Urban Disruption: Cave-In on 7th Avenue, 1910s

This photograph captures a cave-in on 7th Avenue, taken between 1910 and 1915. The image highlights a moment of urban disruption, showcasing the challenges cities faced during this period of rapid development. Concrete and infrastructure advancements were significant, yet they often came with unforeseen consequences, such as structural failures. Notably, cave-ins like this one raised concerns about safety and engineering practices in burgeoning urban areas.

Photographers of the era often used glass plates to produce images, a technique that allowed for high-quality detail and clarity. The Bain News Service, responsible for this photograph, was well-known for documenting newsworthy events, making it a vital source for understanding early 20th-century urban issues. By examining such photographs, we can gain insight into historical infrastructure, urban planning practices, and the steps taken to mitigate similar incidents in the future.