Inspired by this very Flashback series (aw) Untapped Cities took a look at Central Park West over the years, and amongst their visuals is this amazing photo of a pretty rural, tree-speckled Upper West Side. They note the wooden structures, carpenter shop sign, and St. Paul the Apostle church, which was built between 1876 and 1884.
This photo, taken in 1890, is actually from a book titled New York: An Illustrated History, which notes the viewpoint is looking south from Central Park West and 72nd Street.
