irish pub. Located on East 7th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, it's been open since the 1800s.

McSorley

The Red Cross station on the Lower East Side offers locals various free items during salvage collection.

The Red Cross station on the Lower East Side offers locals various free items during salvage collection.

Here's a view of the Empire State Building from 28th Street in 1942, 11 years after it was completed.

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This Italian bakery was open for business at 58 Mulberry Street, south of Canal Street.

This Italian bakery was open for business at 58 Mulberry Street, south of Canal Street.

Three girls talk outside a candy shop in Lower Manhattan.

Three girls talk outside a candy shop in Lower Manhattan.

This scene from the Lower East Side looks straight out of a movie.

This scene from the Lower East Side looks straight out of a movie.

Cushman captioned this 1942 image "Sunday afternoon gossip."

Cushman captioned this 1942 image "Sunday afternoon gossip."

Today the northeast corner of 1st Street and Bowery is filled with shops and bars.

Today the northeast corner of 1st Street and Bowery is filled with shops and bars.

Here's a view of the other side of the street, at the southeast corner of the intersection. The pictured barber shop is now a boutique clothing store.

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Cooper Union, pictured here on the right, opened in 1859.

Cooper Union, pictured here on the right, opened in 1859.

New Yorkers hurry along an undisclosed block between Avenues A and B in 1942.

New Yorkers hurry along an undisclosed block between Avenues A and B in 1942.

You can see an advertisement for Horton's Ice Cream on this corner of Canal Street. Back in the early 19th century, Horton's supplied over half of New York City's ice cream.

You can see an advertisement for Horton

A statue of Abraham de Peyster, who was Mayor of New York City from 1691 to 1694, is seen in Bowling Green.

A statue of Abraham de Peyster, who was Mayor of New York City from 1691 to 1694, is seen in Bowling Green.

This woman enjoys her Sunday newspaper on a stoop in the Lower East Side.

This woman enjoys her Sunday newspaper on a stoop in the Lower East Side.

This is a corner on Pearl Street, which runs south through what is now Manhattan's Financial District.

This is a corner on Pearl Street, which runs south through what is now Manhattan

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