The Bowery Boys: New York City History

On October 26, 1825, the fate of New York City – and the entire United States – changed with the opening of the Erie Canal, a manmade waterway that connected the Hudson River to Lake Erie.It was the most significant engineering project of its time, linking the ocean to the nation’s interior -- a 363-mile route from Albany to Lake Erie. Without even knowing where the Erie Canal is on a map of New York state, you could probably guess its course because of a row of cities which developed and prospered, almost in a westward line – including Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo.In some cases, these were modest-sized places like Schenectady or Rome that benefited financially from canal construction; in others, such as Syracuse (which was founded in the year 1820), the canal was chiefly responsible for its existence.However, it was also one of the most critical events in New York City's history, even though the entrance to the canal is approximately 150 miles north of New York Harbor. It essentially became the canal’s gateway for freight traveling to any place inside the country or out to the world. As a result, New Yorkers quickly took advantage of the opportunities the canal offered.Today, we're celebrating the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Erie Canal by going straight to the source – in a conversation with Derrick Pratt, the Director of Education and Public Programs at the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse, New York.Visit our website for more images and other tales from New York City history. This episode was produced and edited by Kieran Gannon. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dominicans comprise the largest immigration group in modern New York City, and Dominican culture has become embedded in the city's rich fabric of immigrant history. And in one place in particular -- Washington Heights.This historic neighborhood of Upper Manhattan is named for George Washington, who led the Continental Army in an early, pivotal battle here during the Revolutionary War. Today, it's also known to some as Little Dominican Republic, home to the largest Dominican neighborhood in the United States (although more Dominicans live in the Bronx overall).Starting in the 1960s, thousands of Dominicans immigrated to the United States -- and most to New York City. Special guest Dr. Ramona Hernandez, the director of the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute, joins the Bowery Boys to discuss the extraordinary circumstances that led to this population influx and details the many reasons why Dominican culture still thrives in the Big Apple.The Bowery Boys Podcast is proud to be sponsored by Founded By NYC, celebrating New York City’s 400th anniversary in 2025 and the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026.Discover the exciting events and world-class institutions that commemorate the five boroughs' legacy of groundbreaking achievements, and find ways to celebrate the city that’s always making history at Founded by NYC.This episode was produced and edited by Kieran Gannon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's New York neighborhood called NoHo, wedged between Greenwich Village and the East Village, holds the stories of many people and places that then went on to become deeply associated with the great Gilded Age.The Astor family began their dynasty here in both investment and real estate as did the well-known Dutch-American merchant family the Schermerhorns.Caroline Schermerhorn, who became the famed Mrs. Astor, grew up right here on Bond Street along with many members of her family. NoHo today still contains many remnants of its early 19th-century glamorous past and sites where the tensions between the wealthy residents of the Lafayette Place neighborhood clashed with the growing immigrant population just one street away on the Bowery. Bowery Boys Walks tour guide Aaron Schielke joins Carl Raymond of the Gilded Gentleman podcast for a look at this fascinating neighborhood, which includes stories of the rich and famous, as well as the macabre details of a grisly 19th-century murder that took place on Bond Street that remains unsolved to this day. Take a Bowery Boys Walks tour with Aaron! Find dates to his NoHo tours here and other walking tours here.This episode was originally released in the Gilded Gentleman feed in March 2025. The show was edited and produced by Kieran Gannon. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As New York City enters the final stages of a rather strange mayoral election in 2025, let’s look back on a decidedly more unusual contest over 110 years ago, pitting Tammany Hall and their estranged ally (Mayor William Jay Gaynor) up against a baby-faced newcomer, the (second) youngest man ever to become the mayor of New York City.John Purroy Mitchel, the Bronx-born grandson of an Irish revolutionary, was a rising star in New York City, aggressively sweeping away incompetence and snipping away at government excess.  Under his watch, two of New York’s borough presidents were fired, just for being ineffectual!  Mitchel made an ideal candidate for mayor in an era where Tammany Hall cronyism still dominated the nature of New York City.Nobody could predict the strange events that befell the city during the election of 1913, unfortunate and even bizarre incidents that catapulted this young man to City Hall and gave him the nickname "The Boy Mayor of New York."But things did not turn out as planned. He won his election with the greatest victory margin in New York City history. He left office four years later with an equally large margin of defeat.  Tune in to our tale of this oft-ignored figure in New York City history, an example of good intentions gone wrong and — due to his tragic end — the only mayor honored with a memorial in Central Park.Visit the website for images from this podcast. Get your tickets to the Bowery Boys Ghost Stories of New York City live show at Joe's Pub here.This show is a reissue of a show that originally ran in September 2012; however, we think you’ll find more than a few similarities in this tale to the current 2025 mayoral election landscape. This show was refreshed and remastered by Kieran Gannon.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Discover the fascinating backstory of Gershwin's iconic 'Rhapsody in Blue' and how a surprise article propelled this young composer into music history. Explore the vibrant cultural backdrop of 1920s New York City, where jazz collided with classical traditions. Hear about the dramatic premiere at Aeolian Hall and the mixed reactions it provoked. Delve into the legacy of this groundbreaking piece and its ongoing influence on contemporary artists. Original audio clips bring Gershwin's world and creativity to life!

Dive into the thrilling world of pirates and their notorious exploits! Discover the rise and fall of Captain William Kidd and his tumultuous journey from sailor to infamous pirate. Explore the daring adventures of Anne Bonny and John Rackham, who defied stereotypes and led successful heists. Uncover the gripping trials of these notorious figures in Jamaica, where history challenges traditional views of piracy. With tales of betrayal and buried treasure, this podcast uncovers the legends that continue to captivate the imagination.

On December 5, 1876, a devastating fire engulfed the Brooklyn Theatre, tragically claiming nearly 300 lives. The disaster marked a turning point in public safety regulations for theaters. The podcast recounts the chaos of that night and highlights actress Kate Claxton’s struggles with her 'Fire Witch' label. Listeners learn about the theatrical vibrancy of Gilded Age Brooklyn and how this tragedy has faded from collective memory, leaving no memorial to honor those lost despite its significant historical impact.

The ultimate bar crawl of Old New York continues through a survey of classic bars and taverns that trace their origins from the 1850s through the 1880s.And this time we're recording within two of America's most famous establishments, joined by the people who know that history the best.In Part One, we introduced you to the origin story of New York City tavern life in the Dutch and colonial periods, and we ventured into Fraunces Tavern to witness the creation of the United States itself. Then we headed out to Queens and to Neir's Tavern, which quenched the thirsts of horse-racing fans in the early 19th century -- and reinvented itself in the 20th century thanks to Mae West and Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas.For part two, we fill out our list of the most historic bars and taverns still serving customers in the 21st century -- from SoHo to Williamsburg, from Midtown Manhattan to Red Hook, Brooklyn.But we center our adventure within two classic Manhattan bars, which wear their histories proudly upon the walls:-- McSorley's Old Ale House is the most famous Irish saloon in New York City (and dare we even say, the whole country?), and its stacked, cluttered walls -- every strange piece tells a story -- welcome you inside to become a part of its history.  Historian Bill Wander and long-time bartender Shane Buggy provide a most intoxicating tour of the joint.-- Pete's Tavern has become famous as one of America's most enduring literary bars thanks to its long-time association with O. Henry. But there are so many more secrets awaiting you -- from its association with Tammany Hall to its curious transformation into a "flower shop" during Prohibition.  General manager Gary Egan and owner Steve Troy reveal many surprising twists in Pete's own history.This episode was edited and produced by Kieran Gannon. Visit the website for more images of the famous bars mentioned in this week's show. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join Scott Dwyer, Executive Director of the Sons of the Revolution, as he shares the vibrant history of Fraunces Tavern, a key Revolutionary landmark. Eddie Travers discusses the challenges of running a historic bar in modern times. Ina Henderson dives into preservation efforts that keep these tales alive. Loycent Gordon reveals fascinating connections of Neir's Tavern to horse racing and iconic figures like Mae West, while emphasizing its role in community life. Discover how these bars are more than just nostalgia—they're living pieces of New York's rich history.

Brian Reagor, Director of Development and Communications at the Billion Oyster Project, dives into the rich history of oysters in New York Harbor. Once a common food source, oysters were central to the city's culture and economy. Reagor discusses the dramatic decline of oyster populations due to pollution and urban development, along with innovative restoration efforts aiming for a billion oysters by 2030. The conversation highlights the role of free Black communities in the oyster industry and how current initiatives are integrating marine education and community engagement for a healthier ecosystem.