Chinatown in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
George Washington Drank Here!
50 Bowery
On November 25, 1783, as the British withdrew from Manhattan, General Washington and his troops marched across the still rural island and down the Bowery. Stopping at the Bull’s Head Tavern to rest, they were met by throngs of jubilant citizens and raised their glasses before marching further south into the city, to celebrate what became known as Evacuation Day, the end of the Revolutionary War.
Established circa 1755 in a butchers’ district, the tavern’s adjacent stockyard featured bear-and-bull-baiting. In the early 1800s, German-born owner Henry Astor exhibited “Old Bet”, the second elephant in America. Bull’s Head survived into the 1820s, patronized by writer Washington Irving
In 1858, this site became the Atlantic Garden, a grand beer and entertainment hall serving German immigrants of the area’s Kleindeutchland (“Little Germany”). One of the few Bowery venues considered suitable for families, it was famous for its ladies’ orchestra, the first of its kind in the U.S. Entertainment featured African American musicians Cole and Johnson and the premiere of the Gay 90s song, “Daisy Bell (A Bicycle built for Two).”
Popular for over half a century, the Atlantic Garden ended its days with Yiddish vaudeville and boxing matches before finally closing around 1915.
- David Freeland, author of Automats, Taxi Dancers & Vaudeville
Erected 2016 by Bowery Alliance of Neighbors.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 25, 1783.
Location. 40° 42.948′ N, 73° 59.793′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Chinatown. Marker is on Bowery near Canal & Bayard Streets, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 50 Broadway, New York NY 10013, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Bowery Theatre (here, next to this marker); Renaissance-Inspired Bank for the Working Class (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bowery Boys (within shouting distance of this marker); Lost New York Gem (within shouting distance of this marker); Black Horse Inn (within shouting distance of this marker); Stephen Foster (within shouting distance of this marker); High and Low Art (within shouting distance of this marker); Windows On The Bowery (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
More about this marker. One of more than sixty entries in the “Windows on the Bowery” series.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 223 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 15, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.