Time Square

History of Time Square:

• Time Square was not the original name (Longacre Square), but was renamed in 1904 as the New York Times changed it’s location to the Times building, which was newly built at that time.
• At first, Longacre Square had a huge open space with shabby apartments.
• A builder saw potential of the location to become the new uptown and constructed some brownstone buildings.
• As the area started to develop, people came to the square, causing more streetwalkers and pickpockets.
• In 1895, Oscar Hammerstein I, who was the new tenant, showed interests in Opera and Musicals and tried to increase entertainment activities. During the period, lots of theaters opened on the Great White Way for light shows.
• Celebrating their change of location, the New York Times had a New Year Eve’s event in 1904. This was the start of the well known bell drop ceremony.
• These days, Times Square is famous for its’ electronic billboards, shops, cinemas and Broadway theatres.
• The Times Tower, which has become a historical landmark now, was built in a highly visible place (which was selected by the owner of The New York Times at that time) and was the second tallest building at the moment.
• During the Great Depression, the theatres in Times Square struggled to survive and most of them became places for drugs and sex.
• In World War II, all lights were to be turned off to protect themselves from the enemies.
• However, because TimeSquare has become a powerful symbol even before the Great Depression and World War II, it managed to maintain it’s fame.

sites used for research: http://www.timessquarenyc.org/visitor-tips/history/index.aspx#.V1HT_b4rKAw

http://www.nyctourist.com/times-square-history.php