GHOST OF 8TH AVENUE

by Kevin Walsh

I had only seen the right part of his painted ad on 8th Avenue near West 47th Street, advertising rooms with steam heat, hot and cold water, and housekeeping.

The rest of the wall has become recently visible, and there is what seems to be an ad for “Society Smokes” and one for shoes at the  upper right.

This reminds me of an ad for Young & Schmuck Billiard Parlor that was briefly uncovered a couple of blocks away in 2001 before its building was demolished.

I estimate both ads go back to the 1890-1910 period.

Thank ForgottenFan Jim O’Neill for this find.

1 comment

DINO ORTIZ September 27, 2011 - 10:59 pm

love your page! i live in florida the last 15yrs now but i miss my home(N.Y.) like only the lord knows. i visit every year in august for our neighborhood reunion at the drew hamilton projects,in harlem. great time had by all of us that are still around from when they open in 1964. anyway, your page keeps me going.whenever i start feeling down all i have to do is look you guys up and i’m home for a while. guys, keep up the great work and thank you for taking me home every once in a while.

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