"642 Jerome Street, west side, between New Lots Ave., and Ropose Place. July 5, 1934."

Many ethnic communities made their home in East New York during the late 19th and early 20th century. One of those communities was Italians, many of whom settled near Livonia Avenue. Though it can not be known for sure if the man standing in front of 642 Jerome Street in 1934 is Italian, the arbors of grapes seem like evidence. Italian immigrants in the United States were well known for building small arbors and growing grapes for personal wine making.