City - NY - The future site of the Flatiron 1890 Poster

Colorized photo from 1890 Original Title: Erie ticket office Location: 190 5th Ave, NY You would never know it by looking, but this is the site of the Flatiron building in New York. That building was built in 1902, but this is 12 years before that, and this is what it looks like. It was mostly made up of train and steam excursions, a dental office and art galleries. Unlike today, there are no wires, there are no cars, and the streets seem much wider than today's. See that building with the yellow awnings? There is a narrow ladder trailing off of each balcony. I can only assume that's the fire escape. While I suppose its better than nothing, can you imagine those ladies going down them? Wearing a long dress and probably a corset of some kind. There is very little left of this scene today. Most of the buildings were removed or added on. The flatiron building for example is now a historic landmark. The only thing I could find, was that one lamp post in front of the office. There is one exactly like it just across from the flatiron. For all I know its the same exact lamp.