Photographs and text by Stephen Harmon
In the past I wrote about my efforts in the vanished days of the 1970s and 80s to create images that had a “sense of place,” capturing the essence and character of the Upper West Side. I have an Old Negs file I call “Strictly UWS,” which has images that I think come close.
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 on display in many of the city’s museums, including The Museum of the City of New York, The Brooklyn Museum, 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.
Ah such memories!
Thank you as always for your artistry
Thank you!!
Your choice of images is always great! I would like to have a few gum balls and go to the Thalia to see Breathless!!!!!!!
Thank you so much! Lily
Kind words. Thanks!
A red metal bubblegum machine! I haven’t seen one of those in decades. I promptly took a screenshot and will fondly refer back to this photo whenever feeling of nostalgia pop up.
Remember the rocking horses outside …I think ….. barber shops??
Was there also a rocking horse in front of the Woolworth’s on Broadway between 109th & 110th?
That was Sal’s shop!
Yes!
Steven, these images truly capture the magical place the Upper West Side was at that time. So much simpler. More inclusive. Run down, yes, but, that was its charm. I couldn’t have picked better images if I tried. I am so grateful for Throwback Thursdays…
And the prices were the whipped cream on top of the cake.
Thank you so much!!
Thanks for conveying a visual memorabilia of our wonderful neighborhood before it was totally gentrified and commodofied
My pleasure!
These are great!!!!!
Glad you like them!
The cat in the wig shop gave me a chuckle and the faces on the mannequin heads are unusual. I got a kick out of that photo. Thanks for posting your photos each week!
I love that cat in the window! Thanks.
The gracious old buildings are truly timeless! Such an interesting contrast to the trendier photos, like the wig styles!
Each one a gem. Thank you, Stephen.
I thank you!
I certainly loved the image of the “Burger Joint” – across from the Beacon – was there once and Tommy Smothers came in and got something – he probably was performing across the street! Such an authentic place – Nick’s other place — the pizza joint – right?
Yes — the adjacent, connected Pizza Joint (1962–July 28, 2013), 2175 Broadway.
I don’t recall running into any celebrities myself, but there were always all their signed photos adorning nearly every square inch of the walls.
There was a picture of young Mason Reese there for 40 years. He did advertisements for deviled ham on tv.
Mason’s photo was the first that came to my mind, I must confess. He was/is also a major “Star Trek” fan.
What a gorgeous, vibrant, evocative collection of photos! I so wish your photos could be seen in person, such as at a gallery, with zillions of postcards available for purchase at the gift shop, if there is one. Thank you.
Such kind words!! Thanks.
Got nostalgic for that barbershop, where my daughter got her first haircut. Saw the barber, Mr. K., almost every morning taking a metal shield off his barber pole, reputedly the last of its kind in the city. I believe the whole shop was moved to the the Museum of the City of NY.
So much fun these photos — thank you!!
Thank you!
Big Nick! The man. Best burgers in town.
As well as heavenly baklava.
Big Nick. Best burgers in town.
As far as I’m concerned, Steve, you’re a national treasure. Your photos capture and bring back to life so many precious moments and images from a unique epoch in our neighborhood’s history. Thanks a hundred times over!
Thank you. We both worked for Columbus Avenue back in the day.
Hmmmmm?
The photo of The Beresford residence building is pretty recent. I looked for the News Stand next to the subway entrance on the north west corner 81/CPW. It’s not there.
Now, who was the guy that owned that for over 30/40 years and only sold the morning and late evening paper, does anyone remember his name?
I grew up in “the” El Dorado, 300 CPW. I remember when the building went co-op and the lobby and doors were largely restored to their original splendor, and we got that new awning, a little more 80s than deco, no? 🙂 Your photo really takes me back. Thanks!
Thanks!!
Time for a “Cats of the UWS” post?
Beautiful (as always)
I appreciate that. Thanks.
I had my hair cut in that barbershop, by Mr. K, and have for many years cherished this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RsnhhWvaTk
The Thalia! The only theater I’ve ever been to that was entered from the side! Loved going there. Look forward to your pix every Thursday, love them!
Thank you !!
You can still refill seltzer siphon bottles. Brooklyn Seltzer Boys.
Wonderful. I remember that beautiful old barber shop. Too bad it was destroyed.