Historic 1915 Relocation of Hotel de Gink, NYC

In 1915, Hotel de Gink moving -- Jeff. Davis captures a moment in time related to the transient and lively world of American entertainment. This image, created by the Bain News Service, showcases a unique aspect of early 20th-century culture: the movement of a makeshift hotel, popularly known as a gink, which catered to itinerant performers and their entourages. These gink hotels provided affordable lodging for traveling theater companies and vaudeville acts—vital to the vibrant entertainment scene during this era.

Located on the streets where many performers hustled for a living, this image reflects the dynamic spirit of the time. The sight of the Hotel de Gink being relocated illustrates the flexibility and transient nature of entertainment venues, as they often followed the crowds and events of the season. It’s a fascinating snapshot of an evolving American landscape, where the worlds of travel and performance intersected, shaping both local cultures and the broader national narrative.