Thanks for the shoutout about the Arbuckle Mansion! I actually can’t believe I got to go inside that building, it’s so gorgeous. Here’s hoping more Clinton Hill cat owners need a cat sitter soon 🤞
I think I was a freshman at Pratt the year he was killed. I had a job checking IDs at the school gym, and my supervisor, a man named Castro from East New York, said, "When we're done here, we're walking over to Biggie's funeral." So, we did. I remember the neighborhood being covered in RIP B.I.G. stickers.
I left the neighborhood around 2002. I lived on Willoughby, Carlton, and then Clinton, on the other side of Myrtle Avenue—which, as I learned from you, is in Wallabout.
I work in the building at Vanderbilt and Atlantic, just outside your boundaries. While it is offices today, I am told that it was originally a bicycle parts factory. I enjoy taking lunchtime strolls through the neighborhood, and now I will know more about what I'm seeing. Many thanks!
I’ve been walking around that area quite bit lately, some great old buildings not to mention the completely new mini city along Pacific. Is your office in a new building or in the original factory? Thanks Christopher!
My office is in the old factory - on Atlantic between Vanderbilt and Clermont. Some developer seems to have fixed the place up and rented it out to city agencies.
I love this project so much I can't wait to dig into the archives and to see which neighborhoods you'll cover next! If you don't mind, I'm curious how you choose which stories to write about for each neighbourhood and how long you send on each neighborhood
Thanks Bruce! It's always pretty random, though I try to keep a consistent order of boroughs: QBBxSM. I often just look at the map I keep in my studio and figure out where to go next. Sometimes, I'll have an assignment or other obligation in a particular neighborhood so that makes the decision for me.
I choose stories, kind of like the way I choose what to photograph—anything that looks or sounds interesting that I want to share with other people. There are plenty of more reputable sources for a nuanced look at a neighborhood's history, so I like to focus on what interests me.
Thank you for this wonderful essay and pictures, quirky personalities and all.
Love the comic strip Garfield the Cat and had to look up the origins of Jon Arbuckle’s name (Garfield’s owner) and bingo! It came from a 1950s COFFEE commercial!
Never knew there is a formal organization of world mechanics, western hemisphere.
Thank you too for the Stop sign at the end and the pumpkin “pi.” Happy Thanksgiving to all!
I've lived in Clinton Hill for 24 years and every time I get the itch to look around somewhere else, I just can't bear to leave it. Thanks for this and loved learning about the Enigma (and fellow Gates Ave resident)! Long live Ruby!
This is always the best email I receive each week that isn’t written by a loved one. And this is my hood, so extra special this week.
That's so nice of you to say, thank you!
MY HOOD <3
I thought you lived in Amsterdam? Hope I did your neighborhood right!
Thanks for the shoutout about the Arbuckle Mansion! I actually can’t believe I got to go inside that building, it’s so gorgeous. Here’s hoping more Clinton Hill cat owners need a cat sitter soon 🤞
If I hear of any cat sitting gigs in the homes of former durable goods tycoons, Ill pass on your info.
The dream 👏
Thank you for this! I love how you gravitate to the same quirky buildings that I have been interested in for so many years.
As much as I love Luigis, definitely check out Impasto, for me they win the neighborhood slice from a window bowl
I've been Impasto-curious for a while, so you may have pushed me to finally try it out. Thanks for reading!
“Who is your favorite persona, and why is it Ruby?” I’ve been laughing a lot all day today but this was the best laugh by far.
Yes! Who did you vote for?
I abstained. And this was after a considerable period of contemplation!
I should've left a section for write in candidates.
What kind of cracker?
Cheez It probably
Welches Grape for real?
The juice not the jelly
THATS WHAT I WAS HOPING
Now I'm gonna have to find a good book about the Brooklyn Enigma. That's some fascinating shit.
There was a great New Yorker article from 1934 if you're a subscriber (https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1934/09/08/the-brooklyn-enigma) and there is the original authorized biography you can get for free on archive.org https://archive.org/details/molliefancherbro00dailrich but its a little dated!
I really appreciate your sense of humor
Thanks Dana, but if this is in reference to my attempted murder joke, I kind of stole that...,
Also love the attempted murder (of crows) joke😆
I lived over there during the Biggy funeral. That day was wild.
Great job, as always.
Thanks Travis. Amazing that you were there to witness the funeral. When did you move out of the neighborhood?
I think I was a freshman at Pratt the year he was killed. I had a job checking IDs at the school gym, and my supervisor, a man named Castro from East New York, said, "When we're done here, we're walking over to Biggie's funeral." So, we did. I remember the neighborhood being covered in RIP B.I.G. stickers.
I left the neighborhood around 2002. I lived on Willoughby, Carlton, and then Clinton, on the other side of Myrtle Avenue—which, as I learned from you, is in Wallabout.
You're so cool.
I work in the building at Vanderbilt and Atlantic, just outside your boundaries. While it is offices today, I am told that it was originally a bicycle parts factory. I enjoy taking lunchtime strolls through the neighborhood, and now I will know more about what I'm seeing. Many thanks!
I’ve been walking around that area quite bit lately, some great old buildings not to mention the completely new mini city along Pacific. Is your office in a new building or in the original factory? Thanks Christopher!
My office is in the old factory - on Atlantic between Vanderbilt and Clermont. Some developer seems to have fixed the place up and rented it out to city agencies.
It's a magnificent neighborhood with really great brownstones, wide streets lined with trees and front yards.
It was always a gem to get of of the G line on to the street and glimpse the fine houses around and the Pratt Campus.
Definitely one of Brooklyn’s nicest places to take a walk!
I love this project so much I can't wait to dig into the archives and to see which neighborhoods you'll cover next! If you don't mind, I'm curious how you choose which stories to write about for each neighbourhood and how long you send on each neighborhood
Thanks Bruce! It's always pretty random, though I try to keep a consistent order of boroughs: QBBxSM. I often just look at the map I keep in my studio and figure out where to go next. Sometimes, I'll have an assignment or other obligation in a particular neighborhood so that makes the decision for me.
I choose stories, kind of like the way I choose what to photograph—anything that looks or sounds interesting that I want to share with other people. There are plenty of more reputable sources for a nuanced look at a neighborhood's history, so I like to focus on what interests me.
As for your second question, far too long.
I love the green & white awning shadows shot.
Thanks Bill. They must get great shade!
Thank you for this wonderful essay and pictures, quirky personalities and all.
Love the comic strip Garfield the Cat and had to look up the origins of Jon Arbuckle’s name (Garfield’s owner) and bingo! It came from a 1950s COFFEE commercial!
Never knew there is a formal organization of world mechanics, western hemisphere.
Thank you too for the Stop sign at the end and the pumpkin “pi.” Happy Thanksgiving to all!
I can't believe that about Jon Arbuckle, that's some good research! Couldn't find a dead end this week so...
Hope you have a nice Thanksgiving!
I've lived in Clinton Hill for 24 years and every time I get the itch to look around somewhere else, I just can't bear to leave it. Thanks for this and loved learning about the Enigma (and fellow Gates Ave resident)! Long live Ruby!
I’m sure it has changed so much since 2000, but it is still such a vibrant and beautiful neighborhood. Thanks Lili!
... I have to ask: what makes that car on Hall Street the most photographed car in Clinton Hill?
Well first of all, it never moves. Second, it’s right across from an art school. Third, I’ve seen half a dozen picture of it on instagram