Leonard Thomas, aka "The Chicken Man"
In the 1990’s New York’s waterways was less grandiose, than it had been in years prior, but it still had its gems here and there. One such gem, Leonard Thomas, affectionately known as the “Chicken Man'', worked a career that spanned several...
Bell and Jingle: Questions, Answers and Remembrances on Facebook.
A cheat sheet for the bell and jingle code hangs in the fidley of the MARY A. WHALEN. It can be seen in the related entry Bells are Direction, Jingles are Speed which lays out the system. The bell and jingle code was used by the captain...
Gowanus Canal Storm Surge Barrier Study, 2016
The Goawnus Canal Storm Surge Barrier Study was presented to the New York City Economic Development Corporation and the Mayor's Office of Recovery and Resiliency. The report looks at the feasability of future studies and actions the City and the...
S. W. Bowne Grain Storehouse, 1886 to 2019
Updates on the building and the efforts to save it or raze it: June 14, 2018, a fire occurred in historic S. W. Bowne warehouse. FDNY concluded that the fire was arson and "the investigation is still open” (as in "who did it"?) Demo Permit...
The Misses Shults Make Their Debut, 1914
William Beard is regaled in description of the coming out debut of two of his granddaughters in 1914. The Misses Shults Make Their Debut. Miss Isabel Shults and Miss Bertha Shults, who were presented at a reception last week Thursday, given by their...
Erie Basin photo, 1920
An aerial view of Erie Basin taken in 1920 by Perry Loomis Sperr. In the crook of the breakwater that protects the basin's piers is Thos. A. Crane's Sons' dry dock. The white building at the center rear of the view is the New York State Barge Canal...
Seabring Mill later known as Luquer Mills
The landscape of Red Hook has been dramatically changed by people at least twice in its history. Starting in a major way around 1830, marshland was filled in to make solid land, and the coast line was modified to better suit boats. Nearly...
The Rich Leave the Waterfront, 1899, "The Atlantic docks have killed the Heights"
According to the The New York Press in 1899, the Atlantic Docks made the surrounding area of Columbia Heights less desirable for the well-to-do. They left for more "artistic" places, leaving in their wake lower rents for "a cheaper class of...
Delavan Street
Del a van Street was officially listed as Del e ven Street when the City of Brooklyn officially named it. The current spelling might be a correction if, as seems likely, it was named for Delavan Richards, son of Col. Daniel Richards, founder...