Buildings Surrounding WTC, Barren Space Post Cleanup

Professional photographer Robert A. Ripps took these images of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, and of Ground Zero and its surroundings in the days and weeks following 9/11.

    Two Unknown Workers Take a Photo in Front of Two Men Working on a Crane

    This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

      Unknown Construction Worker on site

      This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

        Unknown Construction Workers on West Street

        This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

          An Unknown Worker at Ground Zero in the cab

          This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

            Unknown Worker on Heavy Machinery at Ground Zero

            This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

              Unknown Worker Operating a Crane

              This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                Unknown Workers at Night at Ground Zero

                This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                  WTC Tower 1 Burning

                  Professional photographer Robert A. Ripps took these images of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, and of Ground Zero and its surroundings in the days and weeks following 9/11.

                    WTC 1 and 2 Exoskeleton with Destroyed WTC5 in the Middle

                    This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                      Workers on the Pile with destroyed WTC Tower and WTC 5 in the background

                      This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                        Working in front of Exoskeleton

                        This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                          Workers Walking onto the Debris at Ground Zero

                          This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                            Workers Stand in High Visibility Jackets near Tent

                            This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                              Windows of Deutsche Bank Building Blown Out

                              This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                Workers Putting American Flag on a Hoist at Ground Zero

                                This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                  Workers on the Rubble from the WTC

                                  This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                    Workers on the Pile

                                    This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                      Workers loading a flatbed with debris at Ground Zero

                                      This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                        Photo of Three Firefighters at Night at Ground Zero

                                        This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                          A laborer from Local 731 in front of Exoskeleton

                                          This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                            Fire between the remains of Tower 2 and the Deutsche Bank building

                                            This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                              200 Vesey Street damaged with embedded pieces of WTC

                                              This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                                200 Vesey with embedded pieces of the WTC

                                                This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                                  Authorized Worker Badges

                                                  This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                                    Brookfield Place aka 3 World Financial Center (5)

                                                    This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                                      Brooklyn Ladder 153 “Watchdawgs”

                                                      This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                                        Cleanup Crew at Ground Zero- Sonny Deluccy in white hat on right

                                                        In the months following the destruction of the World Trade Center and on each anniversary of 9/11, crowds gathered at the West Side Highway and Christopher Street to support the rescue workers and first responders as they traveled on the “Hero Highway” on their way to Ground Zero. This intersection is now known as Point Thank You.

                                                          Corrections Department Truck at Ground Zero

                                                          This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                                            An Unknown Worker at Ground Zero from 200 Vesey Street

                                                            This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                                              An Unknown Worker at Ground Zero Cutting Steel

                                                              This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                                                An Unknown Worker at Ground Zero with a Face Mask in front of Debris

                                                                This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                                                  Charles Kramer Selfie, Hoboken, September 23, 2001

                                                                  ​East Villager Charles Kramer regularly bicycled to Hoboken​. These ​photos ​donated by Charles Kramer were taken ​on 9/23/2001 close to midnight in Hoboken following 9/11.​ Many people who worked in the World Trade Center commuted from Hoboken.

                                                                    A Digger Moving Through Rubble at Ground Zero

                                                                    This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                                                      Point Thank You Drawing with Christopher Street Sign

                                                                      In the months following the destruction of the World Trade Center and on each anniversary of 9/11, crowds gathered at the West Side Highway and Christopher Street to support the rescue workers and first responders as they traveled on the “Hero Highway” on their way to Ground Zero. This intersection is now known as Point Thank You.

                                                                        Point Thank You, You’re The Best

                                                                        In the months following the destruction of the World Trade Center and on each anniversary of 9/11, crowds gathered at the West Side Highway and Christopher Street to support the rescue workers and first responders as they traveled on the “Hero Highway” on their way to Ground Zero. This intersection is now known as Point Thank You.

                                                                          Lawn by the West Side Highway, July 2001

                                                                          In the months following the destruction of the World Trade Center and on each anniversary of 9/11, crowds gathered at the West Side Highway and Christopher Street to support the rescue workers and first responders as they traveled on the “Hero Highway” on their way to Ground Zero. This intersection is now known as Point Thank You.

                                                                            Hero Highway, December 30, 2001

                                                                            In the months following the destruction of the World Trade Center and on each anniversary of 9/11, crowds gathered at the West Side Highway and Christopher Street to support the rescue workers and first responders as they traveled on the “Hero Highway” on their way to Ground Zero. This intersection is now known as Point Thank You.

                                                                              Jimmy Quinn Poster, November 6, 2001

                                                                              Jimmy Quinn lost his life on 9/11 while working for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 104th floor of Tower One of the World Trade Center. He was 23 years old. On what would have been his 24th birthday, November 6th, 2001, his brother Michael Quinn posted a birthday greeting and photo at the gate of St. Paul’s Chapel, which in the days and weeks […]

                                                                                Sun Hitting Fragmented Steel From the World Trade Center

                                                                                This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                                                                  Light Through the Exoskeleton of the World Trade Center

                                                                                  This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                                                                    “The Hand” at Point Thank You, November 2001

                                                                                    In the months following the destruction of the World Trade Center and on each anniversary of 9/11, crowds gathered at the West Side Highway and Christopher Street to support the rescue workers and first responders as they traveled on the “Hero Highway” on their way to Ground Zero. This intersection is now known as Point Thank You.

                                                                                      Hotel at Point Thank You, October 2001

                                                                                      In the months following the destruction of the World Trade Center and on each anniversary of 9/11, crowds gathered at the West Side Highway and Christopher Street to support the rescue workers and first responders as they traveled on the “Hero Highway” on their way to Ground Zero. This intersection is now known as Point Thank You.

                                                                                        View From Pier 40 July 2001 Compared to October 2001

                                                                                        In the months following the destruction of the World Trade Center and on each anniversary of 9/11, crowds gathered at the West Side Highway and Christopher Street to support the rescue workers and first responders as they traveled on the “Hero Highway” on their way to Ground Zero. This intersection is now known as Point Thank You.

                                                                                          Point Thank You, Family Day, October 28, 2001

                                                                                          In the months following the destruction of the World Trade Center and on each anniversary of 9/11, crowds gathered at the West Side Highway and Christopher Street to support the rescue workers and first responders as they traveled on the “Hero Highway” on their way to Ground Zero. This intersection is now known as Point Thank You.

                                                                                            Point Thank You, October 2001

                                                                                            In the months following the destruction of the World Trade Center and on each anniversary of 9/11, crowds gathered at the West Side Highway and Christopher Street to support the rescue workers and first responders as they traveled on the “Hero Highway” on their way to Ground Zero. This intersection is now known as Point Thank You.

                                                                                              Point Thank You, October 2001

                                                                                              In the months following the destruction of the World Trade Center and on each anniversary of 9/11, crowds gathered at the West Side Highway and Christopher Street to support the rescue workers and first responders as they traveled on the “Hero Highway” on their way to Ground Zero. This intersection is now known as Point Thank You.

                                                                                                Description of the West Side Highway, September 22, 2001

                                                                                                This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                                                                                  Union Square, September 22, 2001

                                                                                                  In the months following the destruction of the World Trade Center and on each anniversary of 9/11, crowds gathered at the West Side Highway and Christopher Street to support the rescue workers and first responders as they traveled on the “Hero Highway” on their way to Ground Zero. This intersection is now known as Point Thank You.

                                                                                                    A Reflection on 9/11 the Day of and Eleven Days Later Beside a Photo of Union Square

                                                                                                    In the months following the destruction of the World Trade Center and on each anniversary of 9/11, crowds gathered at the West Side Highway and Christopher Street to support the rescue workers and first responders as they traveled on the “Hero Highway” on their way to Ground Zero. This intersection is now known as Point Thank You.

                                                                                                      Closeup of Destroyed Exoskeleton of the World Trade Center at Ground Zero

                                                                                                      This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                                                                                        An Unknown Worker in Front of a Front Loader at Ground Zero

                                                                                                        This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                                                                                          An Unknown Worker at Ground Zero Smoking a Cigar

                                                                                                          This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                                                                                            Unknown Workers at Ground Zero Driving Carts

                                                                                                            This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                                                                                              Remnants of World Trade Center with Woolworth Building behind it (vertical)

                                                                                                              This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                                                                                                Beverly Wallace at Ground Zero

                                                                                                                This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                                                                                                  Damaged Brookfield Place aka 3 World Financial Center

                                                                                                                  This image is part of the Louis “Sonny” DeLuccy collection, which is dedicated in memory of Sonny and to honor him and others as heroes for their sacrifice. This image of Ground Zero was taken in the months after following the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

                                                                                                                    NYC Skyline, August 16, 2001

                                                                                                                    Deborah Kadetsky moved to NYC from Philadelphia in August of 2000. On August 16, 2001, she attended a Radiohead show at Liberty State Park. She was the only one of her group of friends with a digital camera and snapped this skyline view from the grounds that night. It would end up being her only photo […]