The neighborhood wasn't as bad in 1850 as WPA book states - it changed over time. There were many distilleries in the neighborhood; both whiskey and a rum, which was sold to sailors.

My gr gr gr grandfather, Terrence O'Rork, was a malster [whiskey maker], and moved to the neighborhood by 1853.

In 1870's there were the 'Whiskey Wars', Federal government sending in troops to break up illegal stiles - stilles no one paid taxes on.