Hell's Kitchen, Yesterday and Today
By Laurie Lewis
Hell’s Kitchen is a Manhattan neighborhood extending west of the Theater District all the way to the Hudson River; it lies between Chelsea to the south and the Upper West Side to the north. The most common explanation for this unflattering nickname is a conversation that supposedly took place between two policemen more than a century ago. One referred to the dangerous area as hell. The other suggested that hell was tame by comparison; this district was so crime-infested that it was hotter than hell, like hell’s kitchen. More genteel labels, including Clinton and Midtown West, have been suggested in the past fifty years, but the old name prevails.
Hell’s Kitchen is a Manhattan neighborhood extending west of the Theater District all the way to the Hudson River; it lies between Chelsea to the south and the Upper West Side to the north. The most common explanation for this unflattering nickname is a conversation that supposedly took place between two policemen more than a century ago. One referred to the dangerous area as hell. The other suggested that hell was tame by comparison; this district was so crime-infested that it was hotter than hell, like hell’s kitchen. More genteel labels, including Clinton and Midtown West, have been suggested in the past fifty years, but the old name prevails.
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We've Been Writing!
From its earliest days, New York has been home to many creative, inventive people. They introduced an amazing array of innovations that were the first of their kind in the nation. Read about them in New York City Firsts, a book by Laurie Lewis. For purchasing information, see www.nycfirsts.com.
Central Park is one of the jewels of New York City. Alan Cohen wrote text to accompany full-color photographs for Central Park People. For information about purchasing the book, contact the photographer at harvey@kopel.us.
NEW from Take a Walk New York
We now offer some of our tours virtually. If you cannot take an in-person walk with us, enjoy a virtual walk on Zoom. See the Tours page for more details.
From its earliest days, New York has been home to many creative, inventive people. They introduced an amazing array of innovations that were the first of their kind in the nation. Read about them in New York City Firsts, a book by Laurie Lewis. For purchasing information, see www.nycfirsts.com.
Central Park is one of the jewels of New York City. Alan Cohen wrote text to accompany full-color photographs for Central Park People. For information about purchasing the book, contact the photographer at harvey@kopel.us.
NEW from Take a Walk New York
We now offer some of our tours virtually. If you cannot take an in-person walk with us, enjoy a virtual walk on Zoom. See the Tours page for more details.
About "Take a Walk New York" Tours
We are a group of New York City licensed tour guides offering a New York experience that is beyond the standard fare. Let us take you on a walk through the greatest city in the world, and discover why New York is a place like no other.
