647 East 5th Street - Lower East Side

America was seen as a refuge from religious persecution and oppressive tyranny and a beacon of hope and freedom. My mothers' family, The Heckers, came from Russia, landed at Ellis Island with almost nothing and then settled into the densely populated tenements on the lower East Side (LES). These homes were cheap low-rise multi-family apartments. Their apartment was less than 500 square feet with 2 bedroom and 6 people lived there. See the neighborhood now (in photos).Read more