Wow that colorful house really stands out in all that beige. I want to meet the people who painted it! Maybe that has to be another CAFÉ ANNE newsletter subject.
The Gizmo documentary ate 15 minutes of my life before I could look away. I'm going to have to check that out, as it's exactly in one of my spheres of interest.
As for what dude is selling in that picture, I'm guessing it's salt.
As a former PLG-er, I've been waiting for this! Actually, I never quite knew how to answer what neighborhood I lived in, particularly because I lived one block south of Clarkson, on Lenox. Linden Blvd makes more sense as a boundary to me, but the NYT map suggests most of my former neighbors felt otherwise, and that Clarkson is the more commonly-accepted border. Sometimes I said I lived in Flatbush, sometimes I just said southeast of the Park. I miss it a lot, and loved reading about its fascinating history.
Thanks Grace! To be honest, I'm kind of winging it when it comes to borders, but the NYT map is a great resource. Taking another look at the map, Linden does like a logical dividing line to me. I'm sure in a few years there will be even more new neighborhoods for us to puzzle over.
A friend sent this to me -- so glad she did as this was such a joy to read. I live in Prospect Park South but have spent lots of time wandering through PLG, but I'm disabled and now can't do that anymore -- I'm not able to leave the apartment much. So looking at these photos was such a great pleasure and I got a big kick out of your research too -- I used to do a lot of archival research for work, such great little gems. Can't wait to go through the archive.
Thanks Morgan! Glad you like the project. I imagine you are a much more efficient researcher than me. It's pretty time consuming but so fun to come across things that are new to me. Happy you found me!
Many late ‘60s—early ‘70s “brownstoners” decorated mostly with antiques. I think that was because they seemed appropriate for our houses, we disliked the MSM stuff we had grown up with, and, since Victorian furniture was out out of fashion, it was much cheaper than new furniture. Anyway we had lots of fun collecting for 50+ years.
Hi Bob, that's the link. I just added link to the notes. Didn't want to post photos without permission. You have made such a beautiful home. I only hope Bob May's house is half as nice!
A few months ago I witnessed the construction crew for a new build on my street accidentally run over the fire command box on the corner. It's a great metaphor the more I think about it haha. Great work as always Rob!
The Father Coughlin story left me with my mouth open. Thank goodness we can all learn from history. Meanwhile I’d suggest the man with the cart is either selling chestnuts or vast quantities of cocaine.
Love the big white rectangles amidst all the ornate architecture. And the fire alarm prevention industry, comic/awful. Great segment, Rob! Way to find the gleam.
I’ve lived in the neighborhood for 30 years and some of this confirmed or added to what I’ve learned over the years. And some of it was new! I love the 1887 ad for the sale of the farm!!
One of my favorite buildings in the neighborhood is one you photographed, the Bond Bread building. Always liked the thought that fans from Ebbett’s could maybe smell it on a certain day. And always wondered what PLG would be like if that stadium remained nearby!
Yeah, it's a great old building. I imagine you could definitely smell it from Ebbett's! Thankfully that was well before the company was fined for unsanitary conditions after a mouse was discovered sliced in a loaf of Bond bread.
The first time I visited NYC in 2010, we stayed at Lefferts Manor Bed and Breakfast on Rutland Rd. I saw the name Lefferts in your article and recognized the neighborhood. I remember liking how convenient it was to the trains. We walked a good 30 miles over those 3 days, exploring Brooklyn and Manhattan.
You’re welcome Rob. FWIW I’ve been on the LMA board for over 40 years and am current president. It’s ironic that a restrictive covenant helped to foster integration, but our covenant IS different:
Wow that colorful house really stands out in all that beige. I want to meet the people who painted it! Maybe that has to be another CAFÉ ANNE newsletter subject.
The Gizmo documentary ate 15 minutes of my life before I could look away. I'm going to have to check that out, as it's exactly in one of my spheres of interest.
As for what dude is selling in that picture, I'm guessing it's salt.
Gizmo! is basically all my spheres of interest put together. The cherry on top for that house is the license plate of the car parked in front.
One vote for chestnuts, one for potatoes, one for salt!
As a former PLG-er, I've been waiting for this! Actually, I never quite knew how to answer what neighborhood I lived in, particularly because I lived one block south of Clarkson, on Lenox. Linden Blvd makes more sense as a boundary to me, but the NYT map suggests most of my former neighbors felt otherwise, and that Clarkson is the more commonly-accepted border. Sometimes I said I lived in Flatbush, sometimes I just said southeast of the Park. I miss it a lot, and loved reading about its fascinating history.
Thanks Grace! To be honest, I'm kind of winging it when it comes to borders, but the NYT map is a great resource. Taking another look at the map, Linden does like a logical dividing line to me. I'm sure in a few years there will be even more new neighborhoods for us to puzzle over.
I was a PLG resident and people would always say “ where is that?”
A friend sent this to me -- so glad she did as this was such a joy to read. I live in Prospect Park South but have spent lots of time wandering through PLG, but I'm disabled and now can't do that anymore -- I'm not able to leave the apartment much. So looking at these photos was such a great pleasure and I got a big kick out of your research too -- I used to do a lot of archival research for work, such great little gems. Can't wait to go through the archive.
(or "Prospect Park South," I should say, as it's always felt like a fake neighborhood to me... I await your expert report!)
Definitely a real neighborhood, you've got your own gateposts after all! Not sure there is enough for a full write up but time will tell.
Thanks Morgan! Glad you like the project. I imagine you are a much more efficient researcher than me. It's pretty time consuming but so fun to come across things that are new to me. Happy you found me!
Thank you Rob. Strangely can’t see those photographs of my house. I presume you mean this article from Brownstoner Magazine:
https://www.brownstoner.com/interiors-renovation/brooklyn-prospect-lefferts-gardens-renovation-brownstoning-antique-collecting-racial-integration-schoolteachers-coup/
Many late ‘60s—early ‘70s “brownstoners” decorated mostly with antiques. I think that was because they seemed appropriate for our houses, we disliked the MSM stuff we had grown up with, and, since Victorian furniture was out out of fashion, it was much cheaper than new furniture. Anyway we had lots of fun collecting for 50+ years.
Bob Marvin (NOT Bob May, whoever that might be).
Hi Bob, that's the link. I just added link to the notes. Didn't want to post photos without permission. You have made such a beautiful home. I only hope Bob May's house is half as nice!
Also Anna Morris, lol 😂 amazing
A few months ago I witnessed the construction crew for a new build on my street accidentally run over the fire command box on the corner. It's a great metaphor the more I think about it haha. Great work as always Rob!
I was amazed to learn that there are 15,000 (now 14,999) still in operation. Thanks Nick!
"Any guesses what the vendor is selling in that last photo?"... I'm absolutely wrong, but maybe roasted chestnuts?
Thank you for another fantastic read/photos. :)
That was my first guess! Thanks Jen!
Potatoes
Love that you started by ironing out the PLG/Flatbush debate. It's been such a hot topic for probably over a decade now (from what I remember)
Not sure I ironed it out just tried to cover my bases!
The Father Coughlin story left me with my mouth open. Thank goodness we can all learn from history. Meanwhile I’d suggest the man with the cart is either selling chestnuts or vast quantities of cocaine.
Ha, maybe both! Coughlin’s popularity is pretty shocking but also, given the current state of things, completely believable.
Love the big white rectangles amidst all the ornate architecture. And the fire alarm prevention industry, comic/awful. Great segment, Rob! Way to find the gleam.
Thanks George!
Popcorn?
Popcorn is certainly a possibility. I like that we have zero consensus so far!
I’ve lived in the neighborhood for 30 years and some of this confirmed or added to what I’ve learned over the years. And some of it was new! I love the 1887 ad for the sale of the farm!!
They spared no expense when it came to word count!
The addition of the food and band, too!
(Crotchety old man voice): In my day it was all Flatbush! And we liked it that way!
At least the didn't try to call it ProGaLe?
One of my favorite buildings in the neighborhood is one you photographed, the Bond Bread building. Always liked the thought that fans from Ebbett’s could maybe smell it on a certain day. And always wondered what PLG would be like if that stadium remained nearby!
https://www.brownstoner.com/architecture/brooklyn-architecture-prospect-lefferts-gardens-495-flatbush-avenue/
Yeah, it's a great old building. I imagine you could definitely smell it from Ebbett's! Thankfully that was well before the company was fined for unsanitary conditions after a mouse was discovered sliced in a loaf of Bond bread.
The first time I visited NYC in 2010, we stayed at Lefferts Manor Bed and Breakfast on Rutland Rd. I saw the name Lefferts in your article and recognized the neighborhood. I remember liking how convenient it was to the trains. We walked a good 30 miles over those 3 days, exploring Brooklyn and Manhattan.
I bet Anna Morris would be surprised that they are allowed to run a b&b there!
You’re welcome Rob. FWIW I’ve been on the LMA board for over 40 years and am current president. It’s ironic that a restrictive covenant helped to foster integration, but our covenant IS different:
https://www.brownstoner.com/history/brooklyn-covenants-and-deed-restrictions-real-estate-development-tennis-court-prospect-park-south/
Also added this to the notes. Thanks for the link!