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

O. Henry

Photographed by Larry Gertner, 2000

1. O. Henry plaque

Inscription.
O. Henry (William Sidney Porter) resided in New York from 1902-1910. For some part of this time he occupied the front room of this floor. Looking out of the three large windows, he would sit and stare at the passers-by for hours, using many of them as characters in his stories. In this room, the great master of American literature wrote on of his most beautiful stories – The Gift of the Magi – in two feverish hours.
This historic location holding traditions of the city is thus permanently marked by the present owners of this property.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music.

Location. 40° 44.171′ N, 73° 59.241′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Union Square. It is on Irving Place north of East 17th Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 55 Irving Place, New York NY 10003, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

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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: Washington Irving (within shouting distance of this marker); Pete’s Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker); Gramercy Park Historic District (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lincoln Kirstein (about 400 feet away); The Germania Life Insurance Company Building (about 400 feet away); 105 East 19th Street (about 500 feet away); Elihu Root (about 500 feet away); George Bellows (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Max’s Kansas City, 1965-1974 (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Regarding O. Henry. Pete’s Tavern down the street claims he wrote "The Gift of the Magi" in their second booth from the front.

Also see . . .
1. O. Henry. Wikipedia biography (Submitted on May 10, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. "The Gift of the Magi".

55 Irving Place, 2006 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, 2006

2. 55 Irving Place, 2006

Sal Anthony's Restaurant is no longer there, but the plaque still is - far right, top of the stairs.

Wikipedia entry (Submitted on May 10, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

55 Irving Place, around O. Henry's time image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete's Tavern photo gallery, unknown

3. 55 Irving Place, around O. Henry's time

Photographed by Usps, 2012

4. O. Henry

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 10, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 467 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 10, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.