David Freeland, the author of the new book, "Automats, Taxi Dances, and Vaudeville: Excavating Manhattan’s Lost Places of Leisure," has the cover story on this week's New York Press, in which he not only does a kind shout-out to Lost City, but points out several hidden-in-plain-sight Gotham treasures that are in danger of elimination, including Harry Jennings’ Rat-Killing Pit; Scott Joplin's former residence; and, a Lost City favorite, New York's oldest hotel.
Thanks for the mention, Brooks. By the way, I should tell Lost City readers that I just happened to pass the Scott Joplin building on West 47th Street a couple of hours ago. The new establishment occupying the first two floors has installed a sleek facade, removing some original decorative elements in the process. Prior to this, portions of the original stonework above the doorway were still visible. All of this has taken place since I completed the article; it illustrates how quickly and steadily pieces of history are chipped away in this city.
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