Manhattan was swamp land for a long time before Madison Square was created it was a hunting ground crossed by Cedar Creek and was soon renamed, Madison Creek. According to Wikipedia, “In 1839, a farmhouse located at what is now Fifth Avenue and 23rd Street was turned into a roadhouse under the direction of William “Corporal” Thompson (1807–1872), who later renamed it “Madison Cottage”, after the former president”. Much like the Fifth Avenue Hotel, the roadhouse was the last stop for people traveling up North and for those arriving from the North. The Madison name was of high standards, it was the last name of our fourth President, however, Lizzie’s sinful actions that occurred on that corner could disgrace the location.

From the swampy water emerged a neighborhood of brownstone row houses and mansions where the elite of New York lived such as Theodore Roosevelt, Edith Wharton, and Winston Churchill’s mother. Although the rise in real estate, the Madison cottage closed down in 1852 and was opened up as the Franconi’s Hippodrome, a place we would call the racetrack. The Hippodrome not in business long, closed down to ultimately become the Fifth Avenue Hotel.

Madison Square is located at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway at 23rd Street in New York City. The square was named after James Madison, the fourth President of the United States. Also is best known for providing the name to one of the largest arena, Madison Square Garden. Although providing the name to Madison Square Garden is not located in Madison Square, however, Toy Center is which was the building that replaced the Fifth Avenue Hotel.

Wharton states, “MRS. HAZELDEAN paused at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Madison Square. The crowd attracted by the fire still enveloped her; it was safe to halt and take breath (247). Lizzie’s name written in all capital letters as to say she was of great importance, however, written for Lizzie to have great importance to get away from the situation she was running from, Henry. Wharton’s word choice of “corner” right after Lizzie is running from the hotel helps to elude, Lizzie was seen as a prostitute. Prostitution to date is still illegal in New York City, Wikipedia states that there are three types of prostitutes,  street prostitution, brothel prostitution, and escort prostitution. Lizzie would have been considered an escort, she met Henry in hotels, much classier than the other two types. Lizzie’s job was cut short this night as the fire engrossed the hotel, making it so everyone who frequents the hotel had to evacuate, in Lizzie’s case she had to evacuate a different way than usual making it so she had to catch her breath.

 

 

 

Wharton, Edith. “New Year’s Day”. Old New York. New York: Simon&Schuster, 1924. pages # 251-308.Print