May 13, 2008

movie: "The Chosen"

Does anyone know the address of the brownstone used in the movie "The Chosen?" Or just the block that was used in the closing scene as he walks down the block.

Thanks

April 3, 2008

House History

So, we have a few questions about our house - Does anyone know how to do real research on the history of a home - when it was built, what original details would look like, past owners, etc?

This home has lost all original details and we'd like to be historically correct as we slowly remodel / renovate. Also, would like to know what kitchens looked like at the time of its construction so that we can pick up some of those details in a modern kitchen.

Any advice??? Added a photo in case there are any history buffs out there who can provide some information just by looking - name of architectural style, period, etc.

THANKS! Trying to bring some charm back to a gut renovation.

I have a picture, but it won't let me upload - let me know if it will be helpful to you and i can forward it via email

February 21, 2008

New York Magazine

Hi everyone,

I am desperate for some help locating an old new York Magazine article. It appeared in (I think!) 1973-1974 and was called something like "The Brownstones of Brooklyn". The article included watercolor etches of brownstones and an overview of all the neighborhoods. I was wondering if anyone has seen this article and might be able to give me an issue date? Thank you so much!

January 19, 2008

That OTHER Brownstoner

The Brownstone Revival Coalition's calendar, which I received today, says that there publication, the "Brownstoner" is no longer published in printed form, but is available on-line at

brownstonerevival.com

I checked and their archive doesn't seem to be working yet, but the URL might be worth bookmarking for future reference.\

The "Brownstoner" was published from the late '60s until fairly recently and past issues give an interesting perspective on the brownstone "revival", which started long before I moved to Brooklyn.

How do you research your house's history?

Anybody had any luck tracing the history of an old pile in Brooklyn? Would really appreciate any suggestions.

I think I've found all I can find online (Bklyn Eagle, etc.) and I'm going to start with the DOB on Joralemon Street, hoping they might have some plans, info on alterations, etc. But what I really want to know is who lived in the place; is the Dept of Finance where they record deeds? The house is in a historic district; has anybody had any luck doing research on an individual house at the Landmarks Commish?

Many thanks for any help.

December 17, 2007

Historical Brooklyn Pictures?

I'm looking for historical pictures of Windsor Terrace similar to those on this site: http://brooklynpix.com

Does anyone know of any other sources of Historical Pictures of Brooklyn?

Thanks...

November 14, 2007

Dean St/Bergen St backyard border

There is a difference in elevation of about 3 feet between the backyards of Dean Street and Bergen Street - between Bond and Nevins - but it is adjusted as a "step" located about 6 feet over the property line into the Bergen Street side - all the way up the block. Does anyone know why this wouldn't have been located on the property line? Perhaps there was an alley at some point?

October 29, 2007

Bedford-Stuyvesant subsection Ocean Hill also undergoing Gentrification

For those who don't know about the Bedford-Stuyvesant subsection Ocean Hill here are the facts:
Ocean Hill is a subsection of Bedford-Stuyvesant in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. Founded in 1890, the neighborhood is part of Brooklyn Community Board 3 and Brooklyn Community Board 16. The ZIP code for the neighborhood is 11233. The neighborhood has a diverse community with large number of African Americans, and a small number of Caribbean and Latin Americans.

Ocean Hill's boundaries start from Broadway (Bushwick) to Ralph Avenue (Bed-Stuy proper), to East New York Avenue (Brownsville), to Van Sinderen Avenue (East New York).

Ocean Hill received its' name in 1890 for being slightly hilly. Hence it was subdivided from the larger community of Stuyvesant Heights. From the beginning of the 20th century to the 1960's Ocean Hill was an Italian enclave. At that time the neighborhood had many well-kept homes and stores. By the late 1960s Ocean Hill and Bedford-Stuyvesant proper together formed the largest African American community in the United States.

In 1968 the Ocean Hill-Brownsville school district experienced some difficult times. The New York City Board of Education at the time had experimented with giving the community board neighborhood control over the district. The new administration laid off several teachers in violation of union contract rules. [1] The teachers were entirely white and mainly Jewish. As of result the strike severerly divided the whole city. This topic became very controversial for many years although many had put this catastrophy behind them.

In 1977 a major blackout devastated New York City badly. The neighborhood experienced arson and ransacking of stores. Many apartment buildings were badly burned and abandoned for many years like the ones in the South Bronx. Finally in the 1990s Ocean Hill experienced a revitalization as many abandoned buildings and lots were renovated.

Ocean Hill is in the process of gentrification. An increasing number of Asians, Hispanics, and Whites are moving into the area. This is due to the fact that the rents are slightly lower than the rest of Bed-Stuy proper and many abandoned buildings have been rehabilitated. Prospect Plaza Houses, once a notorious housing project unit, has been closed by the New York City Housing Authority to make room for condominiums.

The 73rd Police Precinct covers the area. For many years from the 1960s to approximately 2001 along with neighboring Brownsville, Ocean Hill experienced a high crime rate. Currently, the crime rate for Ocean Hill has reached an all time low.[2]

The main thoroughfare is Rockaway Avenue, and it is served by the IND Fulton Street Line (A and C trains) and the BMT Jamaica Line (J and Z trains) of the New York City Subway. The neighborhood is also near a central transportation hub, the Broadway Junction Subway Station which the A,C,L,J and Z lines meet, one of the largest subway stations in Brooklyn. There is also a nearby connection to the LIRR at the nearby East New York Station.

Many residents of Ocean Hill consider themselves residents of Bedford-Stuyvesant. The news media and realtors also uses the Bed-Stuy name.

Ocean Hill is being gentrified as well. Many bohemian artists and young Asian, Hispanic, White as well as Black professionals are moving into this small subsection due to slightly low rents.

The area was formerly known to some as Ocean Hill-Brownsville (in conjunction to Brooklyn Community Board 16) but many new residents use the name Bedord-Stuyvesant/Ocean Hill or just plainly Bedford-Stuyvesant.

The intersection of Thomas Boyland Street (commonly known as Hopkinson Avenue) and Pacific Street has been given life thanks to a new 24-hour grocery store and a rehabilitated tenement.

More changes will be in the future of Ocean Hill.

October 23, 2007

Top of the Stairs

I have question that maybe someone can answer. At the top of the stairs in my brownstone is that small round cutout. You usually see a religious statue placed in the spot. I have heard it was for caskets so they could turn the corner. Can anyone answer what is the true purpose of the small cutout?

October 20, 2007

Does anyone know of someone who immigrated to NYC before 1925?

My girlfriend is taking a geography course and her homework is to find someone who has personal experience with a friend or family member who can answer a handful of questions:
1. Approximate year they immigrated
2. First name
3. Where they left
4. Why did they leave the place they started at?
5. Where they settled in NYC
6. How did they find the new place in NYC? (through friends/family?)

Thank you very much!

Forum: History