Picture yourself standing in Times Square today, surrounded by towering screens, honking taxis, and crowds snapping photos. It’s loud, bright, and full of life. Now, imagine that same spot over a hundred years ago—quiet, dimly lit, with horses clopping along dirt roads. That’s the Times Square history we’re going to explore: how this place grew from a simple crossroads into the heart of New York City’s action.
This guide takes you through its history, step by step, from 1898 to 2025. You’ll see what changed, what stayed the same, and why it matters. Whether you’re a history buff or just curious, there’s something here for you. Ready to get started? Let’s go back to the beginning.
Part 1: The Early Days—Times Square Before the Fame
1898: A Quiet Start as Longacre Square
Back in 1898, Times Square wasn’t even called Times Square—it was Longacre Square. You’d find it hard to believe if you stood there today, but this place was a sleepy little area. Horse-drawn carriages rolled through, kicking up dust on unpaved streets. Gas lamps flickered at night, giving off just enough light to see a few feet ahead. Buildings were low, mostly two or three stories, and the people passing through were locals running errands or workers heading to small shops. It wasn’t a destination; it was just a patch of land where Broadway and Seventh Avenue crossed. The name came from London’s Long Acre, a nod to the carriage trade that dominated the area—stables and blacksmiths were the big businesses here.
This spot sat just north of the city’s main action, which was downtown near Wall Street and City Hall. Longacre Square was more of a pit stop than a place to linger. But change was coming. The city was growing fast, and this little square was about to get caught up in it.
Early 1900s: The Subway Arrives and Sparks Growth
By 1904, things started shifting marking the evolution of Times Square. The subway system opened its first line, and guess where one of the key stops landed? Right under Longacre Square. Suddenly, you could hop on a train downtown and be up here in minutes. That made it easier for people to live farther out and still get to work—or come here for something new. Businesses noticed. Small theaters and restaurants began popping up, drawn by the crowds spilling out of the subway station. It wasn’t flashy yet, but you could feel the energy building.
That same year, the New York Times newspaper decided to move its headquarters to a new building at 42nd Street and Broadway. The publisher, Adolph Ochs, pushed the city to rename the area after his paper—pretty bold, right? The city agreed, and on April 8, 1904, Longacre Square officially became Times Square. The Times Building (now One Times Square) went up, a 25-story tower that was a giant compared to everything else around it. It’s still there today, though you might know it better as the spot where the New Year’s Eve ball drops.
The Theater Boom: Broadway Takes Root
Around this time, theaters started moving in. You’d see playhouses open along Broadway, pulling in crowds who wanted a night out. By 1910, Times Square was becoming the place for live shows—comedies, dramas, musicals, you name it. The buildings got taller, the streets got busier, and electric lights began replacing those old gas lamps. If you walked through back then, you’d hear actors rehearsing lines, see ticket sellers shouting, and smell food from vendors setting up nearby. It wasn’t the neon jungle of today, but it was starting to feel alive.
1920s: The Roaring Twenties Light Up the Square
Fast forward to the 1920s, and Times Square hit its stride. Prohibition was on, but that didn’t stop the party. Speakeasies hid in basements, serving drinks under the radar, while theaters packed in audiences every night. You’d see flappers in their dresses, men in sharp suits, and cars replacing most of those horse carriages. Electric signs started going up—big, bright ones advertising shows, cigarettes, even soda. The first real “billboard” feel was taking shape.
If you stood at the corner of 42nd and Broadway in 1925, you’d notice the noise: car horns, laughter, music drifting out of theater doors. The Times Tower was still the tallest thing around, but other buildings were catching up. Hotels opened to house out-of-towners coming for the shows. Times Square wasn’t just a local hangout anymore—it was drawing people from all over. The 1920s cemented its reputation as a place where fun never stopped.
The Great Depression: A Quieter Times Square
Then came 1930, and the stock market crash hit hard. Times Square didn’t escape it. You’d walk through in the early 1930s and see empty storefronts where shops used to be. Theaters still ran shows, but tickets were cheaper, and fewer people could afford them. Those bright signs stayed lit, but they advertised fewer new things—businesses were struggling. Hotels had vacant rooms, and the streets felt less crowded.
It wasn’t all gloom, though. People still came for a distraction. Movies started taking over some theaters, offering a cheaper night out than live plays. If you were there in 1935, you might catch a film for a dime, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with folks looking to forget their troubles. Times Square held on, even if it wasn’t as loud or lively as before.
World War II: Times Square Steps Up
By the 1940s, the mood shifted again. World War II brought soldiers into the city, and Times Square became their go-to spot. You’d see uniforms everywhere—guys on leave grabbing a drink, watching a show, or just soaking in the lights. The war effort meant less new construction, but the area stayed busy. Those electric signs now flashed patriotic messages alongside ads. On V-J Day in 1945, when Japan surrendered, Times Square erupted. If you were there, you’d be swept up in the crowd—kissing strangers, cheering, confetti falling from buildings. That famous photo of a sailor kissing a nurse? Yep, right here.
Post-War Boom: Times Square Gets Bigger
After the war, the 1950s brought a boom. You’d notice more cars jamming the streets, more lights on every corner, and bigger crowds than ever. Theaters kept going strong, and TV started filming here—shows like The Ed Sullivan Show put Times Square on screens across the country. Hotels got fancier, with names like the Taft and Astor drawing travelers. If you walked through in 1955, you’d see families, tourists, and workers all mixing together. The signs got flashier, with bulbs spelling out movie titles and Broadway hits. It was loud, crowded, and starting to look like the Times Square you know today.
Want to stay close to that historic buzz now? The Casablanca Hotel by Library Hotel Collection puts you right in the Theater District, just like those 1950s visitors enjoyed.
Part 2: The Modern Era—Times Square Transforms
1960s: A Shift Toward Seediness
Picking up where we left off, let’s head into the 1960s. Times Square was still busy, but the vibe was changing. You’d notice fewer families and more rough edges. Theaters that once hosted big plays started showing adult films—cheaper to produce, easier to fill seats. If you walked down 42nd Street in 1965, you’d see peep shows and gritty bars popping up where legit businesses used to be. Crime went up—pickpockets, scams, and worse became common. The bright lights were still there, but they felt less welcoming. Hotels got rundown, and many turned into single-room flops for transients.
Why the shift? The suburbs were pulling people out of the city, and Times Square became a hangout for those left behind or looking for cheap thrills. It wasn’t all bad—Broadway kept churning out hits, and tourists still came—but the area’s reputation took a hit. You’d hear locals say it was a place to avoid after dark.
1970s: The Low Point
By the 1970s, Times Square hit rock bottom. Picture yourself there in 1975: the streets are dirty, neon signs flicker half-broken, and the crowds are a mix of hustlers, runaways, and curious out-of-towners. Theaters were mostly X-rated now, and storefronts sold stuff you wouldn’t find in polite company. Drugs were everywhere—cops patrolled, but it was hard to keep up. If you stood at Broadway and 45th, you’d smell stale beer and hear shouts over the traffic. Hotels like the Times Square Motor Hotel were shabby, barely hanging on.
The city was broke, too—New York nearly went bankrupt in 1975—so fixing Times Square wasn’t a priority. But even then, it had a strange pull. People came for the chaos, the raw energy. Movies like Taxi Driver captured it: gritty, loud, and unpolished. You’d still see the occasional Broadway marquee shining through the mess, a reminder of what the place used to be.
1980s: The Turnaround Begins
Things started shifting in the 1980s. You’d notice construction crews showing up, tearing down old porn theaters and sketchy shops. The city wanted Times Square back—cleaned up and profitable. Big developers moved in, buying up land to build offices and hotels. If you were there in 1985, you’d see scaffolding everywhere, hear jackhammers, and spot new signs for legit businesses. The Marriott Marquis opened in 1985, a massive hotel with an atrium that screamed “this place is changing.” It wasn’t instant, though—plenty of the old grit stuck around.
Mayor Ed Koch pushed hard to make it happen. Laws cracked down on adult businesses, forcing them out. By the late ‘80s, you’d see more tourists again, though the area still felt raw. Broadway hung on, with shows like Cats and Les Misérables packing houses. The lights got brighter, the streets a bit safer. You could sense something big was brewing.
1990s: Disney and the Big Cleanup
The 1990s were the game-changer. Picture yourself in Times Square in 1995: it’s cleaner, busier, and way more family-friendly. The turning point? Disney. They took over the New Amsterdam Theatre on 42nd Street, fixed it up, and started running The Lion King. That move signaled to everyone—corporations, tourists, locals—that Times Square was open for business again. You’d see chain stores like Virgin Records and Planet Hollywood move in, replacing the last of the sleazy joints.
Mayor Rudy Giuliani doubled down on the cleanup. More cops patrolled, and strict zoning laws pushed out the remaining adult spots. If you walked through in 1998, you’d notice pedestrian areas widening, new hotels rising, and massive billboards—now with digital screens—lighting up the night. The TKTS booth opened, selling same-day theater tickets, and suddenly you’re dodging lines of people waiting for a deal. Times Square was back, and it was loud about it.
2000s: Tech and Tourism Take Over
Into the 2000s, Times Square became a tech showcase. You’d stand there in 2005 and see giant LED screens flashing ads for phones, movies, and cars—way beyond the old bulb signs. The New Year’s Eve ball got a high-tech upgrade, too, with LEDs that change colors. Hotels kept going up—sleek ones like the W and DoubleTree—catering to tourists pouring in. If you visited then, you’d hear dozens of languages, see street performers juggling, and smell pretzels from carts on every corner.
The city made it more walkable, closing parts of Broadway to cars in 2009. You could sit in folding chairs right in the street, watching the world go by. Businesses loved it—ABC built a glass studio for Good Morning America at 44th Street, putting Times Square on TV daily. It wasn’t just a theater district anymore; it was a global billboard.
2010s: A Polished Icon
By the 2010s, Times Square was a machine. You’d walk through in 2015 and see it running at peak efficiency: screens bigger than ever, crowds thick even in the rain, and every inch packed with something to do. The pedestrian plazas got permanent seating—metal tables, not just chairs—and the city added bike lanes nearby. Hotels like the Hilton Garden Inn and Moxy popped up, giving you more places to crash after a long day.
Broadway kept evolving, with shows like Hamilton drawing huge lines. If you were there, you’d see scalpers haggling and tourists snapping selfies with costumed Elmos. The screens got interactive—some let you play games or post messages. Times Square wasn’t just a place to pass through; it was an event all its own.
2020s: Times Square in 2025
Now, let’s bring it to today—March 26, 2025. You’re standing in Times Square, and it’s a high-tech marvel. The screens are 8K, showing ads so sharp you’d swear they’re real. Augmented reality pops up—point your phone, and you might see a 3D character dancing next to you. The pedestrian zones are packed with food trucks serving tacos, dumplings, you name it—street food’s a big deal now. Hotels tower overhead, with rooftop bars offering views that stretch to the Hudson.
Broadway’s still king, with new shows mixing tech and live action—think holograms on stage. The crowds are back post-pandemic, bigger than ever, and the New Year’s Eve drop still draws millions (in person and online). If you’re here now, you’ll notice solar panels on some buildings—green tech’s creeping in. Times Square feels like the future, but you can still spot echoes of its past in the street layout and old theater facades.
Times Square Today and Your Next Steps
So, there you have it— Times Square’s wild ride from a dusty crossroads in 1898 to the neon-lit hub you know in 2025, a perfect before and after of Times Square’s tale. It’s been through quiet years, rough patches, and big comebacks, but it always finds a way to stay relevant. Today, it’s a must-see spot, whether you’re into history, theater, or just soaking in the energy. You can spend a day here easily, catching a Broadway show, grabbing some street food, or taking a guided tour to see it all. It’s loud, it’s crowded, and it’s worth every second.
Planning a trip? Head to Visit NYC —for more ideas—everything from one day guided sightseeing tour to snagging last minute broadway tickets in NYC. There are plenty of hidden gems in Manhattan to check out, too. Make it your own—Times Square is waiting.
