Binghamton in 1951

As a former resident of the Binghamton, NY area (I lived in neighboring Johnson City for about a year and a half), I was curious to check out a 1951 film on YouTube from the New York State Archives that promoted the benefits of the New York State Thruway to Binghamton and Endicott. But wait a minute, you may say. The Thruway doesn't and never went to Binghamton. True, but this video touts the economic, industrial, agricultural and recreational opportunities that come with the construction of the Thruway. Plus, fans of old signs will enjoy some of the gems seen in this video.

I was also interested in seeing the Washington Street Bridge carrying vehicular traffic over the Susquehanna River, as this bridge is now a pedestrian bridge. You can check out the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA3XzrLAG-4. Thanks to area resident Dylan Lainhart for advising me to check out the video.

The New York State Archives is posting a number of videos on YouTube, and if you want to see more videos, you can go to http://www.youtube.com/user/nysarchives.

Also in 1951, the Vestal Parkway (now NY 434) was under construction in the Town of Vestal. I've had the following photo, courtesy of Chris Curley, in my queue to be added for quite a while, and this is a good chance to show the photo.

Chris had also sent me a description about the photo. "From Jensen Rd looking east towards Binghamton. The first building on the left is the Vestal Steak House. The road on the far left is Old Vestal Rd and you can see Vestal Hills Cemetery to the left of that. The field at the top right is where SUNY Binghamton is."

Vestal Parkway is now a hodgepodge of shopping centers and other businesses in the area where the photo was taken, and is one of the main commercial thoroughfares in Broome County.

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