Diamond Street: The Story of the Little Town with the Big Red Light District [Paperback]

Bruce Edward Hall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1994

This is the astonishing illicit history of Hudson, New York, which for many years was the unlikely setting for a world of prostitution, gambling, murder, and government corruption—with more than a touch of the Keystone Kops thrown in.

In the century or so before 1950, Hudson was famous as a shopping center of vice. There were at least two major illegal horse rooms, a big-stakes floating crap game, and as many as fifteen houses of ill repute. Meanwhile, the church suppers took place and the parades marched up and down as Hudson's respectable citizenry convinced themselves that there was nothing out of the ordinary in this town described as, "ten streets wide and ten streets deep... a Norman Rockwell painting in motion."

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Hudson, New York, population 8000, is a town whose handsome Colonial and Victorian architecture boasts a grander past. Hudson was first an important port and then a successful industrial city. One of its most lucrative industries was prostitution, and from the 1780s until state police closed down its operations in 1950, Hudson was known far and wide as the place to go for a good time. This work chronicles the history of prostitution in Hudson, along with the social conditions and political corruption that allowed it to flourish. Hall has produced a lively and engaging local history, written in a conspiratorial tone that immediately draws in the reader. His liberal use of anecdotes gleaned from interviews and personal papers and 40 period photographs enliven this tale of sin in a small town. Essential for regional collections and an entertaining addition to social history collections.
Wendy Knickerbocker, Rhode Island Coll. Lib., Providence
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Some of his anecdotes are hilarious. Diamond Street is a gem. -- The Hudson Valley Regional Review

This small city on the banks of the Hudson River is casting a nostalgic eye back to its bawdy history. -- The New York Times

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Product Details

• Paperback: 222 pages
• Publisher: Black Dome Press; 1st edition (December 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 188378901X
• ISBN-13: 978-1883789015
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #941,489 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars grew up in Hudson, August 16, 2000

By 

Rita S. (Miami, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Diamond Street: The Story of the Little Town with the Big Red Light District (Paperback)

Having grown up in Husdon, I found this little book a delightful afternoon read. It was interesting to catch a glimpse of the history of my little town...my goodness, what a history it was! I heard stories from my dad about making 25c runnning for beer or watching a door. Little did I realize what he was watching! I found it eye-opening recognizing the names in the book of places I remember as a child...shopping at Marsh's or Richmann's for school clothes, buying my dad a birthday present at Kritzman's, learning about electricity (finger in electrical outlet) at Rogerson's Hardware, frequenting Sam's Market for devil dogs's after school, going downtown and getting a soda at McKinstry's Drug store to name a few. The author's desrciption of the volunteer firehouses brought memories of my dad racing off, having been a member of Edmond's #1 across from 7th Street Park. I have pictures of myself and friends sitting on Spook Rock and swimming in Keeler's Creek where it sits! I totally enjoyed this little ride into my town's history. The author's way with words often put a smile on my face and a giggle out loud with his descriptions of activities and the dry, wry humor he possessed telling these tales of Diamond Street and my hometown of Hudson.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I was there when they raided Diamond (Columbia) Street, March 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Diamond Street: The Story of the Little Town with the Big Red Light District (Paperback)

I was born and raised in Hudson, N. Y. (class of "52") and witnessed the Dewey raid on Columbia St. In fact our back porch faced about 3 brothels on Columbia St. and I have memories of the working girls waving to me each morning. The author did not capture the full spirit of the town as this was a town that had a great big heart. Neighbors cared for and respected each other and it was a great town to grow up in. I think if the author had interviewed my grandfather who ran a neighborhood bar and backed the "numbers" he may have been less critical of Hudson and it's townspeople.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars O_o, June 10, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Hudson, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Diamond Street: The Story of the Little Town with the Big Red Light District (Paperback)

Im a current teenaged resident of Hudson, New York and I am quite surprised at this sleepy towns, colorful past! My grandfather told me about how it was, but I never knew it was like THAT! Walking around now its hard to believe Hudson was ever the place to be.