New York City Early Films, 1898 – 1906

Description

New York City: A Turn-of-the-Century Chronicle (1898-1906)

This timeline details significant events and observations in New York City as captured in early films produced between 1898 and 1906.

1898 – 1899 (Specific dates not always available, order based on likely occurrence or first mention):

• 1898: Films begin to capture everyday life in New York City, including scenes at the Immigration Depot and a nearby dock on Ellis Island, as well as the 12-year-old Statue of Liberty. (The Statue of Liberty was dedicated in 1886, making it 12 in 1898).
• 1899:November 4: The first annual automobile parade is held in downtown Manhattan.
• The New York Police Department holds a parade, featuring Chief DeVry, the Bicycle Squad, mounted horses, and regimental marching bands.
• Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show parades down Fifth Avenue, including Buffalo Bill, cowboys, Indians, and United States Cavalry soldiers.
• New York City Sanitation Department dumping wharves are observed in operation in New York Harbor.

Early 1900s (Specific dates not always available, order based on likely occurrence or first mention within the period):

• Circa 1900-1906: Excavation begins for the site of the new Macy Building, at the corner of Broadway and 34th Street.
• Circa 1900-1906: Excavation of the construction site for Pennsylvania Station is underway.

1903:

• Specific Date Unknown (within 1903): The Williamsburg Bridge officially opens, with Mayor Seth Low in attendance.

1904:

• October 27: The New York City subway officially opens.
• Seven months after October 27, 1904 (May 1905): A film is shot showing a subway train traveling from 14th Street, Union Square Station, to the Old Grand Central Station.

Unspecified Date (Within 1898-1906 period):

• The funeral procession of Hiram Cronk, the last living veteran of the War of 1812, takes place following his death at age 105.

Cast of Characters

This list includes the principal people mentioned in the provided sources, with brief biographical details as presented.

• Buffalo Bill (William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody): An iconic American showman and frontiersman, featured parading down Fifth Avenue with his Wild West Show.
• Hiram Cronk: The last known living veteran of the War of 1812. He died at the age of 105, and his funeral procession was documented.
• Chief DeVry: The chief of the New York Police Department in 1899, who participated in the department’s parade.
• Seth Low: Mayor of New York City in 1903, featured at the opening of the Williamsburg Bridge.
• Edwin S. Porter: A pioneering cameraman and film director for the Edison Film Company, known for creating “The Great Train Robbery.” He shot some of the footage in this collection.
• Billy Bitzer: A famous cameraman known for his work with D. W. Griffith. He shot some of the footage in this collection