Unprecedented consolidation fueled the resurgence: merging municipalities, boundary-straddling public works— subways, bridges, railways, water tunnels, and electrification projects—the forging of companies and industries into massive corporations, and construction of the first skyscrapers, towering symbols that would. Riker, By the opening years of the 20th century, the newly consolidated City of New York was home to approximately 3. Most came to the United States and its cities in search of a better life.