1898

Manhattan: 26th Street - 5th Avenue

26th Street east from Fifth Avenue, taken from roof of the Cafe Martin. This picture gives a good view of Madison Square Garden (1889-1925), and the lovely Diana of St. Gaudens, poised atop its tower. The Garden was acquired by the New York Life Insurance Company in 1915 at a foreclosure sale, and in 1920 was saved from demolition by Tex Rickard, who signed a ten year lease on it. In 1924 the New York Life bought back this lease and in 1925 tore down the Garden, to build their present edifice on its site. Diana, however, is still to be seen in Fairmont Park, Philadelphia. In the centre, with the Uneeda Biscuit sign on its roof, is the Hotel Brunswick, and at the extreme left is the Hotel Victoria, made famous by the patronage of President Cleveland. To the right of the Garden is the former Jerome residence, later the University Club and now (1935) the Manhattan Club. About 1898. Browning Studios.

Photo from the New York Public Library - Milstein Collection