January 18, 1917. "New York Municipal Lodging House. Waiting for the doors to open." View full size. 8x10 glass negative, George Grantham Bain Collection.
It's also very interesting to note that a number of men have purposefully covered their faces or lowered their heads, as if to not be identified. It's also interesting to note the group of men standing off to the right toward the back of the picture. Why have they remained separate? Just interesting.
IF Mayor David N. Dinkins has been perturbed by the opposition to his plan for 100-bed shelters for the homeless, he would surely take a suggestion for a facility 10 times that size as a bad joke.
Yet that is exactly what New York City put up in 1909 at 432 East 25th Street. This shelter stood for 40 years but the chilling irony is that the 1909 Municipal Lodging House remains the only city building built in Manhattan for single homeless men and women.
Submitted by Anonymous Tipster on Thu, 05/15/2008 - 10:30am.
The hangdog expression on the policeman's face speaks volumes. What was the story on the New York Municipal Lodging House? Sure seems like a popular place.
