East New York 2
06/10/05
East New York, Brooklyn
9:47 AM | Comments (66) | TrackBack (0)
Comments
Nice shots...brave soul you must be...Pennsylvania Ave with a camera!
Posted by: Andrew at June 10, 2005 10:48 AM
Christ, who wanted into that yard through the gate!?
Posted by: Brody at June 10, 2005 11:05 AM
Or... or... dear god... who... or *what* wanted... *out*???
Posted by: andy at June 11, 2005 03:07 AM
there is a sullen beauty to east new york, as viewed out of the L train windows as the huge vacant lots roll by after Atlantic Ave. you think you've entered the south, but you are only in between boroughs, at the very heart of Greater New York.
Posted by: Johnny B at June 11, 2005 03:11 PM
I once had a Reverand Krankie...
Posted by: skinnypeterm at June 11, 2005 10:50 PM
Hulk ignore puny human....
Hulk go to park after dusk....
Hulk smash....
Posted by: psychbloke at June 12, 2005 05:45 AM
I had no idea that "Dusk" was exciting enough to warrant such a font.
Posted by: nut wonder at June 13, 2005 07:05 PM
"ooo, east new york,scawy!!" it feels like u only stayed in one area, come back and we can walk thru the whole town! all are welcome.
Posted by: nkm at June 14, 2005 08:06 PM
nkm: I walked about 5 miles the day I shot these.
Posted by: Mike at June 14, 2005 08:44 PM
I grew up in ENY when it was an Italian neighborhood. Between 1960 and 1966 the entire area deteriorated. Blockbusting realtors hastened it's decline. I never liked it even as a kid. Filled with lowlifes. In 1967 we moved to Bensonhurst which was a quieter and much safer neighborhood. One of our cousins lived in ENY until 1975.
Posted by: Mario Z at June 15, 2005 05:27 PM
i remeber east new york very well the italians lived
in the northern part of eny around libery, glenmore,pitkin.also cypress hill was predminantly italian, so was city line.
the jews lived arounf blake,sutter,dumont,livonia,and hegeman.
those where the days.
Posted by: marv at June 16, 2005 09:19 AM
I need the Road Rage doctor....
I love your uncanny ability to pick out the wildest signs....Rev. Awkward? WTF? Would you go to him?
Posted by: Robin at June 20, 2005 11:03 AM
u know mike in hindsight, you did kinda get around cause cuse uh, some of those shots are from Brownsville.
the town, it's not such a hideous place to visit/live (as long as u know how to duck & cover when needed, lol-KIDDING). the neighborhood has some gems as far as architecture, graffiti, novelties, folk,etc. if u ever wanna walk thru again, lmk, i'd be glad to tag along!
Posted by: nkm at June 22, 2005 09:40 PM
the brownsville-e.n.y. area was a great place to live and grow up, in the 40's and 50's......no gangs, no killings and hardly ever even a mugging.....you could walk all the way from saratoga ave to pennsylvania ave AT NIGHT, and NEVER have a problem.......so here's to the GREAT neighborhood of brownsville--e.n.y......long may it wave...in our memories......
Posted by: norby at June 26, 2005 07:49 PM
once again you have captured magic with your awesome eye for visual beauty. check me out: www.adbumb.com/adbumb171.html
perhaps you will allow me to disp[lay your selected works in the bumb?
Respects,
art
Posted by: arthur at August 3, 2005 02:26 PM
Well just so you all know. That picture is of my
where I last parked my bycycle.
I was realy amazed to find out that the theif used
a car-jack to remove my bike from the fence.
-Clarence.
Posted by: Clarence at August 8, 2005 05:26 PM
Great stuff here, thanks for sharing this..
Posted by: Jane at August 25, 2005 08:37 AM
hi, east new york, a little dangerous, but beautiful as all city on ny. i've lived in ridgewood, as sbdy said, great views from train L
I love ny! i hope to be there next march, 2006, again and stay there for ever.
regards! ariel
Posted by: ariel at September 7, 2005 05:36 PM
Your photos took me back. Four days after moving to NYC in 1992, and not knowing a thing about the city, I sold the car I'd driven here to a junkyard in East New York for forty dollars. The guy sent his daughter out for the money, because he said he "didn't like to keep that kind of cash lying around." I'd planned to walk to the subway, but he wouldn't let me. His daughter drove me to the Pennsylvania Avenue station.
Posted by: Nick at September 11, 2005 10:30 PM
I love and lived in east new york through the worst times in the 80's and 90's the neighborhood is changing now it is a diamond in the ruff. With help of residents past and present can give east new york a better future, where we can walk together blacks, jews, italians, west indians, and central americans to make it one of the greatest neighborhoods in NYC.
Posted by: WillieSHakes at October 17, 2005 06:18 PM
uummmm where's the rest
Posted by: Chante at December 12, 2005 04:42 PM
I am in ENY everyday. I am a real estate salesperson. Unless you have been there you will never know what a great place it is. What you see in the pictures is what East New York was in the past. The future will be very different.
Posted by: JB709741 at January 29, 2006 10:26 AM
I live, shop, was cop(retired)& raised 4 kids in
brownsville. Would not trade the experience 4 anything. The rainbow of people places and things. Thanks 4 the memories. (1964-present)
p.s. there is a lovely garden corner of legion st.& blake ave (complete with ducks and ponds)
flowers and veggies.....y no posting
Posted by: toni at March 2, 2006 10:45 AM
During the fall-early winter of 2005-6, I took several trips to ENY and Brownsville to photograph former synagogues. Most are now churches, a few are day care centers, etc.
There are many of these to be seen. Fascinating.
There are many nice private houses still standing in these neighborhoods. Never had any trouble walking around there. Also I noticed that there is new construction going on, as in the tonier nabes of Brooklyn.
Posted by: Ellen L. at March 11, 2006 02:00 PM
Hi,
first: greetings from germany.
great site,great photos and great impressions.
I�ve read a lot about Brownsville of the 30s ("tough jews"). I show a great interest in photos of the CORNER (Saratoga/Livonia). How looks Midnight Rose Candy Store today?
Can someone send me some photos of this corner? Maybe there exist photos of the old days?
Many thanks
Posted by: zvonko at April 28, 2006 04:23 PM
I BEEN LIVING IN EAST NEW YORK FOR 21 YEARS NOW YOU ARE A BRAVE SOUL TO WALK AROUND AND TAKE PICTURES........IF PEOPLE FROM BUILDING WOULD HAVE SEEN THAT......WELL U WOULD HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A NEW CAMARA........BUT IF U WANT GREAT PICTURES OF ENY TAKE THE L TRAIN TO BROADWAY JUNCTION AND GO TO THE END OF THE PLATFORM AND U WILL GET A GREAT VIEW OR JUST SIMPLY RIDE THE L TRAIN FROM BROADWAY JUNCTION TO CARNASIE AVE U WOULD GET TONS OF GREAT SHOTS
Posted by: Maurice at June 16, 2006 05:59 AM
Anyone have a picture showing a Livonia Avenue street sign - near the original Fortunoff? I would like to find a photograph - or a street sign.
Posted by: Judy at June 19, 2006 03:48 PM
I lived at 687 Stone Avenue, in my building was the Singer, Rebeckowitz, Friedman and Levine Families. The local Candy Store was owned by the Sherman Family and also living in that building was The Heller, Kazanowitz and Goldsmith Families. Also Dave Fineberg and his family. Dave had a motorcycle with a side car and he would always take the kids for a ride down Stone Avenue to Linden Blvd., and return. On the corner there was Herman's Grocery store and on the other side there was itchy the barber where all the older men hung out and the one person whom I remember was Ruby Berse and his cigar. This was a beautiful street and it is gone now but as far as I am concerned it will never be forgotten
Posted by: Larry Hochfeld at July 4, 2006 10:58 PM
I lived at 422 Saratoga Avenue-between Park Place and Eastern Pky in 1943. I went to PS 144 & then to JHS 178. My memories include Louie's ices on Eastern Pakwy, going to the Eastern Parkway Skating Rink with my steel roller skating box and my poodle skirt.
Going to ice cream sodas on the corner of Saratoga avenue and going to the Pitkin theater and going to Dr. Dendy for my teeth. The treat of the day was going into the Stationery store and looking at al of the school supplies we couldn't afford.
Going with my bubbie to the pushcarts and "hondling" for my first pocketbook.
Great times past.
Posted by: Susan at July 9, 2006 09:49 AM
anyone interested in Brownsville/East New York should read "A Walker In The City," by Afred Kazen. If you're up for a breathtaking view, climb to the top of Highland Park. You can see all of City Line, East New York, and Brownsville right to Jamaica Bay to the East. Turn around and you're looking at Manhattan. Highland Blvd runs parallel to Jamaica Avenue and is lined with mansions, which sit on estates perched high over the streets. This is amazing urban terrain.
Posted by: specs at July 23, 2006 10:12 AM
Brownsville just like every other place in the city and world has changed. But don't rag it. I know for certain there are similiar shots in any neighborhood in NYC. And by the way, when the City is ready, it will change this area like it has done to so many others!
Posted by: Wayen at September 6, 2006 10:26 PM
damn east ny. da hood.
Posted by: yea1 at October 27, 2006 09:35 PM
Is there any pictures of old graffiti murals from ENY and Brownsville.
Posted by: Jay at November 17, 2006 06:45 AM
We lived in East New York at 412 Barbey Street, between Pitkin and Belmont Avenues, until 1952. The house was a two-story "railroad" - upstairs you entered the kitchen, then the living room in front, and the bedrooms led from one to the other to the back of the house. I can remember pushcarts on Blake Avenue, the Pitkin Avenue El, Public School 158.
Thanks for the memories.
Posted by: Harvey at November 24, 2006 07:46 PM
I lived at 1939 Park Place. I remember Louies Ices, the Pitkin Theater every Sat. morning. I went to PS 175. David Marcus, then Tilden High. I remember Ralph, the cop.
There was a candy store on Bristol St where we all hung out. Then moved to Strauss & Dumont. Used to go to Betsy Head Pool. What days.......
Posted by: Micki at December 27, 2006 08:29 AM
Micki's post on Dec. 27th inspired me to comment. I lived on Blake Avenue and later Dumont Avenue in the Brownsville Houses. I also attended PS 175, went to Harry Eiseman (JHS 275) and then on to Tilden. My parents still live in Brownsville, now on Linden Boulevard. I visit as often as I can and see some revitalization occurring. Anyone interested in catching up with old friends should attend the Brownville Old Timers Weekend festivities which occurs on the last weekend in July at the Brownsville Recreation Center (BRC).
Posted by: Abu Bakr at December 27, 2006 08:59 AM
I lived in ENY at 783 Blake Ave went to PS 182 (is it still around??), walked through the park. It was GREAT!! What fun I had! My brothers and sister went to Thomas Jefferson High and Brooklyn Tech. All my siblings went to St. Michael's & St. Fortunata's Confraternity dances. My younger brother and I were not interested in that stuff back then! We watched the Flintstones!! We moved to Queens in 1962. I loved the push carts and all the excitement? I still miss East New York! Went to St. John Cantius', St Gabriel's and St. Malachy's churchs. We all got along so well.
Posted by: Margarite at January 17, 2007 04:54 PM
Your web site is great loaded with nostalgia. I live in Charlotte, N.C, however grew up on Saratoga & Blake in the very heart of Brownsville, Sold newspapers on the corner of Pitkin and Hopkinson, ushered at the Pitkin and Sutter Theaters and boxed in a gym behind the poolroom on Livonia and Georgia. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Murray Rosen at February 3, 2007 10:02 PM
HAD A GREAT CHILDHOOD & TEENAGE YEARS GROWING UP IN THE NEN LOTS SECTION OF EAST NEW YORK LATE FORTIES TO 1967.WOULD NOT SWAP IT FOR MILLON BUCKS!NO COMPUTERS ALWAYS PLAYING STREAT GAMES GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL??
Posted by: LOUIE at February 24, 2007 01:56 PM
I lived in Brownsville from 1962 to 1967 and in ENY from 1967 to 1986. Public school 184, JHS 275 and Thomas Jefferson High School where my schools. I never had any problems living in those so called "dangerous areas". I felt immune from danger. What great times I did have growing up there. When I hear the music of the 60's and 70's (Motown) those two NY areas come to mind and in a funny sort of way - I miss those days. I would not trade those memories for the world.
Posted by: Carmen at March 1, 2007 07:27 PM
In 1960 my dad had a butcher shop at 2323 fulton st ( bet. hendricks and schank) we lived above it and eventually moved in the rear of the shop. then we moved to the corner of fulton & hendricks above louie's grocery store. seeing this site really brought back a lot of good memories
Posted by: Sal at March 3, 2007 05:51 PM
I lived at 468 Saratoga Ave., corner St.John's Place in the 30's & 40's Went to PS144, JHS 178 & Thomas Jefferson. Drove through the area a few weeks ago - empty stores - abandoned buildings - Pitkin Ave, barely recognizable. Does anyone remember Ratner's icecream parlor, Midnight Rose's Candystore. I think it was near Livonia Ave.a hangout for Murder inc. Nothing now recognizable.
Posted by: marcia schwartzburg at July 28, 2007 12:02 AM
My family lived at 811 Cleveland Street for many years before 1967. Memories of New Lots contain horses and nannygoats on the land south of cozine .Material on the internet regarding ENY is evocative for me.
Posted by: Stu at July 30, 2007 10:16 PM
HI, I GREW UP IN E.N.Y. WENT TO P.S. 63 THEN TO J.H. 149. GRADUATED FROM THOMAS JEFFERSON H.S. I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW HAPPY I AM TO READ ALL THE WONDERFUL COMMENTS EVERYONE HAS MADE. I WOULD LOVE TO TALK TO ANYONE WHO CARES TO WRITE ME. THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL THESE WONDERFUL MEMORIES. MY EMAIL ADDRESS IS gigi.mom@verizon.net. JUST IN CASE IT DOES NOT APPEAR ABOVE. THANKS, MARIE
Posted by: Marie O'Malley at August 7, 2007 06:04 PM
It's nothing better than growing up in ENY. You learn and do things that you won't learn anywhere else. My experience of ENY-Brownsville comes from an era when it was at it's worst. The Crack-Epedimic. This set the community back 20+ years. The violence was rampid- Look at the 75th Pre CrimeStats from 86-92. 75th Pre lead the city in Homicides for 15yrs and still leads the city.
Posted by: King Cyrus at August 9, 2007 10:40 AM
I was born (literally) at 375A Ashford Street. My best friend, Rudy Clark lived across the street at 374 Ashford. There was no 375, only 375A. Go figure. ...That was back in 1963. I lived the better part of my life in East New York, attending St. Michael's Elementary School on Liberty Avenue.
I spent many a night hanging out on Pitkin and Warwick, not knowing I lived in the ghetto. I ran track for Thomas Edison High School from 1977 to 1981 and did most of my long-distance training on and around Pitkin Avenue, usually running a loop that included Highland Park's reservoir to places as far as Empire Boulevard past Brownsville. I loved racing cars along the stores on Pitkin because I could usually pass the cars when they had to stop for lights. I was fast back then. Ah, the good old days.
After college, yes, my sister and I both graduated college, (Me Hoftra, sis St. John's) and took jobs outside the city and state. East New Yorkers actually attended school.
Almost 44 years later, I live a cushy life in Phoenix, Az.
A Met fan to the end, I often take my son to East New York on my trips back to catch games and see friends and relatives. I want him to see where it all began...
These pictures brought back a boatload of great memories. Thanks. I'll be sure to forward the site to my sister. I know she'll feel the same.
Posted by: Will Diaz at August 16, 2007 05:38 PM
Hi everyone out there! You who lived in E.N.Y. Brooklyn back in the mid sixties through the mid seventies. I am Puerto Rican. And I am searching for friends and schoolmates who went to Jr.H.S.149 in the early sixties 1962-64 to be exact. If you lived there during this time please contact me. I would love to hear from you. It is wonderful that we can share this website with so many people who share the memories of the old hood. I used to hang out in Miller Park. I lived on Wyona St, Georgia Ave, Vermont St, Sheffield Ave, Hinsdale St, Williams Ave, Snediker Ave, My last address before leaving New York was Van Siclen Ave. I lived in ENY until 1976 when I moved to L.A. California. Today I live in Tucson, Arizona.
Posted by: Priscilla Bueno at August 21, 2007 03:20 AM
I linked to this page from another site, Forgotten NY, and was pleasamtly suprised. I lived in Brownsville 'til 1960 and East New York from 1975 to 1996. I was one of the first residents in the Van Dyke houses and went to P.S. 150. There was another school directly across the street next to the Brownsville houses.I remember Pitkin Avenue and Belmont Avenue but I also remember pushcarts on either Blake or Dumont Avenue by the railroad cut. There was another school around Dumont Avenue that was torn down when the Van Dyke expanded.Fortunoffs had stores on Livonia around Georgia and Williams Avenue. Foes anyone recall the names of the two moviehouses side by side on Stone Ave between Pitkin and Belmont?
Posted by: Allen Page at September 18, 2007 02:27 AM
Wow, some memories. I liked on Atkins Avenue near Hegeman, attended PS 202 then F.K. Lane H.S.
ENY New Lots was a wonderful neighborhood back in the late fifties to late sixties. I remember the push carts on Blake Avenue, the New Lots el, Cypress Hill pool and roller skating, my life back then, at Empire then Park Circle. Any old friend out there? I now live in NC.
Posted by: Arline at September 26, 2007 11:44 AM
Woops, that was lived on Atkins Avenue, sorry for the typo. As we get older memories seem to become more vivid and those were such wonderful days, before computers and all the modern tech things, we didn't even have air conditioning, but she sure had fun.
Posted by: Arline at September 26, 2007 11:46 AM
Does anyone remember the elevated train on Pitkin which crossed Pennsylvania Ave? Not the one still there in Fulton but the one that connected with the Canarsie line at Atlanric Avenue?
Posted by: Allen at October 24, 2007 08:12 PM
I lived in East New York in the late 40's, throuh the late 50'S. We didn't know we were poor and life was great. Life was simple and not very materialistic. None of us had money.
Two years ago I celebrated my 50th reunion from TJHS and it was so much fun seeing all the oldtimers I went to school with,
Keep up the good work with this website
Posted by: Marsha Antonoff at November 21, 2007 07:57 PM
great website if anyone has any pictures about those good old days of ENY PLEASE POST THEM.THNX.
Posted by: adan arzu at November 27, 2007 04:41 PM
Our home still sits on a lovely corner facing the beautiful Highland Park. Four sisters are we, who now no longer live in the city.
Public schools, 108,171,260, 292, Franklin K Lane, and even Canarsie High.
GREAT memories. Wish it had been a safer place to grow up. Cause the beauty of the Park was not enough for this day dreamer. I wanted it all for me and my sisters. I wanted to feel safe walking late at night, or just sitting on the stoop. Ah Well. maybe again soon...then some other Mother can raise her kids and not have to worry so much about the neighborhood being unsafe. ( 1952-1999)
Posted by: Linda Schnell at November 28, 2007 08:10 AM
Went to PS 158 in 2cnd grade (1962) grew up a musician and wrote a song about it
http://www.myspace.com/joeyracano
Posted by: Joey Racano at November 30, 2007 09:48 PM
I lived in East New York on New Jersey Ave my maiden name was Robertson First name Kathy I went to PS 182 and JHS 149 and for a short time I went to Thomas Jefferson. If any one remembers me please e-mail me. I lived there from 1946 to 1968.
Posted by: Kathleen at December 10, 2007 03:19 PM
I live at 1751 St. Johns Place from my birth in 1936 till 1954 when I joined the Army. Schools were PS 144, JHS 178 and Boys High. Still have my graduation photos from junior high and high school. I wonder were the hair went and the wrinkles came from?
Posted by: Arnold Horowitz at January 4, 2008 06:21 PM
BETH EL HOSPITAL IN 1943. 405 STONE AVE BETWEEN BELMONT & PITKIN 1943-1960.
PS 150; DAVID MARCUS JHS; TJHS.
MY FAMILY OWNED A SHOE STORE AT 101 BELMONT AVE BETWEEN STON & CHRISTOPHER. I HAVE A BROTHER NAMED JAY
Posted by: LESTER COHEN at January 19, 2008 11:00 PM
I lived in ENY in the 50's and early 60's went to
PS 158 then to PS108(near Highland Park) then to JHS 149, Thomas Jefferson HS and Brooklyn College.
Lived at 488 Hendrix St. Bet. Sutter and Blake - the neighborhood was mixed - black, white, Christian and Jewish - all of us poor and none of us knew it. Loved every minute of it. You could go anywhere and come home any hour of the day or night and feel safe in your own neighborhood - we had the best of everything. The best schools and the best libraries. I'll never forget it.
Posted by: Arlene Honey at February 18, 2008 04:06 PM
MY FAMILY LIVED IN ENY FROM 1940-1980 I WAS BORN IN 1962 ST MARYS HOSPITAL LIVED AT 509 BLAKE AVE FROM 62-73 GEORGIA AVE 73-82 MY MOM IS ITALIAN LAST NAME CARLINO MY DAD PR CRUZ. THEY LIVED IN ENY FROM 1940-1989.ANYONE REMEMBER ATKINS FLOWER SHOP ON SUTTER AVE BOBS SHOE STORE ROYAL GIANT SUPERMARKET AKA BILLY BLAKES.CHUCK THE BUTCHER BELMONT AVE? I WENT TO PS 328 MR RISSCO MS BLACKMAN MS CARMEN MS LESLIE GREAT TEACHERS.THE ENY THAT I ONCE LOVED IS GONE NOW BUT I DO HOLD FOND MEMORIES.
Posted by: VIVKI CRUZ at March 2, 2008 12:15 AM
Hi, I lived in ENY (Wyona St) from 1968-1972. Does anyone remember a sad event that happened in 1972 when a teacher was thrown out of an elementary school window? The school was a couple of blocks down Wyona St., but no longer exists. I have very fond memories (except for that sad event). Teacher: Mr. Areiter. FRIENDS BACK THEN: Daniel, Danny, Emma and Elba Echevarria, Tito Quiñones, Kathy that lived in a corner.
Posted by: Jazmin Santiago at March 5, 2008 08:19 PM
Born and raised in East New York.Lived a good part of my teens in the apartmernt house on Warwick & glenmore.Hung with the guys at Fox's Luncheonett on :iberty Ave and Jerome St.Fond memories of Highland Park,etc.(remember Snake Hill?)
Posted by: stevie maz at April 6, 2008 10:16 PM
I lived at 267 Chester St. in Brownsville between 1954-1961 and loved/hated it! I remember being hit by a kid from one of the local gangs as they rampaged down our block. Also remember seeing a dime stuck in a guys ear as some sign of status. My uncle owned the tailor shop next to the grocery at the corner of Blake and Chester, before the4y built the JHS (Marcus). I went to PS 175 and had Miss Sirota for 6th grade...she was a great teacher!!! Contact me if you were a neighbor or an old friend. Morris Hoffman, also called "Carrotop" those days because my hair was red.
Posted by: Morris Hoffman at April 13, 2008 03:36 PM
I am the Director of the Spay Neuter Intervention Project (SNIP). SNIP is an animal rescue organization and the only organization in NYC to advocate on behalf of junkyard dogs and inner cit animals. Our voluntary work is in Brownsville and East NY. We have been involved in these communities since 1994. The suffering of the animals in these communities is horrendous.
Posted by: Regina Massaro at April 18, 2008 04:54 AM
I grew up in Cypress Hills in the 60's-80. We were a bit far from East New York, but your photos were amazing and brought back many memories, riding the J train to the city and going through those neighborhoods, wondering, what the hell happened! it was a wonderful place growing up, my parents were the last folks on the block to sell and even Dad was sad to go..these places have personality all their own..or maybe its just us..but thank you..Anyone else have memories of Cypress hills, Fulton St., PS 65 or IS 171, Blessed Scarement, where Tony Danza went?? Great stuff..thank you.
Posted by: grace at April 27, 2008 02:02 AM
i lived in e.n.y. from 1984-1995. went to p.s. 141 & i.s. 292, lived on sutter ave & van sinderen right by the l train, vermont & glenmore & finally barbey & belmont.
though now living in atlanta, i have great memories of how it was to grow up in such a tough neighborhood, wouldn't have it any other way...!