Fascinating Vintage Photos Show Life In Harlem From the 1940s

Harlem is a neighborhood in the northern section of the New York City borough of Manhattan. Famous for its intimate jazz clubs, soul food institutions, and African-American heritage. East Harlem has a large Dominican and Puerto Rican population and used to be an Italian neighborhood. It has both a large area of parkland and a large number of parks.

In the early 20th century, African Americans were fleeing from The South hoping for a better life in The North. Harlem became one of the most important and famous African American neighborhoods in the United States. During the Great Depression, unemployment in Harlem went past 20% and people were being evicted from their homes.

Here below are some stunning vintage photos that show life in 1940s Harlem.

#1 A group of affluent men standing on the street at night, 1942.

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#2 A double wedding in Harlem, 1940s.

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#3 A short man, wearing a zoot suit, stands on a chair to get a better view of the dance floor at the Savoy Ballroom, 1940s.

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#4 Three children, 1940.

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#5 A woman and her dog look out from their open window, 1943.

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#6 Dancing at the Savoy Ballroom, 1947.

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#7 Arm wrestling, 1940.

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#8 Easter Sunday, 1940.

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#9 Ella Fitzgerald singing at a night club, 1940s.

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#10 Baseball player Satchel Paige, lighting his cigarette while sitting on the front bumper of a large car, 1941.

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#11 A couple kissing in the hallway, 1942.

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#12 Patrons enjoying a club, 1942.

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#13 Harlen street scene, 1942.

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#14 Two women leaving the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem on Easter Sunday, 1943.

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#15 A newsboy standing by his newsstand holding a magazine, 1943.

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#16 Boy sitting, 1943.

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#17 A young man falls asleep in a chair, 1945.

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#18 Easter Sunday, 1947.

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#19 Children playing in water, 1948.

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#20 Couples dancing at Savoy Jazz Club, 1940s.

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#21 Two Marines walk down a street, 1943.

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#22 A vendor showing his wares at a bookstall on 125th Street, 1943.

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#23 Swing dancing at the Savoy Ballroom, 1947.

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#24 Kids playing baseball, 1947.

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#25 Young girls play beside a flooded street drain, 1947.

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#26 A young girl named ‘Rebecca’ and her family, 1947.

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#27 Raining in Harlem, 1948.

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#28 A man takes a nap against a handcart, 1948.

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#29 A tenement block, 1948.

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#30 Parade participants marching, 1949.

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