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Near Bronx Post Office, Grand Concourse

Posts & Stories(7)

Bronx County Jail image

Bronx County Jail
Post

Bronx County Jail, 1940. Constructed as a Works Progress Administration project in 1937, the Art Deco Bronx County Jail was designed by Joseph Freedlander, who also created the Bronx County Courthouse and the Museum of the City of New York. The 350-cell jail building was well received (at least as an architectural feature), its ornamented facade of granite and limestone giving the impression of a stately office building. Highly visible, given its location only a few blocks from Yankee Stadium, the jail operated for more than 60 years. The jail, which was later more commonly referred to as the Bronx House of Detention, closed in 2000. A few years later the city struck a deal with a developer to demolish the building for the construction of the Gateway Center, a retail space and new park along the river. The development, now called the Bronx Terminal Market, is a shopping mall that encompasses both the former jail property and a former wholesale fruit and vegetable market. A number of architectural features, including ornate stone panels and the sculpted stone eagles were saved before the building was razed. These ornaments have been installed on the River Avenue facade of the new complex.
Stephens House image

Stephens House
Post

Stephens House, 1930. This Italianate, wood-frame home was constructed in 1832 by a Joseph Francis and purchased in 1893 by Olin, J. Stephens, a wealthy coal dealer. It is unfortunately no longer standing.
385 Gerard Avenue image

385 Gerard Avenue
Post

Gerard Avenue, at East 140th Street, showing at left the 12-story Lehigh Valley Railroad warehouse at the southwest corner of East 144th Street, November 29, 1936.
Bronx Post Office, Grand Concourse image

Bronx Post Office, Grand Concourse
Post

Bronx Post Office ca. 1954 In the 1930's most Federal buildings were classical in a derivation of Colonial Revival. A few of the best buildings, such as the Folger Library in Washington and the Federal Reserve Bank in Philadelphia have a blending of classical proportions with original details which can be called a classical essence and which Paul Cret tried to teach his students. The post office lobby is on the front of the ground floor, but remains rather simple, except for murals created by Ben Shahn. The exterior is of great beauty, however. The gray brick with the white marble trim gives an elegance to the simple rhythmic facade with the seven high arched openings, four windows and three with doors in the lower parts and glass above. The ornamentation, lettering, and sculpture relieve the walls of monotony.
Grand Concourse Walking Tour image

Grand Concourse Walking Tour
Walk

The Grand Concourse is one of the most important avenues in the Bronx. Designed by Louis Aloys Risse, an immigrant from Lorraine, France, who had previously worked for the New York Central Railroad. Risse was appointed chief topographical engineer for the city in the 1890s. Many of the buildings along the Concourse were designed in the Art Deco style, creating a semi-consistent visual along the broad boulevard. Visit the past via the Grand Concourse. Discover the stunning architecture from civic monuments to Art Deco apartment houses to grand municipal structures.
Public School 31 image

Public School 31
Post

Public School 31, April 30, 1941. Affectionately called the "Castle on the Concourse," Public School 31 was a Collegiate Gothic style school designed by C.B.J. Snyder and completed in 1899. The design is notable as one of Snyder's first forays in late Gothic features such as pointed windows topped with stone tracery. The irregularity and deeply pointed gables gave the building its castle-like look and created an eye-catching visual on the broad Grand Concourse. The school was designated a landmark in 1986 but closed in 1997 amid concerns of structure deterioration. For the next 15 years the city allowed the building to continue its deterioration. In 2014 the city requested permission from the Landmarks Commission to demolish the building. Despite disgust at the situation and virulent opposition by the local community and preservationists, the building was finally razed in 2015. A large number of architecture features of the 19th century school were saved during the process of demolition and are required to be included in the design of whatever new structure rises in its place.
John M. Toucey Memorial Building image

John M. Toucey Memorial Building
Post

John M. Toucey Memorial Building, 1928. Constructed for use by the railroad men of New York Central, this stately stone structure was operated by the Railroad Department of the Y.M.C.A. The building was named as a memorial to John M. Toucey, who begun his career as a conductor at New York Central in 1855, before rising in the ranks to General Manager of the company in 1890. Dedicated in 1902, and situated near the rail lines in the south Bronx near the Harlem River, the brick building has been lost in the ensuing century.

Photos(63)

Bronx Post Office, Grand Concourse image

Bronx Post Office, Grand Concourse

Bronx Post Office
Bronx Post Office, Grand Concourse image

Bronx Post Office, Grand Concourse

Bronx: Grand Concourse - 150th Street (East) Grand Concourse, south from E. 151st Street. Note, at E. 150th Street, the skeleton of a new United States Post Office. View 2 is south from E. 150th Street and shows the post office site extending to E. 149th Street. July 7, 1936 Views 1,2 P. L. Sperr
Bronx Post Office, Grand Concourse image

Bronx Post Office, Grand Concourse

Bronx Post Office
Anthony J. Griffin Place and East 149th Street, northwest corner image

Anthony J. Griffin Place and East 149th Street, northwest corner

Bronx: 149th Street (East) - Anthony J. Griffin Place (1) East 149th Street, north side, west from Anthony J. Griffin Place to Grand Concourse, showing the Mott Haven auto wrecking yard and an old diner. (2) shows a closeup. On this side, there was later erected the Bronx Central Annex Post Office. P. L. Sperr August 28, 1930 No Reproductions Views 1,2
Anthony J. Griffin Place and East 149th Street, northeast corner image

Anthony J. Griffin Place and East 149th Street, northeast corner

Bronx: 149th Street (East) - Anthony J. Griffin Place E. 149th Strect, north side east from Anthony J, Briffin Place. At this point the street is above the New York Central and'New Haven railroad tracks. The tall building is the ten-story Terminal Building, near the northeast corner of Park Avenue. View 2 shows the low building at the northeast corner of Park Avenue. View 3 is east from the Terminal Building. P. L. Sperr April 28, 1941 NO RERODUCTIONS Views 1, 2, 3
Bronx General Post Office image

Bronx General Post Office

571 Grand Concourse image

571 Grand Concourse

Bronx: Grand Concourse - 149th Street (East) 571 to 555 Grand Concourse, north of, adjoining, and at the N. W. corner of E. 149th Street, showing several buildings that were later demolished when the thoroughfare was widened. May 16, 1928 P. L. Sperr
John M. Toucey Memorial Building image

John M. Toucey Memorial Building

Mott Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church image

Mott Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church

Bronx: Grand Concourse - 150th Street (East) Grand Concourse, at the N. W. corner of E. 150th Street, showing the Mott Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church. This part of the Concourse was formerly Mott Avenue. May 16, 1928 P. L. Sperr (2) The same site, after the church was torn down. June, 1940 P. L. Sperr
Mott Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church image

Mott Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church

Bronx: Grand Concourse - 150th Street (East) Grand Concourse, at the N. W. corner of E. 150th Street, showing the Mott Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church. This part of the Concourse was formerly Mott Avenue. May 16, 1928 P. L. Sperr (2) The same site, after the church was torn down. June, 1940 P. L. Sperr
472 Grand Concourse image

472 Grand Concourse

Bronx: Grand Concourse - 149th Street (East) Grand Concourse, east side, north from (No. 472) and across E. 149th Street. Shown, under constructfon, at E. 149th Street is a new United States Post Office. July 7, 1936 P. L. Sperr
135 East 149th Street image

135 East 149th Street

Horse-drawn fire engine approaching down a cobbled street, Bronx, N.Y. (?), undated (ca. 1910-1920?).
583 Walton Avenue image

583 Walton Avenue

Bronx: Walton Avenue - 150th Street (East) 567 (empty lot) to 583 Walton Ave., south of, adjoining and at the S.W. corner of East 150th Street. May 6, 1934. P. L. Sperr.
622-624 Walton Avenue image

622-624 Walton Avenue

Bronx: Walton Avenue - 151st Street (East) 624 and 622 Walton Ave., adjoining the S.E. corner of East 151st Street. May 14, 1928. P. L. Sperr. (2) The same, at a later date. April 30, 1937. P. L. Sperr.
Mott Avenue and 146th Street image

Mott Avenue and 146th Street

Subway construction, Mott Avenue and 146th Street, Bronx, N.Y., undated (ca. 1905-1915).
Mott Avenue and 146th Street image

Mott Avenue and 146th Street

Subway construction, Mott Avenue and 146th Street, Bronx, N.Y., undated (ca. 1905-1915).
Mott Avenue and 146th Street image

Mott Avenue and 146th Street

Subway construction, Mott Avenue and 146th Street, Bronx, N.Y., undated (ca. 1905-1915).
175 East 151st Street  image

175 East 151st Street

Bronx: 151st Street (East) - Cedar Lane East 151st Street, north side, west from Cedar Lane to Walton Ave. The G.W. Bromley map of 1923, as revised to September 1932 shows the site to be occupied by a large 7-story apartment house, bearing No. 175. May 16, 1928. P. L. Sperr.
175 East 151st Street  image

175 East 151st Street

Bronx: 151st Street (East) - Gerard Avenue East 151st Street, east from Gerard Ave., to Grand Concourse. The 7-story apartment house, in the center is No. 175, at the N.E. corner of Walton Ave. april 30, 1937. P. L. Sperr.
99 East 149th Street image

99 East 149th Street

Bronx: 149th Street (East) - Gerard Avenue East 149th Street, at the North west corner of Gerard Avenue. P. L. Sperr August 28, 1930 No Reproductions
Public School 31 image

Public School 31

P.S. 31, Bronx, N.Y., undated (ca. 1900-1909).
Public School 31 image

Public School 31

Public School 31 image

Public School 31

Bronx 6, P.S. 31, (The William Lloyd), 425 Grand Concourse; Jerry Spearman, Photographer
Public School 31 image

Public School 31

P.S. 31, Bronx, N.Y., undated (ca. 1900-1909).
Public School 31 image

Public School 31

P.S. 31, Bronx, N.Y., undated (ca. 1900-1909).
Stephens House image

Stephens House

Bronx: 146th Street (East) - Gerard Avenue (1) East 146th Street (right) at the N.E. corner of Gerard Ave., showing the Stephens House. It was built in 1832 by Joseph Francis and bought by O. J. Stephens in 1893. For additional data see "Gas Logic," February 1933, page S, and the New York Times February 2, 1935. August 28, 1930. P. L. Sperr. (2) The same, another view. August 28, 1930. L. Sperr. (3) An additional view at a later date. November 29, 1936. P. L. Sperr.
Stephens House image

Stephens House

Stephens House image

Stephens House

Bronx: 146th Street (East) - Gerard Avenue (1) East 146th Street, at the N.E. corner of Gerard Ave., showing the Stephens House. For additional data see "Gas Logic", February 1933 and the New York Times, February 2, 1935. 1911\. Gift of Randall Comfort. (2) The same, as seen from drand Ave. November 29, 1936. P. L. Sperr.
Stephens House image

Stephens House

Bronx: 146th Street (East) - Gerard Avenue (1) East 146th Street, north side, west from Walton to Gerard Aves., showing the Stephens House at the N.E. corner of the latter avenue. For additional data see "Gas Logic" February 1933 and the New York Times February 2, 1935. November 29, 1936. P. L. Sperr. (2) The same, showing a closer view of the Stephens House. November 29, 1936. P. L. Sperr. (3) An additional and more comprehensive view of the house. November 29, 1936. P. L. Sperr.
Stephens House image

Stephens House

Bronx: 146th Street (East) - Gerard Avenue (1) East 146th Street (right) at the N.E. corner of Gerard Ave., showing the Stephens House. It was built in 1832 by Joseph Francis and bought by O. J. Stephens in 1893. For additional data see "Gas Logic," February 1933, page S, and the New York Times February 2, 1935. August 28, 1930. P. L. Sperr. (2) The same, another view. August 28, 1930. L. Sperr. (3) An additional view at a later date. November 29, 1936. P. L. Sperr.
Stephens House image

Stephens House

Bronx: 146th Street (East) - Gerard Avenue (1) East 146th Street, north side, west from Walton to Gerard Aves., showing the Stephens House at the N.E. corner of the latter avenue. For additional data see "Gas Logic" February 1933 and the New York Times February 2, 1935. November 29, 1936. P. L. Sperr. (2) The same, showing a closer view of the Stephens House. November 29, 1936. P. L. Sperr. (3) An additional and more comprehensive view of the house. November 29, 1936. P. L. Sperr.
167 East 144th Street image

167 East 144th Street

Bronx: 144th Street (East) - Grand Concourse 167 East 144th Street, adjoining the N.E. corner of Grand Concourse. About 1923. W. B. Vernam.
Gerard Avenue and East146th Street, southeast corner image

Gerard Avenue and East146th Street, southeast corner

Bronx: Gerard Avenue - 144th Street Gerard Ave., east side, north from East 144th to 146th Streets (East 145th Street does not pass through at this point), showing the two Stephen Homes. The first one, at the S.E. corner of East 146th Street, is the original Stephens Home in which O.J. Stephens lived from 1869 to 1893. It is a combination frame and stone house. The second residence, a white frame structure, stands at the N.E. corner of East 146th Street, and is the house that Stephens bought in 1893 from the Erancis family. For additional data see'Gas Logic," February 1933 and the New York Times, February 2, 1935. November 29, 1936. P. L. Sperr.
Gerard Avenue and East146th Street, southeast corner image

Gerard Avenue and East146th Street, southeast corner

Bronx: 146th Street - Gerard Avenue (1) East 146th Street, at the S.E. corner of Gerard Ave., showing the Stephens House. Stephens lived here from 1869 to 1893 when he bought the Francis House, at the N.E. corner of the aforementioned street. For additional data see "Gas Logic", February 1933 and the New York Times February 2, 1935. November 29, 1936. P. L. Sperr. (2) The same, another view. November 29, 1936. P. L. Sperr.
Gerard Avenue and East146th Street, southeast corner image

Gerard Avenue and East146th Street, southeast corner

Bronx: 146th Street - Gerard Avenue (1) East 146th Street, at the S.E. corner of Gerard Ave., showing the Stephens House. Stephens lived here from 1869 to 1893 when he bought the Francis House, at the N.E. corner of the aforementioned street. For additional data see "Gas Logic", February 1933 and the New York Times February 2, 1935. November 29, 1936. P. L. Sperr. (2) The same, another view. November 29, 1936. P. L. Sperr.
Gerard Avenue and East 151st Street  image

Gerard Avenue and East 151st Street

Bronx: Gerard Avenue - 151st Street (East) Gerard Ave., north from and including East 151st Street. April 30, 1937. P. L. Sperr.
582 Morris Avenue image

582 Morris Avenue

582 Morris Avenue, Bronx, undated (ca.1917).
277 East 149th Street image

277 East 149th Street

Bronx: 149th Street (East) - Morris Avenue 277 and 279 E. 149th Street, adjoining the northeast corner of Morris Avenue, showing two old frame houses. P. L. Sperr April 28, 1941
East 150th Street and Exterior Street image

East 150th Street and Exterior Street

Department of Sanitation. Wards Island Intercepting Sewers. View showing permanent granite block pavement restored over interceptor trench. Camera set at 150th Street and Exterior Street, looking north. November 22, 1936.
730 GRAND CONCOURSE image

730 GRAND CONCOURSE

730 GRAND CONCOURSE image

730 GRAND CONCOURSE

385 Gerard Avenue image

385 Gerard Avenue

Bronx Terminal Market image

Bronx Terminal Market

Bronx: River Avenue - 153rd Street
East 144th Street and Exterior Street image

East 144th Street and Exterior Street

Department of Sanitation. Wards Island Intercepting Sewers. Camera at 144th Street and Exterior Street, looking north. Condition of street along line of trench after restoration. January 29, 1937.
East 144th Street and Exterior Street image

East 144th Street and Exterior Street

Department of Sanitation. Wards Island Intercepting Sewers. View of original condition of sidewalk and curb at southeast corner of 144th Street and Exterior Street and northwest corner of Frigidaire building. Camera set on east curb of Exterior Street, 8 feet south of south curb at 144th Street, looking east. August 14, 1936.
Bronx Terminal Market image

Bronx Terminal Market

Food; Bronx Terminal Market.
LeHigh Valley Railroad Freight Yard image

LeHigh Valley Railroad Freight Yard

Department of Sanitation. Wards Island Intercepting Sewers. Trench condition at Lehigh Valley Railroad Yard at high tide. Camera looking west toward 145th Street bridge. September 4, 1936.
634 Morris Avenue image

634 Morris Avenue

E.W. Szydlowski, undertaker at 634 Morris Avenue, Bronx, November 7, 1914. Photographed for Sunnyside Magazine.
Holy Trinity Church image

Holy Trinity Church

Nighttime group photograph of a gathering outside the Italian Church of the Holy Trinity on East 153rd Street and Morris Avenue, Bronx, August 31, 1916. Photographed for the Evangelistic Committee of New York City.
Holy Trinity Church image

Holy Trinity Church

Nighttime street preaching at 253 E. 153rd Street (Holy Trinity Church) with the Rev. Venturini and Mr. Scapellati, New York City, August 21, 1916.
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