By the early 1950s, the modern Gowanus Expressway hadn't been built yet but the 14th Street had been upgraded to be partly grade seperated as a feeder to the Battery Tunnel. 

Old aerial photo from when the island was originally agricultural. 

Hundred years ago, this area was quite agricultural. 

Changes to the Battery and other parts of LoMa over the years.

Today is Queens Day in New York State. This comparison lets you zoom in and compare Queens today versus nearly 100 years ago in 1924. There was still a lot of agriculture in Queens back in the 1920s.