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Red Hook/Carroll Gardens Today Red Hook is a section of Brooklyn that lies inland from the New York Harbor just south of the Gowanus Expressway and the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. Before the Gowanus Expressway was build in the 1950s Red Hook also included the neighborhood now known as Carroll Gardens. When my husband and I moved to Carroll Gardens in 1992 we thought we were the first members of our family to ever set foot in Brooklyn, only to find out that we both had family whose first stop in the United States was in Red Hook, Brooklyn not far from where we live.
For more information on Red Hook go to Water Front Museum and Showboat Barge |
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Description of the Area in the 1850s
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"The Atlantic Docks had recently been built and the Hamilton Ferry established. The streets had many of them been graded, but there were few houses. A large hill extended from Forth Place to Degraw Street, and from Columbia street nearly to Gowanas canal, which was some forty to fifty feet in height,was being removed. | |
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Red Hook Streets
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206 Richard Street, Red Hook, Brooklyn, 2003 Maria Kettler, the daughter of Fritz Kettler and Hannah Peters was born at this address in 1886 |
| Photo Maggie Blanck
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189 Conover Street, Red Hook, Brooklyn, 2003 Christian Petermann, the son of Johann Petermann and Sophia Steuer, was born at this address in 1883 |
| Photo Maggie Blanck
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Sullivan Street - Richards Street 1931 74-82 Sullivan Street, north side, between Richards and Van Brunt, June 25, 1931. |
| New York City Public Library,
Sperr, Percy Loomis, 1890-1964 -- Photographer, 365056
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Hamilton Ferry The Hamilton Avenue Ferry ran from South Ferry to Hamilton Avenue | |
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| Print collection of Maggie Land Blanck FERRY HOUSE AT FOOT OF HAMILTON AVENUE The Hamilton Avenue Ferry began service in 1846 as a way to facilitate the transportation of bodies from Manhattan to Green Wood Cemetery.
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The Atlantic Basin
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A History of the City of Brooklyn by Henry R Stiles, 1870
The Atlantic Basin is now the home of the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. In July 2010 Carolina Salguero wrote to inform me that the Atlantic Basin is currently about half of its former size. Originally the Basin went from the Buttermilk canal to "to the RR sidings below the Imlay St NY Dock buildings". | |
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Atlantic Basin, 1851 |
| New York City Public Library,
1851, Gleasons Pictorial ID80070
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Atlantic Basin, Laid Up for the Winter, 1873 |
| New York City Public Library,
ID800704D G91F172_035F
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Atlantic Basin |
| New York City Public Library, Stereo Card, ID G91F172_035F
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Atlantic Basin, 2007 |
| Photo Maggie Land Blanck, 2007
This image was taken from one the cruise liners that now dock outside the basin. The original basin included the area that is now covered by the grey sheds with the blue doors. | |
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Atlantic Basin, 2007 |
| Photo Maggie Land Blanck, 2007
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Norwegian and German Churches in "Red Hook", Brooklyn In the 1893 and 1898 directories for Brooklyn there were three listings for Norwegian churches in Red Hook.
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| Photo Maggie Blanck The Norwegian Seamen's Mission in New York dates to 1864. In 1878 The Seamen's Mission in Bergen Norway send Ole Bugge Asperheim to establish a Seamen's church in New York. The first church was at 111 Pioneer Street in Red Hook Brooklyn. It was the home of the Seamen's church for 50 years. In July 2009 Lars Nilsen informed me of the location of this church. It is currently used as a residence. In August 2010 Linda Shoesmith wrote to say that her great grandfather Borre Haugvalstad received correspondence at the church in the 1890s. Borre Haugvalstad was from the Haugvalstad (Haugvaldstad) farm which Linda believes is on the island of Rennoysoy near Stavanger.
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| Photo Maggie Blanck In 1928 the Norwegian Seamen's Church moved to the corner of Clinton Street and First Place in Brooklyn. This was the former home of the Westminster Presbyterian Church built in 1856. In 1983 the the Norwegian Seamen's church moved to Manhattan. The building, on the corner of Clinton and First place, is currently an apartment building. An 1886 map of the area show a Presbyterian Church at this address. | |
| St Paul's Lutheran Church, Henry Street | |
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| Photo Maggie Blanck, 2009 St. Paul's German Lutheran Church, Henry Street between 2nd Place and 3rd Place, erected in 1876 New York Times, March 11, 1922 " THE REV JOHN HUPPENBAUER | |
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| New York Public Library,
circa 1930,
Sperr, Percy Loomis, 1890-1964 -- Photographer St. Paul's Lutheran Church
"619 Henry Street, east side, between 2nd and 3rd Place, as seen from Rapelye Street, showing St Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church erected in 1876. February 21, 1930, P. L. Sperr" | |
| First Place Methodist Chruch, 1st Place and Henry Streets | |
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History of the City of Brooklyn, Henry R. Stiles, 1870 First Place Methodist Episcopal Church, 1st Place and Henry The church was built in 1854 on lots "on Henry Street, corner of Summit, being seventy-four feet deep" with a parsonage "on the rear of the lots facing Summit". The church was of brick with brown stone trim. There was a Sunday school in the basement. Since the lots faced First Place the church was named the "First Place M. E. Church". | |
| Baptist Church at 3rd Place and Clinton | |
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| New York Public Library Image ID: 703691F, circa 1930,
Sperr, Percy Loomis, 1890-1964 -- Photographer Corner of 3rd Place and Clinton Street. Identified in 1886 map as a Baptist Church. Tabernacle Baptist Church, Hicks, corner of Rapelyea street, originated with a few members of the Strong Place Baptist Church, who, on February 8th, 1852, formed a mission Sunday school, in a small hall (afterwards called Mission Hall), over a stable in Hamilton avenue, midway between Union and President streets. There were present, at the first meeting, one female and three male teachers, with one female and ten male scholars; and, at the second session, four male and two female teachers, with twenty male and five female scholars. These early teachers were J. V. Harriott, Dwight Spencer and Dr. A. C. Burke; and (ladies) E. Burke and E. Rosling. The school rapidly increased, and in the winter of 1854-5, the labors of William James, a student of the ministry, were secured, and his labors as a colporteur missionary, were greatly blessed and followed by a revival among the scholars, their parents and their friends. In the fall of 1855, at the request of the teachers, a missionary, the Rev. Henry Brownley, was appointed by the church, to labor continually in this field, which was extended so as to include Gowanus, at which a minion school was also established, from which, in 1858, the Greenwood Baptist Church was formed. The first mission school also enjoyed another revival, and being increased to two hundred and fifty scholars, removed, in May, 1857, to a hall on Columbia street, near Summit, where in two years, its numbers were doubled, and a new necessity arose for larger accommodations. Lots were purchased on the corner of Hicks and Rapelyea streets, on which a building (fifty by one hundred, with suitable infant, library and conference rooms), was erected, capable of holding one thousand children. It was first occupied on the sabbath school anniversary, May, 1860, and dedicated on June 10th of the same year. In the winter of 1860-61, a sabbath evening preaching service was held; the Rev. Ira D. Clark selected as the school missionary; and a revival followed in which over forty souls were converted to God. In March, 1861, Mr. Clark left the school, and the propriety of a distinct church organization was discussed, which was finally secured, in the 26th of June, 1862, when the Strong Place Baptist Church granted letters of dismissal to fifty-five brethren and sisters, members of their body who were organized into a separate church under the name of the Tabernacle Baptist Church, Brooklyn. And on the 10th of July following, Messrs. Dwight Spencer, A. C. Burke and John F. Davis were chosen deacons, and in March, 1863, Theodore Shotwell was also made a deacon. Shortly after the formation of the church, the Rev. T. Edwin Brown, a graduate of Washington College, D. C., and a licentiate from the First Baptist church of Washington city, was called to the pastorate; and, on the 13th of November, 1862, was publicly ordained, at which time, also, the church was formally recognized by its sister churches. During his ministry the congregation was largely increased, especially during the first eighteen months of his labors; in the spring of 1866 (in connection with the mission work of Rev. A. B. Earle); and again in connection with the week of prayer in 1868. Mr. Brown resigned the pastorate in 1869, and was succeeded by Rev. A. C. Osborn, D.D. | |
| Other Churches
An 1886 map shows several other Churches in this area of Brooklyn.
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| Hans S Christian Memorial Kindergarden in "Red Hook", Brooklyn
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| Photo Maggie Blanck 236 President Street - Hans S Christian Memorial Kindergarden "built in memory of Hans Christian - a successful man who owned a Building Supply company on the Gowanus Canal and second street. He died in 1896"The Hans S. Christian Memorial Kindergarden was listed at 236 President Street in a May 25, 1899 Brooklyn Eagle article about the the kindergarden. Hans Christian (c 1825-1894) and Elmira ______ Birth Circa 1825 Norway. Farsund, Norway (Obit New York Times, December 27, 1894.) Marriage: Elmira ______ , New York Immigration: Occupations: Seaman, Carman 1850 & 1860, lime and brick dealer, 1870, building materials 1880, DeGraw Street later Gowanus canal and Second Street. Children:
1860 Census: 148 _ 6th Ward, Brooklyn, Christian Hans "S", age 35, carman, $2,800, $150, born Norway, Almira E age 27, Henry _ age 4, Ada B age 2, Washington I, 5 months, Julia Rogers servant 1870 Census: 356 ____ Brooklyn 6th Ward, Christian, Hans D, age 45, lime and brick dealer, born Norway, Elmira E age 36, keeping house, $10,000, $5,000, born New York, Harry L 14 attending school, Stuart, Agnes age 26 1880 Census: 251 President Street, Christian, Hans, age 55, building materials, Elmira wife, age 47, Harry age 24, mining broker, ____ Ama servant, age 31 Death of Hans Christian: "Suddenly, December 26, 1894, age 70 years Hans S Christian age 70 died of heart failure. He had braved a severe winter storm to attended a prayer meeting. Returning home he "fell to the sidewalk and became unconscious". He was carried to a livery stable nearby and died almost immediately. (Obit New York Times, December 27, 1894.) Death of Elmira Christian: age 67, Mar 28, 1899 #5295, Kings
"Christian, - Mrs. Elmira E Christian, widow of Hans S. Christian, on Tuesday morning, 28th inst. 251 President Street, Brooklyn (New York Times) | |
| Norwegian Institutions in Red Hook/ Carroll Gardens
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| Norwegian Immigrants at Castle Garden
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| New York City Public Library,
Harper's weekly : a journal of civilization., ID: 800777
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Erie Basin and Gowanus Canal Brooklyn Eagle Post Card, Series 72, No 428 The Erie Basin is on the south side of Red Hook |
| Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck
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| Print collection of Maggie Land Blanck Theo. A. Crane's Sons Co., Brooklyn Floating Docks and Shipyard, Breakwater Gap, Erie Basin, 1905 Invoice "Sufficient depth of water to haul at any stage of tide.
Theo. A Crane's Sons company " The shipbuilding and repair business conducted under the corporate name of Theo. A. Crane's sons Company in Erie Basin is the outgrowth of a business established by the late Theo A Crane more than half a century ago. The founder of the business was born in Newark, N. J., but came with his parents to Brooklyn, when he was a child, and was educated in schools there.During the Civil War he worked at the shipbuilding yard of Devine Brutus in Brooklyn. In 1867 he established his own yard first at 16th street and later at 26th Street. He bought the yard in the Erie Basin from G. H. Ferris. Theodore Crane died in 1891 and his sons Edward and Alfred continued the business. Edward died in 1899 of typhoid fever. Alfred continued in sole control until the business was incorporated in 1901. Other Dry docks in the Erie Basin in 1920 were the The Robins Dry Dock and Repair Company and Ira S. Bushey and Sons, Inc. America's maritime progress,1920, By George Weiss, J. W. Leonard | |
| Floating Baths
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"Free Floating Baths, Foot of Conover Street" Brooklyn Eagle Post Card, Series 38, No. 224 Red Hook |
| Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck
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| Maps
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| Collection of Maggie Land Blanck
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| 1907 map showing the Red Hook Section of
Brooklyn Key:
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| Collection of Maggie Land Blanck
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| Early map showing the Red Hook Section of
Brooklyn Key:
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| Collection of Maggie Land Blanck
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| Early map showing the Red Hook Section of
Brooklyn with Hamilton Avenue, and the Erie and Atlantic basins.
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What Brought the Peters (Petersens), Petermanns and Kettles to
Red Hook Brooklyn and What Did They Do There?
In 1886 the Atlantic Dock: "several schooners with sugar from the South, as well as the Hamburg steamer, California, which after landing her 650 steerage passengers, is now loading grain for the return voyage . The weekly service for the Hamburg line to this point insures an air of business at this dock even in the dullest times. Here also are the canal boats which receive freight of the Erie canals."In 1892: GENERAL SHIPPING NEWS | |
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3A Second Place City-Data.com records online say that the houses at 3, 3A, 5, 7, 7A and 9 Second Place were build in 1899. I have to investigate further but it is possible that the house predates 1899. An ad in the Brooklyn Eagle of 1886 offers 3 Second place as a new building. To Let - House- To Small Private Family, 3 Second Place, near Henry St., new 3 story brick, cabinet trimmings, decorate if desired; open house, John O Hoyt, Jr, 10 Court Street.The Brooklyn Eagle of Saturday April 16, 1892 page 3 listed: TO LET- HOUSE -3A SECOND PLACE A three story, basement, fancy brick, 10 rooms, all improvements, $650: D. P Dahling & co, 189-191 Montague St.And the Brooklyn Eagle Saturday, February 24, 1894 Page: 6 TO LET- HOUSE- 3A SECOND PLACE 3 story and basement, semi-Queen Anne, 9 rooms all improvements; possession May 1 D, P. Dahling and Co 189 MontagueQueen Anne was a popular style in the US in the 1880 and 1890s. Queen Anne incorporated asymmetrical facades, decorative brickwork, textured wall surfaces and steeply pitched roofs. The present 3A Second Place is three stories plus a "garden level" (basement?) as described in the 1892 ad and I think it is save to call the present 3A Second semi Queen Anne as described in the 1894 ad. The houses at 3, 3A, 5, 5A, 7 & 9 are architecturally diverse from the other houses on the block and in the neighborhood in general. They are all brick fronted townhouses with slate mansard roofs. The window detailing and other decorative elements of these houses indicate that they were build at the same time by the same builder. If 3 Second Place was being offered for rent as a new three story brick house in 1886, it is highly likely that the other houses were built at the same time. 5 Second Place was offered in September 1890 as "modern and very desirable". The 1880 Census does not list any buildings at 3 through 9 Second Place. There are listings in 1880 at #1 and #11.
The 1890 census is burned so it cannot be checked. 3 A Second Place, 1897 to 1900, Mary Howell (1842-1922)
From at least 1897 to 1900 Mary Howell and her children lived at 3A Second Place.1910, 3 A Second Place The copy is very hard to read. Ancesty lists the following people but I would not swear to it: The second half of the page is easier to read so the occupations are more or less correct.
In 1910 John Moran, born Massachusetts, engineer shipyards, owned the house at 9 Second Place. 7A, 7, 5,3A and 3 were all rented. 3A Second Place in 1920 and 1930, Albert and Anne Gundersen
Anne Gundersen and her daughter rented 3A Second place in 1920 and 1930. They were listed at that address in the censuses.1906 HOW HIS COURSE HELPED 1908, 1910, 1912, 1914, 1916 & 1917: 3a Second Place Mr and Mrs. W. B Gardner Gardner, Mr. and Mrs. William Brownlow, 3a Second Place (Jean Alice Williamson) Brooklyn blue book and Long Island society register 1912. In 1903 they were at 9 Second Place. In 1920 and 1921 they were at 16 First Place. The were listed in the 1920 census at 16 First Place: Gardner, William head own, age 73, born New Jersey, none, Emma wife age 69, born NJ, none, insurance agent, William B son age 44, born NJ Jean age 43 daughter-in-law, born NJ They were also listed in the 1910 census at 16 First place. It is very faded and hard to read but there appear to be the same people listed, plus an aunt whose name I cannot make out. I do not know why they are repeaditly lsited at 3 A Second Place when they appear to have lived at 16 First Place.
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| A Preservation Plan for Red Hook, Brooklyn Lots of good images and information on the history of Red Hook | |
| Downtown Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights and the Brooklyn Bridge | |
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Manhattan Entrance to Brooklyn Bridge, New York |
| Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck
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Brooklyn Bridge, New York |
| Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck
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Approach to Brooklyn Bridge, N. Y. Postmarked 1910 |
| Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck
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Brooklyn Bridge, New York Postmarked 1909 |
| Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck
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Brooklyn Bridge New York Postmarked 1906 |
| Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck
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Brooklyn Bridge, New York No postmark |
| Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck
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Bird's Eye view of Brooklyn and City Hall No date |
| Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck
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Deutsches Lutherisches Emigranten Haus, State Street, New York |
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Generously shared by Bob April 2009
"Lutheran Emigrants' House Association (incorp. 1871) 26 State St. Maintains the EMIGRANT House, in which emigrants of any nationality, who will comply with the rules of the House, are boarded and lodged at nominal prices for those able to pay; others are cared for free until employment is found." | |
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Borough Hall Station Picture of first train run through tube which is 90 feet under bed of East River No date |
| Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck
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| Print collection of Maggie Land Blanck
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| Clinton Street, 1874 Clinton Street runs between Brooklyn Heights and Red Hook | |
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| Print collection of Maggie Land Blanck
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| Brooklyn Heights with Harbor in background, 1874
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Other Areas of Brooklyn
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Wallabout Market, Brooklyn, N. Y. No date The Wallabout Market was near the Brooklyn Navy Yards |
| Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck
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| Print collection of Maggie Land Blanck
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| New York Bay, from Green Wood Cemetery, 1874
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History of the Isthmian Steamship Lines, Erie Basis, Red Hook Brooklyn
includes an arial view of the Erie Basin Terminal and tons of other
images and information
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| If you have any suggestions, corrections, information, copies of documents, or photos that you would like to share with this page, please contact me at maggie@maggieblanck.com |
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| Port Side, Cultural Tourism |
| If you wish to use any of the images or information on this page please feel free to do so provided that you give proper acknowledgement to this web site and include the same acknowledgments that I have made to the provenience of the image or information. Thanks, Maggie |
| Copyright by Maggie Land Blanck - This page was created in 2004 - Latest update, August 2010 |