The Lost is Found - In Honor of Art Loux

[BettyO]

Art Loux, for years (along with Richard Sloan) looked for the Revere House, Lew Powell's "home away from home" in Manhattan, New York City.

I decided to continue the research and have finally located the "Old House" which stood at the corner of Broadway; 604-608 West Broadway and West Houston The tall old structure was advertised as "on the European plan" which means that one boarded there and paid separately for meals. Unfortunately, it had quite a shady history, with thefts, a couple of murders and a few suicides after the Civil War. Even the owner, Mr. T. Coe, later committed suicide at his daughter's home in the 1890s. It was home to the "Fat Men's Club" of which the famous bartender, Jerry Thomas (of Tom and Jerry fame) was a member. The renounced book dealer, Arthur Brentano, had a book stall in the basement of the Revere House with a sign proclaiming it as Brentano's Literary Emporium. Brentano's later merged into several stores, including the recently defunct Border's Books.

The tall old structure is viewed in several old stereoviews and was torn down in 1900. I'm still researching this old building.

   

    Image, Courtesy, New York Public Library

    Image, Courtesy, Library of Congress

    Image, Courtesy, http://frenchhatchingcat.com/tag/broadway-and-houston/

[RJNorton]

Great research, Betty! There used to be a huge Kroch & Brentano's bookstore on Wabash in Chicago. It's been gone for many years. I have many nostalgic memories of being in that store; I still remember the table that had a large stack of the Kundardts' Twenty Days. I bought a copy, and my interest in the Lincoln assassination began.

[BettyO]

Same for me, Roger! Twenty Days is the book which started it for me as well!

[L Verge]

There was a very impressive Brentano's on G Street in D.C. when I was a child. It was the first bookstore that I was ever in. Good memories and a good find, Betty.

[Rsmyth]

Very interesting Betty! In the image courtesy of the New York Library, can you tell what the museum is two doors down?

[BettyO]

Good question, Rich. I'm doing some research. I know it's NOT Barnum's....

This image was taken in 1871 or thereabouts. It's post war.

[Joe Di Cola]

It was at the Wabash Avenue Kroch & Brentano store where, in 1961, I had a brief conversation with Carl Sandburg and where he autographed my copy of his biography written by Harry Golden. Golden had already signed the books and Carl Sandburg was scheduled to sign them in the afternoon. I had to take a train back to college, explained this to a clerk, and she graciously brought me to a room where Carl Sandburg was sitting and....

[Linda Anderson]

(02-05-2014 08:08 AM)Rsmyth Wrote:  Very interesting Betty! In the image courtesy of the New York Library, can you tell what the museum is two doors down?

I found an ad in the Dec 1, 1869 New York Herald for a "Ladies New York Anatomical Museum."

"'Know thyself.' Life within life.

"No lady should fail to visit this marvelous and wonderful collection. Females only in attendance."

The address is 618 1/2 Broadway.

[BettyO]

Here are the ads -- and note that one of the lectures is for "Gentlemen" - one wonders just what the Anatomical Museum actually is. One also wonders at the Gentleman's Lecture being able to be "forwarded to them for .25 cents!" Wonder if it was in a plain brown wrapper?!

   

   

   

[Rsmyth]

Pretty cool ladies! Thanks! I will be visiting the 9-11 Museum soon. Sadly, I think this one has closed.