Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Little Hungary II

First let me direct you to the NYPL site where I found Little Hungary menus. Next here's some information on the neighborhood that coexisted with that old catering hall. I found it on a really good NYC history reference site, The Big Apple, http://www.barrypopik.com/ "A series of citations, quotations, and evidence on the true origins of a New York City nickname, with additional material on other words and terms associated with the city."
“Little Hungary” is part of what is now the “East Village.” The term is not used any more, but “Little Hungary” was probably the first “Little” to follow “Little Italy.” 3 July 1896, New York Times, pg. 9 “Little Hungary,” that east side domain with indefinable boundaries, had its sensation yesterday. 8 July 1896, Los Angeles Times, pg. 4: OF AEPFELWEIN STUBES.
The Quaint Little Shops on the East Side of the City. (New York Mail and Express:) Alternated with the cafes and saloons of Little Hungary are the aepfelwein stubes. The cross streets running east from the Bowery, as far north as Tenth street, have at least one to a block. 4 August 1901, New York Timesw pg. SM24: The settlement worker led the reporter down into “Little Hungary,” which lies along East Houston Street, from Allen to the river, and of the northeast fringe of the sweat shop district.

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