Dale Carnegie began life on a Missouri farm as Dale Carnagay, and like so many before and after him, he moved to New York City to seek his fortune. He first taught public speaking at the YMCA, and he was soon able to open his own office in the Carnegie Hall Building, next to the celebrated concert hall on 57th Street and 7th Avenue. He took the Carnegie name as his own, and his courses today are taught just a mile away from his first office.