Weeksville: An African-American Community Established in the 1800s

The City Concealed: Weeksville from Thirteen.org on Vimeo.
The Hunterfly Road Houses of Weeksville are the discovered remnants of a free African-American enclave of urban trasdespeople and property owners. The community provided safety for fugitive slaves and those later fleeing the Civil War draft riots of lower Manhattan. By the time of the Emancipation Proclamation, Weeksville was a thriving area with its own doctors, teachers, publishers, and social services.

The Houses help fill a historical gap between slavery and the civil rights movement of the 1960s. The Weeksville staff clearly promote the idea of a successful African-American project that can be remembered with pride.

The discussion of Weeksville’s place within an always changing, mostly African-American neighborhood might forget the fact that it is, for everyone, a fascinating piece of American history with an equally amazing story of that history’s rediscovery.

-Bijan Rezvani, producer

Heightser Links

 

Crown Heights residents angered by armory plan
Suspect Named in Fatal Shooting of Crown Heights Teen
Crown Heights School To Get New Playground

Eastern Parkway

 

The leaves on Eastern Parkway

It’s been a while since the last post; I have been traveling all over the world.

I am back!

I have returned!

Much has happened since I left, including an election, a grand jury, rents going up, and (what it seems like) crime going down.

The media can project and claim that there is some kindoff conflict here. We know, however, that this is one great neighborhood to be found in.Only us local 3 components in our neighborhood, (Hebrews African Americans and Hipsters), know what really goes on. So kudos to us all for weathering any storm and we are looking toward a bright future.

Brower Park Free Concerts

As it does every year, Brower Park is offering of a series of free City Parks Concerts. In past years, the series has featured past and present stars of hip-hop, reggae, Latin, Caribbean and folks musical styles. On July 9 rap icons Brand Nubian took the stage, and on July 16th, Queens natives and twin sisters Natalie and Nicole Albino, known as Nina Sky, performed (as shown in these images). The pair earlier authored the hit song "Move Ya Body." Known primarily for her collaborations with Brooklyn native Talib Kweli and hip-hop Grammy winners The Roots, Bahamadia is slated to headline on July 23.

-- Written and photographed by Brian Major

Ten Months Later at 1087 Prospect Place

The four-story brick double duplex at 1087 Prospect Place just East of the Kingston Avenue border of the Crown Heights' historic district opened for viewing in September 2007 (see earlier post) and sold in February 2008. The house was originally listed at $849,000, and sold at $798,000, according to information found on Zillow.com. Built in 1901, the house totals 3,600 square feet. A discussion with the owner revealed he will rent one duplex to three single renters and will occupy the other duplex along with his wife and child. He's in the midst of a complete interior renovation, including new walls, wiring and electrical. The home is on a tree-lined model block created in the 1960s with special street lights, sidewalks and traffic-calming bumps. The house is one block from the Brooklyn Children's Museum, in the midst of a multi-million dollar renovation and a five-block walk from either the #3 or C trains.

Written and photographed by Brian Major

100K Co-op On Kingston Ave!

I gather that this Co-op should be off the market soon. After the down payment the buyer would be paying about $625 a month plus about $400 in maintenance fees. I think this is a pretty good deal and if you would like to own something in the neighborhood this is a great way to get your foot in the door. I understand that there has been allot of buying and selling in this building. Can anyone enlighten me as to the condition and overall safety to this building?

Year built: 1923

446 Kingston Ave
Google Map

Down Memory Lane...

I"ve always loved Eastern Parkway; I feel that Eastern parkway is still not fully appreciated. Every time I take a stroll down the parkway I always imagine what it looked like back in the day... so down memory lane, here is a photo of the excavation for the IRT on Eastern Parkway circa 1915.

Franklin Park

My friend called me last night and asked me to check out this “cool, new, and hip bar in Crown Heights” I was reluctant at first but when I arrived at the address I was totally shocked. This lot once had abandoned cars and garbage strewn all over it. Seeing it now, the place was unrecognizable. Gone was the broken fence, gone was the glass bear bottles, gone was the overgrown weeds, gone was the ripped tires.

I saw the transformation of my neighborhood from “Brooklyn in the 80s” to a hip and upcoming place. The bar was dimly lit, however there was plenty of places to sit, the music was classy, and above all the service was amazing. This was first time I can actually have a full conversation with the Bar tender, his name was Chris and he even made up his own drinks. What I liked the best was that besides the usual funky artisty people who are newly arrived to our neighborhood, there was local original Crown Heightens there as well.

Chasids, Blacks, Hipsters, these are the 3 ingredients that makes an amazing diverse neighborhood. I would highly recommend anyone to pay them a visit.

Franklin Park
Map

Crown Heights Community Mediation

The Crown Heights Community Mediation Center is offering two free Mediation Skills mini-workshops, July 16th and 18th. Join educators, human service professionals and other community members for a light snack and a savory sample of our customized trainings in conflict resolution, mediation, and more. Founded in 1998, the Mediation Center is a store-front walk-in, facilitation and training center, with a mission to foster leadership and peaceful conflict resolution in Crown Heights and elsewhere.

What: Free Mediation Skills Trainings

When: Wednesday, July 16th, 2pm-3pm OR
Friday, July 18th, 8:30am-9:30am

Where: The Crown Heights Community Mediation Center
256 Kingston Ave., (btw Lincoln Pl. & St. Johns Pl.) (Brooklyn, NY

RSVP: (718) 773-6886
trainings@crownheights.org

(Courtesy of Eleanor)

All Is Calm - Despite The media Hype

Well all is calm in Crown Heights despite of what the media tried to do and create in our funky, cool, and diverse neighborhood.

In order for us to continue this blog we are going to need contributors. We therefore give you the opportunity to send us your articles for publication, on the only Crown Heights Blog.

This Blog Is Closed-

Email us if you would like to continue it.

1087 Prospect Place

The four-story brick double duplex at 1087 Prospect Place in Crown Heights' historic district opened for viewing today. Featuring separate entrances, the left leads to a three-bedroom duplex on two upper floors, providing rental income estimated at $2,200. The right entrance leads to an owner's three-bedroom duplex with a large garden and finished basement. The interior is in need of some renovation, with old carpets, cabinetry and ceilings, but overall appears in good condition. The interior is roomy with touches indicative of its early 20th century origin, although it lacks high ceilings. The home is on a tree-lined model block created in the 1960s with special street lights, sidewalks and traffic-calming bumps. The house is one block from the Brooklyn Children's Museum, in the midst of a multi-million dollar renovation and a five-block walk from either the #3 or C trains. The home is listed at $849,000.

Street of Dreams?

The prices of historic homes in and around Crown Heights' landmark district are drawing snark-ridden commentary from incredulous bloggers across brownstone Brooklyn. As outlined on August 20 on brownstoner.com, 1087 Prospect Place(at bottom middle above), a double duplex on one of the district's most tranquil and secluded blocks, is now on the market at $849,000. Several brownstoner posters claim the home is radically overpriced, adding negative remarks about the neighborhood and the street's proximity to the Albany Houses. Residents, including at least two posters who live on this stretch of Prospect Place, have eloquently defended the home's value and the block, citing the outstanding architecture, the lush trees, and the harmonious vibe that runs through this peaceful street, populated by longtime African-American homeowners and an emerging mix of newly arrived, younger families. The house is one of four identical units built in 1912 on a street lined with ornate limestone and brick homes from the same era. Located between Kingston and Albany Avenues, this stretch of Prospect Place ends at Brower Park, site of the Brooklyn Children's Museum. The uninformed comments of some brownstoner posters should be tempered by one recent development: 39 Hampton Place (top, with white sign in front), located just a few blocks away and sharing the same configuration and general date of origin as the Prospect Place home, sold for $925,000.

See:
http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/crown_heights/

Less Than Fantastic Fourth

At 803 Eastern Parkway, workers are putting the finishing touches on a fourth floor, making this building the only one of its height on a block lined by three-story, circa late 18th-century and early 19th-century brownstones. To call the extension misplaced and incongruous would be kind. We're still waiting anxiously (fearfully?) to see what will happen to the building's ornate and finely detailed (but badly weathered) front, considering the new floors cut across the existing door and window frames.

The Neverending Story

Behind the decayed remains of a renovation halted mid-stream, scaffoling goes up, grows old and creaky, then comes down. Workers mill about, clearing months-old trash and debris, then retreat, allowing another generation of weed-choked garbage to accumulate. This tired process has continued for years at the unending project again underway at this apartment building on Kingston Avenue between Eastern Parkway and Lincoln Place. A shiny new web of scaffold is again rising at the site, this time accompanied by a green fabric shield that stretches across the entire front. Does the renewed activity mean something will finally be finished here? Will this renovation ever be completed? Are the developers competing for some sort of "longest continually standing scaffold" competition? Your guess is as good as mine. Anyone have a clue as to what's going on here?

Brower Park Party

Looking to check out Brower Park? Try Tuesday evening (August 7). At 11 a.m., the 77th Precinct Community Council hosts its 24th annual park party featuring steel bands, Haitian and African dancers, free barbecue, face painting, a jazz band, double-dutch exhibitions and step shows. Local police and elected officials will also attend, giving Crown Heightsers an opportunity to discuss local issues. No alcohol will be allowed at the event, which is planned as a "going away party for neighborhood crime and drugs." Brower Park is located in Crown Hieghts' landmark district, bordered by Brooklyn, Kingston and St. Marks Avenues and Park Place.

We are currently looking for more contributors to our blog.
If you would like to contribute articles such as:

- Historical facts of Crown Heights, an article or a picture.
- Real estate In Crown Heights
- Events in Crown Heights.

Please email us at thecrownheightser@yahoo.com

Ebbets Field: A Crown Heights Landmark

Ebbets Field from the outfield, 1950s
By B Major
The year 2007 marks the 50th anniversary of the last game the Brooklyn Dodgers played in Ebbets Field, the ballpark so fondly recalled by a generation of Brooklynites. On Sept. 24, 1957, the Dodgers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 2-0. The team subsequently departed Brooklyn for Los Angeles in 1958 and Ebbets Field, built in 1913, was torn down two years later. Today, the Ebbets Field Houses stand on the spot once occupied by the legendary ballpark. Strangely, the Brooklyn Dodgers are remembered as residents of Flatbush. Indeed, one of the club's top stars, Duke Snider, was known as "The Duke of Flatbush" and even the recent HBO series on the team is titled "Brooklyn Dodgers - The Ghosts of Flatbush." But Ebbets Field was actually located in Crown Heights. The borders of the bandbox ballpark were Sullivan, McKeever, Bedford and Montgomery Streets - the southwest corner of Crown Heights. Let's hear from some folks who were around in those days: does anyone know why Ebbets Field, clearly located in Crown Heights, was so closely associated with Flatbush?

Sunday Links

Carrol Street and Brooklyn Ave (Crown Heights Relatorian)

(1)Love for the Neighborhood
(2)Brooklyn Children’s Museum: ‘Green Promise, Bright Future’
(3)Is it Safe?

History Of President Street

The two blocks of President Street (between Brooklyn and New York Avenues) are literally steeped in undocumented history.

I wish people from the Neighborhood would enlighten us as to its olden glory.

Some time lines to start with:

1880's: development

1920's changing demographics

1960's neighborhoods decline

Present