#491 Adventures in Old New York
Summary
Hosts Greg Young and Tom Myers celebrate the 10th anniversary of their book *Adventures in Old New York* by exploring three vanished historic sites. They detail the rise and fall of John Jacob Astor’s luxury hotel, the Astor House, and the raucous, vice-filled Haymarket dance hall in the Tenderloin. The episode highlights how these 19th-century landmarks shaped Manhattan’s social and commercial landscape before being demolished.
Topics discussed
Intro, book promotion, and episode overview
Early NYC hospitality and the rise of hotels
John Jacob Astor's fur trade wealth
Astor's real estate empire and City Hall Park
Construction and opening of the Astor House
Famous guests and the Astor House's social impact
Decline, demolition, and legacy of the Astor House
Ad breaks and transition to next location
The Tenderloin and the Great White Way
The Haymarket dance hall and its reputation
Reform efforts and the closing of the Haymarket
Haymarket's aftermath and transition to Meatpacking District
The rise of the Biscuit Trust and Nabisco
Formation of the National Biscuit Company
Nabisco products: You Need a Biscuit and Oreos
From factory to High Line and Chelsea Market
Outro, book promo, and credits
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