Harlem, New York: description and reviews

The New York area of Harlem is enveloped in secrets, myths and stereotypes. But the city is developing, changing, this is reflected in Harlem. Let's talk about the history and features of this area. What is worth seeing and what to be afraid of tourists visiting Harlem (New York).

District History

Harlem (New York), whose history dates back to the 17th century, was originally a small village created by settlers from Holland. For several decades the Dutch were constantly attacked by the Indigenous people of these lands of the Indians of the Lenape tribe. When the Indians were neutralized, the village began to grow gradually. At the end of the 18th century, at the end of the Civil War, Harlem, like the whole of New York, was experiencing an economic recovery. New housing is being built here, enterprises are being opened. Visitors poured into the city. Since Harlem was a fairly cheap area, here there were inhabited Jewish and Italian immigrants, and small Negro communities also appeared.

In the early 20th century, crowds of blacks from the south rushed to New York, seeking work and protection from oppression. Thanks to the activities of realtor Philippe Payton, most of the visitors settled in cheap apartments in the area. A new reality quickly appeared. All Americans knew, Harlem (New York) is a "black" district, and there is nothing to do with white.

By 1930, the number of blacks in this place reached 70%. The 20's are sometimes called the Harlem Golden Age, a special culture is developing here, then jazz appears, which made the area a famous musical place of the city. But with the onset of the Great Depression, many residents of Harlem lost their jobs, and the district gradually became the criminal center of the city. In the 1950s and 1960s, local residents made strikes more than once, demanding that the mayoralty put the streets and houses in order. In the late 1970s, students began to settle here, the district began to turn into an informal place.

In Harlem, there is no clear preponderance of the black population, but the district has remained the political center of African Americans. At the end of the 20th century, Harlem was chosen by bohemia, again creative life was boiling. Today the area is quite respectable, there are many attractions and places of entertainment.

Geography

Harlem (New York), whose description we represent, is in Upper Manhattan. Its borders run along the rivers East River and Hudson, along the streets 110, 155 and 5 Avenue. In Harlem, there are three micro-districts: Central, overlooking the Central Park, the Western and Eastern, which is sometimes called Spanish.

Architecture

At the end of the 19th century, Harlem (New York), whose photo looks so impressive today, experienced a construction boom. Entire streets west of the park are built up 3-6-storey brick houses. Today, Harlem townhouses are being rebuilt by equipping them with premium housing. There are a lot of very memorable and interesting buildings, beautiful churches. Local architecture preserves the spirit of the early 20th century, when jazz rattled and Charleston danced.

In the area you should see the building of the late 19th century along Lenox Avenue, 122 and 123 streets. Harlem is rightly proud of the magnificent cathedral of John the Theologian, the buildings of colleges and universities, especially the prestigious Columbia University. Also in Harlem you can see many interesting buildings of the early 20th century and the architecture of the second half of the 20th century. Today, the "Revival of Harlem" project is being realized here, within which the houses are returned to their original appearance, the streets are ennobled, and once the rebellious region turns into a respectable place.

Population

Harlem (New York) is traditionally associated with the black population, however, the district changed its ethnic composition several times. In 1910, 10% of African Americans lived here, in 1930 - 70%, and in 1950 - 98%. Then a slow outflow of black people began. Ethnic composition is becoming more diverse, here are settled Hispanics, Italians, Jews. Today, the eastern part of the area is largely populated by Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and Spaniards. In Western Harlem, the white population lives the most, there are several educational institutions and there are many students around. A little more than 300 thousand people will live in Harlem. The most populated is Central Harlem.

Culture and entertainment

The district of Harlem (New York) is often called the center of avant-garde culture. Since the 1920s, when the local jazz clubs played the most modern music, the creative life was boiling here. In the 70s rock and roll sounded everywhere, and today Harlem was chosen by artists and musicians of the modern avant-garde.

Modern Harlem is perfect for leisure activities, new clubs are constantly opening in the area. In addition, these places are famous for the fact that several good theaters work here, including the famous "Apollo". In the area there are also several museums, for example, the Jazz Museum with an outstanding collection of items from the heyday of this music. On weekends, many bohemian parties are held in Harlem, the best places are concentrated in the central part of the district.

Security

The most common information about this area is that Harlem (New York) is an extremely dangerous area, that almost every corner has an African American with a bat that, if not killed, then robs for sure. This stereotype appeared in the sixties of the 20th century, when in the region there were really numerous murders. At this time, drug addiction flourished here: 70% of dependent New Yorkers resided in Harlem. At the same time, there was a catastrophic situation with homeless children and child crime. In Harlem, it was really dangerous to hit both day and night.

Over the past 10 years, the city administration has been implementing a special policy that helps to combat Harlem's social problems, and the situation is gradually being corrected. Today, the crime rate in Central and Western Harlem has become lower than the US average. East Harlem can still pose a threat to a lonely passerby at night. But in general, the district, especially its Central part, is increasingly becoming a quite respectable habitat for an American with average incomes.

Things to do

Surprisingly, Harlem is a district of New York City, which is great for walks and excursions. Getting acquainted with the area is best from King Street, where the main cult places of the district are concentrated. It is necessary to visit the Studio Museum, which hosts various exhibitions and concerts. Nearby is the famous club "Cotton", in which gangsters gathered in the 1920s, famous jazzmen played and the bright life of those times was boiling. About the life of the cult club even a film with the same name was shot.

In the evening, it is worth going to the theater "Appolo", where once sang such stars as Ella Fitzgerald and Stevie Wonder. South street, overlooking the Central Park, is excellent for a promenade. It is also worth to walk to the Hudson's waterfront and admire the panorama. Harlem is a great place to try traditional American cuisine. There are several authentic cafes, where the so-called "soul kichin" is served - a soul kitchen.

Practical information

The district of Harlem (New York) is very convenient from the point of view of transport accessibility. This is one of the reasons that today the middle class is more and more settled here. In the district there are a lot of decent hotels of medium and high price category. Tourists recently are more and more like to stop here, traveling to other areas on excursions. In Harlem, there are many good food outlets and shops. For tourists, guides and guides offer their services.

Reviews about life in Harlem

Today, the District of New York (Harlem), reviews of life in which are quite diverse, is becoming increasingly bourgeois and bohemian. As in all of New York, crime is declining and the quality of life is growing. But, according to the residents, you have to pay for peace of mind, and in the literal sense of the word: real estate here is becoming more expensive. The outskirts of the district look very provincial, sometimes even poor. But the change of population is gradually changing the picture for the better.