The early history of Broadway began in the early 19th century when Manhattan's theater district originally located downtown but moved uptown by the end of the Civil War to take advantage of lower real estate prices. By the late 1800s, Broadway productions became more elaborate to benefit from increased tourism by train. In 1901, Broadway earned its famous nickname "The Great White Way" for its extensive marquee lights. Some of the most famous early 1900s musicals appeared on Broadway, though the theater district struggled financially during the Great Depression.

1. The Early History of Broadway
A trained accountant and former Army Reservist, John DellaDonna currently functions as
Director of a non-profit organization that creates audio and animated textbooks for children.
During his spare time, John Della Donna enjoys watching Broadway shows.
The New York City theater scene started in the early 19th century. Manhattan's theater
district was originally located downtown, but by the end of the Civil War, it had moved to
midtown to take advantage of lower real estate prices. Well over a century later, it remains in
the same region, bordered by 42nd Street and 53rd Street.
By the end of the 1800s, producers began staging more elaborate theatrical productions to
benefit from the rise in tourism brought about by an increase in train transit. In 1901,
Broadway acquired its famous moniker “The Great White Way” in an article written by Shep
Friedman for the New York Morning Telegram. The term acknowledges the extensive lights
used on theater marquees.
Some of the most famous musicals appeared on Broadway’s stages during the first third of
the 1900s, including No No Nanette, Show Boat, The Jazz Singer, and the Ziegfeld Follies.
Although the Great Depression damaged the theater district financially throughout the 1930s,
it has nevertheless served as a crucial component of the New York cultural scene into modern
times.