Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

I grew up in Hudson, but the Red Light District was way before my time. Still, I knew some things about that era through conversations in the family. There was even talk that one of my uncles had met his wife there. Hmmm. The book was fun to read and the pictures enjoyable.

This is a story about Hudson, New York where my husband lived and went to school. He thoroughly enjoyed the historic facts as he perused inclusions of names with which he was familiar. Sort read; big story.

Interesting, you have to be from Hudson and be born at least prior to 1960 to appreciate it.

I am waiting for a great director such as Bob Altman to buy the rights for the film. I happened upon this gem researching our genealogy. No! Our ancestors were not in the Hudson NY sex scandal. Our ancestor was a founding father of New Rochelle. As the family grew many moved along the Hudson.
In November of '06 Mr Robert Altman, the great director, passed away. G-d bless him for all the wonderful entertainment he created for us.
Would someone ask Robert DeNiro or Sophia Coppula to make this film?

It was great to read about this sleepy little town so full of history. I have heard all the stories growing up and this book was a wonderful glimpse into a red hot time. My family has also read this book and recalled a few stores and places that are no longer here in Hudson now. My aunt remembers watching the raid while she was baby sitting across the street. It is a real shame that Hall had another volume of work to follow this book and it was lost. Hudson was know far and wide for it's colorful night life. The Albany members even heard of the stories growing up.

Reviewed by
Dawnny
Hudson
Mahogany Media Review

Hudson, New York, population 8,000, 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.