NoHo in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Paresis Hall
Gay Nightlife On The Bowery
| — | 392 Bowery, now 32 Cooper Square | — |
Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 17, 2016
1. Paresis Hall Marker
On this site once stood the notorious Columbia Hall, one of several Bowery nightspots catering to gay men during the 1890s. Known by anti-vice crusaders as Paresis Hall, it was owned by gangster James T. “Biff” Ellison, who reportedly operated it as a male brothel. Memoirist Ralph Werther recalled the hall differently, as an “innocuous” gathering place for upper and middle class female-impersonators. The upstairs was rented to “Cercie Hermaphroditos,” a club formed “to unite for defense against the world’s bitter persecution” of androgynous men. Historians Edwin G. Burrows and Mike Wallace consider this one of America’s earliest documented gay right organizations. Paresis Hall figures prominently in Caleb Carr’s 1994 novel, The Alienist.
Historian George Chauncey suggests that a gay subculture could exist on the Bowery because of its diverse mix of people and heavy concentration of theatres, saloons and red-light elements made it more tolerant of those outside the cultural mainstream.
-David Freeland (author Automats, Taxi Dances & Vaudeville
Erected 2016 by Bowery Alliance of Neighbors.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1994.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. 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: America’s First Freedom Rider (within shouting distance of this marker); 27 Cooper Square (within shouting distance of this marker); 27 Cooper Sq. (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Merchants House of New York (within shouting distance of this marker); The Hippest Place on Earth (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Manuel Plaza (about 300 feet away); Astor Library (about 300 feet away); Vauxhall Gardens (about 300 feet away). 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.
Additional keywords. LGBT, LGBTQ, 🏳️🌈
Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 15, 2016
2. Paresis Hall Marker site
32 Cooper Sqaure
Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 17, 2016
3. Inset
Paresis Hall (arrow)
Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 17, 2016
4. Inset
Gangster James T. “Biff” Ellison
Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 17, 2016
5. Inset
“The Bowery Queen”, drag performer circa 1890s
Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 7,150 times since then and 1,328 times this year. Last updated on April 12, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 17, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
