Text and Photographs by Stephen Harmon
As I walked the streets of the Upper West Side in the 1970s and 80s I was smitten by everything and everyone I saw, whether it was neighbors sitting on a stoop, which I thought was wonderful, or the grand UWS buildings like the Ansonia on Broadway, or small storefronts, or people just walking on the street or cross-country skiing after the February 1983 blizzard. I wanted to capture it all and hopefully preserve it for the future on film.
Now we are in the future and those days are vanished.
I hope you find something to enjoy!
Stephen Harmon is a longtime Upper West Sider, a retired lawyer, and a world-class photographer whose work is displayed in many of the city’s museums, including The Museum of the City of New York, The Brooklyn Museum, The New York Historical, and The New York Public Library.
Check out our audio interview with Stephen Harmon on Rag Radio — HERE.
Subscribe to West Side Rag’s FREE email newsletter here. And you can Support the Rag here.
I must tell you every time how much I love these photos! I love the energy that you capture and the buzz that these times offered….Thank you. Lily Goldstein
Great shots great memories
♥️ In addition to loving the pictures, I also always love your introductory words!
These are (as per usual) great! And bring back so many memories. Thank you!
Fantastic! As always.
Amazing pictures as always. I see my old barbershop on the corner of 82nd and Amsterdam! And the glimpse of the old checker cab – a highlight used to be a ride in one of those in the folding chair in the back. Great NYC and UWS memories.
Great choice of concluding shot!
Is the last shot of a protest march? If not, what is pictured?
People walking up to the Puerto Rican Day Parade.
It is the station at 72nd and Broadway and the walk sign is on. Maybe all 4 trains arrived at once and there were a lot of people crossing.
I would guess that it’s just the street crowd and one exuberant guy who knew his photo was bing taken.
I love these pictures. The picture of the bookshop l, where was that? I kind of remember it but cannot recall where it was.
The Corner Book Shop was at 269 West 72nd Street, not far from WEA (and the West End Superette).
An even less-remembered bookstore on the same street was The Bibliophile at 148 West 72nd Street, which didn’t last very far into the 1980s. And there were two more!
There was a Shakespeare and Co, a bit further up t he block and across the street.
You mean on W. 72nd Street? (Which way would be “up”?) I don’t recall one from back in the day, but only the original branch at the former site of Bloomsday 2, at Broadway & 81st. The two other 72nd St. book spots I alluded to were the Pyramid Book Club and Radius Center for Books, both between Columbus and Amsterdam. Perhaps I should be counting Westsider Records as well for their book selection.
There was, of course, that utterly forgotten B&N (actually a “B&N Jr.”) branch in the Ansonia….
Do you mean the Barnes and Noble on West 83rd or so, on the East side of Broadway, as so posed to Shakespeare and Co. on t81st on the West side of Broadway!
Good question! But no, I mean the B&N, Jr. (a name they later repurposed for the children’s sections) in the Ansonia, specifically at 2105 Broadway, toward the north side of the building. It was around in 1993, but beyond that I lack the details of its coming and going. There were once a few of them throughout the city, smaller affairs than the standard B&N stores.
However, I have a theory on what you may be thinking of: wasn’t there once a Software, Inc. (affiliated with B&N) store around there? I never payed it much attention as I’m the antithesis of a gamer and bought my “serious” software elsewhere. Was that the one? And what/where was A Gee’s place?
So much fun to see these — thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Priceless, as always. Thank you so much❗️
Your photos capture so many memories from my years living on the UWS. I so remember the blizzard of 1983 with cross country skiers on Broadway. No one could go anywhere, but the temperature was relatively mild, most businesses were closed, & New Yorkers emerged from their apartments for a unique, shared, incredible experience.
Thanks for reminding me of such a happy memory.
Another amazing batch of photos. Shirtless boombox guy for the win!
Muy caliente!
Love the pictures. Thank you so much. This is a highlight of my week.
I miss cross country skiing. I wish it was more of a “thing.” Perhaps I can be a trendsetter!
I love these, thanks for posting them.
I love these photos, I look forward to them each week. I used to spend all my allowance at that Corner Book Shop. Thank you for the memories.
Loved that bookstore! Used to go there every Saturday morning when my dad did the grocery shopping. Royale bakery near by always gave me a free cookie.
Look like just a bunch of snapshots found on an old roll of film. Get over it…nothing special.
Wow you’re a joy aren’t you. “A bunch of old photos” of places and a time that people like to remember. Maybe you have the same reaction in museums.
Sorry you don’t appreciate these great weekly pictures. For many of us, it brings back wonderful memories and reminds us of the interesting character and history of the UWS.
I’m sure there are some interesting stories on TMZ that will capture your imagination.
Love these! Never had a better reason to look forward to Thursdays!
So wonderful.
Than you
O, how I long for those better days!
https://www.economist.com/special-report/2024-10-19
The 2nd photo looks like the building where Jeff Martin aerobics was. Can anyone confirm? I remember taking class there and having the whole building shake as we jumped up and down. I want aerobics back.
Yes, this is it — indeed, one can even spot their red “Jeff Martin Studio” flag on the right.
The studio, at 2160 Broadway / 215 West 76th Street, closed Dec. 1, 1994 (per the NYT), and the building was the subject of a recent story here at the WSR: https://www.westsiderag.com/2025/03/12/more-than-100-year-old-upper-west-side-building-slated-for-demolition . Not a happy story, mind you, except perhaps for real-estate developers.
Love these of my neighborhood especially classy lady.
Oh my God!! ‘Jeff Martin Studio’… Broadway and 76th street!!
There had never been such a stunning opportunity to attend and have a really challenging bunch of classes with fabulous music to blow us away!! Jeff and his amazing exercise teachers were unlike any before or since!! Very challenging/ extremely effective at keeping our bodies toned and muscles at their best. SO sorry they closed. I wish he was still around today.. Classes have been very much shortened and totally dumbed down today in NYC..
You have so many photographs! I am so glad you do! I enjoy these each week. Thank you for posting. I heart the 7UP/Corner Book Shop photo.
Just thrilled to see these stunning photographs, Stephen. These are my childhood.