#tombs prison

[newyorkthegoldenage]

Lower Manhattan's notorious Tombs prison, on the left, is connected to the Manhattan Criminal Court building by the Bridge of Sighs, 1924.

Photo: Associated Press

[newyorkthegoldenage]

The city's old fortress-like prison, the Tombs, was placed on sale by the city in October 1941, and was still looking for bidders when this picture was taken on January 21, 1942. (A new prison, also known as The Tombs, had been built the year before.) Only one offer was made in the 14 weeks since the listing, and the city decided it was too low. It was the bidder’s proposal to use the Tombs as a chamber of horrors and later convert it to an indoor polo field. Eventually it was torn down.

Photo: Associated Press