Five Points, Manhattan

Before it was The Bowery, the 1.25-mile stretch was a Lenape footpath.

It later became home for immigrants, where cultures mixed amidst crowded tenements and theaters in an area known as the Five Points.

And after the construction of the Third Avenue El, a notorious skid row emerged underneath the shadows of the tracks.

But in the 1950s, The Bowery transformed into a home for the beats and bohemians.

I'm so glad that that caller just mentioned all the surrounding neighborhoods because that does reflect the Bowery as a meeting ground, and it's long been a, a meeting ground for diverse populations.

Um, yes, this period in the 19th century saw a huge surge in population and immigration.

Um, and there were waves of immigrants who came, and their first stop was often the Bowery and Five Points, which was an inexpensive place to get a place to live until you could get your feet on the ground.

So, um, a lot of people started out there.

Her bright and mild countenance is known even in the darkest places as a messenger of light.

I went with her one day through that part of New York called Five Points, because I wished to see this region in which the rudest and the most degraded portion of the population of New York were thronged together, probably through the attraction which causes like to seek like.

Not long ago it was unsafe for a stranger within these purlieus, but the Methodists of New York conceived the divinely bold idea of building a church to God in the heart of this central point of vice and misery.

They hired a house, sent a minister to reside there, established schools, workrooms, etc., which would give ample space for the other master.

The contest between good and evil has just begun in the Five Points, and already several signs betoken victory.

The Five Points is one of the oldest portions of New York and received its name from five streets which open here into a large square.

These streets, and especially the square, are the haunts of the extremest misery of that great city.

Lower than to the Five Points it is not possible for fallen human nature to sink.

What does Gainesville, New York have to say about America? So many things.

Well, I think the fun thing about the five points and, you know, when when Amsterdam comes back and he runs into Johnny, is that a guy's name, his friend? Yeah.

And Johnny, remember, remember, recognize him, remembers him.

And he's given him a tour of the new five points.

And, you know, he's like, here's where the Asians are.

And there's the Irish and there's the the old country Irish who have their own language.

But it was truly all over the place.

I don't think the characters were, but I think the plot and all the things they were trying to do.