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Unmarked History in NYC

historicplace.jpg Sure, old buildings have plenty of supporters sticking up for their preservation and landmark rights, but what about coordinates of where historic events took place? The NY Times takes a look at 39-year-old amateur historian, and Columbia grad, Andrew Carroll's project to preserve and mark those sites. While his mission will take him to all 50 states, there are plenty of places here in NYC (Barack Obama Alley anyone?).

Did you know the first cell phone call was completed on 6th Avenue in 1973; that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was stabbed on West 125th Street in 1958, where the old Blumstein’s department store once stood; that Winston Churchill crossed 5th Avenue and 76th Street without looking and was struck by a car in 1931? There's more! 123 Lexington Avenue (pictured) is the only building left standing in New York where a U.S. President (Chester A. Arthur) was sworn in. It was his apartment at the time, and the event took place after President Garfield was shot. Of course, history spans the boroughs, too, and on Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, between Division and South 9 streets, there once stood the Amphion opera house, where in 1908 the song "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" made its debut.

Soak up some more at Carroll's website. What locations do you think should be added?

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Comments [rss]

  • Snoopy

    How about the Sheraton on west 42nd street where Michael Jackson took a dump prior to marrying Lisa Presley?

    Seriously people. If you started to designate streets or buildings that something historical happened, it would be similar to digging a subway through Rome or Athens and not expect an ancient artifact to show up.

    Oh, this coin was minted in the time of Diogenes and his mother used it to buy lighter fluid to light his lamp.

    I'm sorry if this is posted twice but Gothamist either needs to pay their bills on time or get another server provider.

  • NewarkStateOfMind

    How about a plaque across from Federal Hall where the unsolved terrorist attack of 1920 occurred?

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wall_Street_bombing

    There are only a few gouges in a wall to show where it happened. Interesting story.

  • Nyctini11
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