Owney “The Killer” Madden Owner Of Harlem’s Cotton Club, 1925-1931

Owen Vincent Madden, December 18, 1891 – April 24, 1965, known as Owney Madden and nicknamed “The Killer”, was a leading underworld figure in Manhattan, most notable for his involvement in organized crime during Prohibition. VIDEO Harlem Cultural Archives is a donor and foundation-supported Historical Society, Its mission is to create, maintain and grow a…

The Legendary Cotton Club Right In The Heart Of Harlem New York 1923

Opened in 1923, the Cotton Club on 142nd St & Lenox Ave in the heart of Harlem, New York was operated by white New York gangster Owney “Killer” Madden. VIDEO Harlem Cultural Archives is a donor and foundation-supported Historical Society, Its mission is to create, maintain and grow a remotely accessible, online, interactive repository of audio-visual materials documenting Harlem’s…

The Legendary Cotton Club In Harlem 1923 To 1935

The Cotton Club was a New York City nightclub from 1923 to 1940. It was located on 142nd Street and Lenox Avenue (1923 to 1935), then briefly in midtown Theater District 1935-1940. VIDEO Harlem Cultural Archives is a donor and foundation-supported Historical Society, Its mission is to create, maintain and grow a remotely accessible, online,…

East Harlem’s Frank “The Prime Minister” Costello, 1891 – 1973

Frank “the Prime Minister” Costello, born Francesco Castiglia; January 26, 1891 – February 18, 1973, was an Italian-American Mafia gangster and crime boss. VIDEO Harlem Cultural Archives is a donor and foundation-supported Historical Society, Its mission is to create, maintain and grow a remotely accessible, online, interactive repository of audio-visual materials documenting Harlem’s remarkable and…

A Gangster Guns Down A Little Boy In Harlem, 1931

On the evening of July 28, 1931, five-year-old Michael Vengalli was playing with a group of friends on East 107th Street in Harlem’s Little Italy. VIDEO Harlem Cultural Archives is a donor and foundation-supported Historical Society, Its mission is to create, maintain and grow a remotely accessible, online, interactive repository of audio-visual materials documenting Harlem’s…

The Douglas Theater, Harlem, 1920

On 143rd Street and Lenox Avenue sat the Douglas Theater, depending on which of my sources is correct, either 600 or 2200 seats (which in 1935 expanded to 2300, which could indicate that an orchestra pit was covered over to add more seating). VIDEO Harlem Cultural Archives is a donor and foundation-supported Historical Society, Its…

The Original Cotton Club, Lenox Avenue, 1920’s.

The venue on Lenox Avenue was first opened in 1920 as the Club Deluxe, under the ownership of the former heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson. VIDEO Harlem Cultural Archives is a donor and foundation-supported Historical Society, Its mission is to create, maintain and grow a remotely accessible, online, interactive repository of audio-visual materials documenting Harlem’s…