Portals to NYC's Past

Late 19th century New York City was not the city we know and love today. In 1895, when Theodore Roosevelt began his stint as police commissioner, corruption was rampant, and the city was teeming with prostitutes and gambling joints. On this week's show, we’re looking back on those sin-loving days in New York City, with the author of a new book called Island of Vice. We'll also hear about opportunities to walk the same floor boards as those who came before us from the Executive Director of the Historic House Trust of New York City.

NOW PLAYING

0:00 30:01

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

Towers of Silence Unmasking the Secrets of High Rise Crimes

Jun 13, 2026 ·10m

EP 038 Springville City, Utah K9 Officers

Jun 1, 2026 ·9m

Vagrant Shadows Unveiling the Hobo Code

May 30, 2026 ·12m

Urban Anthills: The Role of Overpopulation in City Crime

May 23, 2026 ·13m

Chicago's Stockyards Revival - The New Generation of Warehouses From a 4 Generation Business

May 16, 2026 ·50m

Urban Puppets: The Role of Social Media in City Crime

May 16, 2026 ·15m

Similar Podcasts

Soundscapes NYC Ryan Purcell The Seventies was a calamitous decade, a low point in the history of New York City. City Hall continually failed to balance budgets and turned to austerity, privatization, and sheer negligence when it came to running city services. Roads disintegrated, buildings and overpasses collapsed, garbage piled high, and crime ran rampant. The city literally crumbled under the weight of austerity. At the same time, underground culture surged with energy, from subway graffiti to experimental theater and gay bars. Musical artists embedded in the urban fabric turned to their craft with gusto. They formed loose networks of like-minded artists who made and appreciated particular styles of music. Their world during this period, at times, reflected the disintegrating cityscape. At other times, their music celebrated the social constraints let loose in a time of crisis, when the city seemed to be falling apart. Soundscapes is a podcast about how music created in New York Shamisen Lofi Hip Hop 🌆🎤 Autumn Rain on Bamboo Asian Serenity 🎋 Drift away as ancient silk strings meet modern beats, where feudal Japan whispers through the rain of today's cityscape 🌧️ The Art Cityscape Springville City Why does Springville, Utah have an art museum? Why doesn't it have your favorite restaurant? What will the city look like in 2050? How can you get a recycling can?The Art Cityscape will give you a fast-paced and unique look at Utah's Art City. We'll answer your questions and tell you what's happening in the city and why. Local Artist: Graham Watts Original Art Vancouver To Whistler Canadian Artist Graham Watts "Pedestrian Puddles – Vancouver, BC," measuring 30 x 40 inches. The scene depicts a rainy day in Vancouver with people holding umbrellas, a vivid depiction of the cityscape with reflections on wet streets, and a prominently featured Hudson's Bay store. This artwork captures a dynamic urban atmosphere with a focus on vibrant colors and active street life. If you need details or descriptions for specific elements or have other questions about this painting, feel free to ask! Learn more: GrahamWatts.art

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Cityscape?

This episode is 30 minutes long.

When was this Cityscape episode published?

This episode was published on March 24, 2012.

What is this episode about?

Can I download this Cityscape episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.

URL copied to clipboard!