1938
In this series of “Dumbo Streetscapes Then and Now”, a 1938 photograph by photographer P.L. Sperr is looking down Front Street from what used to be known as Garrison Street (renamed York Street since the addition of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway). The building on the right is 70 Washington Street, and the center/left building is 45 Main Street. The far building in the center is the existing 55 Washington Street.
The original caption in the back of the photo reads: “Front Street, east from Garrison Street. April 4, 1938”
Today’s view, 71 years later, is pretty similar to the 1938 photo at first glance. The building structures are pretty much in tact, and the lot in front of 70 Washington was used as parking, just as it is now. The parking lot is owned by the Jehovah’s Witness (aka The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society). Because the Landmarks Preservation Commission granted landmark status to these buildings in Dumbo, the building exterior won’t change much in the future as well. However, the parking lot sits outside of the LPC boundaries for the Dumbo Historic District, which means the land owners may be allowed to build something on that plot someday.
One observation is the advertising for lofts on top of the 45 Main Street building in 1938 is similar to what it is today. in 1938, the ad space states: “Realty Corp. Lofts to-let”. Today, the building owner, Two Trees Management, has a sign that states: “Live. Work. Play. DUMBO” (Flickr photo)
{New York Public Library photo of Front Street – Garrison Street (1938)}
{Dumbo Then and Now, series, DumboNYC}
{Google Street View, from York St}
Awesome! more please.
Thanks!
Awesome! more please.
Thanks!
Love the then and now pictures. I think you mean brooklyn-queens expressway, not bronx.
Oops. Thanks for the correction.
Opportunity for improvement: if you make a mistake you should correct it publicly. It is usual to strike-through the mistake and insert the corrected version (while leaving the strikethrough visible). It seems like you corrected the post above so these comments don't make sense. cheers.
Noted. Thanks for the feedback.
Love the then and now pictures. I think you mean brooklyn-queens expressway, not bronx.
Oops. Thanks for the correction.
Opportunity for improvement: if you make a mistake you should correct it publicly. It is usual to strike-through the mistake and insert the corrected version (while leaving the strikethrough visible). It seems like you corrected the post above so these comments don't make sense. cheers.
Noted. Thanks for the feedback.
Love the then and now pictures. I think you mean brooklyn-queens expressway, not bronx.
Love the then and now pictures. I think you mean brooklyn-queens expressway, not bronx.
seeing these makes me want to weep! this neighborhood is being ruined by ugliness!
so sad to remember what a great place and LOCAL pub the Between the bridges was…and now…yuck 🙁
Be careful almert, the occupiers will not look kindly on reminiscing about the past. Better to accept the revisionist history that Dumbo was a crime infested minority jungle village.
yours,
loose stool
indeed! except some of us knew what a load of bull that is! it was at least free of designer baby strollers and condos promising “lifestyle” living….sigh….
as a yuppie condi dweller, i gladly say f u 🙂
seeing these makes me want to weep! this neighborhood is being ruined by ugliness!
so sad to remember what a great place and LOCAL pub the Between the bridges was…and now…yuck 🙁
Be careful almert, the occupiers will not look kindly on reminiscing about the past. Better to accept the revisionist history that Dumbo was a crime infested minority jungle village.
yours,
loose stool
indeed! except some of us knew what a load of bull that is! it was at least free of designer baby strollers and condos promising “lifestyle” living….sigh….
as a yuppie condi dweller, i gladly say f u 🙂
indeed! except some of us knew what a load of bull that is! it was at least free of designer baby strollers and condos promising “lifestyle” living….sigh….
indeed! except some of us knew what a load of bull that is! it was at least free of designer baby strollers and condos promising “lifestyle” living….sigh….
as a yuppie condi dweller, i gladly say f u 🙂
as a yuppie condi dweller, i gladly say f u 🙂
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