Second Avenue ~ Then & Now

Second Avenue is a war zone. Here's a photo from 1934 taken at the corner of 80th Street and Second Avenue with the Subway El still there. The photographs that follow are from last night. Let there be peace in the valley and maybe one of these decades on Second Avenue, too.

Leaning on a Yorkville Lamppost ~ 2nd Avenue Coming Back to Life

Eastside of  2nd Ave bet 84th & 85th Street

Leaning on a lamppost, a major male activity since the invention of street illumination will be back in full swing on the east side of Second Avenue in Yorkville. 

Last night, walking along I saw these Bishop Crook lampposts getting ready to go to work.  Made for an odd scene but seeing them lined up gave me a lift to know the war torn avenue will soon be back to normal (kind of).

After the lampposts are installed, bring on those street trees, sturdy saplings that will grow with vigor and climb up to the fourth floor fire escapes. 

Second Avenue is coming back to life.

Notice detail on top of new posts matches the old post's detail in the 1934 black and white photo below.

Eventually, subway service for the first time since the old El was demolished in 1940.  Sing it, Peter Noone!

n/e cor of 80th St & 2nd Avenue

Robert Pryor & Tom Murphy leaning on York Ave post

west side of 2nd ave between 84th & 85th St

eastside of  2nd Ave between 84th & 85th St 

2nd Ave bet 84 & 85 St

2nd florist in low 50s