Greenpoint
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Culture on the Cheap
The Pickleville Pugilist
Last week we learned about what life was like in Greenpoint’s very own Dangertown. Today we will explore (albeit tangentially) another colorfully nicknamed part of the Garden Spot (and beyond): Pickleville. Where was “Pickleville” located, you ask? The Eighteenth Ward, e.g.; the sliver of Greenpoint and “East Williamsburg” roughly contained within Meeker Avenue*, Flushing Avenue, Newtown Creek and Bushwick Avenue (as seen on the map to the left). Why was this area called Pickleville? My educated guess is because there was once a rather substantial German immigrant population in this area (just look at some of the street names and you’ll see their legacy). So much for ethnic sensitivity. But I digress.
This post is about one very special Pickleville resident. Her name was Gussie Freeman — but the Brooklyn Daily Eagle preferred to call her the “the slasher of the rope walks.” A typical turn-of-the-century housefrau Ms. Freeman most decidedly was not. You can learn more about how her claim to fame (or infamy) by reading this article dating from November 22, 1891. Enjoy!
Female boxers in north Brooklyn, who knew? This post goes out to you Gussie (“the Gouger”, “Limpy Sal” & company). You make me proud to be a Greenpointer!
Miss Heather
*Namesake of the Meeker Avenue plume which the New York Times expounds upon in today’s edition. I could have told them people were unwilling to have their homes tested for fear it would affect their property values and saved them a trip. Oh well…
Map Credit: www.bklyn-genealogy-info.com
Williamspoint Video Du Jour: Time Lapse Crap
mugsniffer (the creator of the previous video) writes:
This is a short time-lapse of the obnoxious EDGE building in Williamsburg taken from my apartment window in Greenpoint, Brooklyn… It spans approximately 12 hours, as my camera battery conked out and I don’t have a power supply yet to keep it running any longer.
God am I grateful I do not have to look at THAT every day!
Miss Heather
Dysfunction Junction: Crosstown Local Co-Dependency
I have often wondered why the MTA does not host “meet your station manager” days for the Crosstown Local (as they do for other subway lines like our tonier sister the L). Initially I chalked this up to the Transit Authority’s desire not to have their employees screamed at and pommeled with brickbats by a very angry public. Last night at Metropolitan Avenue, however, I finally learned the truth: the very G train itself is more than happy to field inquiries from concerned commuters. What’s more, this four car wonder will put it in writing!
Behold the Crosstown Local wailing wall. It is located at the southern end of the Smith – 9th bound platform.
Dear G Train
Well sorry about those things i said about you last week
But the thing is, you are never here for me Seriously why? Please please
come here pick me up, be there for me? is that (so much to ask?)
-love
Gutter
REPLY
Dear Gutter:
I don’t have much time, but you should know that whenever I’m here, you’re not. And when you’re home I’m out, scouring the old paths – looking for you. I’ll always be here on my way there. Where will you be?
Love, G.
OH YEAH…
You only come see me when you need a ride.
Stop using me, freeloader!
Gutter/Other
G train- You’re A Slut! Give anyone A RIDE!
Oy vey. Where is Doctor Phil when you need him?
Miss Heather
*As sponsored by HSBC because different values make the world a richer place penis!
A Goat’s Story
Filed under: Williamsburg
The older readers among you might remember this little guy. I found him hanging out with a few friends knocking back a few brewskis in front of 1000 Manhattan Avenue (Greenpoint’s gift which has mercifully since quit giving) one Saturday afternoon back in 2007.
Well, this week I discovered (while researching this post) that this fella was not the first such animal to call north Brooklyn his home. Apparently his brethren were quite fancied by the local populace at the turn of the century. Enough so that even one of our fire houses had a goat as a pet. We can only hope the fate that awaited our little Greenpointer was better than what awaited his predecessor in this article from the April 15, 1895 edition of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Enjoy!
He became very ill and hid himself in the darkest corner of the cellar.
This reminds me of how I felt after my high school English teacher made us read Sylvia Plath. Ugh.
Miss Heather
Location, Location, Location…
The one thing I am going to miss now that the real estate boom is over is the mind-bogglingly bad locations being shilled as quite “livable” by developers. Let’s take the L Haus, for example.
Nestled next to Brooklyn’s Eighth Wonder Of The World (that being the Pulaski Bridge) this phlegm-hued architectural marvel makes me think of many things. Livability is not one of them. But believe it or not I discovered recently locations can come worse. Where did I have this epiphany, you ask? Where else: Greenpoint. Albeit by a nose.
Behold 20 Division Place.
Located at the bucolic paradise that is the intersection of Division Place and Debevoise Avenue, this lot not only sits atop the Meeker Avenue plume, but it is also been approved by the Board Of Standards and Appeals (in their nothing less than Solomon-like wisdom) for six condominium units and four garages! I know you are all reaching for check books about now so I have been kind enough to share the scenic vistas which await the person lucky enough to call this Valhalla home.
Here’s Debevoise Avenue looking north.
Division Place facing east.
Debevoise Avenue facing south.
If you lived here these shoes could be yours!
And of course Division Place facing west. I am certain there’s a nice view of Manhattan to be had here if exercise enough imagination.
And while you’re there why not say hello to some of your new neighbors?
The folks in apartment two seem like normal enough folks to me.
Miss Heather
East Williamsburg Photo du Jour: Warning
If your name happens to be Thomas I would stay away from this bodega on Humboldt Street if I were you. You may not make it back home!
Miss Heather
A Little Holiday Cheer From East Williamsburg
I have a confession to make: today I woke up in a ROTTEN mood. I have no idea why. I just did. Perhaps it was pre-holidaze malaise? Who knows. Sometimes these things just happen. Anyhoo, I decided to shake off my surly attitude by going for a little walk. I’m glad I did, as it would appear I am not the only person with a chip on my shoulder.
You can always leave it the peeps over in good ol’ East Williamsburg to keep things real.
I call this shot “From Meserole Street With Love”.
The second sullen salvo of revolt I beheld today was to be found at 245 Frost Street (which, unlike many of its brethren, was busy at work today).
Sigmund Freud was once quoted as saying:
The first human who hurled an insult instead of a stone was the founder of civilization.
Welcome to civilization: the 245 Frost Street Condominiums.
Miss Heather
Williamsburg Photos du Jour: Vintage Bridge
Filed under: Williamsburg
I’m not too sure when these photographs (which I hail from the junk shop) were taken but I found them compelling nonetheless. Enjoy!
This post is dedicated to the city of Mumbai.
Miss Heather
From The New York Shitty Photo Pool: Sunset On Black Friday
As the Mister and I were knocking around Jackson Heights yesterday we noticed the absolutely breathtaking sunset. We were not able to get a photograph of it. Thankfully Greenpoint’s very own mugsniffer did. He writes:
View from my Greenpoint apartment, now marred by the bulky EDGE building along the waterfront.
Regardless it’s a damned nice photo. You can see more great Greenpoint imagery a la mugsniffer by clicking here.
Miss Heather
NYS Flickr Pool
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