Gay Street, West Village

I came across the following short article by Victor Epstein and Christina Boyle entitled ‘Gutted West Village building said to be haunted by restless ghost of Gay St. man is now up for sale’. It dates from 14 October 2009 and appeared in the New York Daily News.

‘A West Village house with a resident ghost is back on the market – just in time for Halloween.

The historic Gay St. property, on the corner of Waverly Place, is rumored to be inhabited by a restless spirit who walks the creaking floorboards at night.

Legend has it a man in top hat and tails has been spotted in the building; some local historians say it is former Mayor Jimmy Walker, who once owned it.

“I wouldn’t go in there right now – it’s legendary that ghosts live there,” said Randy Credico, 54, who has rented an apartment across the street from the haunted house for two decades. “That place would be like moving into ‘The Shining.’ ”

Jimmy Walker or James John Walker (Born 19 June 1881 – Died 18 November 1946) was Mayor of New York City between 1926 and 1932. Investigated by Judge Samuel Seabury for corruption, Walker resigned in 1932 facing fifteen charges and fled to Europe to avoid prosecution. Upon his return to the United States, when he felt it was safe, he became president of the Majestic Records Company.

Gay street runs from Christopher Street to Waverly Place and was named in 1833, probably after an early landowner.