The Homes He Lived In: Hoboken
Frank Sinatra was born on December 12, 1915 and spent almost his entire childhood in the waterfront city of Hoboken, New Jersey. He was christened at St. Francis’ Church, and named Frank instead of his parents’ choice (Albert) due to a misunderstanding with the bishop and his godfather, Frank Garrick. When the bishop asked Garrick what ‘his’ name was he answered “Frank.”
Until he was twelve, the Sinatra family lived in a four-story cold water apartment at 415 Monroe Street. Unfortunately, a large-scale fire struck the building in 1967 and it was later demolished. The city commemorated this home in 1996 with a bronze sidewalk plaque which remains today, next to a brick arch built by fans.
Early on, Sinatra gained the nickname ‘Slacksy O’Brien.’ ‘Slacksy’ for the dress pants that he often wore, and ‘O’Brien’ after the name his father took when boxing on the Irish side of town, Marty O’Brien. This was also the name of his father’s bar at 333 Jefferson Street. Marty O'Brien's was Sinatra's first venue. Whenever he could get an audience, Sinatra would sing to his parent's patrons.
The town was known for having a split population of Italian-American and Irish-American citizens, but the Sinatra family helped bridge that divide. Dolly Sinatra curried favor with Democratic leaders in the city. She encouraged the family to move across ethnic lines into the Irish side of town. The family settled into a new apartment building at 703 Park Avenue. Marty Sinatra garnered a job there as a firefighter thanks to his wife’s political connections. The family later moved to a house at 841 Garden Street.
Sinatra attended David E. Rue Junior High, where he was popular with other students due to his impressions of film and radio personalities, much to the dismay of his teachers. By the time he enrolled in A. J. Demarest High School in 1930, he was already longing to be a singer. Much to his parents dislike, he dropped out of school to peruse his dreams.
Sinatra continued to sing at Marty O'Brien's and other clubs including Tutty’s Bar, the Crystal Ballroom, and the Cat’s Meow. Sinatra would often sleep underneath the pool table at the Cat's Meow to get away from his disapproving mother. These clubs and bars are now gone, faded away by the demise of cabarets and social clubs.
Sinatra's first big break came in 1935 when he became the 4th member of a local trio called the Three Flashes. Now four members, the group had to find a new name. They became the Hoboken Four.
Sinatra left Hoboken in 1939 to marry his first wife, Nancy, and settled in Jersey City. He didn’t return to the city until the mid-1980s, when he was President Ronald Reagan’s guest at the annual St. Ann’s Feast. He did, however, buy his parents a nicer home at 909 Hudson Street after he had 'it made.'
For more information on Sinatra's time in Hoboken including a walking tour, visit the Hoboken Historical Museum.
WNYC is funded by sponsors and member donations
