Text and photographs by Stephen Harmon
I hope you catch the ineffable spirit of those times in the photographs that follow, and that 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.
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What an eye you have! How did you know then that today would be special to see just those pics. Thank you.
Thank you!!
As a kid, I had a shirt from Tap-A-Keg. It said “Tap-A-Keg: A Hell of a Joint” and had a big (presumably weed) joint in the center.
Wearing it got me sent home from summer camp for the day.
LOL!
Wonderful as always! Many a night spent in Tap a Keg!
Thank you for posting those.
I invite you to check out my recent novel, “Dancing Between the Raindrops,” set in the UWS of the 1980s. It will be the same kind of nostalgia blast that these photos provide.
Anyone else remember the very first Tommy Hilfiger Store on Columbus Avenue? (I wanted so desperately to work at Charivari, but was too preppy for them and ended up with TH haha!). I lived at 140 West 69 at the time, so it sure was convenient in addition to be magical!
Cool! Just ordered your book for my kindle. I’ve lived on the UWS since ’83 and look forward to your stories.
Thank you!!
Thank you for the recommendation! Will definitely check it out.
Charivari was the bees knees 🙂
♥️♥️♥️♥️ Loved and miss Charivari!!
I saved up my meager Hilfiger earnings to buy a “Willi Wear” blazer at Charivari which had to be the MOST Eighties wardrobe I ever owned, complete with geometric patterns, squiggles and padded shoulders. It went great with my mullet! HAHA!
Any old pix of Beacon Paint on Amsterdam Avenue?
Not really, but plenty of pictures of the inside of the Lucerne Hardware store at 79Th St., at Amsterdam Avenue, it was an amazing museum jungle inside.
Any old pics of the amazing typewriter repair shop on Amsterdam and 79th?
I lived on that block for 24 years and never saw a single person go in there.
Osner Typewriters and Business machines , , , one of the first UWS casualties of computers.
Osner’s was the best. The owner, Mr. Adelman was a genius who could fix any typewriter and his wife, Mary, ran the front of the store with grace and efficiency. I remember buying two typewriters there — a basic Royal and later, a deluxe Adler, which was built like a tank.
I miss the modest, owner-operated stores that fixed things, that knew how things work, like the hole-in-the-wall on 86th and Columbus that repaired radios, TVs and air conditioners.
The only one I know of that’s still in business is Crown Services, on Broadway, which has kept my sewing machine, vacuum cleaner and various lamps in good condition for years.
Still a big fan.
I appreciate that!
Once again, GREAT pix! Thanks for the walk down memory lane.
Very kind words.
Wonderful photos – please keep posting!
Thank you, but they will end in the near future.
I remember when Tap-a-Keg opened in late 70s or early 80s. At the time there were several other bars in the immediate area, all with the same beers, same pool table, same seedy ambience. People said “That place will never make it – it’s no different than the others.” Forty+ years later, it’s the only one left. What a survivor!
Wonderful photos!! Thank you for sharing.
..and Thank you!!
These photos are just wonderful, though the first one reminds me of how much I don’t miss that horrible graffiti!
Thanks so much.
These are always so cool. Were the park benches often like that? I read about how Central Park really fell into bad condition in the 70s because of budget cuts, so it was nothing like it is today!
Thanks Anya. The 70s were a tough time for NYC.
That bench photo brings to mind Charles Bronson’s film Death Wish which was filmed in much of Central Park.
Wonderful photos as usual, Stephen, starting with the Checker taxi!
Thank you!
Remember how lucky you felt when you scored a Checkered cab!? Now we’re on the brink of Waymo. And that’s why they are called “The good old days!”
Best part of Thursdays are these nostalgic photos except for the one featuring the graffiti mess on the subway. So glad we don’t have to put up with that anymore.
Such kind words!! Thanks.
Ah, the good old times of rickety graffiti subway … 🙂 Amazing photos! Loved the “quarters only” parking meter signs, too. Great eye! Thank you for the photos!
Thank you! Glad you like them.
Awesome pics. Thanks!
Thank you very much!
I do wish you would publish a collection if all these fabulous photos. They really do bring back the 70s daily life on the west side.
I am trying. Do you know a publisher or a photo book agent??
My own historical photos challenge. What street is shown in the rooftop photo with the long shadows?
West End Avenue at the corner of W. 72nd Street.
Wow, what a winning set! Each image is so artistically composed.
Thsnk you so much.
I love that you have documented these decades! Especially as they are “mine….”