BARBERS ARRESTED FOR SHAVING? (1896)
Brownstone Detectives investigates the history of our clients’ homes.
The story you are about to read was composed from research conducted in the course of one of those investigations.
Do you know the history of YOUR house?
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Imagine the “perp walk” from 489 Nostrand in early 1896, when two barbers – who were operating out of that address – were arrested for giving shaves.
George Jackson and Thomas Lorrain, barbers employed by William Reiss, whose shop was at the above location, were hauled from their cells and into the Gates avenue police court the next day and fined $5 each.
The barber law, known formally as the “Sunday Shaving Law,” was passed in 1895 and was probably a part of the blue laws that prohibited certain activities on Sunday (such as drinking) which were coming into vogue in the period.
A few years later, though, another “Barber Law” was enacted which regulated the industry for reasons of enforcing cleanliness and hygiene; additionally it caused all barbers to be licensed and to receive training, prompting many a Brooklyn gentleman to be heard wondering aloud:
“Can’t a man just get a shave around here?”
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Brownstone Detectives is an historic property research agency. Our mission is to document and save the histories of our clients’ homes. From our research, we produce our celebrated House History Books and House History Reports. Contact us today to begin discovering the history of your home.
