Walkabout: Have an Historic Brooklyn Christmas!
For Christmas, I present the words of one of Brooklyn’s most famous sons, and some historic images of Brooklyn winters and Christmases past. Merry Christmas, everyone! Crossing Brooklyn Ferry (excerpt) by Walt Whitman (1819-1892) Others will enter the gates of the ferry, and cross from shore to shore; Others will watch the run of the…


For Christmas, I present the words of one of Brooklyn’s most famous sons, and some historic images of Brooklyn winters and Christmases past. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Crossing Brooklyn Ferry (excerpt) by Walt Whitman (1819-1892)
Others will enter the gates of the ferry, and cross from shore to shore;
Others will watch the run of the flood-tide;
Others will see the shipping of Manhattan north and west, and the heights
of Brooklyn to the south and east;
Others will see the islands large and small;
Fifty years hence, others will see them as they cross, the sun half an
hour high;
A hundred years hence, or ever so many hundred years hence, others will
see them,
Will enjoy the sunset, the pouring in of the flood-tide, the falling back
to the sea of the ebb-tide.
It avails not, neither time or place—distance avails not;
I am with you, you men and women of a generation, or ever so
many generations hence;
I project myself—also I return—I am with you, and know how
it is.
Just as you feel when you look on the river and sky, so I felt;
Just as any of you is one of a living crowd, I was one of a crowd;
Just as you are refresh’d by the gladness of the river and the bright flow,
I was refresh’d;




[Photo by Suzanne Spellen]
wow looks very great hope it remains the same every year and a merry Christmas to you too
Great pictures, reminders of simpler times. Hope Brooklyn is treating all of you well, unlike the rental market. I am new to the site but a long time reader, happy to join the community. Happy Holidays.
Thank you so much MM — Merry Christmas to you (and everyone)!
Can’t be ’54 — the Fulton el was cut back to Rockaway Ave in 1940.
http://www.nycsubway.org/lines/fulton-el.html
Lovely post, thanks and happy holidays.
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all. God bless all. See you next year!
Is that an excerpt from “Leaves of Grass?”
I was so glad to hear that you’re taking the wheel next week Montrose. Merry Christmas, Montrose and Pete!
Thanks Montrose….but I have to wait till get home. Work has new filter and can’t get to the photos.
Merry Christmas to you.