Harlem Shack, 5th Avenue And 140th Street, 1927

1927Harlem_140-St_smA different Harlem existed during the roaring twenties leading up to the Great Depression, like this Harlem Shack, on 5th Avenue and 140th Street, in 1927.During the same time actress Mae West was on the Broadway Vaudeville circuit creating plays based on Harlem places like this she called “creep joints”.

In the article Harlem Knocks she describes the people and places places of people who:

… worked the streets till they made enough for a few drinks and then they parked around the Fifth Avenue creep joints, waiting for downtown explorers that needed a “steer” to dope or wanted to be led to a “circus” where women resorted to strange practices to gratify morbid curiosity…

Taken from her play titled The Constant Sinner in 1931.

Who would guess that almost 50 years later we would have the Harlem we know and love today.

Get more Harlem history here.

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Harlem World Magazine, 2521 1/2 west 42nd street, Los Angeles, CA, 90008, https://www.harlemworldmagazine.com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
Related articles

Related Articles

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 varied multicultural legacies, including its storied past as well as its continuing contributions to the City and State of New York, the nation, and the world. Support Harlem Cultural Archives and click here to get more Harlem History, Thank you.

Leave a Reply