Tag: Astor Row
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Blues Singer
This photo from 1958 of “Sticks McGhee” ( a Blues Guitarist) was only described as being taken in Harlem NYC: What struck me was that the foreground figure had space. Space between the building where the photographer was, and the subject. Most Harlem streets have stoop stairs ending right at the property line, with no…
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Not 129, But…
A great photo of Harlem from 1946. Note how few trees there are on the streetscape: The text on the back claims it’s on 129th Street, but the distinctive porches on the right (south) side are unequivocally Astor Row (West 130th Street). It’s interesting to compare the tree cover 75 years later: However, the text…
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View of Harlem from City College
Here are a pair of views of Harlem (looking eastward) from St. Nicholas Park (City College): The photographer is Robert L. Bracklow and the images were taken on August 14, 1909 – 113 years ago today. Note the gardening that is going on in St. Nicholas Park: And the laundry out drying: To see the…
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Student Film Screening
The 4TH ANNUAL NYC PUBLIC SCHOOL FILM FESTIVAL featuring films by student filmmakers will be held this SATURDAY MAY 21 830PM at the 135th Street Plaza and the James Baldwin Lawn. Bring your blankets & snacks for a beautiful evening with us – the weather looks amazing. Uncovering the History of Astor Row (& Other Buildings…
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Astor Row Guide, Needed
The West Harlem Art Fund, and Jane’s Walk have three descriptions for three historic districts that will be a part of Jane’s Walk 2022. (A fourth one will be submitted shortly.) It would be great to also include Astor Row. If you love that street and are willing to share that enthusiasm with the Harlem-curious,…
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William Backhouse Astor Jr.
Harlem’s Astor Row Namesake Willam Backhouse Astor Jr. lived from 1829 – 1892 and in our community, is best remembered as the person who developed Astor Row, AKA West 130th Street between 5th Avenue and Lenox. The south side of this block was developed by Astor as speculative townhouses – built when there was little…
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Astor Row Building, Gone
Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) responded to concerns that a long abandoned building on Astor Row was about to collapse and knocked the building down. Future owners will be forced by landmarking to restore the front facade. Sadly, now, it’s a gaping hole in the streetscape. Untapped New York’s Secrets of Harlem
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104 and 25,626
Only 104 votes separate Kristin Jordan from the incumbent, Bill Perkins. 104 ballots (out of 25,626 ballots cast in the City Council 9 race means that we’re headed for a manual recount. We have not heard from the Board of Elections specifically that Bill Perkins’ wife – a patronage appointee to the NYC Board of…
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Do You Remember the 80’s?
The financial crisis of the 1970s, the ongoing effects of redlining, and the systemic racism in city agencies that prioritized some communities over others, led to an incredible deterioration in Harlem’s infrastructure. The ‘before/after’ images below are powerful reminders of the era: And now: Mask Up! Spotted on Astor Row, a masked gargoyle.
