Times Square: Then and Now

A Brief History of Times Square
Times Square, previously known as Longacre Square, is not what it used to be. In 1904, under the rule of Mayor McClellan, the area was re-named Times Square for the headquarters of the well known newspaper, The New York Times. Although the newspaper eventually moved to a different location, the name remained. 1904 was an important year for Times Square for another reason; the first subway station opened in the area, linking Times Square to the rest of the city. On December 31st of 1907, the first ball was dropped at One Times Square, starting an annual tradition that much of the country still participates in today. By this time, many live theaters, as well as the restaurants that accompany them, were calling the neighborhood home.

With the rise of talking movies and the fall of the economy, Times Square began to change in the 1920's and 1930's. The high class theaters still remained, but they were joined by low class burlesque houses and "movie palaces." After World War two, Times Square became drastically different. It was now considered a cheap and dirty place that housed prostitution and drugs. In 1967, the New York Times building was given a face-lift, and Times Square began to change once again. During the 1970's and 1980's many theates were taken down to build skyscrapers and office buildings.

In 1992, the "Times Square Business Improvement District" was established. This was a private company who took Times Square into their own hands, deciding to clean it up and promote the area for tourism. Now, of course, we see the new Times Square, with an MTV store, an ESPN Zone and an Applebee's. While in one way, Times Square has never looked better. There are, of course, those of us who miss the old Times Square like we would an old friend, for its charming grittiness and exploitation.