Ritter Avenue Was Once Narrow and Bricked

Although it is difficult to imagine today, as Ritter Avenue is a major thoroughfare in Irvington, the now busy artery used to be a quiet street.  In this image, taken shortly after the city laid brick c. 1907, you can see that homeowners used to have a tree lawn. (grassy area between the sidewalk and the street)  Notice the thick canopy of trees.  The photo was likely taken near 34 North Ritter Avenue.  Someone has dropped something in the street, and you will note the power lines on one side of the street.  If you look closely on the left side of the photograph, you will also see a hitching post.  In the late 1930s, the city contracted with Works Progress Administration, a New Deal agency, to widen the street. Workers removed the tree lawns and paved over the brick.  This historic image is courtesy of Larry Muncie.

Ritter Avenue looking north c1907 (near 34 N. Ritter)