Most people know the AA Low house at the Montague Street Promenade entrance (3 Pierrepont Place). But do we know who he was besides the father of Mayor Seth Low? Abiel Abbot Low was born in Salem, Massachusetts in 1811 and, through his father, Seth the Elder, became involved in the China trade in a […]
Tag Archives | heights history
Three Years Later: Columbia Heights “Sgrafitto”
Looking at the video, one can clearly see the ornate facade at 177-179 Columbia Heights is on its last leg. The numerous cracks on each tablet clearly show wear and tear. Will it survive another year? Will someone come to the rescue? This building’s exterior is in crisis. This story should have resonance with the […]
Some Things Don’t Change
It’s not news that significant parts of the 1988 film Moonstruck were filmed in BH and environs. Most everyone knows the house at Cranberry and Willow, (recently sold and currently under renovation) which served as the focal point of the Castorini household, and the focal point of the film, and that the Cammareri bakery was […]
Heights History: The Opinionated Bernard Atkins
On November 2, 1971 the New York Times told the story of florist/real estate agent Bernard Atkins. At that time, Atkins was in the middle of intertwined controversies. The first involved attacks upon his James Weir Florist Shop at 160 Montague Street. The newspaper reported that its huge store front window had been attacked four […]
Heights History: Murder on Joralemon Street
The Brooklyn Eagle’s This Day in History looks at the June 2, 1931 murder of Dr. George E. Deely of Joralemon Street: The doctor’s housekeeper Norma Lindaris came down the stairs at 8 a.m. on June 2, 1931 to start breakfast. She was puzzled at seeing the door to Dr. Deeley’s living quarters slightly ajar. […]
Heights History:The Nabeguy Collection
BHB community member Nabeguy has posted many vintage photos of Brooklyn Heights to the BHB Photo Club on Flickr. About the pics he says: These photos were taken in November 1961 by my father, who, along with other like-minded neighbors, was in opposition to the proposed zoning variance that would allow for construction of the […]
Heights History: Hotel St. George Pool Poster
From the BHB Inbox, Eddy writes: Hi, I thought it might be nice to share the attached scan of St George Pool ad art…. not sure of the year (guess is the 50’s-60’s) but it was found in the hotel after it closed in the early 80’s (my friends and I used to explore it […]
Heights History: St. George Resident Looks to its Past
The New York Times profiles St. George Hotel Tower resident Craig Meachen and his search for memorabilia of the landmark building: New York Times: Resurrecting…: “The ballroom was where the annual Brooklyn Heights debutante balls were held,” a member writes. Another recalls “clamoring outside with a huge throng of people to get a glimpse of […]
Heights History: Montague Street Revitalization 1976
In 1974, the city received a $50,000 “City Options” grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to “produce designs that would improve city life”. Proposals for urban revitalization were created by the New York Department of City Planning for four neighborhoods – Alexander Avenue in the Bronx, Union Square and Chinatown in Manhattan, and […]
Heights History: BBQing for BUG
From Poppa Fink’s archives comes this promo shot of former NYC Commissioner of Public Events/ Knicks star Bud Palmer BBQing atop a building somewhere in Brooklyn Heights circa 1971. The address of the BUG photo lab is stamped on the back of the picture: 195 Montague Street. According to Pops, the shot was used in […]
Nabe Chatter