Midtown Manhattan has perhaps changed the most since the 50’s in comparison to the other areas important to the Beat Generation. Entire city blocks were bulldozed to make way for the high-rises that now tower over many of the streets. The most note-worthy of the remodeled streets is 52nd Street, once known as “Swing Street” because it was lined so many jazz clubs. The brownstones that contained them are long gone, replaced by unpoetic high-rises.

Despite the changes, midtown Manhattan shouldn’t necessarily be avoided. In amongst those towering air-conditioned demons are nips and bobs of interesting architecture, and a few beatfootprints.

Beat Facts:

St. Patrick’s Cathedral on 49th street seems quite out place, but holds its own in the neighbourhood. It was one of Kerouac’s favourite Cathedrals in NYC. Also, seeming out of place, is the small building at the base of the Rockefeller Center, which used to be a bar. The bar that was in this little building at the corner of 49th Street and 6th Avenue is mentioned by Kerouac in Vision’s of Cody as Kerouac reminisces about following jazz musician Lee Konitz down the street after he came out of the bar.

The Gotham Book Mart, a once famous bookstore not only for it’s connection to the Beats, was in MIdtown Manhattan. It was once considered the best bookstore in NYC, at least for its selection of poetry. Many, many writers gave readings there over the years. It was shut down this past year, apparently over some financial trouble, and the entire stock sold.

Incriminating Evidence:

I feel like I’m in NYC when I am in midtown, at least the image I had of NYC as a child; tall, towering buildings and rushing traffic.