Susan Gardner
1951-1962
458 west broadway-5th floor
i was kid by profession but my stepdad was the painter Harlan Jackson
was not there -but i have many tales to tell before it was officially soho -- when it was an unlabeled edge of little italy or the rag and paper district--so many stories about the life then and the artists who were moving into the lofts-once it was soho tourist spot thsat sort of ended
again left in the 60s but i do not miss the 5 long flights of stairs or heating the loft with a space heater and a fireplace so it was cold as hell in the morning or not being able to answer the door incase it was the building inspectors
my parents split up and sold the loft
the long and happy friendship i had with sol lewitt who lived on the 2nd floor of our buildingalso the huge fire across the street where 4 firement died and sol saved me from being burned up
when i grew up i choose to live in a house with rooms and doors--there is no privacy or silence in a loft- below is a photo of my stepfather Harlan Jackson in our loft-- it cost 75 bucks a month and i think my parents were the only inter-racial couple in the area then