Manhattan: Christopher Street - Washington Street
163 Christopher Street, at the N. W. corner of Washington Street, showing "McAvoy's Drug Store" which was operated by a local character lovingly known as "Mother McAvoy." To sailors and truckmen of the neighborhood she was more than a druggist. She was a friendly counselor, and a "bank" and "post office" for sailors on their brief stays ashore. From her old-fashioned desk in the store and through her self-acquired knowledge of various foreign languages, and acting as a Notary Public she helped many sailors turn to land lubbering. Proximity to the Federal Building increased her field of operations. She was born in Rome, N. Y. and was graduated from N. Y. C. P. in 1902. After clerking in several drug-stores she bought this little store for $3500. At this time her clientele consisted of many New Jersey people who commuted on the Christopher Street Ferry. She died at the age of 64. For further details, see "The New York Times" as of November 12, 1940. Alexander Alland This photo is one of a series published in the volume "Portrait of New York" by Felix Reisenberg and Alex. Alland, IRGV.
Photo from the New York Public Library - Milstein Collection
