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The Lower East Side

This information courtesy of The East Village History Project.

The Lower East Side, Manhatten, New York

1 ST. MARKS PLACE Back To Map
St. Marks Place is arguably one of the most infamous streets in the world. Known for many years as a gathering place for artists, beatniks, transients, punk rockers, drug-addicts, and tourists alike, this street exemplifies the East Village persona in a concentrated 3 block stretch from 3rd Ave to Tompkins Square Park on Ave A. Though crime is not as evident in recent years, it is still an area where a visitor should be aware of street hustlers and beggars, while shopping in one of it's many tourist-devoted knick-knack shops, eateries, and bars.

2 St. Marks Place: Just East of 3rd Ave., to the left of the St. Marks Hotel, once stood The Five Spot (now the St Marks Ale House), a prominent jazz/poetry/beat hangout in the 1960's.
4: The Trash and Vaudeville clothing store was once the site of a controversial performance space The Bridge Theater. Yoko Ono and her artistic contemporaries showcased here in the 60's, but proved to be too much for the then conservative government. The theater was raided and shut down many times in it's short existence, one time for burning the American flag during a performance.
6: The building which now hosts Kim's Video once housed the infamous anarchist-devoted The Modern School. Then Later, the Saint Marks Baths, a popular gay bathhouse which closed in 1985.
11: Lenny Bruce lived here in the early 60's
12: Built in 1885 for the German American Shooting Society; the insignia on facade of the building still remains.
19-25: In the early to mid 1800's, this space housed Arlington Hall, a popular dance/social club frequented by the then prominent Jewish Mob. The Italian Mob started moving in at the turn of the century, and in 1914, a territorial shoot out pretty much ended the reign of the Jewish mob in the area. In the 1960's, Andy Warhol turned the space into Electric Circus, featuring Exploding Plastic Inevitable, the Velvet Underground, and more. The building is currently being gentrified, housing chain eateries and (soon to be) a bank.
30: Abbie Hoffman lived here in 1967
34: The members of Dee-Lite used to live / rehearse here in the 80's
SW Corner of St. Marks & 2nd Ave: The Gem Spa is reportedly where the egg cream was invented, and is also where the NY Dolls first album cover photo was taken
77: In 1917, the basement was home to the Russian-language leftist paper Novy Mir, where Leon Trotsky worked when he lived in NYC
98-96: Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti album cover was shot here
102: In 1974 police officers Donald Muldoon and Tom Cimler shot and killed a white supremist in a shoot out on the second floor, which left officer Muldoon injured before returning fire. Police found an arsenal of weapons and bomb-making materials, as well as a hostage in the apartment. The suspect was planning a large scale attack on black-americans
129: Stingy Lulu's; 1950s diner / date mecca with it's staff in drag, still stands and serves food until the wee hours of the night
364 E. 8th St: The Firemen's Memorial Garden is Dedicated to Marty Celic who died fighting a fire in a tenement on this site on July 2, 1977, and all firefighters who died in the line of duty
399 E. 8th St: Birthplace of movie star tough, James Cagney

2 TOMPKINS SQUARE PARK Back To Map From 7th to 10th Streets between Avenues A and B
View	TSP has long had a reputation as the city's center for political demonstrations and home of radical thought. Protesters and activists have gathered and marched on issues such as police brutality, anti-war, immigration, gay & lesbian rights, homelessness, affordable housing, etc.. Some of this protest has been marred with violence; In 1874 NYC police massacred a crowd of workers protesting against unemployment. 1988 was the year of the Tompkins Square riots, when in August massive demonstrations led to (badge covered) police in riot gear beating and injuring dozens of protestors and bystanders alike. In the summer of 1995 another riot erupted as police tried to evict a group of squatters who had set up house in an empty apartment building.
The Grateful Dead played their first East Coast gig at TSP in June of 1967. The first Hare Krishna gathering outside of India took place here in 1965 (poet Alan Ginsburg was in attendance.) Many writers, poets, artists, musicians, and free-thinkers have found inspiration in TSP's diverse atmosphere. Today the park is as diverse as ever. On one row of benches will sit a mid-western family of tourists, a group of anarchist squatters, an elderly Dominican couple fresh out of church, a business man in a suit, a homeless man, and an agst-ridden saxophonist. The park has a curfew, it closes at midnight.

3 ST. MARKS-IN-THE-BOWERY CHURCH Back To Map
131 E. 10th St. (between Second and Third Aves.)
www.saintmarkschurch.org - (212) 674-6377

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This stone church was built between 1795 and 1799 on the site of a primitive Dutch chapel dating back to 1660. Underground vaults contain the remains of Peter Stuyvesant (who originally owned the land) and many of his descendants. More recently, the church hall functions as a performing arts venue and social activism gathering space, as well as religious service. In 1966 The Poetry Project was launched, showcasing some of the most prominent poets of our time. The interior was restructured, following a devastating fire in 1978.

4 McSORLEY's PUB Back To Map
15 E. 7th St. (between Second and Third Aves)
(212) 473-9148

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McSorley's is the oldest bar in continuous operation in New York City, officially established in 1854. It serves only McSorley's brand Beer (no hard liquor!), but is still a major attraction for locals and visitors alike; There is often a line to get inside the un renovated, swinging door, saw dusted saloon. Women were only allowed in as of 30 years ago, thanks to a case which had to be settled in the Supreme Court.

5 COOPER UNION Back To Map Cooper Square (Astor Pl. between Third and 4th Aves) www.cooper.edu - (212) 353-4000
View	The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, established in 1859, is among the nation's oldest and most distinguished institutions of higher learning. It is the only private, full-scholarship college in the United States dedicated exclusively to preparing students for the professions of art, architecture and engineering. The University is the brainchild and legacy of Peter Cooper, who, (though one of the era's most successful businessmen, could not read or write), believed education should be free to those who desired it.
In the University's historic 900-seat Great Hall, the public heard social and political reformers as well as free lectures on science and government. Presidents Lincoln, Grant, Cleveland, Taft, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Bill Clinton all spoke in the famous auditorium.

6 ASTOR PLACE Back To Map 131 E. 10th St. (between Second and Third Aves.)
View	At 13 Astor Place once stood the Astor Place Opera House, which was stormed by a mob on May 10, 1849, in what came to be known as the Astor Place Riot. More than 30 people were killed - in an apparent objection to a performance of Macbeth! Before Lafayette Place was extended to meet Fourth Avenue, it was the site of Little St Ann's Church. And even before that, it was a major Native American crossroad.
On Astor Place between Lafayette and 4th Ave stands The Alamo, a large spinning cube designed by Tony Rosenthal in 1966. Before the cube stood the statue of Samuel Cox, which is now located on the South West corner of Tompkins Square Park.

7 MERCHANTS HOUSE MUSEUM Back To Map 29 E. 4th Street (between Bowery and Lafayette) www.merchantshouse.com - (212) 777-1089
View	Built in 1832, The Merchant House is National landmark, being the only unrenovated family home from the 19th century left standing in NYC. The museum is open to the public to experience what life was like for a wealthy NYC family in the early 1800's. The Merchants House also offers year-round educational programs, lectures, readings, concerts, and other events.

8 2nd AVE DELI Back To Map 156 Second Avenue (10th Street) www.2ndavedeli.com - (212) 677-0606
View	This Lower East Side Kosher Deli has been an International favorite since it opened it's doors in 1954, serving traditional Jewish delicacies. The sidewalk outside is imprinted with stars of Yiddish theater. Owner Abe Lebewohl was murdered in a still-unsolved shooting.

9 CBGB's Back To Map 315 Bowery (between 1st and 2nd St) www.cbgb.com - (212) 982-4052
View	"CBGB's OMFUG" stands for "Country, BlueGrass, Blues - Other Music For Uplifting Gormandizers". Founder Hilly Crystal envisioned a far different theme for this then (1973) out of the way dive. The first performers were country, folk, and singer/songwriters. Hilly was actually opposed the the "screeching noise" of what CBGB's is known for today, but bands like Television and The Ramones soon changed his mind, and direction.
He was so impressed with these artists' integrity and dedication, and recognized the lack of venues in the area for unsigned artists, Hilly opened his mind and his doors to the otherwise unwelcome. Celebrated performers include Blondie, The Talking Heads, The Police, Voivod, and more recently Everclear, Jon Spencer, Guns and Roses, Yo La Tengo, and more

10 COLONNADE ROW Back To Map 428-434 Lafayette Street
View	Colonnade Row is all that remains of what were originally nine houses that helped make Lafayette Place one of the City's most affluent residential streets in the 1830's and 1840's. The houses were built in 1833 by Seth Geer (who used marble cut by Sing Sing Prisoners) and financed by millionaires John Jacob Astor and Cornelius Vanderbilt. Washington Irving was another famous resident.

11 UKRAINIAN MUSEUM Back To Map 203 2nd Ave (between 12th & 13th Sts.) www.ukrainianmuseum.org - (212) 228-0110 Open Wed thru Sun 1-5PM
View	The Ukrainian Museum wants you to become acquainted with the remarkable scope and diversity of Ukrainian culture, offering walking tours, exhibitions, and educational activities. The museum is currently running limited programs while preparing for the opening of a brand new, 25,000 sq. ft. facility on E.6th st. (pictured left)

12 NEW YORK MARBLE CEMETERY Back To Map
41-1/2 2nd Ave (between 2nd and 3rd)
http://www.nycmc.org/

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The New York Marble Cemetery is the oldest public non-sectarian cemetery in New York City (1831). Most burials in this 1/2 acre plot of green were performed in the 1800's; the last was in 1937. New Yorkers would recognize some of the families' names resting here; Spring, Defy, Hot, Motet, Va rick. Also check out the NYMC's "sister" cemetery, the "New York CITY Marble Cemetery", built a few years later, and only around the corner at 65 2nd St.

13 NY EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY Back To Map 310 E. 14th Street (at 2nd Ave) http://www.nyee.edu/
View	Though totally renovated, and not much of a "sight", this NYC landmark is worth knowing about. Founded in 1820, The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary is the oldest specialty hospital in the Western Hemisphere. Since it's inception, the hospital remains at the forefront of research, patient care, and education. To the left is a sketch of a pre-renovation hospital.

14 HANGING of JOHN JOHNSON Back To Map
The intersection of 14th st and 2nd Ave

On April 2, 1824, 45-year-old boarding house landlord John Johnson was hanged for the murder of a tenant who had rented a room from him. Sailor James Murray made the mistake of entrusting Johnson, telling him about a chest of cash he was carrying. Johnson offered his own personal room to use for "safe-keeping" (and easy access); That night Johnson and an accomplice entered the room and bludgeoned Murray to death, robbing his stash. The accomplice was never found, but Johnson couldn't deny the evidence. He was hung at this intersection (once an empty field) with reportedly 1/3 of the entire city in attendance.

15 CHARLIE PARKER HOUSE Back To Map l5l Avenue B (at Tompkins Square Park) http://www.charlieparkerresidence.net
View	Born August 29, l920 in Kansas City, the Bird lived here with his three children and their mother, Chan Richardson from 1950 until 1954. Parker is honored with a building plaque and a street named "Charlie Parker Blvd". He is also remembered with the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival held every summer in Tompkins Square Park.

16 NUYORICAN POETS CAFE Back To Map
236 E. 3rd St. (between Aves. B and C)
www.nuyorican.org - (212) 505-8183

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Established c. 1973, the Nuyorican Poets Cafe Cafe has emerged as one of the country's most highly respected arts organizations and has become an acclaimed forum for innovative poetry, music, hip hop, video, visual arts, comedy and theatre. The Cafe's goal is to provide a stage for the artists traditionally under-represented in the mainstream media and culture. They also offer weekly poetry slams and award winning theater workshops.

17 BULLET SPACE Back To Map
292 E. 3rd St (between Ave C and D)
www.bulletspace.com

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In 1986 a group of squatters not-so-stealthily moved into the condemned building at 292 East Third Street, most recently the home of a Baptist church who was run out by slum landlord Henry J. Shapolsky. The building was earlier seized from Shapolsky for non-payment of taxes. The city decided to leave it vacant (no money was put into this neighborhood at that time). This was the start of the squat known as 6 O'Clock and now known as Bullet. Bullet was slowly renovated and legally secured, and has become a true modern-day, counter-culture inspiration, as well as a multi-media art and performance space open to the public

18 Site of Old FILMORE EAST Back To Map 105 2nd Ave (at E.6th st.) www.fillmore-east.com
View	Though only in existence for three years, The Fillmore East hosted the most popular Rock & Roll, Jazz, R&B, and Blues artists in the history of music: The Doors, Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, Santana, Black Sabbath, B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Elton John, Pink Floyd, Ravi Shankar, Ray Charles, more, more, more. The site is now a bank and apartment building, no remnants remain.

19 THE VILLAGE VOICE Back To Map 36 Cooper Square www.villagevoice.com
The Village Voice was founded by Dan Wolf, Ed Fancher and Norman Mailer in the fall of 1955. It has long since been considered the most popular "liberal" periodical due to it's cutting edge and controversial articles and integrated existence in NYC culture and arts.

20 RUSSIAN-TURKISH BATH HOUSE Back To Map
111 E.10th St (between Ave A and 1st Ave)
www.russianturkishbaths.com

Built in 1832, this 3-story facility attracts a wonderfully diverse, low-key clientele. The Bathhouse offers day-long saunas, massage, skin treatment, more, in a laid back atmosphere. The Bathhouse even offers a full service restaurant with delicious home style Russian food.

OTHER SITES OF INTEREST:

TOWER of TOYS" / AVE B GARDEN
6th St and Ave. B
At the site of a destroyed tenement, a garden and a tower of junk arose from the ashes. Among the items adorning the 30ft wood frame; rocking horses, barbie dolls, teddy bears, tin cans, and more. The garden is an oasis with a gazebo and performance space, strategically placed benches, and small trails through thick greenery. The garden plays host to scheduled yoga, meditation, poetry, and more
CONTINENTAL
25 3rd Ave at St. Marks Pl
The most important live music venue in NYC rock and roll over the last 15 years. The stage is has hosted everyone from The Ramones, Debbie Harry, and Iggy Pop, to Guns and Roses, Greenday, and The Wallflowers.
MADONNA LIVED HERE
230 E. 4th St (between Ave A and B)
Madonna lived here in the early eighties and honed her skills in local dance clubs Webster Hall, The Palladium, Danceteria, and more, on her way to stardom
LEADBELLY LIVED HERE
414 E.10th St (between Aves C and D)
Guitar / blues legend Leadbelly lived here in the 1940s
PARADISE ALLEY" COURTYARD
174 Ave A (corner of 11th St)
This is the site of Paradise Alley (now the Weinberg Apartments), the tenement courtyard featured in Jack Kerouac's "Subterranean's" and Allen Ginsberg's "Howl"
The First BOYS CLUB
Corner of 10th and Ave A
Founded in 1876 a few blocks away, moved to this location in 1901. Still provides mentoring, sports, and educational programs to area youth
AVENUE A FLEA MARKET
Ave A (corner of 12th st)
Every Saturday and Sunday, hundreds of purveyors and collectors of junk gather and haggle over anything from used shirts, to used phones, to computer wires. You can however find some amazing deals on knick-knacks, clothing, and antiques if your patient enough to sift through the junk (and the crowd)
AMATO OPERA THEATER
319 Bowery, (212) 228-8200
The Opera House was opened in 1948 by Tony and Sally Amato. Tony still directs the programming and conducts most of the shows.
EAST RIVER PARK
Entrances at 6th St, Houston St., and 14th St. at the FDR Drive
Running track, playgrounds, tennis courts, and more. A pedestrian / bicycle path runs from 14th st all the way (under 3 bridges) past the South Street Seaport and to Battery Park.