James Brown House, Federal architecture house in Hudson Square, Manhattan, US.
The James Brown House is a residential structure with a gambrel roof and dormers located in Hudson Square, featuring the brick and wood details typical of New York's Federal period. Its narrow footprint and steeply pitched roof are characteristic of dwellings built on this neighborhood's tight urban lots during the early 1800s.
The building was constructed in 1817 and originally owned by James Brown, an African-American Revolutionary War veteran who operated a tobacco store from the ground floor. The structure remained a residence and working commercial space throughout the 19th century.
The structure holds recognition from the National Register of Historic Places and maintains designation as a New York City landmark since 1969.
The ground floor contains The Ear Inn, one of the oldest continuously operating bars in the city, where visitors can enjoy drinks and food daily. The tavern is easily accessible and welcomes walk-in customers throughout the week.
During Prohibition, the building served as a speakeasy, boarding house, and smuggling hub all at the same time. This layered use of a single address reveals how neighborhoods adapted to federal alcohol bans.
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