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950 Sedgwick Avenue
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950 Sedgwick Avenue
Post
950 Sedgwick Avenue, ca. 1934. The 8-story building with the lighthouse is the home of the H.W. Wilson Company, a publishing firm that has been in business for over a century. Halsey William Wilson, who originally founded the company in Minneapolis, produced an old book that explained how he had the lighthouse built in 1929, after moving the business to New York. He wrote that the lighthouse was meant to symbolize the company's mission: “To give guidance to those seeking their way through the maze of books and periodicals, without which they would be lost.” In 1998, the lighthouse was relit after being out of commission for many years to celebrate the company's centennial.
Lighthouses of the City
Story
New York City has 520 miles of waterfront (which is more than Miami, Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco put together)! Situated on one of the world's largest natural harbors, with rivers that separate and surround its land, the waterways of the city have long played a major role in the development and growth of the city. The safe passage of goods, fuel, and passengers has always been of paramount importance and as such dozens of lighthouses have been erected on land and at sea, used to aid in maritime navigation. This lists highlights a few of historic lighthouses that have illuminated the waterways of the city.
2020 Wrap Up: Best Images in Show
Story
Oy! 2020 has been a whirlwind, but we sure made a lot of interesting discoveries along the way. Here's a round-up of our partners' favorite historical photos and finds from the year. More to come over the next few weeks!
Rooftop Oddities
Story
While New York does not have the real estate to devote to massive roadside attractions (think Palm Springs' dinosaurs, the Long Island's Big Duck, or a picnic basket-shaped building), it does have the perfect architectural feature for displaying weird and quirky attractions and advertisements: ROOFS. For more than a century New York building owner have looked up to their highest points as not just unusable real estate, but as the perfect location for signage, fabulous rooftop gardens, theatres, and the occasional giant jug of milk!
Photos
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950 Sedgwick Avenue
Bronx: University Avenue - Sedgwick Avenue (1) 990 to U56 University Ave. (running from left foreground to right center), east side, at its junction with Sedgwick Ave., Also shown (extreme right) is Sedgwick Ave., south from its Junction with University Ave. The 8-story building with the licht tower is that of the H.W. Wilson Co., publishers. In the background appears the Harlem River and the Macombs Dam Bridge. May 6, 1934. (2) The same, a more extensive view westward. Also shown are the tracks of the Putnam division of the New York Central Railroad and the Putnam Bridge. The Manhattan shore is visible on the west bank of the river. May 6, 1934. P. L. Sperr.
950 Sedgwick Avenue
950 Sedgwick Avenue
Bronx: University Avenue - Sedgwick Avenue (1) 990 to U56 University Ave. (running from left foreground to right center), east side, at its junction with Sedgwick Ave., Also shown (extreme right) is Sedgwick Ave., south from its Junction with University Ave. The 8-story building with the licht tower is that of the H.W. Wilson Co., publishers. In the background appears the Harlem River and the Macombs Dam Bridge. May 6, 1934. (2) The same, a more extensive view westward. Also shown are the tracks of the Putnam division of the New York Central Railroad and the Putnam Bridge. The Manhattan shore is visible on the west bank of the river. May 6, 1934. P. L. Sperr.
950 Sedgwick Avenue
Bronx: University Avenue - Sedgwick Avenue (1) University Ave., north from its junction with Sedgwick Ave. (foreground). The 8-story building with the lighthouse tower bears No. 956 and is the home of the H.W. Wilson Co., publishers. May 6, 1934. P. L. Sperr. (2) The same, showing the buildings which adjoin the Wilson Building, as seen across the car Tards of the Putnam Division of the New York Central Railroad on the west side of Sedgwick Ave. The low frame homes (right) are on the east side of the latter avenue. May 6, 1934. P. L. Sperr. (3) The same as view 2, from a point southward (about West 161st Street, as seen fro the small public park near the Harlem River). May 6, 1934. P. L. Sperr.
950 Sedgwick Avenue
Bronx: University Avenue - Sedgwick Avenue (1) University Ave., north from its junction with Sedgwick Ave. (foreground). The 8-story building with the lighthouse tower bears No. 956 and is the home of the H.W. Wilson Co., publishers. May 6, 1934. P. L. Sperr. (2) The same, showing the buildings which adjoin the Wilson Building, as seen across the car Tards of the Putnam Division of the New York Central Railroad on the west side of Sedgwick Ave. The low frame homes (right) are on the east side of the latter avenue. May 6, 1934. P. L. Sperr. (3) The same as view 2, from a point southward (about West 161st Street, as seen fro the small public park near the Harlem River). May 6, 1934. P. L. Sperr.
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