History

Looking Inside the Allen Street Elevated Public Restrooms at Delancey

Ever wonder what the inside of the old public bathroom facility at Allen and Delancey looks like? Ask no more!
Boogie Rewind: When Schmulka Bernstein’s Ruled Essex Street

Jews eating Chinese food on Christmas is a tradition forged on the Lower East Side of yore. So, on this eve of Christmas, it's fitting to republish our story about Schmulka Bernstein's on Essex.
East Meets West Holiday Parade Runs Tomorrow in Little Italy

It's one of the larger annual parades in New York City, and it transpires within the confines of Little Italy.
Down in the Bowery Dives: The History of McGurk’s Suicide Hall

The grimy parts of NYC are part of its charm and when 295 Bowery was torn down - despite its sordid past - another unique and awesome piece of history was lost.
A Brief NYC Hurricane History

Chiming in on Sandy here. This is less about my take and more about a need to show you that we will get through this; we have done so before. For pre-20th century (I’m talking back to 1693) [...]
Footage of “Long Island Express” Hurricane in 1938 [Video]

As we sit and wait for the arrival of Hurricane Sandy on the shores of Manhattan, let's hop back in time to the Great Hurricane of 1938 (aka Long Island Express).
Selling Pickles Beneath the 2nd Avenue El, Circa 1934

Here we see some pickle vendors peddling on Allen Street (circa 1934) beneath the 2nd Avenue El, where the truss crossed Delancey.