Flashback Friday: 19th Century Snow Plows

Look outside your window and you’ll get a nice little snapshot of a world coated in black-and-white (and slushy grey). But a century ago, every snapshot was literally black and white.

Like this photo from 1896, depicting snow removal efforts in New York City, horse-drawn wagon and all. It isn’t from Brooklyn, but right now, the snow is the common denominator across the city anyway.

The photo was taken by photographer Alice Austen and comes courtesy of the New York Public Library and the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission, which chose this photo to highlight today.

Now, if only a snow plow would actually come our way in Brooklyn so we could get a photo. . .