Ahhh, it is so nice to feel missed. As it happens, Miss Moneypenny is away this week, but that is not why the FGVOTD did not get posted first thing. Unbelievably, I actually had something important to do here at Le Star de Death.
What to do? Benson has published his intriguing trivia quiz and others have posted videos already. Should I post a lame (lamer than usual one, that is) just to do it or post a really good one to show everybody how it’s done?
It is I, the angry free-market populist (Mr. B.’s characterization of me), here for the Friday NYC trivia question. Today’s touches on the history of development in our fair borough.
Much of the manner in which Brooklyn developed can be traced back to the original political dvisions of the borough. For instance, much of what we currently call “Brownstone Brooklyn” was the original area of the City of Brooklyn, in which land was divided and sold in standard 20×100 building lots. The original City of Brooklyn was a wealthy place, hence high-end rowhouses (i.e. Brownstones) were erected.
The original town of Flatbush, on the other hand, was developed in the same way as today’s suburbs: sub-divisions. Flatbush was rural late into the 19th century, and by the time it was developed, the idea of “Suburbs in the city” had taken hold. Great developments like Prospect Park South, Midwood Manor and Ditmas Park were built. These developments survive to this day, thanks to a combinaion of restrictive covenents, zoning and landmark protection. Interestingly, the names of these developments almost died off. When I was a kid, nobody referred to these areas by the sub-division’s name – it was all simply called “Flatbush”, the original town name. Only in recent years have these names been revived as real estate interests have focused on these areas.
Today’s trivia quiz focuses on what could arguably be called the greatest suburban subdivision of its day when it was built in another then-rural section of Kings County. Hundreds of grand homes were put up, arguably better than those in Flatbush, and they too were protected by minimum lot regulations and covenents. Alas, however, after about 20 years, the subdivion failed due to a very bad economy at the turn of the 20th century. The management of the subdivison buckled under two pressures: the bad economy, and pressure from developers to build modest rowhouses for upwardly-mobile immigrants from the Lower East Side and elsewhere.
Today almost no trace of this subdivision remains. The old grand houses were largely torn down or converted into multi-family homes. Ironically, however, a shortened version of the sub-division’s name became the name of the neighborhood and is well-known today. On the other hand, the name of the original town in this area is largely forgotten.
OK folks, with that background, here is the trivia question:
-what was the name of the sub-division?
-what is the name of the neighborhood today?
-what was the name of the original town in this section of Brooklyn?
“Cypress Hills, Benson? Or Bushwick?”
Bzzzzzz. Sorry, wrong answer.
Ahhh, it is so nice to feel missed. As it happens, Miss Moneypenny is away this week, but that is not why the FGVOTD did not get posted first thing. Unbelievably, I actually had something important to do here at Le Star de Death.
What to do? Benson has published his intriguing trivia quiz and others have posted videos already. Should I post a lame (lamer than usual one, that is) just to do it or post a really good one to show everybody how it’s done?
(and congrats chicken!)
good post benson. I have absolutely no idea.
Cypress Hills, Benson? Or Bushwick?
Benson, I’m stumped.
Yeah, what did happen to BRG? I think a PLUSA-napper may in fact be on the loose…LOCK YOUR DOORS AND WINDOWS!
First BRG is MIA, then Biff. Is someone kidnapping PLUSAs one by one?
thanks for your congratulations – I will pass them onto her.
M4L – not going to buy until rates go through the roof and destroy prices.
Good morning all;
It is I, the angry free-market populist (Mr. B.’s characterization of me), here for the Friday NYC trivia question. Today’s touches on the history of development in our fair borough.
Much of the manner in which Brooklyn developed can be traced back to the original political dvisions of the borough. For instance, much of what we currently call “Brownstone Brooklyn” was the original area of the City of Brooklyn, in which land was divided and sold in standard 20×100 building lots. The original City of Brooklyn was a wealthy place, hence high-end rowhouses (i.e. Brownstones) were erected.
The original town of Flatbush, on the other hand, was developed in the same way as today’s suburbs: sub-divisions. Flatbush was rural late into the 19th century, and by the time it was developed, the idea of “Suburbs in the city” had taken hold. Great developments like Prospect Park South, Midwood Manor and Ditmas Park were built. These developments survive to this day, thanks to a combinaion of restrictive covenents, zoning and landmark protection. Interestingly, the names of these developments almost died off. When I was a kid, nobody referred to these areas by the sub-division’s name – it was all simply called “Flatbush”, the original town name. Only in recent years have these names been revived as real estate interests have focused on these areas.
Today’s trivia quiz focuses on what could arguably be called the greatest suburban subdivision of its day when it was built in another then-rural section of Kings County. Hundreds of grand homes were put up, arguably better than those in Flatbush, and they too were protected by minimum lot regulations and covenents. Alas, however, after about 20 years, the subdivion failed due to a very bad economy at the turn of the 20th century. The management of the subdivison buckled under two pressures: the bad economy, and pressure from developers to build modest rowhouses for upwardly-mobile immigrants from the Lower East Side and elsewhere.
Today almost no trace of this subdivision remains. The old grand houses were largely torn down or converted into multi-family homes. Ironically, however, a shortened version of the sub-division’s name became the name of the neighborhood and is well-known today. On the other hand, the name of the original town in this area is largely forgotten.
OK folks, with that background, here is the trivia question:
-what was the name of the sub-division?
-what is the name of the neighborhood today?
-what was the name of the original town in this section of Brooklyn?