Lost New York

Profiles places in New York City that have been destroyed, altered, and/or demolished during the twentieth century, with photographs of the original structures, background information, and stories about memorable individuals.


The Lost series looks at the cherished places in a city that time, progress and fashion have swept aside. As well as celebrating forgotten architectural treasures, Lost New York also looks at buildings that have changed in use or simply disappeared from the streetscape.


Organized chronologically, the losses date from the mid-nineteenth century, the dawn of photography, to twenty-first century losses, such as the classic Moondance Diner which was shipped off to Wyoming in 2007.


First published in 2011, Lost New York has been revised and redesigned for 2020, including an extra 32-page section, with more losses from the twentieth century inserted throughout the book and further losses since the book was first published.


Losses include: Fifth Avenue Reservoir, The Elephant Colossus, South Street Seaport, Coney Island's Dreamland, Grand Central Depot, Wall Street Curb Brokers, New York Herald Building, Fulton Ferry, Madison Square Garden, Vanderbilt Mansion, Astor Mansion, Waldorf-Astoria, Central Park Casino, Central Park Menagerie, Tiffany Mansion, Tombs City Jail, City Hall Post Office, Hippodrome, Floating Bathhouses, Elevated Train Tracks, Castle Garden Aquarium, Brooklyn Bridge Terminal, Wanamaker's Department Store.