Bowery in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Birthplace Of Vaudeville?

199-201 Bowery

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 19, 2016

1. Birthplace Of Vaudeville? Marker

Inscription. You are standing on the former site of Tony Pastor’s Opera House, one of the legendary birthplaces of vaudeville. Known as the “Bowery Autocrat,” Antonio Pastor (1832-1908), was born in NYC, sang as a child performer in P.T. Barnum’s Museum, and worked for a time as a circus ringmaster and blackface minstrel. After the Civil War, he launched his Opera House (1865-1875) where he sang, reigned as master of ceremonies and booked the acts, including Harrigan and Hart, the fathers of American musical comedy.

Unlike the raucous variety shows in saloons, Pastor’s shows opened with the “Star Spangled Banner,” and were intentionally made clean and suitable for women and children. Drinking, smoking and rude language were banned, and this is one of the ways Pastor can be said to have invented vaudeville, although he never used the word himself.

Erected 2016 by Bowery Alliance of Neighbors.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment.

Location. 40° 43.266′ N, 73° 59.611′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New

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York County. It is in the Bowery. It is on Bowery near Spring Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 199-201 Bowery, New York NY 10012, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Yiddish Theatre’s 1st American Home (here, next to this marker); “Big Tim” Sullivan’s Clubhouse (a few steps from this marker); Longest-Running Catalogue In America (within shouting distance of this marker); Christians, Cops, Elks & Anarchism (within shouting distance of this marker); From Making Money To Making Art (within shouting distance of this marker); Home of Photographer Robert Frank (within shouting distance of this marker);

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 19, 2016

2. Inset

East Bowery and Tony Pastor's, circa 1860

200 Years & Counting (within shouting distance of this marker); Italian Renaissance Palazzo On Bowery (within shouting distance of this marker). 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.

Also see . . . The Lost Tony Pastor's Opera House - 199-201 Bowery. Daytonian in Manhattan website entry (Submitted on January 17, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 19, 2016

3. Inset

“Suitable for women and children”

Birthplace Of Vaudeville? Marker site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 20, 2016

4. Birthplace Of Vaudeville? Marker site

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 19, 2016

5. Inset

Harrigan and Hart

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 19, 2016

6. Inset

One night's program

Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 8, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 597 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 8, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide view photo of the marker and its surroundings showing its location. • Can you help?