Dumbo Then and Now: Plymouth Street West of Pearl Street

For the second in the series of “Dumbo Streetscapes Then and Now”, we are looking at photos down Plymouth Street west from Pearl Street. In the 68 year old photo, circa 1938, you’ll notice that the brown brick building on the right side of the photos is still in its original form (more or less) on the corner of Plymouth and Adams Streets. This building used to be part of Arbuckle Coffee Co. The Arbuckle Coffee Mill also occupied the Empire Stores for a number of years. In the foreground is Manhattan Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge tower is at the center of the photos. The Belgian block street is mostly paved over, but some eroded areas still show the original street blocks.

On the back: “Plymouth Street, west from Pearl Street, showing at the right of the Arbuckle Bros. Coffee Co. building. In order is also shown the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge.
April 4, 1938″

Percy Loomis Sperr, 1890-1964 — Photographer


   1938


   September, 2006

{New York Public Library photo of Plymouth Street West Pearl Street}
{Dumbo Then and Now: Washington and York Street}

4 Comment

  • I understand the necessity of asphalt, but boy do the old streets look so much better.

    I love this series. Great finds.

  • I understand the necessity of asphalt, but boy do the old streets look so much better.

    I love this series. Great finds.

  • Agreed… the belgian blocks look great. Supposedly there’s a plan to restore the blocks in certain parts of dumbo. I believe Washington street is already approved to begin next year.

  • Agreed… the belgian blocks look great. Supposedly there’s a plan to restore the blocks in certain parts of dumbo. I believe Washington street is already approved to begin next year.