The Destruction of Lower Manhattan, 1967

In the future, when people will look back at Sept 11, 2001, they might well say, it was the high point of the American Empire.

New York City has been for many years the center of the New Rome, and we are the Romans. Ironies abound of course, as New York City is perhaps the most democratic city in the Republic and one of the most democratic cities the world has ever known. Never the less, as the Romans before us, there are plenty of people who despise our power, and plenty of people that will never be, nor do they ever want to be, citizens.

Thirty four years ago Bleak Beauty's photographer recorded the demolition of mostly 19th century buildings located below Chambers street in Lower Manhattan. On the east side of the island, near the fish market, room was being made for a new ramp onto the Brooklyn Bridge and for the expansion of Pace College. On the west side, over 12 blocks of buildings were brought down to make way for the future World Trade Center. In 1967, the year these pictures were made, sixty acres of buildings in these two areas were demolished. The photographs were published as a book, sadly called, "The Destruction of Lower Manhattan." [...] more



174 Chambers at Bishops Lane - copyright Danny Lyon



Lower Manhattan viewed from helicopter, 1967 - copyright Danny Lyon

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