Manhattan Fire Escapes-A Disappearing Sight

Some of the iron ladder fire escapes on these New York City buildings have seen and heard over a century of laughter, tears, and song. Although many late nineteenth and early twentieth century buildings still exist in New York City, each new real estate deal replaces them with glass towers, reaching into the clouds. Soon, the picturesque fire escapes will have gone the way of the windmill and railroad depot: a memory for some— only a photograph for others.