Gilded Age New York

Glamorous parties, electrification, ostentatious displays of wealth, and a divide in social classes could all be seen in New York City during the Gilded Age [1870-1900]. The period saw incredible materialism and a rise in political corruption. New York became the epicenter of the Gilded Age and displayed all aspects of the era. Continue reading to see how New York was viewed throughout the Gilded Age!

New York Gilded Age History

Fig. 1 Thomas Edison's Pearl Street Station, New York

Electricity in New York City

Industrialization boomed in New York City throughout the Gilded Age, and with it, new technology thrived. For example, Thomas Edison's lightbulb became revolutionary in 1879 and led to his creation of a sustainable electric system, bringing electricity to thousands.

Edison powered up the Pearl Street Station for the first time in 1882, creating the first official electric system in Lower Manhattan. The station powered up New York businesses and homes. Soon electricity replaced the use of other fuels due to its' reliability and safety. At the beginning of electrification, there was a clear delineation between classes as only the wealthy elite could afford to have electricity in their homes. However, the Pearl Street Station in New York became the launching point of electrification of the entire country.

Fig. 2 Emigrants coming from the barge that transported them to Ellis Island in 1902

Ellis Island

Off the tip of Manhattan sits Ellis Island, which welcomed millions of immigrants into America throughout the Gilded Age. The island became the first federal immigration station and was initially opened in 1892. The island's primary purpose was to process new immigrants through inspection. The processing time could take several hours before immigrants were allowed into New York. Yet, some took much longer to process or were not allowed into the city without quarantine.

Fig. 3 Thomas Byrnes, head of the NYC Police Department 1887

Crime

The steep divide in classes and the rapid onset of urbanization increased crime throughout New York City. Due to the influx of immigrants, the city was not prepared for the quick urbanization that had taken place. This led to slums and organized crime running rampant in the streets. However, due to the high crime rate, New York formed and implemented a modern policing system that proved effective.

Fig. 4 Mrs. Astor's mansion in New York 1895

Fifth Avenue Mansions

The wealthy elite of New York Society congregated along Fifth Avenue. They believed that their wealth and status needed to be protected from immigrants and the lower classes. Fifth Avenue soon became the proving grounds for the wealthiest and most prominent families in New York.

Monopolists competed to see who could build the largest and most opulent mansions. As wealthy families married, the wife entered high society and soon commissioned the building of a mansion. The wife decided on every piece that adorned the mansion. The most well-known member of high society was Mrs. Astor, wife of Mr. William Astor, a wealthy business magnate. Mrs. Astor became so entrenched in New York society that she ultimately chose who was allowed to join high society.

Gilded Age New York Society

Opulence, wealth, and parties were part of New York society throughout the Gilded Age. Wealthy monopolists flaunted their wealth throughout New York and high society. Along Fifth Avenue, luxurious parties took place to highlight the incredible wealth of New York's elite.

Mrs. Astor

Caroline Schermerhorn Astor came from a wealthy Dutch family and increased her wealth when she married William Astor in 1853. Mrs. Astor became the head of New York high society and was responsible for deeming who belonged in the coveted ranks of the elite. She threw lavish parties and balls and believed in keeping to the old ways. She created a list of four hundred New York families deemed prominent enough for high society along with Ward McAllister. She kept the list at four hundred because that was the number of people Astor could fit in her ballroom.

Alva Vanderbilt (Belmont)

Other families vied for a position in New York high society. Alva Smith's family lost their wealth during the Civil War and resided in New York City. Alva married William Vanderbilt and tried to gain access to high society. Mrs. Astor declined the Vanderbilts' access because their money was too "new." However, Alva quickly threw a ball, inviting a thousand people but forcing Mrs. Astor to gain an invite by request. After Alva's ball, the Vanderbilts were admitted into New York high society.

New York Gilded Age Mansions

The Carnegie Mansion

One of the most prominent homes in New York was Andrew Carnegie's sixty-four-room mansion. Carnegie built farther away from his wealthy counterparts to gain more space. In his building plans, he added a large garden and had one of the few green spaces in the city. The mansion was built for Carnegie's retirement, where he would carry out his philanthropic endeavors.

The Vanderbilt House

In competition with other wealthy monopolists, Cornelius Vanderbilt purchased more property on Fifth Avenue and constructed a mansion that filled the entire block. The mansion boasted six stories, a private garden, and a horse stable. The Vanderbilt house was the largest private home built in New York City. After Cornelius' death, his wife Alice lived in the home until she was forced to sell it in 1926. The house was ultimately demolished for the Bergdorf Goodman store. Many mansions were demolished to make way for shops and other offices in the middle of the twentieth century.

Gilded Age New York Times

The New York Times newspaper was founded in 1851 and claimed to report news straightforwardly.

The New York Times newspaper was founded in 1851 and claimed to report news straightforwardly. The newspaper's reputation grew in 1870 and 1871 with the publishing of several pieces on William Tweed, leader of the politically corrupt Tweed Ring. Tweed even bribed the paper with $5 million to not publish the story. The New York Times began supporting Republicans but transitioned to being more objective and independent during the 1880s. The paper enjoyed success in its early years but lost money by 1896. Adolph Ochs purchased the paper in 1896 and brought the paper into the prestigious reputation that it has today.

Gilded Age New York Map

Fig. 7 Map of New York City 1879