Manhattan: Cherry Street - Roosevelt Street
Cherry Street, east from (No. 24, left margin), a point between Franklin Square and Roosevelt Street, and to the latter, showing a slum area, long known as Cherry Hill and in which numerous sociological studies have been conducted. Irrespective of same, it still has a similar appearance in 1938, although several of the buildings on the right have been demolished as part of a slum clearance project under the joint auspices of the City and the Works Progress Administration. Included in same was the demolition of No. 29 1/2 which is reputed to be possible the oldest structure in Manhattan, containing from the writers personal observation old Dutch brick, same being half the present size and composed of yellow clay. Note the narrow walks and the cobblestoned street bed, the latter sloping downhill with horse drawn vehicles there upon. forming the contour which has given this area its name. Several gas lamps appear in conjunction with numerous saloons and former residences converted into tenements. Urchins in the foreground are the progeny of the inhabitants of the squalid buildings lining this street. These differ radically from the former residents who in their day formed the select of the City; No. 1 being the first Presidential residence. A tablet to this effect is now attached to the base of the Brooklyn Bridge at this point. "Boss' Tweed is humorously reported by Dennis Lynch, in his book bearing that title, to have offered to donate the funds to erect a church there, stating it to have been his birth place. True or false, it is a fact that he was born on this street, as was his father.
Photo from the New York Public Library - Milstein Collection
