Greenpoint
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Culture on the Cheap
The Glue Wars, Part II
(In order to understand this post, I strongly recommend you read Part I — Miss Heather)
What was then called “The Glue Wars” raged well into 1895. During the four preceding years police raids were conducted, carters hauling offal into Brooklyn were arrested and much legal maneuvering was done by both sides. But as with all things— both good and bad— it came to an end. Perhaps the Coopers tired of the constant litigation and controversy? Only they would know and they’re not exactly in a position to talk. What is known for certain is they sold the glue factory to the City of Brooklyn for the princely sum of $55,000. Follows is The City of New York’s* description of what happened next:
Within a year the site… was outfitted with a playground and landscaping. By 1905 the limestone and brick shelter pavilion had been erected. In the late 1930s construction carried out by the Works Progress Administration transformed Cooper Park into a modern recreational facility. New features included a roller-skating track, sitting area, horseshoe and shuffleboard courts, wading pool, play areas for children and tots, and two softball diamonds with bleachers…
And that, dear readers, is how Cooper Park was born!
Let this be a lesson to all of you out there who think the interests of the people cannot prevail over deeply entrenched business interests and governmental apathy. It can be done. One only needs a lot of tenacity and patience.
Miss Heather
*Which curiously fails to make mention of all the litigation leading up to the sale of this parcel of land.
Strike A Pose
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
Today (with the help of one VERY nice nanny) I made my contribution to Olympia’s online birthday present to his girlfriend. Three arms are, after all, a lot better than two!
Miss Heather
The Glue Wars
As mentioned in this post, I have been researching Peter Cooper’s glue factory. This establishment was one of a number of businesses located in Bushwick Green that rendered animal “by-products”. Soap factories, gelatin makers and fertilizer companies were, in fact, commonplace. The result was a rather noxious odor that hung over the area much to the irritation of the local population. In 1891 they started to fight back…
with a little help from their friends in Greenpoint.
An extensive legal campaign ensued. A retinue of experts were brought in, 150 in number, to testify that Peter Cooper’s glue factory posed no nuisance (it created jobs they argued, among other things) and the Health Department had no right to interfere with its operation. On the side of Peter Cooper was Abram Hewitt, former mayor of New York City —he also happened to be Peter Cooper’s son in law and as such had a financial stake in this establishment— and one Professor Joseph A. Raymond. Here is the latter’s take on matters as documented in the March 16, 1892 of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle.
In the end Judge Van Wyck barred the Health Department from interfering with the operation of Mr. Cooper’s glue factory. But this didn’t mean the issue was closed: a three year legal battle followed. The conclusion of the “Glue Wars” as they were then called will be forthcoming later today on New York Shitty. Stay tuned!
Miss Heather
Greenpoint Photo du Jour: Hanging Out
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
To see what this corner (at the intersection of Huron Street and Manhattan Avenue) looked like back in the 1970’s click here. Click here for the 411 about The Motion Lounge.
Miss Heather
A Rather Unusual Request
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
I just got this in from a reader who calls himself “Olympia“. He writes:
I wanted to tell you… about a fun surprise in the neighborhood I’ve just done for my girlfriend, that I’d love your help publicizing if you’re willing.
My girlfriend moved to Connecticut from Greenpoint last year. She misses it terribly, and constantly pines for the days spent with friends in the neighborhood. For her birthday this year, I have installed a life-sized wooden cutout of her at the southeast corner of Franklin and Noble Street. I am asking anyone who can to go to Greenpoint and photograph themselves with the Birthday Girl, and then, email or pix message the photo to birthdaygirl08(at)gmail(dot)com. Soon she will have an entire album of images of herself and many, many friends partyting in Greenpoint! I will also be uploading all images to my flickr account, so all can watch as the piece progresses.
If you’d be willing to publish a little something on your blog about this, it would really increase the number of visitors to the project, and really help make her birthday something truly special.
So there have you. If any of you have the time, why not mosey on down to Franklin and Noble and get your picture taken with the birthday girl? Speaking for myself, I am very eager to see how this project unfolds. It is a terrific idea!
Miss Heather
Photo Credit: Olympia
Living Large On McGuinness Boulevard
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
A number of you I am certain are familiar with this plot of land nestled in the Key Food parking lot. An old house was stood here. That was razed several years ago. Then teenagers started hanging around. The police drove them off. Ever since it has been a repository for garbage and a place for homeless people to hang their hat. Until today.
It would appear this al fresco pied a terre has received a makeover.
A very GREENPOINT makeover.
189 Greenpoint Avenue (which is located just down the street) can keep their flat screen televisions, balconies and roof top terrace. This place has everything.
What could be more American than a flag in the front yard…
and a little food for the birdies? If you like what you see (and believe you me these photographs do not do these digs justice), head on down to the northeastern corner of McGuiness Boulevard and Calyer Street.
Your dream home awaits.
Miss Heather
Greenpoint Photo du Jour: Calyer Street
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
A vestige of what SuperVegan named the worst Brooklyn restaurant of 2007. I’m glad to see the current tenants of this space (an architectural firm, I believe) have seen fit to keep the sign. Albeit with a witty modification.
Miss Heather
Weights And Measures, Greenpoint Style
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
Discarded beer bottles are an all too common sight in my neighborhood. Sometimes I find them artfully arranged in doorways, other times I find them stacked precariously atop a Siamese hydrant. These fallen soldiers of a hard fought bottle are to Greenpoint what strollers are to my neighbors in Park Slope: ubiquitous and occasionally annoying.
When I walked around the Garden Spot yesterday, I encountered yet more evidence of our neighborhood’s love of suds.
I found this bicycle on Manhattan Avenue. Note the placement of a bottle behind the rear wheel. Have beer, will travel!
Each handle bar has been utilized to its maximum load bearing potential.
An empty pack of cigarettes graces the seat. This collection of detritus has got to be either the aftermath of one hell of a party or some graduate student’s art project. In Greenpoint, one never knows.
This seemingly odd grouping of empty beer bottles (on Calyer Street), conversely, was no mystery at all.
Note the label on the bottle: one pint and .9 fluid ounces. That’s 16.9 ounces for those of you keeping track.
Now let’s look at the instructions posted on the mailbox. They remind us of The 13-Ounce Rule. 3.9 ounces too much. Thus they were returned to sender. Sans their contents.
This is Greenpoint, after all.
Miss Heather
P.S.: Yes, I know the difference between weight and volume. This is satire. Lighten up.
Williamspoint Photo du Jour: Obama Oranges
From the Renegade Craft Fair at the McCarren Park Pool. Not only were these oranges for sale, but the proprietor told me they quit making Hillary oranges because they didn’t sell.
Miss Heather
Renegade Craft Fair
Today I braved the strange weather and downright brutal humidity to check out the Renegade Craft Fair at the McCarren Park Pool. All in all, I had a great time. Follows is a short film documenting my interaction with the bio-fueled “Post Card Machine”, my inability to follow directions, affection for chickens …and more!
Anyone interested in contacting the brilliant brain behind this machine can do so via email at:
michellery (at) hotmail (dot) com
Miss Heather
P.S.: You can look for more neat things I found at the fair on my Flickr page.
NYS Flickr Pool
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