The Old Brewery facts for kids
The Old Brewery was once a famous building in New York City. It started as a brewery built in 1792 by Isaac Coulthard. At first, it was outside the main city. But as New York grew, the area around the brewery became part of the city.
This area was known as Five Points. After a big economic problem called the Panic of 1837, the brewery building changed. It became a crowded apartment building, often called a tenement or rookery, where many poor families lived.
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From Brewery to Home
The brewery was built by Isaac Coulthard in 1792. It was located near a large freshwater pond called the Collect Pond. This pond was important for the brewery's water supply.
The Collect Pond Disappears
Over time, the Collect Pond became very dirty because of nearby factories. So, around 1811 to 1812, the city decided to fill it in. This created new land for streets and buildings.
New Streets and Five Points
After the pond was filled, new streets were built. A street called Cross Street passed right in front of the brewery. Another street, Orange Street, met Cross Street nearby. From this meeting point, Anthony Street began, creating a special triangular area. This area became the famous and often crowded Five Points intersection.
The Old Brewery was located across the street from a small park called Paradise Park.
Brewery Closes Down
Isaac Coulthard, the man who built the brewery, died in 1812. His son, William, who was also a brewer, died in 1822. After that, other people tried to run the brewery, but it eventually closed.
A New Purpose
In 1852, a group of women from the Methodist Ladies of the Mission bought the Old Brewery. They decided to tear it down in December 1852. In its place, they built a new building called the New Mission House at the Five Points. This new building was a Christian mission that helped the poor people living in the Five Points area. Many years later, this mission house was replaced by an even bigger one.
The Old Brewery in Stories
The Old Brewery has appeared in popular culture.
- In the 2002 movie Gangs of New York directed by Martin Scorsese, the building is shown as a Christian Mission, a crowded apartment building, and a place for poor people to gather.
- The 2012 video game Assassin's Creed III features a "Boston Brawlers Tournament" inside an old brewery. This brewery was designed to look like the Old Brewery from Five Points.
See also
In Spanish: The Old Brewery para niños
