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Near 117 Nelson Street
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(10)
527 Clinton Street
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Men outside Clinton Market, an “Italian American Grocery,” 1958.
Defonte's Sandwich Shop
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Defonte’s Sandwich Shop, 1939. Founded in 1922 by Nick Defonte, the sandwich shop claims to be the oldest eatery in Red Hook.
13 Dennet Place
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Bennett Place, 1958. A small alley between Nelson and Luquer Streets, Dennet Place, for many years, was mislabeled on maps as Bennett Place (the street's first unsolved mystery). In fact, Morrell, the photographer of this image, notes the name of the street as Bennett, also. Evidence of the street can be traced back to city directories of the 1870s. The residents of Dennet's homes have long been a small tight-knit community of Italian American families. Most refer to it as "Cat’s Alley" (the street's second unsolved mystery). The homes on the short block are two- and three-story attached houses. The houses have a peculiar feature: small street-level doors. Each home has a set of stairs that rise up to an above street level entrance, while under the stairs mini doors, more appropriate for a fairy tale creature than a New Yorker, sit at street level. And the purpose and origins of these doors remain a mystery (secret no. 3!), even to the families that have lived there for decades.
Six-Million Cubic Feet of Fresh Air: Ventilation Towers of the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel
Story
Construction was begun on the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel in 1940. Initially, Robert Moses had pushed for a bridge in the same place, but those plans were scrapped by the Dept. of War citing both security concerns (the bridge would be close to Brooklyn's Navy Yard) and citizen's outcry to preserve the Battery, which was largely undeveloped at the time (an unstated reason was Moses' feud with President Roosevelt.) Instead of a bridge, a tunnel was built to connect the two boroughs. Four towers ventilate the two-mile-long strip of underground highway, refreshing air every 90-seconds.
St. Mary's School
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St. Mary's School on New Year's Eve 1958. St Mary's, the parish school of the adjacent St. Mary Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church, was established in 1867. Today, it is the private International School of Brooklyn.
Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel
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Brooklyn approach to the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, 1950. Conceived in the late 1930s by city officials, this project was one that master planner Robert Moses was actually not a proponent (and complained about the resulting tunnel for decades). Moses wanted to construct a bridge between lower Manhattan and Brooklyn but city officials, including Mayor LaGuardia, and President Roosevelt advocated for the tunnel (with FDR citing issues of national security in the construction of a bridge as well as his dislike for Moses). Construction on the tunnel began in 1940, with FDR attending the groundbreaking ceremony, but was waylaid by World War II. Completed and opened to traffic in 1950 it is the longest continuous underwater road in North America. In 2010 it was renamed (officially, though not colloquially) the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel, for the former New York State Governor.
18 Dennet Place
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Small fry beat the heat Boy in bathing suit in Gowanus area sitting on top of open fire hydrant; two girls in bathing suits looking on from sidewalk; iron fence and ground floor of building in background. Caption: "Small fry beat the heat -- Emilio Pastrawa, 8, does it the old-fashioned way by holding hot feet under stream of cold water from fireplug near his home at 18 Dennet Place."
Public School 27
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Public School 27 at the corner of Nelson and Hicks Streets, 1930. This school building was constructed in 1890, but an 1885 Brooklyn Eagle report describes a school operating at the same location five years earlier. The report details unsanitary conditions in the low-lying area: the Slab City shanty town near the Gowanus Canal, “sewerless streets,” tidal and runoff ponds, and a “vast public dumping ground” along Delevan Street between Richards and Dwight Streets.
Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel
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The completion of the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel in May, 1950 marked the end of 10 years of planning and engineering, overcoming back-breaking labor, war, and financial difficulty that stood in its way. At the time the nation’s longest most modern underwater vehicular tunnel, the Brooklyn-Battery tunnel had about as turbulent a history as any of New York’s infrastructure. It was the most expensive two-mile bit of highway ever built at the time - costing more than $40,000,000 a mile. A connection between Brooklyn and Manhattan was first conceived of in 1929. Initially, a graceful, double-unit suspension bridge was to connect the boroughs, featuring a ramp leading down to Governor's Island at the apex. Unfortunately, various groups objected against its potential to disfigure the Battery Park Landscape, and President FDR cited security concerns. In the end, the War Department barred the construction of the bridge in 1939. Funding dwindled on the endeavor to drill a two-mile tunnel between Battery Park and Brooklyn until the Reconstruction Finance Corporation offered $57,000,000 in loans towards its construction. Ground broke on October 28th, 1490, with President Franklin D. Roosevelt on hand for the momentous occasion. Major construction work began in 1941 and for nearly two years, it slowly marched forward. On the Manhattan end, a hole 24-feet in diameter was carved through solid rock which began 2,800 feet under the surface of the river. The Brooklyn side was challenged with softer rock to drill through at about 1,000 feet from the entrance at Hamilton Avenue and Van Brunt Street. The United States entry into World War II put an end to construction on the tunnel, leaving both materials and manpower becoming scarcer every day. In fact, progress on the tunnel came to a standstill towards the end of 1942. For three years the whole project lay idle, only the throne of pumps on the Brooklyn side signifying that the tunnel job was not forgotten. Things began humming again at the end of the war in 1945. Water was pumped out, concrete shields were removed, and men came back to work. It took another five years for the tunnel to be completed and acclaimed as a modern marvel. Fully illuminated, with fresh air exchanged every 90 seconds, the tunnel was opened with great fanfare.
Junior High School 142
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J.H.S. 142, Stranahan Junior High School, June 26, 1961. J.H.S. 142, the junior high school attached to P.S. 142, occupied a mid-century addition at the corner of Henry and Coles Streets (note the 1959 cornerstone). The school closed in 2006.
Photos
(174)
117 Nelson Street
\[View of north side of Nelson Street.] View of north side of Nelson Street between Clinton Street + Expressway.
113 Nelson Street
\[#111 Nelson Street.] \#111 Nelson Street (left) with awning.
554 Clinton Street
\[#554 (right) and #556 Clinton Street.] \#554 (right) and #556 Clinton Street.
548 Clinton Street
\[West side of Clinton Street.] West side of Clinton Street between Luquer and Nelson Streets.
109 Nelson Street
\[#107 Nelson Street.] \#107 Nelson Street (left), #109 Nelson Street (center)/ and #111 (right) Nelson Street.
556 Clinton Street
\[West side of Clinton Street.] West side of Clinton Street between Luquer Street and Nelson Street. Northwest corner of Nelson Street at left.
544 Clinton Street
\[#544 Clinton Street.] \#544 Clinton Street.
541 Clinton Street
\[Northeast corner of Clinton Street and Nelson Street.] Northeast corner of Clinton Street and Nelson Street.
527 Clinton Street
\[East side of Clinton Street looking north.] East side of Clinton Street looking north. North-east corner of Clinton Street and Luquer Street at right. #527 Clinton Street on corner - an Italian-American Grocery.
551 Clinton Street
\[East side of Clinton Street.] East side of Clinton Street between Nelson Street and Huntington Street, looking northeast.
551 Clinton Street
\[East side of Clinton Street.] East side of Clinton Street between Nelson and Huntington Streets looking northeast.
89 Luquer Street
\[#89 Luquer Street.] \#89 Luquer Street.
89 Luquer Street
\[#89 Luquer Street.] \#89 Luquer Street (center).
561 Clinton Street
\[East side of Clinton Street.] East side of Clinton Street between Nelson and Huntington Streets, looking northeast. Northeast corner of Huntington Street at right. (Corner house is #561 Clinton Street).
139 Huntington Street
\[North side of Huntington Street.] North side of Huntington Street between Clinton Street and Court Street. #139 Huntington Street at left.
85 Luquer Street
\[#85 Luquer Street.] \#85 Luquer Street.
563 Clinton Street
\[East side of Clinton Street.] East side of Clinton Street at southeast corner of Huntington Street. The building is #563 Clinton Street. North side of Huntington Street view at far left.
665 Henry Street
\[#665 Henry Street.] \#665 Henry Street (east side, between 4th Place and Luquer Street).
661 Henry Street
\[#661 Henry Street.] \#661 Henry Street.
518 Clinton Street
\[Northwest corner of Clinton Street and Fourth Place.] Northwest corner of Clinton Street and Fourth Place (latter side showing.)
West 9th Street and Hamilton Avenue
Brooklyn: 9th Street (West) - Hamilton Avenue West 9th Street, east from and across Hamilton Avenue. The Red Hook government houses are being built behind the fence on the right. View 1: April 9, 1939 P. L. Sperr 2,3-Buildings on the east side of Hamilton Avenue were torn down to make way for the widening of the avenue and the construction of Gowanus Parkway, a link in the Belt Parkway system. Views 2,3: October 23, 1940 P. L. Sperr
West 9th Street and Hamilton Avenue
Brooklyn: 9th Street (West) - Hamilton Avenue (1) West 9th Street, west from Hamilton Avenue. The houses on the south side of the street (left) were demolished later in the year to make way for the Red Hook housing project sponsored by the New York City Housing Authority. June 9, 1938 P. L. Sperr (2) The same, at a later date, showing the housiug center under construction. April 9, 1939 P. L. Sperr
West 9th Street and Hamilton Avenue
Brooklyn: 9th Street (West) - Hamilton Avenue (1) West 9th Street, west from Hamilton Avenue. The houses on the south side of the street (left) were demolished later in the year to make way for the Red Hook housing project sponsored by the New York City Housing Authority. June 9, 1938 P. L. Sperr (2) The same, at a later date, showing the housiug center under construction. April 9, 1939 P. L. Sperr
17 4th Place
\[#17 (left) and #19 Fourth Place.] \#17 (left) and #19 Fourth Place.
654 Henry Street
\[View of west side of Henry Street.] View of west side of Henry Street between Coles Street and Hamilton Avenue.
506 Court Street
\[View of west side of Court Street.] View of west side of Court Street between Luquer Street and Nelson Street looking north. Northwest corner of Nelson Street and Court Street at far left.
167 Huntington Street
\[View of north side of Huntington Street.] View of north side of Huntington Street between Court and Clinton Streets, looking west.
1 4th Place
\[Northeast corner of Henry Street and Fourth Place.] Northeast corner of Henry Street and Fourth Place (latter side showing - Henry Street at left.)
637 Henry Street
\[#637 Henry Street.] \#637 Henry Street (center) (east side of street, between 3rd Place and 4th Place).
73 West 9th Street
Brooklyn: 9th Street (West) - 3rd Avenue 63 West Ninth Street Block 535 73-75 West Ninth Street Block 535 9-16-35
581 Clinton Street
Brooklyn: Clinton Street - Hamilton Avenue Clinton Street, south from Hamilton Avenue and West 9th Street, showing where the Red Hook Houses--a New York City Housing Authority project--will be erected on the west side of the street (right). June 9, 1938 P. L. Sperr (2) The east side of Clinton Street, viewing south from Hamilton Avenue, showing the changes that have taken place. The building in modernistic design, beyond the taxpayer, is the Clinton Theatre. September 7, 1940 P. L. Sperr
2 3rd Place
\[East side of Henry Street looking south.] East side of Henry Street looking south. South-east corner of 3rd Place at far left.
722 Henry Street
Brooklyn: 9th Street (West) - Henry Street W. 9th Street, south side, west from Henry Street. June 9, 1938. P.L. Sperr
63 West 9th Street
Brooklyn: 9th Street (West) - 3rd Avenue 63 West Ninth Street Block 535 73-75 West Ninth Street Block 535 9-16-35
Coles Street and Hamilton Avenue
Board of Water Supply. Camera located at corner of Coles Street and Hamilton Avenue North, looking southwest. Shows Hamilton Avenue, Tunnel approach, ramp to Gowanus Parkway and Coles Street. October 27, 1961.
St. Mary's Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church
It happened long ago Twelve boys (five sitting, seven standing) and one man in clerical attire, sitting; in center board (with inscription, "of star \[symbol] the Sea, Class 01") leaning against stand; elaborate curtains behind group. Caption: "It happened long ago--In June, 1901, to be exact, these boys were graduated from St. Mary Star of the Sea \[467 Court Street] parochial school. Shown with their theacher, they are: seated, left to right, J. Ryan, J. DeSouza, Brother Leopold, the teacher, J. Wallbilick, J. Johnson, A. Lawless; standing, left to right, A. McNeff, J. Conway, J. Fegan, J. Ennis, J. Lawless, J. Hayes and C. Gillen."
St. Mary's Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church
Brooklyn: Court Street - Nelson Street Court Street, at the S.E. corner of Nelson Street, showing the school of St. Mary's R.C. Church, Star of the Sea. July 4, 1930. P. L. Sperr.
St. Mary's Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church
Brooklyn: Court Street - 4th Place Court Street, east side, south from 4th Place. At Luquer Street is St. Mary Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church. September 7, 1940 P. . Sperr N6 RErRODUCTIONs
St. Mary's Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church
Rockaway: \[St. Mary Queen of the Sea R.C. Church \[i.e. St. Mary Star of the Sea], northeast corner of Beach 20th Street and New Haven Avenue, Far Rockaway, 1923].
Junior High School 142
Brooklyn: Henry Street - Rapelye Street RgCDEEETEEETTTEEEE:TTN3S Henry Street at the southwest corner of Rapelye Street, showing Public School No. 142. The view is south on the west side of Henry Street and shows also the Lutheran Church of Our Savior. Board of Education of the City of New York, early 1930's
Junior High School 142
PS 142 Facade of PS 142, a large, five-story, brick and masonry building located at 610 Henry Street, with adjacent buildings on both sides, two young men standing on sidewalk and several small trees in foreground, and woman and child walking on street in far right. Note, at time of cataloging, the building houses IS 142 and PS 146.
Junior High School 142
\[JHS 142.] JHS 142, Henry Street (portion of building only). Henry Street side. J. H. Stranahan High School.
497 Court Street
\[East side of Court Street.] East side of Court Street between Nelson and Huntington Streets. Northeast corner of Huntington Street and Court Street at right. Building on corner is #497 Court Street.
St. Mary's School
\[St. Marys School.] St. Marys School, Court Street at northeast corner of Nelson Street and Court Street.
55 Huntington Street
Huntington St Several small, wood-frame houses on Huntington Street, between Hicks Street and Henry Street with wood fence along front, fire hydrant, two boys, and baby carriage in foreground, and portion of house in background.
Hamilton Avenue and Mill Street
Brooklyn: Hamilton Avenue - Mill Street Hamilton Avenue (right), at Mill Street, viewing north. View P shows the northeast corner of Hamilton and Swmith Streets, and demolition for the Gowanus Parkway. P. L. Sperr July 26, 1943 NO REPRODUCTIONS Views 1,2 -Ri T Neg Ne ~-97s ie2 VNy No.~-77G
546 Court Street
\[West side of Court Street.] West side of Court Street looking south Southwest corner of West Ninth Street and Court Street at far right (between Court Street and Garnet Street)
Mill and Henry Street
Brooklyn: Mill Street - Henry Street Mill Street, east from Henry to Clinton Streets. This and surrounding areas are to be demolished. The Red Hook Housing Project has taken over the area to erect low rent multiple dwellings thereby slowly removing the slum areas of Greater New York. June 9, 1938. P. L. Sperr
5 3rd Place
\[Northeast corner of Henry Street and Fourth Place.] Northeast corner of Henry Street and Fourth Place (latter side showing - Henry Street at left.)
1 3rd Place
\[#1 (left) and #3 Third Place.] \#1 (left) and #3 Third Place. Henry Street looking north at far left.
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