I'm actually new to your newsletter, just wanted to say what an amazing job you've done. Every neighborhood feels like a chapter of a novel I can't wait to read the next one.
"Besides the industrial zone and Maspeth's residential section, a significant portion of the neighborhood is devoted to the dead, whose numbers exceed the neighborhood’s living population by a considerable amount."
What an observation and an positively odd way of putting it!
Fantastic article! I learned some things I never knew and I grew up in that neighborhood. Went to games at the Metropolitan Oval, got my first tax paying job at 15yo at Western Beef and did a lot of hanging out on those railroad tracks and cemeteries. One picture hit me hard though, the one in the alley looking west toward the city. I lived around the corner on Arnold Ave, and as kid we would have battles with the kids from 56th St for control of the alley, a lot of fireworks and BB guns were involved. One winter that alley was all ice and I went sliding down it and crashed right out into the street (Andrews Ave) chipping my front tooth, man my mom was mad. The picture of the Dept. of Sanitation incinerator made me remember when they would fire that thing up and huge flakes of black ash would rain from the sky. Newtown Creeks water never really ran, it was kind of like syrup on top, and if you threw a rock or something in, it would make a hole and nasty oil water would seep up and fill the hole. As nasty, smelly and polluted as that neighborhood was I love it, and still do, I consider myself lucky to have grown up in NYC. Man am I homesick now!
Amazing memories, thanks for sharing Rob! In seems like in many ways, that part of NYC is gone for good, though there are still some vestiges from the “old days.” At least there’s no more trash-ash and Newton Creek is a little cleaner
Cool to see the very first End of New York photo! It was the very first post this time though, as opposed to always being the last one, like the other Stop, End, Deadend, etc photos.
Thank you! Often, when you mention details in a specific photo, I have to go back and scrutinize each one to figure out which one you are actually talking about. I don’t know if that means you are really observant or I am really lazy, but I suspect it is a combination of both.
Also, the numbered streets in Maspeth are insane. There is a stretch of 58th Place that runs between 58th Rd and 58th Ave.
No! That was in the summertime. The weird thing about that particular scene was that it was really early in the morning. I'm not sure if it was for a video shoot or just some AM club scene, but these kids kept arriving on the scene.
So, so good. I was just recently introduced to Neighborhoods by a friend and this was my first read - appropriate, since I’ve lived on the other side of Ridgewood for 6 years. I’ve driven past the Met Oval numerous times never knowing its name or history (and I’m of Hungarian and German descent!). Need to find myself a vintage Knitters jersey, ha ha. Fascinating stuff overall, and great photos. You’ve got a new fan.
Thanks Kristen and thanks to your friend for recommending the newsletter! Glad you found me. I bet it would be fun to check out a game at the Oval. And to show up in a Knitters jersey would be next level!
Great bit of history and this is right up there as a neighborhood where I’ve enjoyed the photos the most. Wonderful photos and such a variety. The description of the neighborhood and the view via your eye are to me, quite a contrast. Really well done.
Thank you for doing the work to honor the Romani people and find out their background. Many people still lump them all under the outdated slur with no regard to who they were or where they actually came from.
I'm actually new to your newsletter, just wanted to say what an amazing job you've done. Every neighborhood feels like a chapter of a novel I can't wait to read the next one.
Thanks so much, Michael. I'm glad you found me! Neighborhoods as chapters is a great analogy; I might have to steal that.
😄
"Besides the industrial zone and Maspeth's residential section, a significant portion of the neighborhood is devoted to the dead, whose numbers exceed the neighborhood’s living population by a considerable amount."
What an observation and an positively odd way of putting it!
The living-to-dead ratio is immediately apparent when you enter one of these incredibly densely packed cemeteries!
Fantastic article! I learned some things I never knew and I grew up in that neighborhood. Went to games at the Metropolitan Oval, got my first tax paying job at 15yo at Western Beef and did a lot of hanging out on those railroad tracks and cemeteries. One picture hit me hard though, the one in the alley looking west toward the city. I lived around the corner on Arnold Ave, and as kid we would have battles with the kids from 56th St for control of the alley, a lot of fireworks and BB guns were involved. One winter that alley was all ice and I went sliding down it and crashed right out into the street (Andrews Ave) chipping my front tooth, man my mom was mad. The picture of the Dept. of Sanitation incinerator made me remember when they would fire that thing up and huge flakes of black ash would rain from the sky. Newtown Creeks water never really ran, it was kind of like syrup on top, and if you threw a rock or something in, it would make a hole and nasty oil water would seep up and fill the hole. As nasty, smelly and polluted as that neighborhood was I love it, and still do, I consider myself lucky to have grown up in NYC. Man am I homesick now!
Amazing memories, thanks for sharing Rob! In seems like in many ways, that part of NYC is gone for good, though there are still some vestiges from the “old days.” At least there’s no more trash-ash and Newton Creek is a little cleaner
Looking forward to hear about the vegan Peruvian restaurant!
Cool to see the very first End of New York photo! It was the very first post this time though, as opposed to always being the last one, like the other Stop, End, Deadend, etc photos.
I had that image at the end but then moved it last minute. I might sneak a different END in there just for kicks.
Some of your most beautiful photos yet! My fave is 58th Street/56th Drive.
Thank you! Often, when you mention details in a specific photo, I have to go back and scrutinize each one to figure out which one you are actually talking about. I don’t know if that means you are really observant or I am really lazy, but I suspect it is a combination of both.
Also, the numbered streets in Maspeth are insane. There is a stretch of 58th Place that runs between 58th Rd and 58th Ave.
I know I lived there my first year in NYC and I'm still lost!
That poor traffic cone!
It had it coming
Bring back horse bologna!
No thanks!
58th Ave, 58th Place, 58th Road, 58th Street, 56th Drive … wah I’m lost🤪
Jazz musician Django Reinhardt was of gypsy extraction, but I'm not sure if he was a Ludar or not.
Django was a Manouche.
This needs to be the code phrase at your speakeasy.
Knock knock. "Yeah?"
"Django was a Manouche."
"Okay come on in."
I’m going to have to change the code now? My regulars are not going to be happy.
Ah. A different group.
Wow, amazing shots this week! Totally ticked my brain in the best way.
Thanks Eden!
Was the photograph of the younger people (one in shorts) taken recently? There’s always someone wearing shorts in the cold weather.
No! That was in the summertime. The weird thing about that particular scene was that it was really early in the morning. I'm not sure if it was for a video shoot or just some AM club scene, but these kids kept arriving on the scene.
The amount of times I have been past the goodfella's diner and never knew it. Wow! Great blog, these photos are fantastic, as usual.
Thanks Mace! They renamed themselves after the shoot to capitalize on the movie’s success. Used to be called the Clinton Diner. Here is a great read on the place: https://filmmakermagazine.com/108412-outta-respect-remembering-the-goodfellas-diner/
So, so good. I was just recently introduced to Neighborhoods by a friend and this was my first read - appropriate, since I’ve lived on the other side of Ridgewood for 6 years. I’ve driven past the Met Oval numerous times never knowing its name or history (and I’m of Hungarian and German descent!). Need to find myself a vintage Knitters jersey, ha ha. Fascinating stuff overall, and great photos. You’ve got a new fan.
Thanks Kristen and thanks to your friend for recommending the newsletter! Glad you found me. I bet it would be fun to check out a game at the Oval. And to show up in a Knitters jersey would be next level!
Great bit of history and this is right up there as a neighborhood where I’ve enjoyed the photos the most. Wonderful photos and such a variety. The description of the neighborhood and the view via your eye are to me, quite a contrast. Really well done.
Thanks Scott! It's a very photographable place for sure. I feel like I just scratched the surface.
Thank you for doing the work to honor the Romani people and find out their background. Many people still lump them all under the outdated slur with no regard to who they were or where they actually came from.