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Near 542 Vanderbilt Avenue

Posts & Stories(14)

College of Immaculate Conception image

College of Immaculate Conception
Post

College of Immaculate Conception, c. 1915. The College of Immaculate Conception was a preparatory school and seminary established by Bishop Charles E. McDonnell in 1914 in the Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn. In the first year of the program, a class of 110 young men met in the vestry of Saint John's Chapel. Construction broke ground for their own school at 555 Washington Avenue in December of 1914. The program consists of a four-year high school program followed by a two-year college program. Students who wished to continue the priestly vocation were then assigned to a major seminary, where they would study for an additional six years. The program moved to a new Elmhurst campus in 1963.
Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew image

Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew
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Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew ARCHITECT: John Welch DATE: 1888-91 STYLE: Romanesque, Northern Italian The Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew on Clinton Avenue (once the “Gold Coast” of Brooklyn) is the masterpiece of Brooklyn architect John Welch, who established himself as a church architect, designing a number of notable Greek Revival and Gothic Revival churches. Welch’s designs for the church are loosely based on twelfth-century Romanesque churches of Northern Italy but adapted for use by a nineteenth-century urban congregation in America.
983-991 Fulton Street image

983-991 Fulton Street
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983 Fulton Street, ca. 1958 The northwest corner of Fulton Street and St. James Place featuring what was formerly a drugstore (no. 983) and candy-store (no. 985). Part of no. 983 (at left) was substantially redeveloped into a Met Food supermarket in 1964. The grocery, now a Key Food, has been something of a community landmark since its opening. Known for hiring youth from the community, the famous rapper, Biggie Smalls, was once a cashier there.
Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew image

Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew
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Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew ca. 1914 The Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew is the largest Episcopal Church building in the Diocese of Long Island. Architect John Welch was commissioned to design the church after a fire in 1887 destroyed much of the structure. Welch drew inspiration from the churches built during the Italian Renaissance, particularly those in Modena and Verona. The current interior decoration is the fourth reworking of the inside of the church. The romanesque design and elaborate plaster work were completed in 1915. Almost all of the stained glass was produced for the church by the Tiffany Studios of New York. The first pair of lancet windows were installed in 1897. Our Rose Window was given by the children of the Sunday School at the time of the rebuilding in 1890. It is 28 feet in diameter and one of the larger windows of this type in Brooklyn. The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission considers the Church to be "one of the grandest 19th century ecclesiastical buildings in Brooklyn" and in 1981 designated it as a landmark.
457 Clinton Avenue image

457 Clinton Avenue
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457 Clinton Avenue, a Second Empire villa, built in 1869. Originally owned by Nason B. Collins, a flour merchant, the house has a number of striking architectural features: a three-story tower, mansard roof, and front porch supported by fluted Doric columns.
Biggie Smalls image

Biggie Smalls
Post

Christoper Wallace, aka Biggie Smalls, aka Biggie, aka Notorious B.I.G., aka Big Poppa, was raised by his mom, Voletta Wallace, at 226 St. James Place. In front of 226 St James. Clarence Davis/NY Daily New He went on to become one of the greatest rappers of all time. Smalls was killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles in 1997. He was just 24 years old. His only two LPs, whose titles eerily bookmarked his death, were Ready to Die and Life After Death, which came out just 16 days after his murder. In 2019, the corner of St. James Place and Fulton Street was named "Christopher Wallace Way." The Orient Temple Masonic Lodge, the site of some of Biggie’s first gigs In a sign of how the neighborhood has changed, the "one-room shack" that Biggie rapped about in his hit single "Juicy" was recently listed for rent at $5,100.
489 Washington Avenue image

489 Washington Avenue
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489 Washington Avenue is a property that has worn many hats. Before it was a Pentecostal Church, this Second Empire mansion was a dance studio, a Grand Army Republic meeting hall, and a private family home to a descendant of the father of Irish Republicanism. With every new inhabitant, a piece of the building's architecture was changed. Lascelles and Grace Maxwell, the original owners of the home, raised their seven children in this house. The Maxwell's children sold the house in 1904 after both of their parents had died. It was then acquired by the Grant Chapter of the Grand Army of the Republic in 1906. The old boy's club was a fraternal organization that supported veterans of the Union Army who fought in the Civil War. The ground floor was converted into a museum to display military memorabilia, which touted all sorts of firearms, uniforms, and possessions of Ulysses S. Grant, whom the chapter was named for. The second story had its walls removed to be converted into a large meeting room, where a variety of social events were held. The groups' membership had dwindled by the late 1920s, and the Hall was sold. Weber Studio operated out of the space, teaching ballroom, Foxtrot, and the waltz led by A.J. Weber. The hall was still rented out for meetings and other events until 1940 when the property was sold to the Evergreen Church of God. The white stucco was removed and covered with a false brick facade, revealing the original brick in certain areas.
941 Fulton Street image

941 Fulton Street
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941 Fulton Street, 1958. This four-story brick building was the home or workshop (it is unclear) of inventor Burton H. Cook from at least the 1890s until the 1910s. Cook invented and patented a number of mechanical products including a rotary ash sifter, a new and improved percolator, and a culinary grater and slicer. According to a search of his patents, he also worked on new types of suspenders and hair pins. The building listed on his advertisements still stands, though the twin double height projected bay windows, interestingly set back in the facade, have been removed. The ground floor commercial space has also converted into additional residential units.
895 Fulton Street image

895 Fulton Street
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Fulton Street storefronts, January, 5, 1958. From left to right: Rialto Barber Shop (No. 887), Hall's Fine Foods (No. 895), and Precision Radio Lab and Television Service (No. 899). Upstairs from Hall's is the Local Chapter of the International Union of Electrical Workers (IUE), chartered by the Congress of Industrial Organizations.
Second Company Signal Corps Armory image

Second Company Signal Corps Armory
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This lesser-known Brooklyn armory was built in 1884 by Robert Dixon. It was first occupied by the Third Gatling Battery until the group moved to the Clermont Armory in 1895. The Gatling Battery stored all of their weapons (and horses) in this masonry fortress. After the first occupants moved out, architects Robinson & Kunst renovated a great portion of the building. The battery underwent so much remodeling between the years 1909 and 1911 that by the time the Second Company Signal Corps moved in, the building was unrecognizable. The Second Company Signal, whose name is still inscribed over the entrance of the building, stayed at the armory until 1964. Since then, it has seen a number of different occupants from the Crown Heights Boxing Association to the Nigerian American Muslim Integrated Community.
937 Fulton Street image

937 Fulton Street
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937 Fulton Street, ca. 1928. Originally home to the Rubel Coal and Ice Corporation, this building was erected in 1928 by architect Edward M. Adelsohn. The company was started by Samuel Rubel, who got his start selling ice and coal from a pushcart in East New York, Brooklyn. In its heyday, the company was very prosperous because coal and ice were two commodities that were in great demand. As the coal and ice business floundered, he invested in the Ebling Brewery of the Bronx. Rubel was said to be worth $8,000,000 at the time of his death – quite a considerable sum for that era.
Dean Playground image

Dean Playground
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Prospect Heights - Sprinkler at the Dean Street Playground between 6th and Carlton Ave. Prospect Heights - Sprinkler at the Dean Street Playground between 6th and Carlton Ave.
881 Fulton Street image

881 Fulton Street
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Triangular block bounded by Fulton Street, Gates Avenue, and Vanderbilt Avenue. June 15, 1940. The small park that occupies this location today is the result of the neighborhood's desire for a peaceful and beautiful space to replace the detritus that was created during the chaos and destruction of the Blackout of 1977.
Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew image

Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew
Story

The Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew is the largest Episcopal Church building in the Diocese of Long Island.

Photos(234)

542 Vanderbilt Avenue image

542 Vanderbilt Avenue

Prospect Heights - Atlas Auto Service Prospect Heights - Atlas Auto Service, at 542 Vanderbilt Avenue on the west side between Pacific and Dean Street's.
542 Vanderbilt Avenue image

542 Vanderbilt Avenue

Prospect Heights - NW corner of Vanderbilt Avenue and Dean Street. Prospect Heights - NW corner of Vanderbilt Avenue and Dean Street.
538 Vanderbilt Avenue image

538 Vanderbilt Avenue

Prospect Heights - 538 Vanderbilt Avenue Prospect Heights - 538 Vanderbilt Avenue between Pacific and Dean Streets, building demolished in 2007.
538 Vanderbilt Avenue image

538 Vanderbilt Avenue

Prospect Heights - 538 Vanderbilt Avenue Prospect Heights - 538 Vanderbilt Avenue between Pacific and Dean Streets, building demolished in 2007.
812 Pacific Street image

812 Pacific Street

Prospect Heights - Apartment buildings 810 - 812 Pacific Street Prospect Heights - Apartment buildings 810 - 812 Pacific Street, between Carlton and Vanderbilt Avenues.
800 Pacific Street image

800 Pacific Street

Prospect Heights - Wand Bread Bakery Prospect Heights - Wand Bread Bakery at 800 Pacific Street, between Carlton and Pacific Street; building demolished in 2008.
840 Atlantic Avenue image

840 Atlantic Avenue

\[Vanderbilt and Atlantic Avenues, Brooklyn, New York] View of trolley tracks on Atlantic Avenue looking east at the intersection of Vanderbilt Avenue in Brooklyn, New York. The street is partially paved with cobblestones. A Texaco gas station, several parked cars and street lamps are shown. A large advertisement for William Penn whiskey can be seen.
570 Vanderbilt Avenue image

570 Vanderbilt Avenue

Brooklyn: Bergen Street - Vanderbilt Avenue Bergen Street, west from Vanderbilt Avenue. Views 1-3: September 2, 1941. P. L. Sperr.
603 Dean Street image

603 Dean Street

Prospect Heights - 603 Dean Street Prospect Heights - 603 Dean Street, north side of Dean Street between Carlton and Vanderbilt Avenue.
754 Pacific Street image

754 Pacific Street

Prospect Heights - 754 Pacific Street Prospect Heights - 754 Pacific Street on the south side of Pacific between Carlton and Vanderbilt Avenue.
645 Dean Street image

645 Dean Street

Prospect Heights - Simon Liu, Inc. Art Supply Prospect Heights - Simon Liu, Inc. Art Supply, 645 Dean Street on the north side of Dean Street between Carlton and Vanderbilt Avenue; this building was demolished in 2008.
754 Pacific Street image

754 Pacific Street

Prospect Heights - 754 Pacific Street Prospect Heights - 754 Pacific Street view east from Carlton Avenue.
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church image

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

St. Joseph's R. C. Church Facade of St. Joseph's Church, Pacific Street and Vanderbilt Avenue, with several trees, building materials, and workman in foreground, and residential building on far left.
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church image

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

St. Joseph's R. C. Church (old) Facade of St. Joseph's Church, Pacific Street and Vanderbilt Street, with iron fence along front, street lamp and tree in center foreground, and residential buildings and two trees on far right.
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church image

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

Shrine centerpiece Large statue of Holy Family, right, and smaller version on easel, left. Caption: "Shrine conterpiece--Soon to be unveiled at St. Joseph's R. C. Church shrine is this heroic-size statue of the Holy family, executed by Brooklyn sculptor Frank Anthony Klein of 1244 E. 45th St. At the left is Klein's original design which was transfered to the giant Indiana limestone work at right. Statue will be the centerpiece for the shrine dedicated Nov. 19 as part of centennial of St. Joseph's, Pacific St. near Vanderbilt Ave."
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church image

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

St. Joseph's R. C. Church Facade and twin towers of church with tree in foreground. Caption: "St. Joseph's R. C. church, Pacific Street and Vanderbilt Avenue. One of the oldest churches in the diocese, its parish was founded in 1853. A small brick building was first erected which served until May 3, 1914, when the present handsome structure was dedicated."
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church image

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

\[Spires of St. Joseph's Church] View from right of two spires (subsequently reduced in height by two-thirds) of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church on Pacific Street and Vanderbilt Avenue in Prospect Heights; bulk of church cut off at bottom.
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church image

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

St. Joseph R. C. Church Image represented is one of a related set (CHUR 0811), some of which may also be described in this new record; Twin towers (closeup) of St. Joseph's Church, Pacific Street and Vanderbilt Avenue; towers subsequently reduced in height by two-thirds; images nearly identical but 0811 shows more of lower portion of church.
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church image

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

St. Joseph R. C. Church Image represented is one of a related set (CHUR 0811), some of which may also be described in this new record; Twin towers (closeup) of St. Joseph's Church, Pacific Street and Vanderbilt Avenue; towers subsequently reduced in height by two-thirds; images nearly identical but 0811 shows more of lower portion of church.
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church image

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

St. Joseph's Catholic Church Image represented is one of a related set (CHUR 0814), some of which may also be described in this new record; Facade and steeple of St. Joseph's Church, Pacific Street and Vanderbilt Avenue, left, church-related building (school?) on right, iron fence along front, street lamp in left foreground, and residential buildings on both sides.
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church image

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

St. Joseph's Catholic Church Facade and twin towers (under construction) of St. Joseph's Church, Pacific Street and Vanderbilt Avenue, with building materials and trees in foreground and original church building ( with clock tower) on far right.
638 Bergen Street image

638 Bergen Street

Brooklyn: Bergen Street - Vanderbilt Avenue Bergen Street, west from Vanderbilt Avenue. Views 1-3: September 2, 1941. P. L. Sperr.
805 Atlantic Avenue image

805 Atlantic Avenue

\[Vanderbilt and Atlantic Avenues, Brooklyn, New York] Atlantic Avenue looking west at the intersection of Vanderbilt Avenue in Brooklyn, New York. The street is partially paved with cobblestones. A store with a sign that reads The General Tire/VanLeeuwen Tire and Sales Co. can be seen, as well as a Texaco gas station. Several parked cars and street lamps are shown.
805 Atlantic Avenue image

805 Atlantic Avenue

\[Vanderbilt Avenue and Atlantic Avenue, Looking North, Brooklyn, NY] Intersection of Vanderbilt Avenue and Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, NY. Camera is positioned above trolley tracks in the center of Vanderbilt Avenue, looking North.
805 Atlantic Avenue image

805 Atlantic Avenue

Brooklyn: Vanderbilt Ave. - Atlantic Ave. Vanderbilt Avenue, east side, from and including Atlantic Avenue, to, but not including Fulton Street. A view of two 3-story frame houses, along-side of an old public auditorium. In the background, may be seen the steeple of St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal Church. November 26, 1927. P. L. Sperr.
585 Dean Street image

585 Dean Street

Prospect Heights - Vanderbilt Products Prospect Heights - Vanderbilt Products, 585-601 Dean Street, north side of Dean Street between Vanderbilt and Carlton Avenues; building demolished in 2006.
594 Vanderbilt Avenue image

594 Vanderbilt Avenue

Brooklyn: St. Mark's Avenue - Vanderbilt Avenue St. Marks Avenue, west from Vanderbilt Avenue. September 2, 1941. P. L. Sperr.
785 Atlantic Avenue image

785 Atlantic Avenue

Atlantic and Clermont Avenues. A. Schrader's Son Building.
785 Atlantic Avenue image

785 Atlantic Avenue

Atlantic Avenue and Clermont Avenue. A. Schrader's Son Building
785 Atlantic Avenue image

785 Atlantic Avenue

Atlantic Avenue and Clermont Avenue. A. Schrader's Son Building
222 St. Marks Avenue image

222 St. Marks Avenue

Gas mask required Caption: "Gas masks required--John Joule \[wearing gas mask] and John Stitzel, both agents of the A. S. P. C. A., remove one of the 40 cats penned up at 222 St. Marks Ave."
535 Carlton Avenue image

535 Carlton Avenue

Prospect Heights - Carlton Avenue and Dean Street Prospect Heights - Vacant lot on the NW corner of Carlton Avenue and Dean Street.
535 Carlton Avenue image

535 Carlton Avenue

Prospect Heights - Carlton Avenue between Pacific and Dean Street Prospect Heights - Looking east at the north side of Carlton Avenue between Pacific and Dean Street.
Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew image

Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew

St. Luke's P. E. Church on Clinton Ave Interior, St. Luke and St. Matthew Episcopal Church, 520 Clinton Avenue, with many rows of pews, chancel, altar and stained glass windows, front, center; pulpit, front right; lectern, front, left; organ pipes on both sides, and chandelier in center foreground.
Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew image

Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew

Interior of St. Luke's Church after fire, looking toward Clinton Ave. entrance Interior, St. Luke and St. Matthew Episcopal Church, 520 Clinton Avenue, damaged by fire.
Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew image

Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew

St. Luke's P. E. Church Facade of St. Luke and St. Matthew Episcopal Church, 520 Clinton Avenue, with tree and parked automobile in foreground.
Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew image

Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew

St. Luke's P. E. Church Facade of St. Luke and St. Matthew Episcopal Church, 520 Clinton Avenue, with snow-covered street and sidewalk, pedestrians, and several leafless trees in foreground.
Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew image

Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew

Daily songfest Caption: "Daily songfest--the Choristers of the Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew, 520 Clinton Ave., are presenting a program of Christmas music daily at 2p.m. at the Dime Savings Bank, Fulton St. and DeKalb Ave. ...."
Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew image

Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew

Interior of St. Luke's Church looking toward the chancel after the fire Interior, St. Luke and St. Matthew Episcopal Church, 520 Clinton Avenue, damaged by fire.
Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew image

Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew

Preparing for passion play in Brooklyn Seven men, one in clerical attire, work on platform in church with draperies on sides and back, altar with eight candles in candlesticks in background, center, and three steps in foreground center. Caption: "Preparing for passion play in Brooklyn--Directing stage preparations for presentation of religious drama is the Rev. George Boardman, third from left, rector of the Episcopal Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew. The 'Long Island Passion Play' will be presented on stage in the chancel of the church, 520 Clinton Ave., at 8:30 p.m. tomorrow through Friday this week, and a 5 p.m. Saturday. A cast of 50 plus the full choir will take part."
Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew image

Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew

St. Luke's P. E. Church Interior, St. Luke and St. Matthew Episcopal Church, 520 Clinton Avenue, damaged by fire.
Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew image

Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew

St. Luke's P. E. Church before the fire Facade of St. Luke and St. Matthew Episcopal Church, 520 Clinton Avenue, with residential buildings on both sides, and trees and horse-drawn carriage in foreground.
Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew image

Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew

St. Luke's P. E. Church on Clinton Ave Facade of St. Luke and St. Matthew Episcopal Church, 520 Clinton Avenue, with tree and parked automobile in foreground.
Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew image

Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew

St. Luke's P. E. Church : completed interior Interior, St. Luke and St. Matthew Episcopal Church, 520 Clinton Avenue, in process of renovation with two men working in chancel.
Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew image

Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew

Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew image

Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew

P. E. Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew Facade of St. Luke and St. Matthew Episcopal Church, 520 Clinton Avenue, with tree in foreground. Caption: "P. E. church of St. Luke and St. Matthew, Clinton Avenue near Fulton Street (merged in March 1943). St Luke's, where services are now held, was incorporated on December 27, 1841 ..."
525 Clinton Avenue  image

525 Clinton Avenue

Brooklyn: Clinton Avenue - Fulton Street 525 Clinton Ave., east side, between Fulton 3treet and Atlantic Ave. House in view, razed prior to 1929. 1922\. Eugene L. Armbruster Collection.
525 Clinton Avenue  image

525 Clinton Avenue

Brooklyn: Clinton Avenue near Atlantic Avenue, 1922.
555 Carlton Avenue image

555 Carlton Avenue

Prospect Heights - Corner of Carlton Avenue and Dean Street Prospect Heights - Mansard roof building on the SE corner of Carlton Avenue and Dean Street.
555 Carlton Avenue image

555 Carlton Avenue

Prospect Heights - 555 Carlton Avenue Prospect Heights - Apartment house with a mansard roof at 555 Carlton Avenue, SE corner of Carlton and Dean Street.
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