1920s: Houdini, Flappers and Window Awnings?
Who knew that these little window canopies were all the rage in Bed Stuy back in the 1920s? (This shot is from Herkimer Street.) We certainly didn’t. One occasionally sees metal versions of these over some brownstone doorways, but those probably date only as far back as the 1970s, we’d imagine. Anyone know anything about…

Who knew that these little window canopies were all the rage in Bed Stuy back in the 1920s? (This shot is from Herkimer Street.) We certainly didn’t. One occasionally sees metal versions of these over some brownstone doorways, but those probably date only as far back as the 1970s, we’d imagine. Anyone know anything about this curious craze? Perhaps it was a utilitarian move to keep sunlight out in the days before air conditioning. Photo from “Brooklyn…And How It Got That Way” by David W. McCullough.
Apparently, however, they were quite the fire hazard – flames coming out of a window would catch the awning, and all awnings above and around it and the fire would spread much more rapidly.
I think the city mandated their removal on all big buildings, but cannot find any historical citation….
Our old house in ‘Victorian’ Flatbush still has the hardware on the front windowframes for awnings, including shade-like ones you could roll down the sides of the porch. Wouldn’t mind having them back,if I had servants to put them up and down seasonally. (We stil haven’t brought in our Christmas wreath…)
Also…don’t forget that we today generate tons more garbage than people did back then, so keeping garbage in the basement wouldn’t be as distasteful as we might find it today.
The garbage cans were kept in the basement. In fact, there is still a city law on the books that requires that owners keep the garbage cans in the basement and off the street, but it is no longer enforced. In those days, it was quite common for every building to have a Super, even if he was part-time, and it was just expected that he cart out the garbage on collection days. Up until the mid 60’s, the City picked up trash three times a week, so the garbage didn’t pile up.
When landlords starting converting basements into apartments, the garbage cans came out front. The city stopped enforcing the law, and here we are.
adding to the point about ubiquity, in large apartment houses, it was a rite of spring when the building staff came ’round and installed the matching awnings over every window
No thanks rookies some nieghbors would install neon like colors and f up the whole block. We would have to change awnings ever few yrs because of dirt and pigeon crap, the sun would change the color and my window plants would suffer.
My mother was telling me they played a large roll during the war so that you could not see lights on in houses when planes flew overhead.
Where do they keep the garbage cans?
Benson,
well yes, there were awnings everywhere, but there was a difference between ragtag utilitarian awnings and nice crisp matching awnings that look like Ladies’ crinolines.
In the deep, dark, interiors of Victorian rowhouses, the little sun that managed to work itself through the shutters and drapes, was pretty neglible.
It was mostly show. Most of these middle-class houses were empty for most of the summer. The women, children and staff were sent off to the boonies, and father took a room at his club.