Horn & Hardart Automat

The story

The revolutionary coin-operated restaurant chain that fed millions from gleaming chrome-and-glass machines and ushered in the fast-food era.

Everything that was here

• 1912–1991

  Horn & Hardart AutomatRestaurant

  The revolutionary coin-operated restaurant chain that fed millions from gleaming chrome-and-glass machines and ushered in the fast-food era.

  See the map in 1913 →
• 1985–1989

  Latin QuarterNightclub

  The unofficial headquarters of hip hop's Golden Era launched Public Enemy, Queen Latifah, and A Tribe Called Quest.

  See the map in 1986 →
• 1921–1987

  Loew's State TheatreTheater

  The flagship Times Square theater of the Loew's empire stood at the crossroads of the world for 66 years before falling to urban redevelopment.

  See the map in 1922 →
• 1914–1987

  Strand TheatreTheater

  America's first true movie palace premiered the first all-talking motion picture and launched the career of 'Roxy' Rothafel.

  See the map in 1915 →
• 1926–1966

  Paramount TheatreTheater

  Frank Sinatra caused riots here, but the building still stands—now housing offices where the bobby-soxers once screamed.

  See the map in 1927 →

Nearby history