Historians Still Debate Gowanus Wall
On Tuesday, we reported on the Gowanus building at toid and toid owned by Con Ed, that is said to contain a portion of the wall once surrounding the Washington Park baseball field used by the Brooklyn Dodgers before their move to Ebbets Field. From the Daily News today comes a definitive answer from Brooklyn…
On Tuesday, we reported on the Gowanus building at toid and toid owned by Con Ed, that is said to contain a portion of the wall once surrounding the Washington Park baseball field used by the Brooklyn Dodgers before their move to Ebbets Field. From the Daily News today comes a definitive answer from Brooklyn author and historian Brian Merlis, “I can say with absolute certainty that this wall was not part of Washington Park prior to the Brooklyn team’s departure [in 1912],” The paper goes on to say that historians believe the wall was part of either a carriage house or club house that was built after the 1912 move by the Dodgers. Even though the Dodgers may not have played within this wall, it is still part of the old Washington Park ball field, and still one of the oldest surviving pieces of baseball history in New York. Con Ed Spokeswoman D. Joy Faber has announced that the wall will be preserved. Further historical information, including a wealth of photographs, can be found here.
Famed Wall in Gowanus Not Part of Original Dodgers Stadium [Daily News]
Bulldozer Time for Gowanus Building [Brownstoner]
Con Ed Readying Demolition of 3rd St. Warehouse [Brownstoner]
Photo: Wall in 2004 by covehurst.net
legion! *THWACK!*
I can agree on the metaphysical and moral ambiguity of our society and a time to reassess. It’s a matter of who is going to decide what the absolutes are? Nothing done by humanity will ever be without ambiguity. SO- who’s truth?
“I do not have a simple difference of opinion. I am fundamentally opposed to the intellectual framework that pervades this site, and will continue to speak out against it.”
Here we go again.
That’s really too bad, benson because while most of us can take sides and accept other people’s opinions, you can’t seem to. You’ve christened yourself “the voice of truth on Brownstoner” and if that what it takes to get you through the day, have a good time. But you should remember that there are 2 sides to everything- you are neither absolute not omniscient. You can’t just express an opinion, you get offended if anyone disagrees with that opinion. And it is just your opinion- no one died and appointed you the guardian of all things Brooklyn as you see it.
As for “shrill,” as denton pointed out, you’re the one slinging it around at us pro-preservation folk. After labeling us as “intellectually bankrupt.” And you don’t wonder why that’s offensive?
Reagan was a great President!
He knew how to tear down walls of discord
both literal and figurative.
We need strong leadership of that calibre
in Brooklyn too.
Our society has developed too many walls
of metaphysical and moral ambiguity,
it’s time to reassess our historical
heritage brick by brick in order to create
a foundation in truth.
…te he he, I like to stir the pot too. 😉
There are vintage photos, that I have seen, of the old ballpark. It really should not be difficult to dispositively determine whether this wall is a fragment of the pre-1912 ballpark. It isn’t string-theory physics. And we are not talking about classical antiquity.
“As I wrote yesterday, once an artifact is reconfigured or denatured to the point that it is no longer recognizable as the thing that it is supposed to embody, it loses a great deal of its historic significance.”
ML, I’m curious then, what do you think about the Hearst Tower, the Palace Hotel (or is it the Helmsley), and the incorporation of the old theater facade into 1 Bryant Park?
After having seen these, I kinda agree.
Anyway ML, just because we have a new historian of the day make a pronouncement doesn’t make it so. There’s quite a bit of evidence on all sides.
They couldn’t put up a plaque there cuz the hookers would steal it 🙂
“I introduced the quote about “shrillness of rhetoric” just to stir the pot. I’ve been known to do that on occasion.”
Really Dave?? I never realized that!!!
😉
Yeah. I brought my husband over to see this wall from Carroll Gardens within the last 5 years. And a house guest once who was a crazy baseball fanatic. So you must have in the bathroom or something because you missed us.
I say leave the wall there, but I second the idea of the plaque. More people would come see it if people knew it were there….and there was some word-of-mouth about it. So that would be good for Canal Bar anyway….
Bxgrl;
I do not have a simple difference of opinion. I am fundamentally opposed to the intellectual framework that pervades this site, and will continue to speak out against it. I am a lifelong resident of Brooklyn, and I will resist a movement that is attempting to turn wide swaths of this borough into a lifeless adult museum/disneyland for the gentry.
I am not upset at all. Actually, I find your characterizations of me (shrill, jealous, etc.) kind of amusing.