The Donac
402 W 20th Street, Chelsea, New York LeRoi and Hettie Jones lived in this building and ran Totem Press books while living in here from 1958 to 1960. According to Bill Morgan’s ‘The Beat Generation in New York’ they hosted one or two notable parties where Kerouac was present. Totem Press published Kerouac’s ‘The Scripture … Continue reading
National Maritime Union Building
None of the buildings in these photographs did yet exist when Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Lucien Carr (all members of the NMU) and various others of their NMU member friends were trying to get papers for ships in the then headquarters of the National Maritime Union that the occupied this block, but the hotel is called … Continue reading
Joyce Glassman’s apartment at 554 W 113th Street
Kerouac’s girlfriend Joyce Glassman lived on the first floor of 554 W 113th Street in early 1957. He stayed with her after his travels to Europe and Tangiers and before moving to Berkley with his mum.
The West End (Bar)
2911 Broadway, Morningside Heights, New York A regular hangout for Kerouac and the other Beats in the mid- to end 1940’s, and quite a few stories to be told taking place in here. Kerouac getting into fights, being rolled down Broadway in a barrel by Lucien Carr (presumably after having one too many drinks in … Continue reading
Riverside Park
These photos were taken in Riverside Park, Morningside Heights, New York. Kerouac often sat here and dreamed about his adventures at sea. Riverside Park was also the scene of the David Kammerer murder by Lucien Carr, which had some rather drastic effects on Kerouac’s life, although he didn’t play a part in the actual murder … Continue reading
421 W. 118th Street
Kerouac’s the wife Edie Parker lived in this building in late 1943 and 1944 with Joan Adams (who later became William S. Burroughs partner). Kerouac was introduced here to Burroughs by Lucien Carr as well as to Allen Ginsberg – so in short it was one of the centers of Beat-life for a while. (Facts … Continue reading
The Year of Evil Decadence
419 W. 115th Street, Morningside Heights, New York. Kerouac and his then-wife Edie Parker moved into Cragsmoor Apartments in December 1944 in which Joan Vollmer Adams already lived. Allen Ginsberg moved in here too (March 1945) and shared a room with Hal Chase. The time Kerouac spent in the Cragsmoor Apartments was described by him … Continue reading
W 114th Street Fraternity Houses
Kerouac lived in 538 W 114th Street (the slightly darker, second from left building) for a time, but wasn’t too keen on the fraternity rules, perhaps unsurprisingly. Allen Ginsberg lived for a short while in 536 W 114th Street (the building with the sports shirt in the first floor window), and worked on ‘The Denver … Continue reading
Warren Hall
This used to be No. 404, 115th Street, Morningside Heights, New York. The building that once stood in the place that is now the parking lot you see in this photograph, was called Warren Hall Residence Club. Allen Ginsberg moved into Warren Hall in July 1944 and Lucien Carr lived there too. Kerouac moved in … Continue reading
Morningside Park Steps
The steps leading down to Morningside Park, Kerouac stood watch there while Lucien Carr went down to bury David Kammerer’s glasses, after he killed him on August 13,1944
Retracing Jack Kerouac 