Smithsonian Institution The William Steinway Diary: 1861-1896
Steinway & Sons Records and Family Papers, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Messerschmidt’s [restaurant]
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William Steinway frequented Messerschmidt’s restaurant for lunch, sometimes preceding or following his meal with a visit to Balz Barber Shop.
William Steinway frequently ate lunch near where he conducted business. He frequented Messerschmidt's restaurant when he was working at Steinway Hall, which was located at 109 E. 14th Street. In New York City.(1) On several occasions, before or after eating lunch at Messerschmidt's, William mentions getting a shave or haircut at Balz Barber Shop. Barbers Adam and Jacob Balz(3) operated a business at 100 E. 14th Street( 2), not far from their home at 113 E. 14th Street.
In his diary for February 6, 1895 (Diary, 1895-02-06), Willliam mentions that he was able to walk across 14th Street unaided from Steinway Hall to Messerschmidt's. That puts the restaurant on the same side of the street as Balz Barber Shop, somewhere on E. 14th Street between Irving Place and Fourth Avenue.
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Sources:
1. Landmarks Preservation Commission. "WEBSTER HALL and ANNEX, 119-125 East 11th Street, Manhattan. Built 1886-87 and 1892; Charles Rentz, Jr., architect." Landmarks Preservation Commission, March 18, 2008, Designation List 402 LP-2273, page 4
2. Trow's Copartnership and Corporation Directory of New York City. New York: The Trow City Directory Company. March 1890.
3. United States Census 1900. "US Census New York, New York, Borough of Manhattan," Sheet 1.
