The Lower East Side
This information courtesy of The East Village History Project.
The Lower East Side, Manhatten, New York
1
ST. MARKS PLACE
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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11:
Lenny Bruce lived here in the early
60's
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12:
Built in 1885 for the German American Shooting
Society; the insignia on facade of the
building still remains.
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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.
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30:
Abbie Hoffman lived here in 1967
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34:
The members of Dee-Lite used to
live / rehearse here in the 80's
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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
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77:
In 1917, the basement was home to the Russian-language
leftist paper Novy Mir, where Leon Trotsky
worked when he lived in NYC
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98-96:
Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti
album cover was shot here
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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
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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
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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
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399
E. 8th St: Birthplace of movie star tough,
James Cagney
2
TOMPKINS SQUARE
PARK
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From 7th to 10th Streets between Avenues A and
B |
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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.
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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.
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3
ST. MARKS-IN-THE-BOWERY
CHURCH
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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.
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4
McSORLEY's PUB
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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.
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5
COOPER UNION
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Cooper Square (Astor Pl. between Third and 4th
Aves)
www.cooper.edu
- (212) 353-4000 |
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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.
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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.
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6
ASTOR PLACE
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131 E. 10th St. (between Second and Third Aves.) |
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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.
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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.
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7
MERCHANTS HOUSE
MUSEUM
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29 E. 4th Street (between Bowery and Lafayette)
www.merchantshouse.com
- (212) 777-1089 |
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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.
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8
2nd AVE DELI
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156 Second Avenue (10th Street)
www.2ndavedeli.com
- (212) 677-0606 |
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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.
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9
CBGB's
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315 Bowery (between 1st and 2nd St)
www.cbgb.com
- (212) 982-4052 |
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"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.
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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
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10
COLONNADE ROW
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428-434 Lafayette Street |
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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.
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11
UKRAINIAN MUSEUM
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203 2nd Ave (between 12th & 13th Sts.)
www.ukrainianmuseum.org
- (212) 228-0110
Open Wed thru Sun 1-5PM |
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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)
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12
NEW YORK MARBLE
CEMETERY
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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.
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13
NY EYE AND EAR
INFIRMARY
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310 E. 14th Street (at 2nd Ave)
http://www.nyee.edu/ |
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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.
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14
HANGING of JOHN JOHNSON
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The intersection of 14th st and 2nd Ave
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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.
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15
CHARLIE PARKER
HOUSE
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l5l Avenue B (at Tompkins Square Park)
http://www.charlieparkerresidence.net |
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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.
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16
NUYORICAN POETS
CAFE
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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.
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17
BULLET SPACE
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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
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18
Site of Old FILMORE
EAST
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105 2nd Ave (at E.6th st.)
www.fillmore-east.com |
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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.
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19
THE
VILLAGE VOICE
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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.
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20
RUSSIAN-TURKISH BATH HOUSE
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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.
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OTHER
SITES OF INTEREST:
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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
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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.
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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
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LEADBELLY
LIVED HERE 414 E.10th St (between
Aves C and D)
Guitar / blues legend Leadbelly lived here
in the 1940s
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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"
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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
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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)
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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.
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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.
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