Wow. This issue had me wondering about the history of abuse at those children's homes, the fate of the children who went out west, and where children who reached the end of the line with no one adopting them went.
Yeah, I am sure there are stories, but I didn't dig too deep. The Governor of Alaska, the Governor of North Dakota and the Mayor of Kansas City were all orphan train veterans as was eden ahbez the guy who wrote Nature Boy and deserves a newsletter of his own. The fact that many of the orphans weren't actually orphans but were put on the trains regardless is indicative of how bad the situations they were leaving too.
The orphan train plan puts me in mind of how the notorious Western outlaw William "Billy The Kid" Bonney (ne Henry McCarty, in a NYC slum) probably ended up leaving his birthplace. Could he have been one of those orphans?
I grew up here. Moved away 22 years ago. Was great especially during the times when the Bronx was in a decline, Parkchester even during its own downturn in the late 80’s still felt insulated from the problems in the surrounding neighborhoods.
My mom grew up not too far from Parkchester. She often mentioned the "protectory" and remembered when Parkchester was built. (She was born in 1925). The kids in the area nicknamed Parkchester "The Prison" due to all the rules when it first opened. Like no bike or sleigh riding, to name a few. I went to an orthodontist in Castle Hill. My mom and I would often go to Parkchester afterwards for shopping or to see a movie at the Loews American theater.
There are some really swell pictures in this substack. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for looking!
Wow. This issue had me wondering about the history of abuse at those children's homes, the fate of the children who went out west, and where children who reached the end of the line with no one adopting them went.
Yeah, I am sure there are stories, but I didn't dig too deep. The Governor of Alaska, the Governor of North Dakota and the Mayor of Kansas City were all orphan train veterans as was eden ahbez the guy who wrote Nature Boy and deserves a newsletter of his own. The fact that many of the orphans weren't actually orphans but were put on the trains regardless is indicative of how bad the situations they were leaving too.
No mention of the Woolworths store in Parkchester? Remember going there as a kid.
What do you remember about it?
The luncheonette counter downstairs. Also got an Elvis doll there. This was in the early to mid 90’s.
Only Woolworths would still be selling Elvis dolls in the mid 90s
Yeah, I was a kid and thought it was the coolest thing to have.
The orphan train plan puts me in mind of how the notorious Western outlaw William "Billy The Kid" Bonney (ne Henry McCarty, in a NYC slum) probably ended up leaving his birthplace. Could he have been one of those orphans?
I grew up here. Moved away 22 years ago. Was great especially during the times when the Bronx was in a decline, Parkchester even during its own downturn in the late 80’s still felt insulated from the problems in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Wow the orphan train thing is wild!
Wow those statues are wild!
I’m all for more whimsical statuary to brighten up otherwise drab architecture. The green casement windows pull some weight too
Haha the leaf pile!
Fascinating as always! Thanks Rob!
Thanks John!
Your research and eye are wonderful. So appreciated!
Thank you and thank you for reading!
I was born near the Bronx. Pelham Manor
My mom grew up not too far from Parkchester. She often mentioned the "protectory" and remembered when Parkchester was built. (She was born in 1925). The kids in the area nicknamed Parkchester "The Prison" due to all the rules when it first opened. Like no bike or sleigh riding, to name a few. I went to an orthodontist in Castle Hill. My mom and I would often go to Parkchester afterwards for shopping or to see a movie at the Loews American theater.
So good. I’ll have to go and see more of those terracotta statues!
AOC's apartment looks exactly like mine in the clinton hill coops wow
This was so interesting, and I wept when I read about the Orphan Train. The photos of the children are heartbreaking.