Times Square is the most Instagrammed location on the planet. 

That's right, there are more photos of Times Square on Instagram than any other place in the known universe, and that begs some questions.

What is it about the place that demands so many pictures? Sure, the hustle and bustle under the lights is attractive to tourists, and has been for some since the hoards of drug addicts and prostitutes were evicted from their playground some decades ago. 

But even long before that, Times Square was a place in flux. 

Long before it was developed into the commercial paradise of the Western world, Times Square was just a few streets crossing each other.

So we're running down some vintage photos of the place. Did you ever wonder what it looked like at the end of the 19th Century? What about 1935? Or the 50s? Check out the gallery below, it's pretty striking.

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Check out Ranking the 7 Best Christmas Trees in NYC. 

[via Imgur]