GERMANIA ON THE BOWERY

THE old Germania Bank building, 190 Bowery at Spring Street, has become a mecca for graffiti birds; its exterior is faded, rusted, corroded glory, with Beaux-Arts hints of another age splattered with the artistic statements of a new one. Beginning in 1966, was the longtime home of photographer Jay Maisel and his family, who occupied the entire building’s 72 rooms. Maisel tolerated the graffitists and street artists who scrawled on the building’s exterior. Maisel had purchased the building for a little over $100K in 1966, and sold it in 2015 for $55 million.

As historian Herbert Asbury recounts in his 1930s book All Around the Town, in 1824 a carpenter named Lozier, abetted by a butcher named Uncle John DeVoe, perpetrated an elaborate hoax in which they proposed to saw off the lower end of Manhattan. After a meeting with Mayor Stephan Allen, it was decided that Manhattan had become way too heavy, with the big buildings and all, so for safety’s sake, it had to be separated lest the whole island sink!

Lozier appeared at City Hall with a huge ledger on which he inscribed the names of the out-of-work laborers who applied to the task; engaged scores of carpenters and contractors to furnish lumber to build barracks for the workmen; hired butchers for the purposes of preparing cattle, hogs and fowl to feed the workmen; and, of course, drew up plans for 100-foot saws and other mechanical appliances to effect the geat saw-off, for which blacksmiths and mechanics feverishly set to work designing. Lozier…

“instructed all who were to have a hand in the great work to report at the Bowery and Spring Street, where they would be met by a fife and drum corps which he had thoughtfully engaged.”

About 500-1000 persons turned up on a July day at the corner. Of course, Lozier and Uncle John never showed.

Check out the ForgottenBook, take a look at the  gift shop. As always, “comment…as you see fit.” I earn a small payment when you click on any ad on the site. 

4/16/25