Recent Articles
Patriot Names
There were 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 43 of whom have (or had) streets named for them in South Williamsburg and Bed-Stuyvesant. These streets were mapped and named around 1846,… There were 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 43 of whom have (or had) streets named for them in South Williamsburg and Bed-Stuyvesant. These streets were mapped and named around 1846,…
Nathan Hindin
I came across this photo posted in a local history group - the only information provided was the caption, "Leonard Street 1916". Based on the photo and caption, there was not a lot to go on. A stern… I came across this photo posted in a local history group - the only information provided was the caption, "Leonard Street 1916". Based on the photo and caption, there was not a lot to go on. A stern…
Home of 'Louie' & 'Gyp'
In 1912 Harry Horowitz and Louis Rosenberg went on the lam at 756 Woodward Avenue in Ridgewood. They were captured in part due to the outdoor movie theater located next door. In 1912 Harry Horowitz and Louis Rosenberg went on the lam at 756 Woodward Avenue in Ridgewood. They were captured in part due to the outdoor movie theater located next door.
History of the South Third Street Presbyterian Church
The South Third Street Presbyterian Church of Williamsburgh is one of the oldest congregations in Williamsburg. The church was organized on April 19, 1844 in a meeting held at the public school at… The South Third Street Presbyterian Church of Williamsburgh is one of the oldest congregations in Williamsburg. The church was organized on April 19, 1844 in a meeting held at the public school at…
Mae West Didn't Live Here
Mae West is famous for a lot of things, some of which are true. But there is no truth to the well-peddled rumor that she lived at 96 Berry Street (now Teddy's Bar). Or that her dad worked there. Or… Mae West is famous for a lot of things, some of which are true. But there is no truth to the well-peddled rumor that she lived at 96 Berry Street (now Teddy's Bar). Or that her dad worked there. Or…
St. Peter Claver Church & Institute
The history of St. Peter Claver parish dates to 1915, the year that the Catholic Colored Club (CCC) was founded by Jules DeWeever. The Club was formed with the express purpose of having a “Church… The history of St. Peter Claver parish dates to 1915, the year that the Catholic Colored Club (CCC) was founded by Jules DeWeever. The Club was formed with the express purpose of having a “Church…
Domino Sugar Refinery
The Domino Sugar Refinery is one of the most prominent industrial sites on the East River waterfront. The complex consists of seven larger buildings and many other smaller structures, occupying a six… The Domino Sugar Refinery is one of the most prominent industrial sites on the East River waterfront. The complex consists of seven larger buildings and many other smaller structures, occupying a six…
Congregation Ahavas Israel & Temple Beth-El
Brooklyn is called the borough of churches, and in the 19th century, it seems that Brooklyn was also a big game of musical churches. Congregations would start up, grow quickly, and then split up or… Brooklyn is called the borough of churches, and in the 19th century, it seems that Brooklyn was also a big game of musical churches. Congregations would start up, grow quickly, and then split up or…
Engelhardt's Cast-Iron Building
In the late 19th century, Theobald Engelhardt was North Brooklyn’s most prolific architect. He designed hundreds of buildings, from small wood-frame tenements to massive factories to grand… In the late 19th century, Theobald Engelhardt was North Brooklyn’s most prolific architect. He designed hundreds of buildings, from small wood-frame tenements to massive factories to grand…
Williamsburg Bridge Plaza
This panorama view of Williamsburg Bridge Plaza, created from two ca. 1908 images from the Library of Congress. At the far left in the photo is the cast-iron building at 242 Broadway (Theobald… This panorama view of Williamsburg Bridge Plaza, created from two ca. 1908 images from the Library of Congress. At the far left in the photo is the cast-iron building at 242 Broadway (Theobald…
Astral Oil Works
From "Scientific American", a historic bird's eye of Charles Pratt's Astral Oil Works on Bushwick Inlet. For Almost 150 years, the property has been used for petroleum refining and storage. From "Scientific American", a historic bird's eye of Charles Pratt's Astral Oil Works on Bushwick Inlet. For Almost 150 years, the property has been used for petroleum refining and storage.
St. Peter and Paul Church, Williamsburg
This is the original church of Sts. Peter… This is the original church of Sts. Peter…
Historic Street Names in North Brooklyn (and Beyond)
Street names and numbering in Brooklyn changed a number of times. Street names and numbering in Brooklyn changed a number of times.
Gandar's Bookstore
J. C. Gandar was a civic and literary leader of early Williamsburgh. His bookstore (pictured) was located at the corner of Grand and Fifth Streets The address on the advertisement above (156 Grand… J. C. Gandar was a civic and literary leader of early Williamsburgh. His bookstore (pictured) was located at the corner of Grand and Fifth Streets The address on the advertisement above (156 Grand…
Mechanics & Traders Bank
Designed by architect Alonzo B. Jones and constructed in 1889. The story behind the complicated search for those simple pieces of information. Designed by architect Alonzo B. Jones and constructed in 1889. The story behind the complicated search for those simple pieces of information.
Graham & Metropolitan
70 years on, all of the buildings in Berenice Abbott's photo of Graham and Metropolitan remain, but the view sure has changed. Amazingly, there is still a lot of architecture left behind many of our… 70 years on, all of the buildings in Berenice Abbott's photo of Graham and Metropolitan remain, but the view sure has changed. Amazingly, there is still a lot of architecture left behind many of our…
Annunciation Church, Williamsburg
The Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the centerpiece of a fine complex of buildings located at North 5th Street and Havemeyer Street in Williamsburg. According to the "AIA… The Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the centerpiece of a fine complex of buildings located at North 5th Street and Havemeyer Street in Williamsburg. According to the "AIA…
St. Paul's German Evangelical Lutheran Church
St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church is located on the corner of South Fifth Street and Rodney (formerly Ninth) Street in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. The complex of buildings, which… St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church is located on the corner of South Fifth Street and Rodney (formerly Ninth) Street in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. The complex of buildings, which…
Ainslie Street Power House
Municipal Electric was formed in 1884 to electrify Williamsburg and provide street lighting. The company constructed three power plants in the area - Ainslie Street, 308 Penn Street (right) and South… Municipal Electric was formed in 1884 to electrify Williamsburg and provide street lighting. The company constructed three power plants in the area - Ainslie Street, 308 Penn Street (right) and South…
Most Holy Trinity Church
Now known as Most Holy Trinity and St. Mary*, the parish was originally founded as the German Church of the Holy Trinity in 1841. It was the first National parish in the Brooklyn diocese, and the… Now known as Most Holy Trinity and St. Mary*, the parish was originally founded as the German Church of the Holy Trinity in 1841. It was the first National parish in the Brooklyn diocese, and the…
McLoughlin Brothers
At the turn of the 20th Century, south Williamsburg was home to at least two of the country's largest printing houses. The larger of these was D. Appleton… At the turn of the 20th Century, south Williamsburg was home to at least two of the country's largest printing houses. The larger of these was D. Appleton…
Development of Fillmore Place
The one-block long Fillmore Place was not part of the original Williamsburgh street grid. It was created by Alfred Clock and Ephraim Miller, local merchants, real estate developers and prominent… The one-block long Fillmore Place was not part of the original Williamsburgh street grid. It was created by Alfred Clock and Ephraim Miller, local merchants, real estate developers and prominent…
Origins of Fillmore Place
Fillmore Place was not part of the original Williamsburgh street grid. It was the creation of Alfred Clock and Ephraim Miller, local merchants, real estate developers and prominent citizens of the… Fillmore Place was not part of the original Williamsburgh street grid. It was the creation of Alfred Clock and Ephraim Miller, local merchants, real estate developers and prominent citizens of the…
Fillmore Place Historic District
Fillmore Place is a rare example of a nearly intact collection of mid-19th century flat houses. The block-long street that forms the core of the proposed district was carved out of the Williamsburgh… Fillmore Place is a rare example of a nearly intact collection of mid-19th century flat houses. The block-long street that forms the core of the proposed district was carved out of the Williamsburgh…