By SNEJANA FARBEROV
Whenever someone mentions New York City in passing, Times Square is almost always the first thing that comes to mind.
The bustling Crossroads of the World, the pulsating core of the Big Apple lit in myriads of neon lights has been drawing tourists from around the world like a magnet for nearly a century.
The intersection at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue acquired its world-famous name in 1904 when Albert Ochs, then-publisher of the New York Times, moved the newspaper’s offices to a new skyscraper – the second highest in the city at the time - on what was then known as Longacre Square.
The name stuck, even after the paper moved across Broadway in 1913, according to the site NYC Tourist. Over the years, the junction has become an irresistible destination with something for everyone, from fine restaurants to renowned theaters and other curiosities, all conveniently located next to a major subway hub.
But anyone who has visited the Crossroads of the World can attest that the true face of Ties Square is revealed after-hours, when the thousands of neon signs come to life, making the darkest night as bright as day.
A series of remarkable photos showing Times Square through the years were compiled on the site Oobject, documenting the transformation of the world-famous junction at the heart of New York City from quaint Longacre Square into the bustling tourist hub of touday. were com
The area has seen tough times over the years. What started out as a new uptown neighborhood dotted with brownstones had turned into a seedy, crime-ridden red-light district filled with prostitutes, brothels, gentlemen’s clubs, drug addicts and pickpockets.
Longacre Square started with a few brownstones built by a developer who saw potential for a new "uptown" neighborhood. Soon, in a foreshadowing of its later fate, the area turned into a veritable red-light district.
In 1895, the junction, still known at the time as Longacre Square, got a new tenant, Oscar Hammerstein I, who developed a large entertainment complex, called Olympia, in the hopes of rekindling an interest in opera.
During this time, many new theaters opened on Broadway. In 1904, The New York Times celebrated the opening of its new headquarters with a New Year’s Eve event. Since then, millions of people have flocked to the junction on December 31 to see the ball drop.
But Times Square’s bad reputation had stuck. It was not until the early 1990s, under Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, that the Crossroads of the World began transformation into a more family-friendly destination.
Even though it is not unusual to come across a peep show or an adult video store along some of the side streets surrounding Times Square, these days the area is much safer and more welcoming to the 26 million tourists who flock to it every year.
Not surprisingly, New Yorkers tend to avoid Times Square at all costs.
source: dailymail
