http://www.citynoise.org

Yorkville: A Neighborhood Recalled

New York, NY - Laura - Thursday, December 7th, 2006 : goo

Browsing articles by Laura - [previous] :: [next]

I had to write a piece on my neighborhood this week for one of my graduate social work classes. I thought I'd share it here, since it has its fair share of citynoise...

I’m much taller than my mother, who’s a tiny thing and fits comfortably under my arm. It’s strange to think that once I clomped around the house in her high heels and now she fits so snugly under my wing, but I suppose that’s how life progresses.

My Grandpa died three years ago, and then Tommy passed last October. Tommy was Mom’s oldest and most loved brother. So after a recent long night with her at Dresner’s bar on 78th and York, mom wanted to take a stroll down memory lane- also known as 77th street.

“I’m not exactly sure which court it is, but I always like to think that it’s this one,” she sighed as she pointed toward the left-side handball court at John Jay Park. “I just like this one better.” We stood there, in silence, me clutching my tipsy mother and her holding back tears as she fantasized about the day her mother and father met. Grandma lived across the street from John Jay and Grandpa was a handball champ. Little did he know that Grandma was better. She challenged him to a game right there on that court and beat him fair and square. They always had a tense relationship and so while I don’t think it was love at first sight, handball at John Jay Park was the first story in their life together.

It’s a story I’ve heard many times. Grandpa was a Great Storyteller, and while everyone at the dinner table would fight to get themselves heard, no one spoke when he told stories. I could tell, even when I was just a child and he an Old Man, he was a charmer. Quiet and mostly reserved, Grandpa’s true nature came out through his stories; he never failed to captivate his dinner audience.

After he died, I went through old pictures of him with my grandmother. One showed them sitting together on a checkered cloth on Sheep Meadow. Grandma held her new baby, Mary, and Grandpa relaxed against her side. “Ah- Daddy had beautiful hair, Laura,” Grandma cooed. “He was so handsome.” She closed her eyes and napped a little, drifting off, I’m sure, back to her girlhood in Yorkville.

Yorkville: the cradle of our family history. Stretching from 72nd street (some say 59th) to 96th and encompassing everything from the East River to Third Avenue, Yorkville is a neighborhood unlike any other in Manhattan. I may be biased - I’ve never lived in any other neighborhood in Manhattan.

I grew up on 90th and Third in a building named after and standing on the old Jacob Ruppert Brewery property. The Brewery was founded in 1867 and closed in 1965.

In 1941, when my father was 13 and a freshman at Cardinal Hayes High School, he became acquainted with the brewery during his daily commute. At that time the high school was too small to hold all its students and freshmen had to attend classes at the Hayes Annex, on the top florr at the Our Lady of Good Counsel (OLGC) School building on 91st street.

The El at 89th St, 1954

He took the Third Avenue El from his South Bronx neighborhood, riding in between the cars the whole way down, and walked up Third Avenue to the brewery. There he’d walk through the Ruppert properties and find trouble where it could be found. He later liked to recollect the ‘bums’ who’d sit outside the brewery wall with mugs to collect the hops drippings. (Where as my mother read me bedtime stories out of fairy tale books, my father would entrance me with stories of gang rumbles, bar fights and romances. My dad, true to his Irish nature, is a professional B.S.’er whose stories blur the line between fact and fancy. I do believe his story about the hops is true, however.)

By the time my mother met my father at Barrymore’s in 1974, the brewery was long gone and the 22-acre space it once took up was renamed an urban renewal site and was populated by various community gardens and weedy underbrush. A year later, in 1975, the Ruppert Brewery Project began and the Conklin & Rossant architectural firm cooked up a plan to revitalize the neighborhood with a fortress-like structure that towered over the area. White and Willensky, in their Guide to New York City, say that “The density is immense and overwhelming. Given that millstone, the architects have handled an unfortunate program in a sophisticated manner." My parents were some of the first tenants to call that sophisticated project ‘Home.’

And then came Me. My birthday just passed and I look forward every year to my mother’s rendition of when I came into the world. Though I moan and groan about her long-winded explanations (from which I’ve inherited my own speaking style), a birthday simply wouldn’t be complete without that story. I’ll try to recount it briefly here. My mother and father had moved into a small one-bedroom apartment in Ruppert Towers and were not expecting to have children. I, determined to be brought into the world, foiled that plan. My parents, shocked at first, decided to uphold my wishes and have me. I’m glad they did. My mother, an amateur yogi, prepared for the natural birth through months of Lamaze and yoga techniques- and swimming (“don’t leave the swimming out, Laura! I swam everyday when I was pregnant with you and it was very important for your growth. You were practically born in water!” I wasn’t, but you see how important the water is to me. And to my mother. Anyway, back to the story). Everything went well until the last moment, when the cord was wrapped around my neck. My competent doctor cut the cord, told my mother to push and I came shooting into the world like a football (“Daddy! Tell me the story again about how I was born like a football!”).

After I was born, we three lived in our little apartment; Three Peas in a Pod as my Daddy likes to say. I was sent to school at OLGC, and attended classes in the same room that my father had some 45 years before me.

I grew up on hot dogs at the Papaya King on 86th street and refused to eat any hot dog substitution. I got my first pet, a parakeet I named Jennifer, from Woolworth’s; I learned to swim before I could walk at the Y and I frolicked in the sprinklers in Ruppert Park.

I spent an enormous amount of time at a bar called Il Giorno where Andy, the bartender, would always put 5 cherries in my Shirley Temple. On Saint Patrick’s Day, we’d all watch the Parade from Jim Buck’s apartment on Fifth Avenue. I was communed at the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel and sang in the Children’s Choir there, where I was continuously reprimanded for chatting with boys.

I took pottery classes with my Dad at Rhinelander Children’s Center, and took dance at Manhattan Ballet. Mom and I bought groceries at Key Food and she would graciously let me push the cart back up the hill to our house. My mother still boasts of what a wonderful neighborhood Yorkville was to raise her child in- “Everything we needed was in the neighborhood. I never needed to take you elsewhere.”

The only thing it didn’t have was space. So in 1989, when I was finishing third grade, my mother and I moved into my grandparent’s summer home in a little town on the Jersey Shore called Bay Head. My dad would visit us on weekends and I was always jealous on Sunday nights when he would get to go home. Unlike OLGC, my new school was all white, uptight and cliquey. It was a miserable move for me and I longed for our tiny apartment and my friends who wore gold bracelets and pink barrettes in their braids. I’ve always known Yorkville to be home and didn’t feel at peace until I returned.

Ruppert Towers looked much different in January 2005, when I moved back into our apartment to start graduate school. Converted into a condominium in 2003, the building got a full face lift, complete with a new name for the neighborhood: The Upper East Side. What were once orange Formica walls had been replaced by rich wood and wainscoting. The building’s old recreation room is now a valet, and residents can pick up and drop off their dry cleaning at their convenience. The new residents, now apartment owners, have transformed the feel of the building. My apartment feels the same, but my house has clearly changed.

But it’s not just my house. Yorkville is in the process of a huge transformation. Once the city’s Little Germany, Yorkville retains little of what has historically set it apart from other neighborhoods. 86th street, formerly referred to as The German Broadway, still serves as the neighborhood’s main drag, but the restaurants that gave it its feel, like Die Lorelei, Cafe Mozart and the Gloria Palast are long gone. Gone too are the ballrooms and dance halls; when my mother moved back into Yorkville in the early 1970’s, these spaces for waltzing and polka dancing were slowly dying. She recalled recently what a wonderful time 86th street used to be.

Most recently, in October of 2006, an historic building on 86th and Lexington gave way to what is rumored by the local Community Board 8 to become a Bed Bath and Beyond with loading docks on 85th.

Similarly, a building on 86th and Third that came down last year will likely become a Home Depot with Whole Foods between Lexington and Third.

They will go well with the Banana Republic, Victoria’s Secret, Aldo and other various upscale boutiques already on the strip. Though I love to browse, and though the new buildings and banks increase the area’s value, I can’t help but wonder about the neighborhood’s roots and fantasize about the good old days, when Yorkville was simply that.

The saddest stroke came in June of 2005, when OLGC closed its doors after the Archdiocese of the City of New York declared that several Catholic schools throughout the city would be shut down. This past May, during an OLGC reunion of sorts, a group of recent ‘OL’ students, teachers, parents and alumni reminisced about the school and the years we spent there. John Norton, the school’s beloved 8th grade teacher of 15+ years said sadly, “It was such a wonderful school. We all truly enjoyed teaching there. And our kids are just…incredible.” Several of his recent students were there with us, and a particular 14 year old girl who’d shunned her own father not minutes before, broke into a huge grin. “We love you too, Mr. Norton.” And we do.

We concluded that day that the OLGC spirit has been passed down and among us, and we will not forget it. Nor will we forget the neighborhood where we found it- however many years ago that may have been. Yorkville may be ever changing, but its spirit is still here. Looking carefully among the neighborhood’s skyscrapers, you find folks like John Norton. And at John Jay Park, I think my Grandpa still plays the occasional game of handball.

All photographs are my own, except for the following:

John Jay Park- handball court on right. Available online at:
http://www.liveworkplayoutwest.com/yorkvillejohnjaypoolpics.htm

Third Ave El, 1954. available online at:
http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?26048

This article has been viewed 25018 times in the last 3 years

little ukraine: 7th Dec 2006 - 04:21 GMT

lovely story of a neighborhood, and so well-illustrated. thanks Laura. also, thanks for digging up that el-train pic.

Laura : 7th Dec 2006 - 05:12 GMT

Thank you, LU. I love that El photo. It was my favorite find for the project.

Marty: 11th Dec 2006 - 00:29 GMT

Come by the Yorkville web site for a trip down nostalgia lane. Find an old friend or just make a new friend.

http://www.liveworkplayoutwest.com/yorkvilleindex.htm

procyon: 13th Dec 2006 - 18:42 GMT

This was such a great read, and beautifully illustrated, too.

Ashley: 21st Dec 2006 - 12:50 GMT

i have been researching gangs for about a monthe now and i think it is very fasinating to learn about!!!!!!!!!

Ashley: 21st Dec 2006 - 12:51 GMT

i also think that hearing about other peoples life is really cool to. i like this article for some reason

Princess: 27th Dec 2006 - 14:29 GMT

just proves what great story tellers the Irish are

I could see you smiling as you wrote this....more pleae

Barbara: 8th Jan 2007 - 23:52 GMT

Thanks so much for the photo of the Third Ave El, 1954. I lived on Third between 90 & 91 St, and I can actually see the windows of our apartment in that photo. I was 4 yrs old at the time and would sit by the window every day waiting for my mom to get off the train from work. What wonderful memories this photo brought back!

K. Jacob Ruppert: 2nd Feb 2007 - 00:29 GMT

Thank you so much for a wonderful article and for the effort to better preserve my ancestors' contributions to New York and Yorkville from fading into the footnotes of a forgotten history. Save Yorkville History Now!

Joe: 10th Mar 2007 - 15:05 GMT

What contributions did ruppert brewery do for Yorkville besides suck it's blood & abandon it? They were the last of the robber barons. I grew up across for the brewery & it was a rat infested pig sty. The best contribution the brewery did for yorkville was leaving.

Joe: 10th Mar 2007 - 16:51 GMT

Oh and also I'd have to say yes this is a cute story but the buildings on 86th St. both on lex & third were nothing but broken down tenements which were demolished to make way for a better Yorkville. There's absolutely nothing wrong with progress or the many new wonderful stores you mentioned.The Yorkville of today is much better place then the one i grew up in in the 1950's to 1970's. More pricey yes but it takes money to improve things.

AG: 31st Mar 2007 - 01:24 GMT

Thank you for this wonderful article. I grew up in Yorkville, went to OLGC and wandered 86th street all the time ... I loved the photos - thank you for the walk down memory lane. Progress is good but, I agree, we've lost the character of the old Yorkville. Telling these stories is great. thanks!

Laura : 1st Apr 2007 - 18:50 GMT

Thanks for the comments, everyone. Joe- I hear you. I have only been around in the world for 25 years, but the quality of life in this neighborhood in just that short amount of time has improved drastically. I can only imagine how a person such as yourself with the sentiments you' ve already expressed must view the changes. It truly is remarkable how far we've come. That said-- I do miss the old ways and probably always will. Its easier for me to hang on to the good than to focus on the negative.

A correction: my father is an older person, but not as old as I have presented him here. He attended OL in 1951, not 41. Pictures of Cardinal Hayes used for this project but not posted here were taken in 1941. I'm terrible at math and got confused. My apologies.

Helen Kane Munro: 13th Apr 2007 - 06:13 GMT

ENJOYED PHOTOS AND COMMENTS. YES, YORKVILLE WAS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE IN THE 50'S AND 60'S AND OLGC CHURCH AND SAINT JOSPEH'S SCHOOL OFFERED
A GREAT EDUCATION TO ALL.

Anthony: 24th Jun 2007 - 04:20 GMT

OLGC school was a great place...i was a student there...the school closed down when i was in sixth grade...The 8th grade teachers name was actually Mr. Naughton. He was a great man. I was very disappointed when the school had to close. Me and my friends still go around there and reminice about all the good times we had in OLGC.

Laurie: 31st Jul 2007 - 12:00 GMT

I loved reading your story.My Grandparents came from Yorkville 73rd and 2nd and 72nd.My Greatgrand father Joseph Hala owned a bar,Tavern or whatever it was called back then.They lived above the bar.I've been trying to track down Info on all of this because my Grandmother and other branches of the family have said that he worked for "Mayor Jimmy Walker".The business he owned was called Joe Hala Society at one time.I know he still owned it in the 30s because my Mom was there as a child.If anyone could help me or help give me ideas on how to trace this stuff or get any more info it would be greatly appreciated.My Email is lau56 at optonline.net.
This was a really nice story Lots of Luck to You and your Family.

Gary: 19th Aug 2007 - 00:57 GMT

I enjoyed this very much. Actually was going to email the 89 street photo to my sister, as it shows where we grew up on 90 th and Third. We lived there from the 50's to the mid 70's, and both attended Good Counsel.

It was a great place to grow up, and I'm glad I did. It's a large part of who I am. Thanks !

2o9 FiNeSt cHiiick : 1st Sep 2007 - 22:51 GMT

umm i was lookin for bloOdz and criiips i wasnt lookin for no Old ass shit w.e Nikka

Jarrod Lynn: 11th Sep 2007 - 03:53 GMT

I am putting a book together on Yorkville. Anyone who is interested in preserving the history of our neighborhood, please contact me at JDLJAG@GMAIL.COM

I am interested in speaking with anyone who would like to contribute in any way.

Jarrod Lynn

gus hassler : 3rd Oct 2007 - 00:23 GMT

I am now working as the master mechanic on the second ave subway.anyone have photos of brewery before and during demolition and would like to share them with me.my only connection to yorkville was the many bars I drank in.THanks bellagram183@aol.com

John: 12th Oct 2007 - 19:07 GMT

I grew up in Yorkville as a kid during the 1970s-1980s in "the projects". When I'm in town, I always think of Johnny and Matilda's Candy Store and Soda Shop. It was the center of my little world, near the corner of 92nd street and First Avenue, in the 1970's. They filmed TERRIBLE JOE MORAN in that tiny store in 1983. That film was James Cagney's last movie role. And I was there to see it happen!

http://www.super8monsters.com

Michael: 17th Oct 2007 - 15:23 GMT

I grew up in Yorkville in the 1950's. We lived on 90th St between First and York. I remember the fireboat station at the foot of 90th St just outside the fence at Schurz park. I also remember the Third ave El even though I was only 3 when they tore it down. We were parishoners at OLGC and we had to pass under it in order to get to church. There was a German deli on Fisrt Ave and 90th that we called "Cheese and Crackers" they always had a barrel of pickles outside the door and we used to get egg creams there when we were good. There was a place called the Soupbone where a number of my aunts held there bridal receptions. You had walk up an outside stairwell to the second story to get in. There was also a television studio on 90th whjere they made TV commercils. I used to eat lunch at the Rhinelander and had my picture taken there on Thanksgiving week in 1956 "attacking" a turkey that ran in the NY Post under the caption "boy meets bird". I remember smelling the yeast vats at the brewery while I attended OLGC on 91st St. Thank you so much for the site. I get very nostalgic sometimes and this trip back to Yorkville was very pleasant

Lulu: 6th Nov 2007 - 20:48 GMT

Thanks for the article. It will be three years this January since I moved to Yorkville (as a grad student as well) and I can't imagine living anywhere else in New York. We need more information on the history of this great neighborhood! To the person working on a book - count me in as a future book-buyer.

lynn ward: 12th Nov 2007 - 00:57 GMT

Grew up in Yorkville 72nd & 73rd on third, in the 40's & 50's. St.Jean the Baptiste, St. Catherine of Sienna and St. Vincents was our neighborhood schools. I'd love to see more "el" pictures in the 70's if any one has them. Your article was terrific

Pat Tracey: 13th Nov 2007 - 00:24 GMT

Hello Laura,
I am int he process of writing a mini-biography of my life growing up
in "da Bronx". By accident I found myself on this web-site. I am a graduate
of Cardinal Hayes and also went to "OLGC" as a freshman. Part of my story
is about those hot spring days sitting in class across from the brewery
getting a whiff of the hops and dozing off.

JOEY - The TPA Crew - ThePublic Animals: 27th Nov 2007 - 16:10 GMT

Thanks Laura, Yorkville and the whole nebulous vicinity nowadays was always one of my favorite areas of NYC when I was cruising around there in the early 70's. Thanks for giving me tons of good feelings from those photos!

Liam McCann: 7th Jan 2008 - 04:02 GMT

Reading your article was like going back home. I grew up on 87th ST. off of Lex and remember alot ot the locations you cited. I remember what the Rupert Towers development was like before any buildings were erected there. I remember these crudely landscaped plots with gardening. I remember the old A&P supermarket up on Third Ave. My Grandfather owned a bar on 93rd & 3rd called McCanns Cafe which became Sheehan's (Mike Sheehan of Fox news fame's father rented froom my Grandpa). I loved indulging in fast food on 86th St. at Burger King and Arthur Treacher's fish & chips. I used to love sneaking into movies at every theater in the neighborhood(I hope there is statute of limitations for this offense!). I went to LaSalle downtown for high school along with alot of guys from OLGC. I felt very safe in the neighborhood. I new kids in every part of Yorkville. I used to swin at John Jay in the summer. The transformation has been unbelievable. I felt like crying when I saw a Starbucks appear on the corner of my old block. One of your previous posts mention that the change in the area is for the better but I think what has been lost in the glitz is Yorkville's soul. Thanks for provoking the reminiscing. I hope I wasn't to maudlin!

Bob Watt: 10th Jan 2008 - 05:23 GMT

I'm English, but worked in NYC 1974-77. Although I never lived in Yorkville, some friends had an apartment in Ruppert Tower, and I visited them frequently. There was a store on 86th St., between Lex and 3rd, which sold wonderful chocolate and cheesecake. Also, there was a place called The Spaghetti Works at Lex and 85th, where I used to eat often.

jettr130: 16th Jan 2008 - 20:19 GMT

I"grew up"on the streets of Yorkville.I lived there from 1946-1957.My family first lived on 73rd and 74th sts. on 2nd Ave. My grandmother lived on 87th and 88th on York Ave. I went to just about every public school in the area:PS70,PS158,PS77 and PS30(We moved a lot!)When I was a teenager, I hung out in Kronks, 87th and York, or in Goodys', 87th and 1st. Went to St.Josephs'church,same block. Great memories, great time. The 50's-the best!

Jean: 15th Feb 2008 - 06:05 GMT

I grew up in yorkville .i lived in the 40's to the 50's. Went to St Monica's school I hung out in Teddy's ice cream parlor on york ave between 83rd & 84th & some bars I can't remember. Syre missed that old neighborhood

ed marecek: 9th Mar 2008 - 02:16 GMT

go yorkville pirates....grew up 76th second and third....east side house, john jay park[yea, we played softball] and association in the street, remember that?? sold shopping bags on 2nd ave....doubles and homers of the wall [77th street]...and stickball for two bucks a man...and my playground PS 70 [may it rest peacefully]...great place to grow up

Kevin: 25th Mar 2008 - 21:00 GMT

I would like to recommend a great new Yorkville book out by a Yorkville author,George Brennan,called Bats,Brats and Stats. It is about being among the last era of stickball players in Yorkville through the author's eyes. There are great recollections about many East 80's establishments during the 1970's and 1980's.

Dee McArdle: 27th Mar 2008 - 19:35 GMT

I was just going to mention that book by George Brennan. Kevin beat me to the punch. Bats, Brats and Stats is truly my favorite Yorkville based book.

Kathy : 24th Apr 2008 - 18:53 GMT

I loved your story. I was just online looking for pictures where I grew up 95 between 2nd and 3rd and I do remember when they closed Rupperts. I wasn't there for the building of the bigger buildings but I visit often. It looks a little different now. thanks again for your story.

Jim M 52: 11th May 2008 - 21:04 GMT

My brother Bill and I lived in 90thST between 1st & 2nd Ave from the early 50's untill the early 60's. The yorkville experience was the best
of our lives, my brother married "the girl next door " or actualy the girl upstairs. We still maintain lifelong frienships with a few of the
old croud . Now that I'm 70 this site is a marvolous way to re-visit the past.

Tish: 27th Jun 2008 - 00:37 GMT

Great article, I lived at 350 East 92 Street from 1957 to 1972. Graduted from OLGC, my mother also attended the same school and graduted. I just went to visit the old neigbhor when the crane fell on first Avenue. It was the best place to grow up and I have wonderful memories!

Joe F: 30th Jun 2008 - 09:57 GMT

Hi Laura !

RE: "my" 3rd Ave EL PHOTO !

I enjoyed reading your Yorkville memories as an ex 1940's-60's Yorkville-ite myself. It would have been appropriate and nice for me to also have been given ME credit for MY OWN PHOTO which you used in your writeup, photo taken at the E.89th St 3rd Ave EL uptown Local station platform, looking north, in March 1954. I also posted it at Marty's Old Yorkville Board, (where I also know you from) along with a few other EL photos from my collection of about 1000 + taken of the EL which I rode frequently in Manhattan & Bronx. Many of mine are credited at nycsubway.org site also. Anyway, thanks for sharing the nostalgic old neighborhood memories ! Regards - Joe F

lynnlindsayward@yahoo.com: 6th Jul 2008 - 14:47 GMT

Seems all the memories are from the 80's and 90's territory. Where are the 60's and 70's people that grew up in the 40's and 50's? Louies candy store.
Blochs drug store...the Chop House....the Praha...and the ice cream parlor on first avenue b'tween 73rd & 74th? Irelands 32...Perry's ice cream parlor..
Rikers....United Cigar?

maureen.downing@comcast.net: 27th Jul 2008 - 17:22 GMT

I lived on E. 89th St. between York and East End Avenues from 1940-1955 and have tons of great memories of coming of age in Yorkville during World War II & thru the 50's. My family (Mom,Dad brother,sister & I) lived in a reconverted tenement in a small apt. two flights up. I remember playing in the streets, on the stoop, jump-roping on the sidewalk, goin to Carl Schurz Park & the German Turn Verein near 86th St. for gymnastics after school. A great place to grow up!!I loved it!!

Dave S.: 18th Sep 2008 - 22:30 GMT

I lived on East 93rd Street between First and Second Avenues. I remember the Ruppert Brewery and its demolition. Also the big blue Woolworth's on 86th Street.

http://www.glunch.com/GlunchGenesis/woolworths.html

http://www.glunch.com/GlunchGenesis/PS151.html

http://www.glunch.com/GlunchGenesis/93rdstreet.html

Laura: 30th Sep 2008 - 22:36 GMT

Joe- an oversight for sure. The site is cited, your name, not so much. Thanks for your thoughts.

Bob O: 1st Oct 2008 - 06:44 GMT

Thanks for all the memories of Yorkville where I grew up from the 30s through the sixties. I was born over in New York Hospital, went to school at St. Ignatius and then Cardinal Hayes. My main memories were of growing up on 88th st. between 1st and 2nd. before the demolitions began. I remember seeing guys in lederhosen throwing drunken sailors into the street on 86th st. We went to the four movie theaters there and ate at the Automat, Nedicks or the juice bars on 3rd Ave. We shot pool in the great poolhalls over 86th St. north of Third. During the war I remember the blackouts and the stuffed effigies of ToJo hanging from the lamp posts along with the block parties for bond raising. I had my first soft ice cream at the Woolworths on 86th St. where I tried to steal toy soldiers. I am grateful to Yorkville and the streets of New York for being such a wonderful place to grow up in.

Bob O: 1st Oct 2008 - 06:44 GMT

Crack Dealers dealing drugs @ Ruppert Houses, Yorkville, N.Y.C.: 14th Oct 2008 - 22:18 GMT

Ruppert House Crack Dealers

Crack cocaine drug dealers, some actual residents of Ruppert House, are peddling crack cocaine in front of the Ruppert Houses. It has been going for years without exposure. Until now.

222 East 93rd Street, and 240 on East 93rd Street both between 2nd and 3rd avenue.
And the front entrance of 1779 2nd avenue between 92nd and 93rd Street.

Please do the right thing if you care about YorkVille, N.Y.C. -

Notify the 19th Precinct immediately!

Ruppert Houses Problem: 14th Oct 2008 - 22:19 GMT

Ruppert House Crack Dealers

Crack cocaine drug dealers, some actual residents of Ruppert House, are peddling crack cocaine in front of the Ruppert Houses. It has been going for years without exposure. Until now.

222 East 93rd Street, and 240 on East 93rd Street both between 2nd and 3rd avenue.
And the front entrance of 1779 2nd avenue between 92nd and 93rd Street.

Please do the right thing if you care about YorkVille, N.Y.C. -

Notify the 19th Precinct immediately!

anon (142.128.203.205.in-addr.arpa.net): 25th Nov 2008 - 13:55 GMT

I have moved back to the Upper East Side after a few years away and I am so happy to be back. I lived on 77th St. and then 3rd Ave./73rd St. for much of the 1990s and I love Yorkville and I don't understand why it is not more appreciated by New Yorkers. I often wander around streets and imagine what life was like here when it was a working-class German and Eastern European neighborhood. I especially love the old churches (Hungarian, Czech, etc.) Thanks

Arthur: 25th Dec 2008 - 21:36 GMT

I was born on 77th street between York Ave and John Jay park in 1931. I appreciated the stories from all of you who now live or lived in Yorkville. Thank you.

bob: 29th Dec 2008 - 02:20 GMT

I like Tish lived at 350 E 92nd St.
I remember so many things John's Candy Store's must have hamburgers after a night out. Also remember Linda peeling potatoes after leaving shool at OL. No frozen potatoes then.
How about Grants.It was the carbon copy of Woolworths and was right next door.
Also the Papaya stand on 85th Street. That's right. There was one on the corner of 86th and one on the same side as Woolworths at 85th.
And I watched the power house go down on 96th and first to make way for the projects. There was also a taxi compound between 93rd and 95th and first.
Down 93rd between 1st and the river which was a cobble stone street (also learned how to ride a truck bike there) there was a poultry store acroos from the ice house. Every once in a while the chickens would get loose at meet their end not in a pot but in the middle of first ave. The ASPCA was at the corner with the small park which is still there at the East River Drive.
I also remember walking (yes walking) to John Jays Park. What an adventure. Stopping for a snow cone or frozen milky way on York Ave,picking up Dugans bread which I think was at 75th between York and the River.
I also remember the two rag men coming by in their horse drawn wagon and when visiting my grandmother on 88th between York and East End, taking a ride in a stage coach. Very few people believe this and even fewer remembering it. I have only great memories of the neighborhood. rf46@hotmail.com

Dan: Jan 2, 2009: 3rd Jan 2009 - 04:11 GMT

I am doing a geneological search on the Fritz family who grew up in the Yorkville section of Manhattan in the 1950's. Any information from those who have such great memories of that time would be greatly appreciated. There was two daughters one whose name was Laura. The father was either a NYPD cop or a NPFD firefighter. The girls mother had passed away before 1958.Thanks for the help. danielmdohertysr@aol.com

Great Read: 4th Jan 2009 - 20:16 GMT

Grew up on 79th & 2nd myself. 86th & 3rd was where I went for near everything growing up: Movies, Gimbels, Papaya King, The Ideal German food counter, Flaming Embers, buying Marzipan for m my Mom every birthday & Mom's day, Action Comics back when it was on 84th off 2nd, etc. Loved reading this. So glad you posted it.

Paul: 1st Feb 2009 - 07:06 GMT

I sure do miss all of the little mom & pop stores and restaurants that gave old Yorkville it's character. My great-grandfather, at the turn of the century, opened a pharmacy on 87th and York which survived until 1959. I've lived on 86th street since the early 60's and fondly recall such places as The Lorelei, Kleine Konditorei, Cafe Hindenberg, Cafe Geiger, and one my favorite haunts the Ideal Restaurant. There were also great movie houses on 86th such as the RKO on Lexington and The Loews Orpheum on 3rd. I remember one day as a boy having to use the bathroom and, entering the Hofbrau ( which is now a PC Richard ), was quickly shooed out but not before being witness to a world that was fast vanishing. Progress can not be halted nor should it be, but I do feel that the essence of the " neighborhood" has been irretrievably lost. I enjoyed reading the article!

bigapple134: 8th Feb 2009 - 01:34 GMT

What a great tour down memory lane. My family on my dad's side lived in Yorkville until the mid '40's when we moved out on the "island" to East Rockaway. But we got back to the area often and i have some fond memories of some of the restaurants, especially along 86th street... I did my hospital nurse's training at Metropolitan Hospital just up from Yorkville in the early 60's and in decent weather would walk along the river to CNR (Central Nurses Residence) on Welfare Island, passing many of the great spots a lot of you all have mentioned. Thanks for a wonderful revisit to a great spot... 67 years later, I'm still a Yorkville gal at heart.

anon (38.112.183.231): 18th Feb 2009 - 21:58 GMT

rfox@estee.com

I lived on First Ave. and 87th Street from 1943 when I was born till May 1965 when I married. I went to St. Joseph's school and hung out atthe Goodie Shop on 87th and first and Kronk's on York and 87th street. My cousin lived right next to Kronk's. Love reminiscing about the old nabe and visit it many times.

Richard A. Clark: 3rd Mar 2009 - 03:35 GMT

Much interesting info here. BTW, can you answer this question?: In 1953 in addition to good food at Café Hindenburg, E. 86th St., was there also dancing? Thanks! Very curious.

DJ: 6th Mar 2009 - 04:00 GMT

I was born at 411 E. 87 St between 1st and York avenue on March 25, 1942. Went to St Joseph's, just had to roll directly across the street into the main entrance of St Joe's. I could not be late. From my classroom window I could see my mom when she looked out our apartment window. We lived on the ground floor and had a big backyard. Everyone on that block took care of me, it was like having the whole block for a family. Somebody's mother would always be shouting to some kid: "You stop that Tommy or I'll tell your mother." I remember Mrs. Driscol who always called me "Sweetie-darling" with her tender, thick Irish voice . She was wonderful. I remember when one of the "big guys" took me down to Kronks for my first trip without my parents I discovered another world of people hanging around that I had never seen before. There were thousands of kids all over the place. Then when I was seven we moved to another country, it was called 88 St between 1st and York Avenue and no one knew who I was. Each street was like visiting another galaxy. Then once you got a bit older it could get very dangerous just going to the store for a 17 cent container of mike. You might get "pantsed" and come home naked, maybe even have your quarter taken that you had for the milk. However, I wouldn't trade growing up in Yorkville between the 1940s, 50s and 60s for a silver spoon in some fancy Connecticut mansion. In answer to Richard A. Clark: I was 11 in 1953 and used to sell newspapers in the bars on 86 St. I am almost certain that they were dancing in the Hindenburg back then. Loved your piece Laura.

Richard A. Clark: 8th Mar 2009 - 19:43 GMT

LAURA, thanks for taking a moment to answer my nagging question: "Was there, during 1953, dancing at Café Hindenburg?" Your recollection helps me confirm (I believe) the fact that not only was there dancing at the famous Lorelei, but also on what I remember to be a rather crowded dance floor at Café Hindenburg. Your experience selling newspapers in the bars of 86th must have produced some interesting stories...??? BTW, If any of your family or friends can help us confirm the question about dancing, please be so kind as to add another bit of info for me. (I am writing about my 1953 summer in NYC as a member of the U. S. Navy.) Again, many thanks. -Richard

DJ: 8th Mar 2009 - 22:51 GMT

Richard: that was DJ that answered your question about dancing at the Hindenburg. I'm old, Laura is a youngster and we do not want to add any extra years to her age, they come on much too sneakily as it is. Besides, Laura would never forgive us. BTW My mom's name was Margaret "Margie" Stein and she grew up in Yorkville and went to the original St Joseph's School back in the 1920s. My brother, nine years my senior and my sister 3 1/2 years younger than me, we all went to St Joeseph's School. Very Best, DJ

Richard A. Clark: 9th Mar 2009 - 00:38 GMT

Thanks so much for setting me straight, DJ. No, surely we should not add any years to Laura --- they escape us all too rapidly! Can see that you have enjoyed reminiscing on this blog. As you might imagine, since I was only there for one summer, my experiences in that section of NYC were somewhat limited. But limited or not, the Café Hindenburg and the Lorelei are fond memories. Thanks, again, so much for helping me with the research for my book! -Richard of California

Ricky P.: 12th Mar 2009 - 19:33 GMT

Wagners bar Freddies Charades 93 St Seond Ave 1964 - 1975, soft ball at 96 St Ruppert Brewery, off the point, take the sled down the 93 St hill,
say hello to George the shoe shine man, Dons candy store, alot of memories - doo ops forever.

Paul Laube: 24th Mar 2009 - 22:49 GMT

My uncle was the cook at the Lorelei, I used too go to German School and the turn verein in the Jagerhaus Rest. A freind woked at a German Bakery. The pizza coming out of the subway was the best. This was in the days when Blimpies opened on 3rd and 85th, Great sandwiches in those days and who can forget the Papaya, and Berliner Bar hotdogs!

Richard A. Clark: 25th Mar 2009 - 01:38 GMT

To Paul Laube - what can you or your uncle add to the answers which others have given me? (Question: "In 1953 in addition to good food at Café Hindenburg, E. 86th St., was there also dancing? Thanks! Very curious." Thanks, Richard

anon (ppp-71-130-236-50.dsl.chi2ca.pacbell.net): 1st Apr 2009 - 19:21 GMT

To Laurie: You posted the following: "If anyone could help me or help give me ideas on how to trace this stuff or get any more info it would be greatly appreciated.My Email is lau56 at optonline.net." You and I both wish to obtain info. Probably I am of little help, since my time in Yorkville was brief, but here is my question (three others, DJ, Jarrod, and Maureen were kind enough to respond): can you answer this question?: In 1953 in addition to good food at Café Hindenburg, E. 86th St., was there also dancing? Thanks! Very curious.
-Richard

DJ: 12th Apr 2009 - 01:42 GMT

To Richard: Just to let you know, I'm also trying to find out about the dancing for you. I know they danced in there at that time but I don't know if it was legal. I'm trying to get in touch with my buddy's aunt who lived on 83rd St off second Avenue in 1953. She was about 18 at the time and I have a feeling she could give you a definite yes or no on your question. When and if I get any info on it, I will post it for you.

anon (ppp-71-130-236-50.dsl.chi2ca.pacbell.net): 12th Apr 2009 - 17:16 GMT

Thanks, DJ. I answered you in this space yesterday, but don't see my response here this a.m. Anyway, I do appreciate your help! -Richard

DJ: 12th Apr 2009 - 18:07 GMT

Richard, I did get to see your response before it evaporated. I'm am also interested in the answer. DJ

Editor: 12th Apr 2009 - 21:20 GMT

Sorry, I have a thing against ALL-CAPS comments as well as "anon" comments where people repeatedly overlook the blank that allows them to post a name with their comment, and avoids plastering their hostname all over the site... so those often get deleted. Like, why append "-Richard" to the end of your comment when you can just type it in the "name" field? That would prevent all this "anon (ppp-71-130-236-50.dsl.chi2ca.pacbell.net)" business.

Richard/ 12 April '09: 13th Apr 2009 - 00:33 GMT

Editor: sorry, I'm new to this and was not aware that it was advisable to type within the box, etc. Please excuse me. I do wish to conform with your requested format. Thanks for permitting me to share in this blog....

Doug: 20th Apr 2009 - 21:17 GMT

I enjoyed this article and the comments. Takes you right back! I grew up in Yorkville in the 1970's, living near 79th street/York Ave. Softball and Roller Hockey at John Jay, Pizza at John's and Italian Village, Hot dogs at Papaya King, and squeezing into Victor's Ice Cream on York Ave... or walk up and over to Carvel. And 86th Street... the movies, and Arthur Treacher's! All the candy shops, Woolworths, Lamston's! (my spelling terrible...) Mr Chips! Sabrett hot dogs on the corners, guys drinking beers on the John Jay benches, salad with blue cheese dressing at Dresner's! The creepy old school library on York ave, all the markets! Finast, Dag's, A&P, Jade Tang, First Wok, sitting at the counter at Twin Donut! Scrapes and scraps in the 158 and Wagner yards, Ringalevio, Weblos, in uniforms, meeting at the school, taking candy at Star Pharmacy. Bottlecaps, Mr Softee at Carl Schurz, the real short porch at John Jay! Yorkville Yutes, running up the river til it got too garbagey- creepy. Cutting through the blocks to get to the parks, visiting giant Ruppert, giant Pavillion. M-80's, Italian Ice, new Iron Man at Action Comics, who stole my Apollo 3 speed?! Beat up in the bathhouse at John Jay Pool (again), Candy at the old newsstand by St Monica... Save My Ups, 3 Flies Up, NBO... The ever-ringing phone booth on York Ave? Answer, and get a wild earful no 12 year old could imagine! All the old german stores with the hanging meats, and the men with the aprons. Bowling at East End Bowl!!! Cigarettes puffed at every turn. Yes, Yorkville, the old life!

Steve: 6th May 2009 - 06:02 GMT

great article! lived at 325 E. 79th St. from 1963 to 1970. I got up on the roof one day, and tossed my GI Joe up into the wind with a handmade parachute made out of pillowcase and string. at 16 stories up, i could watch it real well as it soared up and over to the East River never to be seen again by myself, but I hoped someone was there one day to see it come down and be amazed by it. perhaps they tell the other end of the story - it's about the day that a GI Joe landed on them as they stood on the deck of a tour boat, or something like that.

Ed Millman: What a great article. It brought me back.

Eileen A.: 14th May 2009 - 20:43 GMT

I grew up in Yorkville from 1962 till 1978, when I moved to Queens. I lived on 85th st and 2nd ave. Thanks for all th memories. Carl Shultz park, Old Dutch, Lorelei, I miss Yorkville

Richard/16 May 2009: 16th May 2009 - 19:16 GMT

DJ: In your message of April 12 you mentioned that you might be in contact with your buddy's aunt: "Just to let you know, I'm also trying to find out about the dancing for you. I know they danced in there at that time but I don't know if it was legal. I'm trying to get in touch with my buddy's aunt who lived on 83rd St off second Avenue in 1953. She was about 18 at the time and I have a feeling she could give you a definite yes or no on your question..." I plan to go to press within the next month or so, in case anything comes up. You have already been of assistance. Thank you for being so helpful! -Richard

James W: 17th May 2009 - 04:08 GMT

Laura - Wow, thanks for the pics. I haven't seen OL and the Church since moving out of the city in 1970. Anyone recall Mrs. Burke (Stoney Burke)? I grew up on 2nd Ave between 93rd & 94th near Wagners bar. I recall Rupperts Brewery and when they set the clock tower in the vacant lot behind our buildings and how as kids we would climb up the inside. Also, Don's Candy store, Joe the taylor, Frank the barber, the pigeon lady, the Yodeler, and Shoeshine George. Off the point, tops, ling-a-lario, Johnnie on the pony, the OLGC Rams kicking ass in the Bronx regularly and the countless # of "spaldeens" we lost to the rooftops. That was my Yorkville. Jim

sonya: 19th May 2009 - 06:09 GMT

this is for Richard. In the 50's there was, in addition to the Lorelei, Cafe Hindenburg, Cafe Geiger there
was a charming restaurant called The Wienecke (spelling might be off) on the north side of 86th
Street, probably between 2nd and 3rd or 3rd and Lex. where they indeed did have dancing. And Cafe
Geiger always had a little 3 piece group of men playing waltzes and other old songs. Can't remember
exactly about the Hindenburg, but they well may have. Do you remember a little Austrian restaurant
in the low 80's call the Blaue Danube?

Richard/19 May 2009: 19th May 2009 - 22:37 GMT

Sonya, so nice of you to respond. That area of New York City was one of our favorites during the summer of 1953. Our ship, USS Bennington, was at New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn, for repairs and maintenance. Someone steered me to that area and I ended up liking Café Hindenburg. Think I went, perhaps, to the Lorelei a few times, too. The other spots which you mention, I don't recall, however. (But your description of them makes me wish I had visited them also.) Thanks so much for you help. -Richard

anon (99-189-1-45.lightspeed.irvnca.sbcglobal.net): 4th Jun 2009 - 19:16 GMT

Enjoyed your artical...I lived on 93rd & 3rd. in the 50's and 60's great memories. My Uncle worked at the brewery. The Papaya stand and the Automat. Great fun.. On hot summer nights ...My Dad and I would take a walk to the Automat. So exciting when the women in the booth would toss nickles arcross the worn away marble. The custard at Woolworths delicious/ There was a restuarant near 2nd. ave. the best sauerbraten in the world. Looking out yur window was better entertainment then television. At night when the bars closed , you had a ringside seat to the bar brawls.. Good memories. --Lil

anon (c-76-98-166-243.hsd1.nj.comcast.net): 9th Jun 2009 - 17:44 GMT

Hi Laura,

I don't know a thing about Yorkville excepte that my daughter and family are looking favorably at an apartment on 89th, near Lexington and 3rd. I'd be much obliged if you, or anyone else reading or posting here, would commnet on the neighborhood in that area of Yorkville as it is in 2009.
I know she mentioned the new Bed, Bath, and Beyond and Best Buy... Too bad nice, historic buildings from your memories had to come down for this. Even in my rural little community in southern NY, the structurallly beautiful and historic old bank was torn down a number of years ago for a new Eckerd's. So sad........ Thanking you in advance. RH

belle Mears: 8th Jul 2009 - 10:24 GMT

I lived in and loved living in the romantic area of Manhattan called Yorkville from 1973-1989.
My recollections and favorite impressions live inside me forever as a most treasured part of my life. One of the best parts of my years there were the times spent at the Fireobat House by Gracie Mansion, a then newly refurbished and wonderful community spot where classes for kids about marie biology met after school on weekday afternoons, and a whole world of beauty and fun opened up for me. There was a special solar retrofit of the building, and a new dock.
The interior was lovingly restored with new hardwood floors with a beautiful inlaid nautical star, the window sashes were taken back to their original copper beauty and many a fine time was had there at fund raisers for the Neighborhood Committee for he Asphalt Green. There was a little greenhouse area on one side and a special Peach tee was planted just outside. I would like to say so many things about this place and what it meant to the neighborhood and tourists alike. So I hope to get my thoughts together and do that. On my way to work and can't get it all in at the moment. It would be so nice to revisit this noble old place with others who share my recollections. Dr. and Annette, Guy, Danny, et all. The Cost Guard, the wonderful Op Sail day, ect. More later.

Fig: 27th Jul 2009 - 01:53 GMT

Thank you so much! I was born in Metropolitan Hosp in 1960 & lived at 236 e 89th st, until we moved into the "projects" on 92nd & 1st when I was about 10. What a great place to grow up for me and my 2 brothers. Eating hockey pucks at John & Matilda's, always with an egg cream. OLGC, Rhinelanders, Anna Maries Pizza, hanging out at the monuments behind the project buildings.Playing ball all day at The Asphalt,I learned to play frisbee and other things in Central Park, with the leftover hippies.
Even met my wife dancing at Wednesday's dance club on 86th st. Got married at 22 in OLGC and moved out to Queens for a few years. My mother still lives in the same projects, so I do get to visit now & then. I still find myself walking around searching for that "old neighborhood" feeling, but like everything change happens, whether we like it or not. I do miss those innocent days, but I always have the memories and I still smile when I think of "Yorkville"

Joe in Florida: 27th Jul 2009 - 20:18 GMT

Wow! Thanks for a great story. I was born in Lenox Hill hospital in 1954 and lived on 305 East 85th Street from birth until 6, when my family moved out to Levittown, Long Island. Brought back memories of Loews 86th Street movies, Papaya King, and I lived on the 5th floor of a walk up, and the 1st floor was the "Old Stream" beer garden. I used to watch the Oktoberfest in the Garden in back of the bar from my window with my brother. Thanks for the memories!!

BJ: 1st Aug 2009 - 17:12 GMT

My mother, who is 90 now, remembers going to 86th Street with her mother to see German movies (probably at the Palast). She did not remember the name of the theater, but she said the movies were in German and her mother enjoyed them.

Carol G: 6th Aug 2009 - 14:24 GMT

Fabulous write-up. I really enjoyed this piece... .thank you for posting it.

rf46@hotmail.com: 6th Aug 2009 - 23:49 GMT

Can anyone name the park on 92nd and York right across from the ASPCA. It isn't Carl Shultz. I grew up on 92nd but can't remember the name.

rf46@hotmail.com: 7th Aug 2009 - 00:15 GMT

Forgot some of the few memories
Gansfus bar on 93rd where we would have one of the older guys buy us containers,the blackout and hanging out at the brewey, Reifs and his mothers surprise German dishes she would make Keoughs on 92nd,Luis Candy Store and of course John's Candy store and the famous hokey pucks he sold, Silversteins Deli next to the gas station. The chicken market and ice house on 93rd and the cab lot next to it. The power house on 96th and 1st and the 3rd Ave. Ell. The ice cream parlor on 87th and 1st, Red the butcher next to the A&P and the drug store on the corner. If you went to OL you may remember having to sell turkey chances 10 for a dollar and if you sold the most, you would get a plastic holy medal or no weekend homework.Or you may remember Miss Burke (rest in peace)Docky's florist on 90th and three funeral homes within 4 blocks. Ann Marie's Pizza across from Rhinelander's or even going to the dentist there for 50 cents. Some may even remember when there were 2 Papaya Kings, 86 and 85th and third.I lived at a time that the snow was pushed to certain corners creating 2 story high mountains. King of the mountain. Trips to Paramus Lake,Palisades Amusement Park,Rockaway Playland-going to Coney Island or Rockaway and coming home with wet salty pants on the air conditioned train oops my bad there was no air conditioning only the webbed seats if you were lucky and maybe you still had a piece of the penny gum you bought at the train station in the morning on your way. How about the neighborhood cast of characters and bar room brawls when they emptied. I don't have the room or time to write about Baldy Joe-next time.

Kathy G.: 8th Aug 2009 - 16:43 GMT

So interesting reading your piece, Laura, and seeing that wonderful picture of the 3rd Avenue El. I was born at the Park East Hospital on 83rd Street between Lexington and Park in 1942, and went to St. Joseph's, where my mother, aunt, and grandmother had gone. I've noticed there was someone known here as DJ who seems to be of the same era and am curious to know who this person is, since we must have been in the same class. I grew up on East 90th Street right across from the Brewery. The good thing about this was that in the winter they didn't shovel the snow from the sidewalk, so it was great for sledding. I always held my nose when walking past it on 3rd Avenue because I hated the scent of the hops, or whatever it was. In summer I'd hear the rattle of the cases of beer on the conveyor belt as I was going to sleep. On my side of the street there was an iceman/coal man named Racanelli and I was friends with his son Gus. I remember Papaya King when it had a grass skirt around it and squeezed real oranges, and all the great movie houses on 86th Street, including the Grand, and Little Loews. I'm doing a lot of writing about the area so if anyone has any interesting information I'd love to hear, or see photos.

Kathy G: 10th Aug 2009 - 00:02 GMT

Which Papaya King are you talking about. There was one on 85th and 86th. For years the one on 86th had a joke on the wall. The last time I saw Gus (the owner) the joke was still there and yellowing.
Did you the Zaboinskis (sure I spelled it wrong) they live west of the church.
I remember big John Nicholson who lived 90th by 2nd Ave. His mother was always out the window. There was a drug store on the corner and funeral home 3 doors down. I think there was a liquor store there also. You may know the Shotz's. They had twin daughters and there was Dockey's florist. There was a bar I think it may have been called the Twilight and next to that was another funeral home. Hey, someone was making money. I grew up on 92nd and our coal man and ice man, was Botz.
If by any chance you know, nobody can tell me the name of the park at 92nd and York. Not Carl Shultz.
If you went to OLGC church, I probably knew Miss Burke who was a fixture. I think when I was a kid, a priest at St. Josephs was a family member of the Heidi Candy Co. I remember a pet shop on 88th 2nd & 3rd that only sold canaries. Manhattan Storage on 3rd and 88th.Of course, you remember Woolworth's and Grant's right next store. Woolworth's was the best for us because as kids, we could go there and buy cheap nail polish etc. for our family for christmas. We had no money. But I always tried to have enough to buy some candy which was on the left and you entered. Also, the baloons you broke to get an ice cream sundae from 1cent to 39cents or the ice cream sandwhich on a waffle. Horn and Hardett between 3rd and Lex.
The Lotus down the block. The bowling alley on 84th. Well hope that brought something back.

Agnes Doherty Ondrovic: 27th Aug 2009 - 20:45 GMT

I grew up on 78th between York and East End. Went to St. Monica's school and was married in St.Monica's Church. Saw the pool being built in John Jay Park to which I went every year. Played all the street games of the time and visited all the settlement houses such as East Side House. Remember fondly the *bug house* movie on 74th where you could get in for 5 cents and free candy but seats were on the floor.

Agnes Doherty Ondrovic: 28th Aug 2009 - 12:39 GMT

more on my neighborhood. PS 158 was on the corner. The Monroe movie theater was the place to meet and greet and where I met my husband. Third Ave. had the Irish stores and the A&P was called The Great Atlantic and Pacific CO. Boys had scooters made out of old milk crates and roller skate wheels. Every year we had the June Walk where everyone went to Central Park and played games and given free food. The Welfare Island ferry was at the end of 78th St. and we saw the workers going and returning from the hospitals located there. Before the drive was built East End Ave. was a dock and called Marie Curie Ave. When the pool was first built only teenagers were allowed in at night and we could watch them dancing. When WWII started that ended because the lights had to be turned off. Jones Memorial was the other settlement house where you could play. My husband had a little plot of land by NY Hospital where children in his neighborhood could plant whatever they wanted. It was called Button Park. Most of the museums were free. Halloween we did not dress up but put on old clothes and marked each other up with chalk but the boys, being boys, put flour in socks to hit you with. Thanksgiving we went door to door asking *anything for Thanksgiving * and we also sang in the courts for money or fruit or whatever anyone would throw to us. My husband and his friends swam in the East River and we used to get covered with dust from the Farmers Field site on, I believe, 76th and East End.

Agnes Doherty Ondrovic: 28th Aug 2009 - 16:08 GMT

My mistake Farmers Field was Farmers Feed - for animals. There was the 2nd Ave.El with the pushcarts underneath selling fresh fruit and vegetables with the rabbits hanging on the end. The 2nd Ave.El was taken down and the metal was sold to Japan who in turn used it for munitions to attack U.S. There was an el on 3rd Ave. with a trolley underneath and a trolley ran across 59th from York. We used to watch the Slovak Parade every Memorial Day. It went up and down each block. Before John Jay Park was renovated there was a Park Lady who would teach us how to make straw baskets. When the pool was built, and before the park house was turned into a place to change for the pool, we used to go to the bathhouse on 76th and Cherokee Place to change. The bathhouse was there for people who did not have bathtubs in their apts.

Agnes Doherty Ondrovic: 30th Aug 2009 - 18:27 GMT

continuation of my area. Besides the Monroe movie theater there was also the Granada, Colony and the Loews on 72nd St. where the ceiling looked like the sky including stars. Bicyles could be rented from one of two bike rental stores..15 cents for 1/2 hr and 25 cents for 1 hr. I preferred the balloon tire ones. Everyone made *hot mickeys* a potato cooked in a small area on Cherokee Place (a short block from 76th to 78th Sts. next to John Jay Park) in coal and leaves until it turned black. Tasted great. You could get a one bedroom walk-up apt. for $20 a month. If you did not pay your rent they dispossed you by putting all your possessions and you on the sidewalk. Where you went from there I do not know. The library on 78th and York was a favorite of mine. Learned to read there before I started grammar school. Every Saturday at 1:00 we had story hour and the librarian was a great storyteller. My block was mostly Irish and German. If you can find it there is a book entitled *A Dream Fulfilled - City and Suburban's York Avenue Estate* by Andrew S.Dolkart & Sharon Z. Macosko 1988. Pictures of the houses I grew up in and some of the surrounding area before and after my leaving Yorkville for Queens.

perons: 3rd Sep 2009 - 22:31 GMT

i also live in ruppert towers and have since before it changed into a condominium. my family is one of the last rent subsidized left in the building. i have recently been on a quest for old pictures of yorkville the way i remember it most fondly. i was hoping especially to find a picture of the north-west corner of 90th and 3rd before they built the giant skyscraper. do you remember the victory café?

Gooch: 4th Sep 2009 - 17:30 GMT

Hi, I am not a native of Yorkville, but have lived here for a few years and love the neighborhood and reading about its history. I live in a walk-up on East 93rd St, between 1st and 2nd Ave. (Someone named “Dave. S.” previously said he used to live on this block. I would love it if he or anyone else who lived here could describe what the block and environs was like decades ago. Was it Irish? German? What kind of stores were there? What sort of people lived here? Working class, middle class? Did people here go to Central Park regularly, or did they prefer Carl Schurz? Did people avoid going above 96th St. in those days? Thanks

Agnes Doherty Ondrovic: 9th Sep 2009 - 19:19 GMT

Yorkville, my area, was divided into Italian, Czechs, Slovaks,Hungarian, German,Irish. We often went to Central Park because it was within walking distance, in fact you could walk all the way through Central Park to the West Side and the Museum of Natural History. Carl Schurz Park was on East End Ave. and we divided our times between that one and John Jay as they were just blocks apart. Most of the residents in my neighborhood were immigrants and first-generation Americans working-class. The first Gold Star Mother of WWII from my block was Hungarian who lost her son. There were many different languages and customs yet everyone got along very well. Up to 110th Street used to be Italian but they are long gone. 86th Street, having all the fun places, was the place to go. When I visit Yorkville, now the Upper East Side, I am dismayed at how MY Yorkville changed and how few really know it as I did. Perhaps someone else will write as I have about how it used to be.

Gooch: 9th Sep 2009 - 23:24 GMT

Thank you, Mrs. Ondrovic. One thing that amazes me about Yorkville is that we have rich, poor and middle-class all jumbled together, in some cases, living next-door to each other. For example, over on 1st Ave. near me there is a huge housing project (Isaac Houses), but across the street are some luxury high-rise buildings (and they all have the same view of the East River). I get the feeling that as Yorkville gentrified in the 1990s a lot of the older inhabitants were forced out, which is sad. Still, I sometimes see some of the old-time Yorkvillians around.

Agnes Doherty Ondrovic: 10th Sep 2009 - 19:17 GMT

Many of old-time Yorkville inhabitants were forced out by rising costs and upscale housing. There are a few of my old neighbors still living in City and Suburban houses which were almost destroyed by a developer who wanted to tear them down and build large skyscrapers but the tenants fought and won to keep their homes. Living there was like living in a city within a city.

Gooch: 11th Sep 2009 - 00:45 GMT

When the Isaac Houses were first built back in the 1960s, who lived there? Neighborhood folks or outsiders? And what was the reaction to its construction from long-time inhabitants. What strikes me most about these projects is how huge they are -- there must be thousands of apartments there.

Agnes Doherty Ondrovic: 11th Sep 2009 - 21:00 GMT

I do not know the Isaac Houses but like all projects they are huge and the tenants usually do not come from the neighborhood. Most projects were built for the underprivileged or in areas where buildings were destroyed by fire or became vacant due to disinterest by owners and the land was taken over by the city...that is why you will often see them in areas such as where you live.

Gooch: 14th Sep 2009 - 00:33 GMT

Does anyone remember an Italian restaurant/bar on York Ave. & the mid-80s called "Carmello's." I don't think it's there anymore but back in the 1960s or 1970s it was supposedly quite the place and was allegedly owned by the Mafia. Anybody go there? If so, what was it like? Did the Mob have any kind of presence in Yorkville? Thanks

JimmyC: 17th Sep 2009 - 20:51 GMT

first my Yorkville credentials:born in Doctors Hospital across from Gracie Manson;lived on 92nd bet. 1nd & 2nd from 1955-1968;and then at 93rd st. (lex/park) form 68-2006(when ma died). I still live,love and play in yorkville(85th and 2nd). Played in Yorkville East-Harlem softball league(1972-83) for Riefs and Wagners.REGULARLY STOOD IN FRONT OF jOHN`S CANDY STORE, FOR ENDELSS HOURS AND NIGHTS. Played stickball on 92; on the Hill(91 bet. 2 nd 3rd)hittin ball from one Rupert Brewary wall to another;and also played in the school yard(ps151) on 91th st. I remember getting my first pay check (stock boy) from BREMEN HOUSE(86TH BET. 2/3RD)and using it to take my mother to the first lunch I ever treated her to;and we did that across the street in CAFE HIDENBURG,because ma loved the sauerbrauten.... much of what I read here is wonderful;all of it brings back memories; some of it needs correction: 2 Papaya`s stands correct,but on nothwest corner of 86th and Souteast corner of 87th-not 85th...and on 92 nd st.,there was a man named BOTZ(frank tasselli,we knew him as eitehr Botz or Rocco)but he did not deliver ICE or Ice Cream, but he did work as delivery/driver for Pepsi, and the Wonderbread,and also for a milk company...and the people who delivered the big blocks of ice were: THE AMATO BROTHERS....whatelse? we had an ICECREAM factory on the southwest corner of 92nd and 2nd...AND 5CENT LUNCHES AND FREE DENTISTRY @Rinelander....and I would like to thank whomever for the info. about Jonhs Candy store and Cagneys last movie(terrible joe moran)..didnt know that! and my final memory today is about the Lorelei, in it`s last days (late 70S) it became a PUNK Club..I saw JOE "KING"Carasco and also THE STARNGLERS there..funny enough ,despite this NEW SCENE, old german cleintale still drank there, and sat and watched in amazment ,at this NEW wave of youth who had invaded the faded palace...thanks for providing an opportunity to comment..C YA...

Walter B.(mackmuggs@netscape.net: 18th Sep 2009 - 19:32 GMT

Lived at 350 E. 76th st from the time I was born (1938) until I got out of the Army (1959). The block was garage central as there were four garages on the block (Sutton and Annex are two names I remember). The block was an Italian enclave and had its own Italian American club. Quietest block in Yorkville as most of the adult Italians were connected and didn't want too much attention. Pigeon store in my building, supposedly sold racing pigeons which were raced from most of the apartments bulidings on the block. Hung out at all the usual places - John Jay, Carl Shurz, Eastside House, Bunnies Ice Cream Parlor, etc. 21 cartoons on Saturday morning at the Monroe theatre on first ave; three movies, a serial (weekly short movie that continued for a few weeks), a Laurel & Hardy or Three Stooges Short and 5 cartoons at the Annex theatre (the bug house) on Saturday morning - 5 cents if you were under twelve and 14 cents if you were an ADULT over twelve. Going to the Sokal houses on Saturday nights for pitchers of beer and OOmpah bands at age 14 (legal drinking age back than was only 18)- no one really checked id's as long as you could afford to pay for your drinks. 2 cent hot rolls at Fink's bakery after swimming at John Jay pool, Soft ball in JJ park where hitting the chimney on the power house was worthy of Babe Ruth. Penny wings cigarettes from Izzy's candy store on first and 75th along with a good egg cream. Could go on and on, but it is all gone and you can't go back again.

Hugh M.: 25th Sep 2009 - 13:28 GMT

Grew up on 90th and Second Avenue during the 1970's. Papaya King, Woolworth's for the diner counter while "Santa's" rang bells for the Salvation Army. The Ideal German restaurant on 86th street, Carl Shurz, the Ancient Playground on Fifth Ave, Bagel Nosh, MiMi's Pizza, and all of the arcade games in the Optimo bodegas up and down second aveneue. Glazier's Bakery and the two recent Yorkville inspired books by Yorkville's most famous author- George Brennan,Jr! Gimbel's, Lamstons, Wings, OLGC, John Jay, Baskin Robbins. Good times-good times . . .

PKC: 30th Sep 2009 - 03:33 GMT

1944 to 1967, born Misreacorida Hsptl when it was on E. 86th St. Attended St. Ignatius Loyola. Mom's family grew up on E. 87th & her brothers went to St. Joseph's, considered the German Catholic School back then. I remember Ronner's Ice Cream Parlor, Bauer's bakery, Kramer's bakery, Mrs. Herbst's bakery. Restaurants were The Jaeger House in same building as the TurnVerin, Heidelberg, Kleine Konditori,Geiger Haus, Platzel & Loreli, Blue Danube, and many more. There was Bauman's pork store on second avenue, best braunschweiger ever. The Automat/Horn & Hardart, air conditioned movie theatres - AC was a treat back then. The marzipan store - best candy ever. The frankfurter stands, Woolworth's & Grants 5 & 10 cent stores. Grew up on E. 83rd bet. 2nd & 3rd - so many kids. We were always outside playing. No TV until we were about 7 or 8, but the TV repair shop used to put Howdy Doody on for us, with an outdoor speaker. Central Park, East River Park which is known as Carl Schurz Park, museums, library - we had everything and most of it was free! The noise of the Third Avenue El was exciting and we rode it often up until 1954 when it was torn down and Yorkville slowly began to change. There were so many churhes - St. Ignatiue, St.Elizabeth's, St. Stephen's, St. Monica's, St. Joseph's and many more. Most of us were Irish or Irish/German descent, and grew up on the same streets our parents did. Everybody had a grandparent living there also so we had numerous people who kept an eye on all of us to make sure we stayed out of trouble. It's a shame the old neighborhood is gone - it was the best place in the world to grow up.

atf: 1st Oct 2009 - 19:41 GMT

Grew up in yorkville mainly in 70s (1964 to 1992). My mom still lives in Stanley Issacs. Those projects use to be all working class irish, italian and german. I remember st iggys, sandpark, the 'poderosa' on 84th and lex, gimbels, woolworth, grants, lamstons, 86th street automat, mimis pizza, stickball on 85th and 3rd, wiffleball on 83rd & 2nd (do kids play on the street anymore?) papaya on 86th and 87th and 3rd, ideal restaurant, bantry bar, blarney stone on 84th and 85th on 3rd, carrols pub (later cobblestones)and all the german bars.

i moved to nj in 1992 and get to yorkville many times a year to visit my mom. the place has lost all its character. so very sad.

Joe Romaine: 2nd Oct 2009 - 15:12 GMT

The Stanley Isaacs housing projects were all white back in the 1970s?? Wow, I live near there and it seems like all the tenants are black now.

E.Spitzer: 4th Oct 2009 - 18:49 GMT

I too grew up in Yorkville and lived here all my life. It is a sorry state that I see now because of the overbuilding and destruction of trees and mess from the 2nd avenue subway construction. It was such a lovely quaint area filled European restaurant, bake shops and mama and papa stores. It has lost its charm and personality with all the chains and transient people that are not invested in making this a community. I think the rezoning of 86th street so Gimbels could be built was the begining of the end! I am so happy that I at least have the memories of what once was a beautiful place to live.

My Block: 4th Oct 2009 - 19:42 GMT

Wow Laura, great story, I'm sure you got an "A" especially if the responses your article received had anything to do with grading you. I read every one of the responses and enjoyed them immensely. Seems Yorkville still lives on even if it's just in the heart of our memories. I'm almost certain that I probably knew back then, a few of your other commentators. I lived in Yorkville from 1960-75 on 94th st. Went to OLGC, was an alter-boy, cub-scout, boy-scout, OLGC Rams, OLGC hockey, OLGC baseball and even one year played basketball. Played street hockey, Wring-a-lario, kick the kan, catch one catch all, freeze tag, red light –green light, off the point, stick-ball with pink Spalding’s, Played 4 box ball, A K Q handball. I remember pitching pennies, playing rolly poley, Johnnie on the pony, spinning tops, flipping baseball cards, playing bottle-caps: we would use one cap filled with melted crayon so they couldn't slam you to far away and used a glass cap made from old coke/pepsi/RC cola bottles for the long distance shots. The glass ring glided smoothly over the tarmac. We scraped old Schaeffer and Balintine cans on the cement so the lids, top and bottom, would separate, which we would then use on the Hydrant-pump during the hot summer days. We'd blast the cooling water at people walking by on the other side of the street, even at the cars going by. Summer nights we’d sleep out on the fire-escape listening to the sounds from the street below coming from folks sitting on the stoops playing cards and dancing while listening to what are now mo-town oldies. My dad cooking out on the roof with his green coleman burner stove he got from collecting A&P plaid stamps and the coupons from his Chesterfields.
I remember Don’s candy store! Even before I could read, just knowing a few of my letters, buying a pack of baseball cards, shoving the gum in my mouth and looking at the first picture of the pack, first name began with an "M" and the last name was an "M" and I knew it was Mickey Mantle even though I couldn’t read. A kid last name EVANS tried to give me a shopping bag full of doubles and triples for it, but I held out. We got our empty cigar boxes from Don. We bought our comics, kite’s, water-balloons, tops, yo-yo's, wiffleballs (NY accent Wooffleball), Spalding’s, black hand-balls and sometimes softballs and even hard-balls on occasion. The red soda cooler in the back opened like a trunk filled with water and bottles of soda and the opener on the side where we would hunt for smooth caps for Skully (bottle-cap game). We bought the big color chalk there too in order to draw on the streets and make the bottle cap game and make hopscotch games. Oh yeah, and there was the glass candy case cabinet. My favorite: mallow cups (collecting points) and Bazooka gum with Joe’s tiny comic wrapped around it and the fortune at the bottom of it. And who can forget the nickel machine filled with Red Pistachio nuts. As I got older I would buy a stack of news papers and run to the local bars to sell for a quarter or more, especially if some guy hit the number.
My earliest memories, was of my mom stripping and waxing the hard wood floors of our apartment which was turned over to my parents from my grandparents when I was born. Years later she opted for linoleum. One time I remember her walking me to a Pre-K on 97 and 98th street off of first ave and FDR, it was for a half day. Sometimes we’d stop at the park on 96 between 1st Ave and the FDR to swing on the swings. One time she let me run around the park only to find me with my head stuck between the bars of the black iron fence surrounding the park. The “Parkie” waved down a passing fire engine that came to my rescue. (My first experience with the FDNY). I remember trips to the NY Metropolitan Hospital on many occasions. I remember one time I shoved a dark blue crayon all the way up my nose (I was 4 :) and on our way home from that experience, along Second Avenue on 96st there was a guy dressed in all white, peddling on a beautiful gold ten speed bicycle, riding west from first ave. From across 96th St from one of the buildings was a woman screaming and crying in Spanish and then all of a sudden some guy running from that side of the street across 96th who jumped up on the back of the guy on the bike and stabbed him in the back while my mom an I were right there on the corner. She swooped me up into her arms whilst dashing across the cobblestone street. I don't think she realized I continued to watch the drama unfold as she was fleeing, with me draped across her shoulder. I could see all the red blood against his white clothes and the gold bike shining in the sunlight. It was incredibly vivid, even to this very day. Years later, I carried my lil bother home from that hospital.
We also played in the other 96th st park where you could stand on the swings and fly while also watching the bar-leagues play softball. Incredible memories! Speaking of flying, would you remember the “Half-Moon” ride and the Whip ride on the backs of trucks that would come down the street like a traveling carnival all for the mere cost of a nickel a ride. We lined up!!! On two occasions the fire trucks were parked on our street and we would climb all over them, ringing the bell and sit behind the steering wheel pretending to be firemen while the firemen were carrying people off of the fire-escape in their underwear as flames flashed and smoke billowed out of the 5th floor windows.
As I got older the neighborhood boundaries got more daring... The back alleys became a whole new world for exploring. Especially when you realized you could go into the cellar on 94th and come out on 95th st or even 1st Ave. and on the other side of the street go in and come out on 93st. There was a ROLLSROYCE dealership on the SW corner of 94th and 1st ave. We loved watching all the expensive sports cars and luxury cars going in an out. There was an older black gentleman dressed as a chauffer that would pull them out of the showroom garage in the summertime to wash and wax them. Up off of second ave between 93-94 was the market K&S (kris & sonya) that first use to be near to Wagner’s and the Tailors. Then they moved to the NW corner of 94st. They had the best macaroni salad and the VERY BEST HERO'S around. My folks had a running bill there, which K&S kept in a Composition book, keeping a tab for many families in the surrounding blocks was a part of the lifestyle. A Mobil gas station was across the Ave on the NE corner and just north of them was the Chinese take out which happened to have a pinball machine. Further north before 96th street was the barber shop and pizza parlor. For 50 cents I could get a crew cut, Italian icee and slice of pizza. Finally, Nick's Restaurant on the SE corner of 2nd Ave and 94th street, Great Pea soup in the winter time for a dime. Especially after a good snowball fight or sledding down from 3rd ave. Sometimes we would even venture up to Cherry Hill to go sledding or down to Carl Shultz which in the summer / fall we played hockey. (Sidebar: I remember being really little and going with my mom and other mothers and their kids to “Pick-it” outside of Gracie Mansion, it had something to do with getting into the projects 1964-65. To this day I can almost remember their chant that had to do with Marijuana LSD Rockefeller makes it and Lindsey takes it,). In the summer Nick’s would leave their crate of eggs outside at their back door and we would borrow their eggs:) and egg people from the roof tops. (Roof hopping was a daring sport) Usually we would throw them at the girls or even some of the characters who hung out on the block or outside of Ned's Tavern in the middle of the block. (Crazy Billy, Lady with the cane, Joe Carney, Ginny-Beans and even Woodsie on his bicycle was a tempting moving target)  Ginny Beans!!! Now there was a character! He was one of the bartenders at Ned’s. He was a hairy faced, one legged guy who's leg got cut off when he was young due to an infection from a cut he got when he was a kid playing “Johnny on the pony” (so he said). He would smoke cigars in his mouth and non filter Lucky Strikes from his nose. Gross!!! As a lil kid he was a scary character. As we got a bit older he told some very interesting and funny stories as we sat at the bar getting free sodas because we would run errands for him. (Daily News from Don’s or get a hero from K&S) As we got older, the older kids got older, which some went off and came back from Vietnam. As young as I was I can only remember one 94th street kid who didn't come back but I’m sure there were more. This particular guys name was John; they called him "piggy" RIP. The others who made it back were different and as kids we noticed. I remember my dad made the whole family march in a parade that supported the Vietnam vets. He asked (told) my brother and I to wear our boy-scout uniform and carry a big flag while the rest of the family were garnished with RED WHITE and BLUE sashes, carrying a huge sign reading: “94th Street LOVES VIETNAM VETERANS”. while getting ready to pass a set of bleachers set up on 5th avenue, holding several hundred soldiers in uniform, (it was windy and I was complaining about the flag being hard to carry) I can remember my dad snapping at me “get ready, look sharp and hold the flag pole up right and march straight, this is why we’re here” and just as he finished his command I heard a loud voice from the bleachers bark “AHHHTENNNHUT” and to my amazement everyone of those soldiers jumped to their feet in almost perfect unison and saluted our American flag as my family and “94th street sign” marched by. Patriotism ran through the veins of my father, a Korean war veteran, as well as many other adults in the neighborhood. One year, in the summer, the Ned’s softball team made up shirts for the kid's and on the shirts were written "Ned's little Piggy's" with #’s on the back. They were a hot item and the envy of the other teams neighborhood kids. Ned’s was also one of the few that supported a woman’s softball team that my mom played on. It was pretty cool watching her play third base and jumping into the air, stabbing at a hard hit line-drive and come down with it glued to her glove, ending the inning with runners on. Amazing! There were many other neighborhood characters that hung out at Ned's... It was the hub of a lot of activity, Pete Peter’s was the coach of the OLGC Rams after Mr. Byrne’s and Mr. Cronin. In the back of the bar on the pool table is where they painted the green ram horns on our helmets. It was always a crowded place, mostly construction iron-workers, wire lathers, some sandhogs etc... As rough and tough as they were, they were even more so generous. These were men who helped build the Twin Towers, only to have some of their son’s un-mangle the iron a generation later, working around the clock at ground Zero.
In the middle of the block was a parking garage on one side and consolidated laundry across the street from them. On the wall of the consolidated laundry building was a bronze plaque depicting the face of Lou Gehrig and declaring 94th st the block where he grew up. It was the envy of many kids in the surrounding neighborhoods, even my own cousins who came to visit from Long beach and Long Is. and Staten Is. were in awe. They were Yankee fans. (Amazing Met fan here). Years later, the plaque disappeared and was replaced and disappeared again. I’m sure there is a guy out there who knows a guy, who knows a guy, who knows the real story behind the “borrowing” of the plaques. Also, years later the parking garage became the City Welfare building, which became the permanent resting spot for a sabrett hot dog stand. To this day I can’t walk past a stand without having one and I don’t even live in NY anymore. After leaving the neighborhood, I heard years later the building became a police station and also heard Ned’s closed for good.
Next to Ned’s was a tenant building and next to that was the Orange Iron Fortress.
It was an empty lot, guarded by a solid iron gate with curving spikes at the top. It used to be a chain link with barbwire that we were always climbing to retrieve Balls. It became the ultimate climbing challenge for kids from 6-10 yrs old. We left our mark on it by tagging it with our initials or nicknames. One summer after cleaning the lot out, we used it to play wiffleball. It was still there several yrs ago when I last visited and showed my kids were I grew up. The street seemed so much smaller! As we were rounding the corner from 2nd Ave I was hoping that the pump might be on. I remember walking along 2nd ave to go to church and 1st ave to go to OLGC. I remember dodge ball in PS 151 after school. I remember having Andre G. as a partner during 1st communion practices and took a lot of ribbing for it. But I laughed last during the very last practice when they brought in the PS 151 kids who would be making their 1st communion as well. I ended up with Mary W. as my partner. Then there was Confirmation in 6th grade and graduation. In between the years was Miss Burke’s rehearsals and messing around back stage, watching people climbing up an over the cat walks. Her commanding, monotone voice is ringing in my ears even now as I type.”Aaanda 5 6 7 8” and also hearing her voice say “50-50 chances” in the foyer of the church every Sunday. Yes and her Orange Turkey Chances. Her recital’s were a great deal of fun, mostly because of getting out of class and the night of the Gala… Who can forget the door prizes? One year our family won a big thing of German Bologna the kind they use on a meat slicer at the deli. We ate bologna sandwiches and fried bologna for more than a month. (Sidebar: one thanksgiving as a real little kid about 5, OLGC church sent over a box of food to our house and it was filled with all kinds of can goods. Some was peanut butter and even a block of cheese similar to the size of the bologna.. While helping put it away I asked all kinds of questions about why they did that and my mom answered all my questions appropriately with stories of the good Samaritan and Jesus wanting us to help each other. To this day I love fried bologna, American cheese and peanut butter. I serve in my community on the church benevolence team which feeds and clothes the poor all year round but I have a great fondness for doing it at Thanksgiving and Christmas and Easter. Which I believe is due to my mothers answers to my questions so long ago.

Walking along 2nd ave was the noisy Bryers ice cream factory along with the brewery’s and other places previously mentioned by your readers. Sidebar: My dad told me there was a bar in the basement of the brewery that had running tap for the workers when they got off work… Walking up 90th st there was a building that stored the street salt for winter snow. As teens we hung out in the projects at the monument on FDR and if too cold we hung in the staircases of the buildings keeping a sharp eye and ear out for Kenny & Jules the cops. When chased off we would hang at the checker tables along the FDR and when it rained we would sit under the FDR overpass on 96th st.
On the walk to school along first was everybody’s favorite, John’s candy store, Marlboro cigs, hockey puck burgers (they really were good) chocolate egg-creams and summer snow-cones. If I remember correctly, he also had a really old, pinball machine which was a pitching baseball game. One guy would pick the type of pitch and the other person would control the bat, game on!!!. There was another candy store on 93rd street. I think it was owned by the Conner’s. Someone mention baldy Joe. I think he was a “seriously crazy” locksmith. Most time going home from school there would be kids on the corner taunting him with a screaming chant…”Baldeeeee , Ballldeee JOE”. He’d come out and throw whatever he could get his hands on, across the avenue into the crowd of kids. It was quite humorous until he’d run across the avenue and like roaches the crowd would scatter.
Continuing south on 1st Ave was Rhinelander’s. During its heyday was great for winter swimming, arts and crafts, dodge ball and the trampoline. I think they had a trampoline, unless that was at Lenox Hill which was further south along with John Jays. And even further south was where we played baseball under the 59th street bridge. Coming home from a day of swimming at JJ there was a bagel factory where we’d get warm bagels for 10 cents each and somewhere along there was the penny candy store. The bowling ally was a lot of fun on rainy days and Anna Maria’s pizza and juke box were a Friday night favorite. Seems sneaking into Loews and other theater’s was tradition. What kid from Yorkville didn’t swim in the east river, down by the sanitation barges and the dive off of BIG JOHN was ballzee. Someone mentioned the abandoned park off of the FDR drive and 92nd street. I only remembered it as the Planetarium park, which was across from where we played football at the Asphalt. It had a broken down “parkie” house and handball courts, where a lot of beer drinkers and stoners would hang out playing paddle ball. There were even Dealers and Junkies who hung out there at night. One time while heading to the east river to go swimming we were cutting through the park and across the river we witnessed a live shoot out between cops and whomever. We didn’t go swimming that day.

Lastly, the projects center, the hub of teenage life, particularly winter time. I remember the names Tinker and Patti who were counselors. Ping-Pong and pool table tournaments, they would even let Kozi and Charlie’s band practice in there. They were guys from 93rd and 92nd street. We went on a few skating party trips and camping. Touch football on the lawn of the projects along FDR while again, keeping an eye out for Kenny and Jules the housing cops…

Thanks for listening… very slow day here at work…
God Bless you and yours.
FM

anon (ool-45733f37.dyn.optonline.net): 4th Oct 2009 - 22:17 GMT

Thank you for posting this...I too grew up on 90th St. between 2nd and 3rd Ave. right across the street from the Brewery. Went to O.L.G.C., made my communion, confirmation and graduated there. Absolutely the most beautiful Church in NYC. It is very true about growing up in Yorkville, there simply is no place like it on Earth. Everyone knew everyone. I remember the 'bums seat' as we used to call it. After the brewery closed, I used to sell Lemonade there. Sadly, I also remember them tearing it down. When the finally got the building down, there was the 'Big Rock' in the middle of the block. lol I also remember all the dynamite they used to get rid of the 'big rock!' As I'm sure anyone who attended OLGC does. Thanks again for posting this...brought back alot of great memories...anyone remember the gardens on 90-91 near 2nd ave?

atf: 5th Oct 2009 - 18:57 GMT

Joe Romaine....yes stanley isaacs was 90 % white in the 70s....crazy huh?

Agnes Doherty Ondrovic: 6th Oct 2009 - 14:42 GMT

Are there any residents from Yorkville who lived there around the time I did? The early 30's to 1950. The area in the 70's to 80's from East End Ave. to 3rd. Ave.

Joe Romaine: 6th Oct 2009 - 18:30 GMT

Why were the Isaac houses built in this neighborhood anyway? Did they have to demolish any existing apartment blocks to make room for the projects? How did the local population initially react to the Isaac construction back then?
What I find really interesting is that there are now luxury high rises across the street from the projects where presumably the wealthy tenants pay vastly more than the Issac people for the same exact view of the east river!

atf: 6th Oct 2009 - 20:47 GMT

joe romaine...when the projects went up there were only 5 story buildings in the area....i remember every building going up in that neighborhood....i beleive the stanley isaacs were complete around 1964...none of the other high rise luxury apartment buildings were around back then....i dont know what the neighborhood reaction was but the neighborhood use to be all working middle class and that is what was in the projects...so i dont think that was any issue...the snobs that live in the high rises today probably have an issue....but those projects were there first so i dont think any newcomer to the area has a right to complain...for instance my mom has lived there for 45 years....what are you going to do throw her on the street?

atf: 6th Oct 2009 - 20:53 GMT

joe romaine...you also need to know that while most of the projects were white back then i actually think it was a rougher place to live back then in the 70s....alot of kids hanging on the streets etc...while it is mostly minorities now i feel safer going there now than i did when i was a kid...there were alot of troublemakers in those buildings...drugs, fights, drunks....luckily i had older brothers to protect me...

Joe Romaine: 6th Oct 2009 - 21:00 GMT

Thanks, ATF. Sorry I meant no offense at all. I'm just fascinated by Yorkville and consider it a privelege to live here and I like learning about its past and history. I was thrilled to know that Lou Gehrig, Jimmy Cagney and the Marx Brothers either were born here or grew up here.

atf: 9th Oct 2009 - 02:53 GMT

joe romaine...no offense taken...you would have liked the old yorkville alot better....more of a sense of neighborhood and family back then....the population in the neighborhood now have hardly any kids and are very transiant (sp)....i also heard that obama lived on 94th between 1st and 2nd ave when he was a teen (same block as lou gehrig)...

fM: 10th Oct 2009 - 20:44 GMT

Obama, on 94th st. No way...hahahaha. He grew up in Hawaii. Unless he was there after 1975.
As far as Stanley I./before they were built I remember we were let out of OLGC early one day because of a massive explosion on the grounds of where they are now. There was some sort of Fuel Depot there that went up in flames after exploding. The foundation of the school shook the building and we had a fire drill after about 20 minutes lined up in the street they sent us home. We weren't allowed back into the building.

fM: 10th Oct 2009 - 21:20 GMT

Marty- This posted link doesn't work:
http://www.liveworkplayoutwest.com/yorkvilleindex.htm
Can you or someone else correct it?

fM: 10th Oct 2009 - 23:45 GMT

ATF.... my humblest apologies, I just read the story by mike daly about obama living on 94th street when he was a student at Columbia. Unbelievable... the building next to where I grew up "1960-75"
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/11/10/2008-11-10_young_barack_obama_came_to_the_city_to_f.html#ixzz0TZxBFkMT

Gooch: 11th Oct 2009 - 00:44 GMT

Can anybody tell me about the Kinsale Tavern, the Irish bar on 2nd Ave. near 94th St.? Has it been here forever? Any stories about this wonderful place? Thanks.

Lee Glen - Georgia: 11th Oct 2009 - 02:59 GMT

Hi Laura, I enjoyed your story and according to all the posts, you have generated great interest about Yorkville. I'm not from Yorkville,but I can see it was a great community. The photo of the el sparked a memory of passing through somewhere in NYC on my way to port for military duty in France. At that time I wondered how these people stand all the noise living so close to the tracks. Great story..thank you.

rf46@hotmail.com: 12th Oct 2009 - 03:28 GMT

the projects replaced 5 story buildings on 92nd between 1st and York and from 92nd to 93rd on first. There was a car parts dealer on 92nd and Louis's Candy Store in the middle of the block and a deli next to that. On 93rd there was a novelty store. Down 93rd to the drive was an ice house and car repair on the south side. On the North side, there was a chicken market. North of that was the taxi garage lots and there was a power plant which came down around 1954 or 1955 between 95 and 96th. Down 92nd in the 50's there was a very old grocery store, a pet shop and a glazier. Of course, the ASPCA was on York on the North Side.
I still can't remember the name of the park on York between 92nd and 91st.

atf: 14th Oct 2009 - 18:04 GMT

gooch...kinsale was my old stomping ground while i was in college....i beleive it moved to 3rd avenue between 93rd and 94th street in the early 80s....i think it was and is still owned by the same person that onwned the old bantry bar on 86th between 3rd and lex....it moved and they renamed it kinsale.....i still love going there to this day....

Gooch: 14th Oct 2009 - 20:18 GMT

Thanks, ATF. I love the Kinsale because it’s so authentic and old-fashioned; it’s probably what Irish bars used to be like.
The Kinsale reminds me of old Irish pubs I used to frequent when I lived in Queens, and before that, in Boston. But a lot of these type of places are either converting into more “chi-chi” type lounges or disappearing altogether. It’s a real shame. I hope Kinsale can buck this trend and stay for a long time.

Agnes Doherty Ondrovic: 16th Oct 2009 - 18:22 GMT

How come no one mentions Vito Marcantonio who had an office over the 5&10 on 1st Avenue? Although I was not old enough to vote I do remember people complaining that he was the person responsible for the destruction of Yorkville as it was. It was said he brought in the *mattress* people. He was utterly disliked by the old residents. He was gerrymandered into the area and I believe did not remain for too long.

Gooch: 17th Oct 2009 - 01:41 GMT

Vito Marcantonio lived in Yorkville?? He was a Communist, no?

atf: 19th Oct 2009 - 18:43 GMT

i dont recall vito marcantonio since he was before my time......but i do remember the 5&10 on first avenue next to the old A&P....i will ask my mom who is a lifelong resident of 82 years whether she has any opinion of this marcantonio guy.

Agnes Doherty Ondrovic: 21st Oct 2009 - 22:28 GMT

Marcantonio was a Communist but I do not believe he lived in Yorkville. Because of the way districts are cut apart he was active in Yorkville, my area, the 70's for a short time. He was given a grand funeral when he died but not by those in Yorkville. You can look him up on the internet. Some people worshipped him. BTW atf I might know your mother or she might have known my parents depending upon where she lives. I grew up in the City & Suburbans.

Amelia: 22nd Oct 2009 - 20:13 GMT

Hi, I just moved to Yorkville and becoming acquainted with the area. I have enjoyed reading about people's reminiscences of the neighborhood. For those who are still living here, can you suggest the best places to buy groceries (i.e., not Key Food!), with respect to both fresh and prepared food. I wanna help the local businesses as much as I can. Thanks

Frank: 23rd Oct 2009 - 20:31 GMT

Laura, thx for the great article! It brought back all sorts of memories as I grew up on first on 85th between York and First, then on First Ave. itself and finally on 84thbetween First and York! This was from 1943 to 1962. And my father (Frank) may have served some of those who’ve posted here as he worked at the Cafe Hindenburg. But sorry, I don’t remember anything about dancing being on the menu there!

I went to school at PS 77, which was right across the street from us, and then to PS (JHS) 30, which was all boys while the girls of the same age went to PS 158. Both 77 and 30 were torn down for apartment buildings shortly after I left them. PS 30 was crazy as you might imagine, with hundreds of boys all hitting puberty at the same time and no girls around to be on good behavior for. Fights were common and a big kid we nicknamed ‘Rabbit’ I think because of his teeth once gave me a punch in the stomach that I still haven’t forgotten!

I remember the El and the various stores of the neighborhood, also the movie houses of which there were four on 86th: an RKO, Loews, Brandtss and one other. Right up there along with Woolworth’s, Grant’s and the Papaya place that’s still standing! And I had a dentist named Schwimmer whose office was on 86th and York. I can still remember his old slow drill grinding away at my molars for what seemed like hours! There were no fluoridation then and my teeth had more fillings than enamel.

The nieghborhood has changed a lot over thte years but one thing that has remeained constant is Carl Shurz park where I often walk these days (I still live in Yorkville). As parks go, I guess it’s fairly small but beautifully laid out, and of course right on the river.

Thanks again for your work!

Judith Speckmann Garlow: 26th Oct 2009 - 18:37 GMT

My grandparents lived in Yorkville in the early 1900s. I have visited recently and loved the Heidleburg restaurant and deli. It is a lovely area and I would move there if I could afford it. Thanks for your story. My father worked for Woolworths. Lots of history in NY.

Gooch: 27th Oct 2009 - 22:49 GMT

Since it's World Series time, I have a question for you older Yorkvillians. Was this neighborhood a Yankee stronghold? Or was it more of a Giant enclave. I assume it was easier and quicker to get to Yankee Stadium than the Polo Grounds.

atf: 28th Oct 2009 - 19:34 GMT

gooch...i grew up in yorkville 1964 to 1992....during that time it was majority yankees...but i beleive when the giants still played in ny it was a giants neighborhood....at least thats what the old timers told me.

Walter B.(mackmuggs@netscape.net: 30th Oct 2009 - 20:50 GMT

In the old days it was split between Yankees and Giants (lots of arguments), but we all hated the Dodgers. In those days there were two Giant teams using Polo Grounds - football and baseball.

rf46@hotmail.com: 10th Nov 2009 - 21:59 GMT

Sharon, I guess you remember the Tumble Inn, Walworths,Red the butcher,the candy store and the tailor and the corner drug store. I remember the kid getting killed by the NY News truck. I think he was the son of the candy store owner, but I am probably wrong.

rf46@hotmail.com: 14th Nov 2009 - 18:19 GMT

Sharon, the candy store was next to the butcher. Maybe not for long. Margie lived on 1st between 92nd and 93rd. A funny story about her. She actually had a priest from OL come to bless and supposedly baptize a bird she had. You also must remember John Moore the bartender. You may have gone to school with his daughter Margaret at St. Joe's. Also Tommy Sheridan tendered bar there.
Right across the street was the old movie theatre. Between 89th and 88th on the west side was a fruit market at one time which became a laundermat. There was also Mike's clam bar with it's group of characters. South of that I believe was the ice cream parlor but that may have been 88 and 87th.
There was another butcher on the corner of 88th North East corner. I remember it because I delivered meat for them and remember delivering to Soupy Sales on East End Ave and the guy who was on I've got a secret. I also the remember the hot dog wagon on the corner of 89th. I used to push it from 92nd and then get a orangeade in a cone shaped cup (before that was discontinued by the board of health) and maybe even a hot dog.

Editor: 17th Nov 2009 - 01:37 GMT

no offense, but if you guys want to small-talk, consider switching over to email...?

Laura: 17th Nov 2009 - 04:14 GMT

Ha! What a wonderful conversation I've provoked. Thank you to all who have contributed your memories. It is wonderful that this little ditty has turned into an orchestra. I hope this thread continues. Its fantastic. -Laura

Dino Saraceni: 17th Nov 2009 - 21:43 GMT

This is a fascinating thread! I moved into Yorkville last year and have lived in another part of the Upper East Side the past three years.
I cannot imagine an elevated train line running through this neighborhood! For those who remember the el-train, was there constant noise from the trains and soot in the air? Or was it tolerable and something one just got used to? Did it create shadows and darkness even during sunlight hours?
Also, how far south did the el-train go? Did it connect with Grand Central Station?
What was the reason for tearing it down? Was it because of the developemnet of the Lex. Ave subway line or for some other reason?
Thanks

Walter B.(mackmuggs@netscape.net: 18th Nov 2009 - 20:05 GMT

The third avenue el separated the rich people to the north going to central park from the poor and middle class going to the south to York Avenue and the east river. Between the noise of the el and the traffic it was never quiet. Some of the houses were so close to the El the trains shook your bed as they passed. The El was torn down because it had become redundant with the advent of the Lexington Avenue line. When it came down the rich people said hey there is some nice property South of Lexington Avenue and so began the development of the Silk Stocking district as tenemants were torn down and families were forced to move to Queens or the Bronx to make run for the so called upper class. On streets where their used to hendreds of kids watched over and yelled at by any mother or grandmother standing on a stoop or hanging out a window, you went to hight rise, air conditione, sterile buildings with no children to be seen on the streets and not a mother in sight. What a loss.

Dino Saraceni: 18th Nov 2009 - 21:13 GMT

Thank you, Walter B. Was the El-Train torn down in the 1960s or before?
How come there are no remnants of this system anywhere that I can see? I mean, there’s no plaques commemorating it, nor any physical evidence it was ever here (only peoples’ memories?).

Comment on this article..

Browsing articles by Laura - [previous] :: [next]

search citynoise.org

recent discussions

Trike Blastin'
from: serlingrod
Bayside Acacia Cemetery
from: NWhyC
Fuck England
from: Peter
PDX Graffiti Like Ummm...
from: fuzzytank
High Heat, Kezam
from: Peter
Yuba
from: Paul G
JA: A True NYC King
from: Peter
America's Most Boring Towns: 10
from: Scott Sargent
My Unusual Hobby
from: Ralph Enderby
NYC Style Graffiti Throw Up
from: Metro1

from the archives

North Philly Reppin'

Shot between Oxford & Cecil B. Moore, 23rd to 33rd. Just a small slice of the many square miles of economically depressed North Philly.

North Philly Reppin'


What is Citynoise?..... Today's posts..... This month..... Recent Comments..... Contact..... RSS Feed.... Post your own Citynoise.....
http://www.citynoise.org
browse by city Brooklyn, NY (1053) New York, NY (911) Toronto, ON (800) Montreal, QC (419) London, UK (307) Houston, TX (285) Philadelphia, PA (198) Seattle, WA (190) Oakland, CA (182) Queens, NY (164) complete city list popular articles 1990s NYC Graffiti: Part 8 from: Peter A Dish Best Served Wet & Warm from: Peter Wheels of Soul Motorcycle Club from: Peter There Once Was a House... from: Mikee Russian Army Freight Transport from: belyz what's hot this month? recent articles Trike Blastin' from: serlingrod Illuminite from: Patrick Painting the Town from: Robert To All the People Who Think This Is a Sex Shop from: Luke Mininon 2: Now with Hats Gorra! from: Peter SPASHAL OFeR from: Ender Hello Operator... from: Mikee DV-2011... Have You Apply Yet! from: Peter Hand Job, Grand Opening! from: Ender Abandoned Church from: Mikee read all today's articles browse by author Peter (1178) joey (326) jack (309) EvilGentleman (285) hool (247) complete author list hot topics افلام سكس نيك sex imag hot sixy girl bf photo photo woman s e x parkour teen six girl abandoned photo six woman زب kid pk graffiti sex garl please sixy sixy girls my bits ينيك	Yorkville: A Neighborhood Recalled New York, NY - Laura - Thursday, December 7th, 2006 : goo Browsing articles by Laura - [previous] :: [next] I had to write a piece on my neighborhood this week for one of my graduate social work classes. I thought I'd share it here, since it has its fair share of citynoise... Yorkville: A Neighborhood Recalled I’m much taller than my mother, who’s a tiny thing and fits comfortably under my arm. It’s strange to think that once I clomped around the house in her high heels and now she fits so snugly under my wing, but I suppose that’s how life progresses. My Grandpa died three years ago, and then Tommy passed last October. Tommy was Mom’s oldest and most loved brother. So after a recent long night with her at Dresner’s bar on 78th and York, mom wanted to take a stroll down memory lane- also known as 77th street. “I’m not exactly sure which court it is, but I always like to think that it’s this one,” she sighed as she pointed toward the left-side handball court at John Jay Park. “I just like this one better.” We stood there, in silence, me clutching my tipsy mother and her holding back tears as she fantasized about the day her mother and father met. Grandma lived across the street from John Jay and Grandpa was a handball champ. Little did he know that Grandma was better. She challenged him to a game right there on that court and beat him fair and square. They always had a tense relationship and so while I don’t think it was love at first sight, handball at John Jay Park was the first story in their life together. It’s a story I’ve heard many times. Grandpa was a Great Storyteller, and while everyone at the dinner table would fight to get themselves heard, no one spoke when he told stories. I could tell, even when I was just a child and he an Old Man, he was a charmer. Quiet and mostly reserved, Grandpa’s true nature came out through his stories; he never failed to captivate his dinner audience. After he died, I went through old pictures of him with my grandmother. One showed them sitting together on a checkered cloth on Sheep Meadow. Grandma held her new baby, Mary, and Grandpa relaxed against her side. “Ah- Daddy had beautiful hair, Laura,” Grandma cooed. “He was so handsome.” She closed her eyes and napped a little, drifting off, I’m sure, back to her girlhood in Yorkville. Yorkville: the cradle of our family history. Stretching from 72nd street (some say 59th) to 96th and encompassing everything from the East River to Third Avenue, Yorkville is a neighborhood unlike any other in Manhattan. I may be biased - I’ve never lived in any other neighborhood in Manhattan. I grew up on 90th and Third in a building named after and standing on the old Jacob Ruppert Brewery property. The Brewery was founded in 1867 and closed in 1965. In 1941, when my father was 13 and a freshman at Cardinal Hayes High School, he became acquainted with the brewery during his daily commute. At that time the high school was too small to hold all its students and freshmen had to attend classes at the Hayes Annex, on the top florr at the Our Lady of Good Counsel (OLGC) School building on 91st street. The El at 89th St, 1954 He took the Third Avenue El from his South Bronx neighborhood, riding in between the cars the whole way down, and walked up Third Avenue to the brewery. There he’d walk through the Ruppert properties and find trouble where it could be found. He later liked to recollect the ‘bums’ who’d sit outside the brewery wall with mugs to collect the hops drippings. (Where as my mother read me bedtime stories out of fairy tale books, my father would entrance me with stories of gang rumbles, bar fights and romances. My dad, true to his Irish nature, is a professional B.S.’er whose stories blur the line between fact and fancy. I do believe his story about the hops is true, however.) By the time my mother met my father at Barrymore’s in 1974, the brewery was long gone and the 22-acre space it once took up was renamed an urban renewal site and was populated by various community gardens and weedy underbrush. A year later, in 1975, the Ruppert Brewery Project began and the Conklin & Rossant architectural firm cooked up a plan to revitalize the neighborhood with a fortress-like structure that towered over the area. White and Willensky, in their Guide to New York City, say that “The density is immense and overwhelming. Given that millstone, the architects have handled an unfortunate program in a sophisticated manner." My parents were some of the first tenants to call that sophisticated project ‘Home.’ And then came Me. My birthday just passed and I look forward every year to my mother’s rendition of when I came into the world. Though I moan and groan about her long-winded explanations (from which I’ve inherited my own speaking style), a birthday simply wouldn’t be complete without that story. I’ll try to recount it briefly here. My mother and father had moved into a small one-bedroom apartment in Ruppert Towers and were not expecting to have children. I, determined to be brought into the world, foiled that plan. My parents, shocked at first, decided to uphold my wishes and have me. I’m glad they did. My mother, an amateur yogi, prepared for the natural birth through months of Lamaze and yoga techniques- and swimming (“don’t leave the swimming out, Laura! I swam everyday when I was pregnant with you and it was very important for your growth. You were practically born in water!” I wasn’t, but you see how important the water is to me. And to my mother. Anyway, back to the story). Everything went well until the last moment, when the cord was wrapped around my neck. My competent doctor cut the cord, told my mother to push and I came shooting into the world like a football (“Daddy! Tell me the story again about how I was born like a football!”). After I was born, we three lived in our little apartment; Three Peas in a Pod as my Daddy likes to say. I was sent to school at OLGC, and attended classes in the same room that my father had some 45 years before me. I grew up on hot dogs at the Papaya King on 86th street and refused to eat any hot dog substitution. I got my first pet, a parakeet I named Jennifer, from Woolworth’s; I learned to swim before I could walk at the Y and I frolicked in the sprinklers in Ruppert Park. I spent an enormous amount of time at a bar called Il Giorno where Andy, the bartender, would always put 5 cherries in my Shirley Temple. On Saint Patrick’s Day, we’d all watch the Parade from Jim Buck’s apartment on Fifth Avenue. I was communed at the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel and sang in the Children’s Choir there, where I was continuously reprimanded for chatting with boys. I took pottery classes with my Dad at Rhinelander Children’s Center, and took dance at Manhattan Ballet. Mom and I bought groceries at Key Food and she would graciously let me push the cart back up the hill to our house. My mother still boasts of what a wonderful neighborhood Yorkville was to raise her child in- “Everything we needed was in the neighborhood. I never needed to take you elsewhere.” The only thing it didn’t have was space. So in 1989, when I was finishing third grade, my mother and I moved into my grandparent’s summer home in a little town on the Jersey Shore called Bay Head. My dad would visit us on weekends and I was always jealous on Sunday nights when he would get to go home. Unlike OLGC, my new school was all white, uptight and cliquey. It was a miserable move for me and I longed for our tiny apartment and my friends who wore gold bracelets and pink barrettes in their braids. I’ve always known Yorkville to be home and didn’t feel at peace until I returned. Ruppert Towers looked much different in January 2005, when I moved back into our apartment to start graduate school. Converted into a condominium in 2003, the building got a full face lift, complete with a new name for the neighborhood: The Upper East Side. What were once orange Formica walls had been replaced by rich wood and wainscoting. The building’s old recreation room is now a valet, and residents can pick up and drop off their dry cleaning at their convenience. The new residents, now apartment owners, have transformed the feel of the building. My apartment feels the same, but my house has clearly changed. But it’s not just my house. Yorkville is in the process of a huge transformation. Once the city’s Little Germany, Yorkville retains little of what has historically set it apart from other neighborhoods. 86th street, formerly referred to as The German Broadway, still serves as the neighborhood’s main drag, but the restaurants that gave it its feel, like Die Lorelei, Cafe Mozart and the Gloria Palast are long gone. Gone too are the ballrooms and dance halls; when my mother moved back into Yorkville in the early 1970’s, these spaces for waltzing and polka dancing were slowly dying. She recalled recently what a wonderful time 86th street used to be. Most recently, in October of 2006, an historic building on 86th and Lexington gave way to what is rumored by the local Community Board 8 to become a Bed Bath and Beyond with loading docks on 85th. Similarly, a building on 86th and Third that came down last year will likely become a Home Depot with Whole Foods between Lexington and Third. They will go well with the Banana Republic, Victoria’s Secret, Aldo and other various upscale boutiques already on the strip. Though I love to browse, and though the new buildings and banks increase the area’s value, I can’t help but wonder about the neighborhood’s roots and fantasize about the good old days, when Yorkville was simply that. The saddest stroke came in June of 2005, when OLGC closed its doors after the Archdiocese of the City of New York declared that several Catholic schools throughout the city would be shut down. This past May, during an OLGC reunion of sorts, a group of recent ‘OL’ students, teachers, parents and alumni reminisced about the school and the years we spent there. John Norton, the school’s beloved 8th grade teacher of 15+ years said sadly, “It was such a wonderful school. We all truly enjoyed teaching there. And our kids are just…incredible.” Several of his recent students were there with us, and a particular 14 year old girl who’d shunned her own father not minutes before, broke into a huge grin. “We love you too, Mr. Norton.” And we do. We concluded that day that the OLGC spirit has been passed down and among us, and we will not forget it. Nor will we forget the neighborhood where we found it- however many years ago that may have been. Yorkville may be ever changing, but its spirit is still here. Looking carefully among the neighborhood’s skyscrapers, you find folks like John Norton. And at John Jay Park, I think my Grandpa still plays the occasional game of handball. All photographs are my own, except for the following: John Jay Park- handball court on right. Available online at: http://www.liveworkplayoutwest.com/yorkvillejohnjaypoolpics.htm Third Ave El, 1954. available online at: http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?26048 This article has been viewed 25018 times in the last 3 years little ukraine: 7th Dec 2006 - 04:21 GMT lovely story of a neighborhood, and so well-illustrated. thanks Laura. also, thanks for digging up that el-train pic. Laura : 7th Dec 2006 - 05:12 GMT Thank you, LU. I love that El photo. It was my favorite find for the project. Marty: 11th Dec 2006 - 00:29 GMT Come by the Yorkville web site for a trip down nostalgia lane. Find an old friend or just make a new friend. http://www.liveworkplayoutwest.com/yorkvilleindex.htm procyon: 13th Dec 2006 - 18:42 GMT This was such a great read, and beautifully illustrated, too. Ashley: 21st Dec 2006 - 12:50 GMT i have been researching gangs for about a monthe now and i think it is very fasinating to learn about!!!!!!!!! Ashley: 21st Dec 2006 - 12:51 GMT i also think that hearing about other peoples life is really cool to. i like this article for some reason Princess: 27th Dec 2006 - 14:29 GMT just proves what great story tellers the Irish are I could see you smiling as you wrote this....more pleae Barbara: 8th Jan 2007 - 23:52 GMT Thanks so much for the photo of the Third Ave El, 1954. I lived on Third between 90 & 91 St, and I can actually see the windows of our apartment in that photo. I was 4 yrs old at the time and would sit by the window every day waiting for my mom to get off the train from work. What wonderful memories this photo brought back! K. Jacob Ruppert: 2nd Feb 2007 - 00:29 GMT Thank you so much for a wonderful article and for the effort to better preserve my ancestors' contributions to New York and Yorkville from fading into the footnotes of a forgotten history. Save Yorkville History Now! Joe: 10th Mar 2007 - 15:05 GMT What contributions did ruppert brewery do for Yorkville besides suck it's blood & abandon it? They were the last of the robber barons. I grew up across for the brewery & it was a rat infested pig sty. The best contribution the brewery did for yorkville was leaving. Joe: 10th Mar 2007 - 16:51 GMT Oh and also I'd have to say yes this is a cute story but the buildings on 86th St. both on lex & third were nothing but broken down tenements which were demolished to make way for a better Yorkville. There's absolutely nothing wrong with progress or the many new wonderful stores you mentioned.The Yorkville of today is much better place then the one i grew up in in the 1950's to 1970's. More pricey yes but it takes money to improve things. AG: 31st Mar 2007 - 01:24 GMT Thank you for this wonderful article. I grew up in Yorkville, went to OLGC and wandered 86th street all the time ... I loved the photos - thank you for the walk down memory lane. Progress is good but, I agree, we've lost the character of the old Yorkville. Telling these stories is great. thanks! Laura : 1st Apr 2007 - 18:50 GMT Thanks for the comments, everyone. Joe- I hear you. I have only been around in the world for 25 years, but the quality of life in this neighborhood in just that short amount of time has improved drastically. I can only imagine how a person such as yourself with the sentiments you' ve already expressed must view the changes. It truly is remarkable how far we've come. That said-- I do miss the old ways and probably always will. Its easier for me to hang on to the good than to focus on the negative. A correction: my father is an older person, but not as old as I have presented him here. He attended OL in 1951, not 41. Pictures of Cardinal Hayes used for this project but not posted here were taken in 1941. I'm terrible at math and got confused. My apologies. Helen Kane Munro: 13th Apr 2007 - 06:13 GMT ENJOYED PHOTOS AND COMMENTS. YES, YORKVILLE WAS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE IN THE 50'S AND 60'S AND OLGC CHURCH AND SAINT JOSPEH'S SCHOOL OFFERED A GREAT EDUCATION TO ALL. Anthony: 24th Jun 2007 - 04:20 GMT OLGC school was a great place...i was a student there...the school closed down when i was in sixth grade...The 8th grade teachers name was actually Mr. Naughton. He was a great man. I was very disappointed when the school had to close. Me and my friends still go around there and reminice about all the good times we had in OLGC. Laurie: 31st Jul 2007 - 12:00 GMT I loved reading your story.My Grandparents came from Yorkville 73rd and 2nd and 72nd.My Greatgrand father Joseph Hala owned a bar,Tavern or whatever it was called back then.They lived above the bar.I've been trying to track down Info on all of this because my Grandmother and other branches of the family have said that he worked for "Mayor Jimmy Walker".The business he owned was called Joe Hala Society at one time.I know he still owned it in the 30s because my Mom was there as a child.If anyone could help me or help give me ideas on how to trace this stuff or get any more info it would be greatly appreciated.My Email is lau56 at optonline.net. This was a really nice story Lots of Luck to You and your Family. Gary: 19th Aug 2007 - 00:57 GMT I enjoyed this very much. Actually was going to email the 89 street photo to my sister, as it shows where we grew up on 90 th and Third. We lived there from the 50's to the mid 70's, and both attended Good Counsel. It was a great place to grow up, and I'm glad I did. It's a large part of who I am. Thanks ! 2o9 FiNeSt cHiiick : 1st Sep 2007 - 22:51 GMT umm i was lookin for bloOdz and criiips i wasnt lookin for no Old ass shit w.e Nikka Jarrod Lynn: 11th Sep 2007 - 03:53 GMT I am putting a book together on Yorkville. Anyone who is interested in preserving the history of our neighborhood, please contact me at JDLJAG@GMAIL.COM I am interested in speaking with anyone who would like to contribute in any way. Jarrod Lynn gus hassler : 3rd Oct 2007 - 00:23 GMT I am now working as the master mechanic on the second ave subway.anyone have photos of brewery before and during demolition and would like to share them with me.my only connection to yorkville was the many bars I drank in.THanks bellagram183@aol.com John: 12th Oct 2007 - 19:07 GMT I grew up in Yorkville as a kid during the 1970s-1980s in "the projects". When I'm in town, I always think of Johnny and Matilda's Candy Store and Soda Shop. It was the center of my little world, near the corner of 92nd street and First Avenue, in the 1970's. They filmed TERRIBLE JOE MORAN in that tiny store in 1983. That film was James Cagney's last movie role. And I was there to see it happen! http://www.super8monsters.com Michael: 17th Oct 2007 - 15:23 GMT I grew up in Yorkville in the 1950's. We lived on 90th St between First and York. I remember the fireboat station at the foot of 90th St just outside the fence at Schurz park. I also remember the Third ave El even though I was only 3 when they tore it down. We were parishoners at OLGC and we had to pass under it in order to get to church. There was a German deli on Fisrt Ave and 90th that we called "Cheese and Crackers" they always had a barrel of pickles outside the door and we used to get egg creams there when we were good. There was a place called the Soupbone where a number of my aunts held there bridal receptions. You had walk up an outside stairwell to the second story to get in. There was also a television studio on 90th whjere they made TV commercils. I used to eat lunch at the Rhinelander and had my picture taken there on Thanksgiving week in 1956 "attacking" a turkey that ran in the NY Post under the caption "boy meets bird". I remember smelling the yeast vats at the brewery while I attended OLGC on 91st St. Thank you so much for the site. I get very nostalgic sometimes and this trip back to Yorkville was very pleasant Lulu: 6th Nov 2007 - 20:48 GMT Thanks for the article. It will be three years this January since I moved to Yorkville (as a grad student as well) and I can't imagine living anywhere else in New York. We need more information on the history of this great neighborhood! To the person working on a book - count me in as a future book-buyer. lynn ward: 12th Nov 2007 - 00:57 GMT Grew up in Yorkville 72nd & 73rd on third, in the 40's & 50's. St.Jean the Baptiste, St. Catherine of Sienna and St. Vincents was our neighborhood schools. I'd love to see more "el" pictures in the 70's if any one has them. Your article was terrific Pat Tracey: 13th Nov 2007 - 00:24 GMT Hello Laura, I am int he process of writing a mini-biography of my life growing up in "da Bronx". By accident I found myself on this web-site. I am a graduate of Cardinal Hayes and also went to "OLGC" as a freshman. Part of my story is about those hot spring days sitting in class across from the brewery getting a whiff of the hops and dozing off. JOEY - The TPA Crew - ThePublic Animals: 27th Nov 2007 - 16:10 GMT Thanks Laura, Yorkville and the whole nebulous vicinity nowadays was always one of my favorite areas of NYC when I was cruising around there in the early 70's. Thanks for giving me tons of good feelings from those photos! Liam McCann: 7th Jan 2008 - 04:02 GMT Reading your article was like going back home. I grew up on 87th ST. off of Lex and remember alot ot the locations you cited. I remember what the Rupert Towers development was like before any buildings were erected there. I remember these crudely landscaped plots with gardening. I remember the old A&P supermarket up on Third Ave. My Grandfather owned a bar on 93rd & 3rd called McCanns Cafe which became Sheehan's (Mike Sheehan of Fox news fame's father rented froom my Grandpa). I loved indulging in fast food on 86th St. at Burger King and Arthur Treacher's fish & chips. I used to love sneaking into movies at every theater in the neighborhood(I hope there is statute of limitations for this offense!). I went to LaSalle downtown for high school along with alot of guys from OLGC. I felt very safe in the neighborhood. I new kids in every part of Yorkville. I used to swin at John Jay in the summer. The transformation has been unbelievable. I felt like crying when I saw a Starbucks appear on the corner of my old block. One of your previous posts mention that the change in the area is for the better but I think what has been lost in the glitz is Yorkville's soul. Thanks for provoking the reminiscing. I hope I wasn't to maudlin! Bob Watt: 10th Jan 2008 - 05:23 GMT I'm English, but worked in NYC 1974-77. Although I never lived in Yorkville, some friends had an apartment in Ruppert Tower, and I visited them frequently. There was a store on 86th St., between Lex and 3rd, which sold wonderful chocolate and cheesecake. Also, there was a place called The Spaghetti Works at Lex and 85th, where I used to eat often. jettr130: 16th Jan 2008 - 20:19 GMT I"grew up"on the streets of Yorkville.I lived there from 1946-1957.My family first lived on 73rd and 74th sts. on 2nd Ave. My grandmother lived on 87th and 88th on York Ave. I went to just about every public school in the area:PS70,PS158,PS77 and PS30(We moved a lot!)When I was a teenager, I hung out in Kronks, 87th and York, or in Goodys', 87th and 1st. Went to St.Josephs'church,same block. Great memories, great time. The 50's-the best! Jean: 15th Feb 2008 - 06:05 GMT I grew up in yorkville .i lived in the 40's to the 50's. Went to St Monica's school I hung out in Teddy's ice cream parlor on york ave between 83rd & 84th & some bars I can't remember. Syre missed that old neighborhood ed marecek: 9th Mar 2008 - 02:16 GMT go yorkville pirates....grew up 76th second and third....east side house, john jay park[yea, we played softball] and association in the street, remember that?? sold shopping bags on 2nd ave....doubles and homers of the wall [77th street]...and stickball for two bucks a man...and my playground PS 70 [may it rest peacefully]...great place to grow up Kevin: 25th Mar 2008 - 21:00 GMT I would like to recommend a great new Yorkville book out by a Yorkville author,George Brennan,called Bats,Brats and Stats. It is about being among the last era of stickball players in Yorkville through the author's eyes. There are great recollections about many East 80's establishments during the 1970's and 1980's. Dee McArdle: 27th Mar 2008 - 19:35 GMT I was just going to mention that book by George Brennan. Kevin beat me to the punch. Bats, Brats and Stats is truly my favorite Yorkville based book. Kathy : 24th Apr 2008 - 18:53 GMT I loved your story. I was just online looking for pictures where I grew up 95 between 2nd and 3rd and I do remember when they closed Rupperts. I wasn't there for the building of the bigger buildings but I visit often. It looks a little different now. thanks again for your story. Jim M 52: 11th May 2008 - 21:04 GMT My brother Bill and I lived in 90thST between 1st & 2nd Ave from the early 50's untill the early 60's. The yorkville experience was the best of our lives, my brother married "the girl next door " or actualy the girl upstairs. We still maintain lifelong frienships with a few of the old croud . Now that I'm 70 this site is a marvolous way to re-visit the past. Tish: 27th Jun 2008 - 00:37 GMT Great article, I lived at 350 East 92 Street from 1957 to 1972. Graduted from OLGC, my mother also attended the same school and graduted. I just went to visit the old neigbhor when the crane fell on first Avenue. It was the best place to grow up and I have wonderful memories! Joe F: 30th Jun 2008 - 09:57 GMT Hi Laura ! RE: "my" 3rd Ave EL PHOTO ! I enjoyed reading your Yorkville memories as an ex 1940's-60's Yorkville-ite myself. It would have been appropriate and nice for me to also have been given ME credit for MY OWN PHOTO which you used in your writeup, photo taken at the E.89th St 3rd Ave EL uptown Local station platform, looking north, in March 1954. I also posted it at Marty's Old Yorkville Board, (where I also know you from) along with a few other EL photos from my collection of about 1000 + taken of the EL which I rode frequently in Manhattan & Bronx. Many of mine are credited at nycsubway.org site also. Anyway, thanks for sharing the nostalgic old neighborhood memories ! Regards - Joe F lynnlindsayward@yahoo.com: 6th Jul 2008 - 14:47 GMT Seems all the memories are from the 80's and 90's territory. Where are the 60's and 70's people that grew up in the 40's and 50's? Louies candy store. Blochs drug store...the Chop House....the Praha...and the ice cream parlor on first avenue b'tween 73rd & 74th? Irelands 32...Perry's ice cream parlor.. Rikers....United Cigar? maureen.downing@comcast.net: 27th Jul 2008 - 17:22 GMT I lived on E. 89th St. between York and East End Avenues from 1940-1955 and have tons of great memories of coming of age in Yorkville during World War II & thru the 50's. My family (Mom,Dad brother,sister & I) lived in a reconverted tenement in a small apt. two flights up. I remember playing in the streets, on the stoop, jump-roping on the sidewalk, goin to Carl Schurz Park & the German Turn Verein near 86th St. for gymnastics after school. A great place to grow up!!I loved it!! Dave S.: 18th Sep 2008 - 22:30 GMT I lived on East 93rd Street between First and Second Avenues. I remember the Ruppert Brewery and its demolition. Also the big blue Woolworth's on 86th Street. http://www.glunch.com/GlunchGenesis/woolworths.html http://www.glunch.com/GlunchGenesis/PS151.html http://www.glunch.com/GlunchGenesis/93rdstreet.html Laura: 30th Sep 2008 - 22:36 GMT Joe- an oversight for sure. The site is cited, your name, not so much. Thanks for your thoughts. Bob O: 1st Oct 2008 - 06:44 GMT Thanks for all the memories of Yorkville where I grew up from the 30s through the sixties. I was born over in New York Hospital, went to school at St. Ignatius and then Cardinal Hayes. My main memories were of growing up on 88th st. between 1st and 2nd. before the demolitions began. I remember seeing guys in lederhosen throwing drunken sailors into the street on 86th st. We went to the four movie theaters there and ate at the Automat, Nedicks or the juice bars on 3rd Ave. We shot pool in the great poolhalls over 86th St. north of Third. During the war I remember the blackouts and the stuffed effigies of ToJo hanging from the lamp posts along with the block parties for bond raising. I had my first soft ice cream at the Woolworths on 86th St. where I tried to steal toy soldiers. I am grateful to Yorkville and the streets of New York for being such a wonderful place to grow up in. Bob O: 1st Oct 2008 - 06:44 GMT Thanks for all the memories of Yorkville where I grew up from the 30s through the sixties. I was born over in New York Hospital, went to school at St. Ignatius and then Cardinal Hayes. My main memories were of growing up on 88th st. between 1st and 2nd. before the demolitions began. I remember seeing guys in lederhosen throwing drunken sailors into the street on 86th st. We went to the four movie theaters there and ate at the Automat, Nedicks or the juice bars on 3rd Ave. We shot pool in the great poolhalls over 86th St. north of Third. During the war I remember the blackouts and the stuffed effigies of ToJo hanging from the lamp posts along with the block parties for bond raising. I had my first soft ice cream at the Woolworths on 86th St. where I tried to steal toy soldiers. I am grateful to Yorkville and the streets of New York for being such a wonderful place to grow up in. Bob O: 1st Oct 2008 - 06:44 GMT Thanks for all the memories of Yorkville where I grew up from the 30s through the sixties. I was born over in New York Hospital, went to school at St. Ignatius and then Cardinal Hayes. My main memories were of growing up on 88th st. between 1st and 2nd. before the demolitions began. I remember seeing guys in lederhosen throwing drunken sailors into the street on 86th st. We went to the four movie theaters there and ate at the Automat, Nedicks or the juice bars on 3rd Ave. We shot pool in the great poolhalls over 86th St. north of Third. During the war I remember the blackouts and the stuffed effigies of ToJo hanging from the lamp posts along with the block parties for bond raising. I had my first soft ice cream at the Woolworths on 86th St. where I tried to steal toy soldiers. I am grateful to Yorkville and the streets of New York for being such a wonderful place to grow up in. Crack Dealers dealing drugs @ Ruppert Houses, Yorkville, N.Y.C.: 14th Oct 2008 - 22:18 GMT Ruppert House Crack Dealers Crack cocaine drug dealers, some actual residents of Ruppert House, are peddling crack cocaine in front of the Ruppert Houses. It has been going for years without exposure. Until now. 222 East 93rd Street, and 240 on East 93rd Street both between 2nd and 3rd avenue. And the front entrance of 1779 2nd avenue between 92nd and 93rd Street. Please do the right thing if you care about YorkVille, N.Y.C. - Notify the 19th Precinct immediately! Ruppert Houses Problem: 14th Oct 2008 - 22:19 GMT Ruppert House Crack Dealers Crack cocaine drug dealers, some actual residents of Ruppert House, are peddling crack cocaine in front of the Ruppert Houses. It has been going for years without exposure. Until now. 222 East 93rd Street, and 240 on East 93rd Street both between 2nd and 3rd avenue. And the front entrance of 1779 2nd avenue between 92nd and 93rd Street. Please do the right thing if you care about YorkVille, N.Y.C. - Notify the 19th Precinct immediately! anon (142.128.203.205.in-addr.arpa.net): 25th Nov 2008 - 13:55 GMT I have moved back to the Upper East Side after a few years away and I am so happy to be back. I lived on 77th St. and then 3rd Ave./73rd St. for much of the 1990s and I love Yorkville and I don't understand why it is not more appreciated by New Yorkers. I often wander around streets and imagine what life was like here when it was a working-class German and Eastern European neighborhood. I especially love the old churches (Hungarian, Czech, etc.) Thanks Arthur: 25th Dec 2008 - 21:36 GMT I was born on 77th street between York Ave and John Jay park in 1931. I appreciated the stories from all of you who now live or lived in Yorkville. Thank you. bob: 29th Dec 2008 - 02:20 GMT I like Tish lived at 350 E 92nd St. I remember so many things John's Candy Store's must have hamburgers after a night out. Also remember Linda peeling potatoes after leaving shool at OL. No frozen potatoes then. How about Grants.It was the carbon copy of Woolworths and was right next door. Also the Papaya stand on 85th Street. That's right. There was one on the corner of 86th and one on the same side as Woolworths at 85th. And I watched the power house go down on 96th and first to make way for the projects. There was also a taxi compound between 93rd and 95th and first. Down 93rd between 1st and the river which was a cobble stone street (also learned how to ride a truck bike there) there was a poultry store acroos from the ice house. Every once in a while the chickens would get loose at meet their end not in a pot but in the middle of first ave. The ASPCA was at the corner with the small park which is still there at the East River Drive. I also remember walking (yes walking) to John Jays Park. What an adventure. Stopping for a snow cone or frozen milky way on York Ave,picking up Dugans bread which I think was at 75th between York and the River. I also remember the two rag men coming by in their horse drawn wagon and when visiting my grandmother on 88th between York and East End, taking a ride in a stage coach. Very few people believe this and even fewer remembering it. I have only great memories of the neighborhood. rf46@hotmail.com Dan: Jan 2, 2009: 3rd Jan 2009 - 04:11 GMT I am doing a geneological search on the Fritz family who grew up in the Yorkville section of Manhattan in the 1950's. Any information from those who have such great memories of that time would be greatly appreciated. There was two daughters one whose name was Laura. The father was either a NYPD cop or a NPFD firefighter. The girls mother had passed away before 1958.Thanks for the help. danielmdohertysr@aol.com Great Read: 4th Jan 2009 - 20:16 GMT Grew up on 79th & 2nd myself. 86th & 3rd was where I went for near everything growing up: Movies, Gimbels, Papaya King, The Ideal German food counter, Flaming Embers, buying Marzipan for m my Mom every birthday & Mom's day, Action Comics back when it was on 84th off 2nd, etc. Loved reading this. So glad you posted it. Paul: 1st Feb 2009 - 07:06 GMT I sure do miss all of the little mom & pop stores and restaurants that gave old Yorkville it's character. My great-grandfather, at the turn of the century, opened a pharmacy on 87th and York which survived until 1959. I've lived on 86th street since the early 60's and fondly recall such places as The Lorelei, Kleine Konditorei, Cafe Hindenberg, Cafe Geiger, and one my favorite haunts the Ideal Restaurant. There were also great movie houses on 86th such as the RKO on Lexington and The Loews Orpheum on 3rd. I remember one day as a boy having to use the bathroom and, entering the Hofbrau ( which is now a PC Richard ), was quickly shooed out but not before being witness to a world that was fast vanishing. Progress can not be halted nor should it be, but I do feel that the essence of the " neighborhood" has been irretrievably lost. I enjoyed reading the article! bigapple134: 8th Feb 2009 - 01:34 GMT What a great tour down memory lane. My family on my dad's side lived in Yorkville until the mid '40's when we moved out on the "island" to East Rockaway. But we got back to the area often and i have some fond memories of some of the restaurants, especially along 86th street... I did my hospital nurse's training at Metropolitan Hospital just up from Yorkville in the early 60's and in decent weather would walk along the river to CNR (Central Nurses Residence) on Welfare Island, passing many of the great spots a lot of you all have mentioned. Thanks for a wonderful revisit to a great spot... 67 years later, I'm still a Yorkville gal at heart. anon (38.112.183.231): 18th Feb 2009 - 21:58 GMT rfox@estee.com I lived on First Ave. and 87th Street from 1943 when I was born till May 1965 when I married. I went to St. Joseph's school and hung out atthe Goodie Shop on 87th and first and Kronk's on York and 87th street. My cousin lived right next to Kronk's. Love reminiscing about the old nabe and visit it many times. Richard A. Clark: 3rd Mar 2009 - 03:35 GMT Much interesting info here. BTW, can you answer this question?: In 1953 in addition to good food at Café Hindenburg, E. 86th St., was there also dancing? Thanks! Very curious. DJ: 6th Mar 2009 - 04:00 GMT I was born at 411 E. 87 St between 1st and York avenue on March 25, 1942. Went to St Joseph's, just had to roll directly across the street into the main entrance of St Joe's. I could not be late. From my classroom window I could see my mom when she looked out our apartment window. We lived on the ground floor and had a big backyard. Everyone on that block took care of me, it was like having the whole block for a family. Somebody's mother would always be shouting to some kid: "You stop that Tommy or I'll tell your mother." I remember Mrs. Driscol who always called me "Sweetie-darling" with her tender, thick Irish voice . She was wonderful. I remember when one of the "big guys" took me down to Kronks for my first trip without my parents I discovered another world of people hanging around that I had never seen before. There were thousands of kids all over the place. Then when I was seven we moved to another country, it was called 88 St between 1st and York Avenue and no one knew who I was. Each street was like visiting another galaxy. Then once you got a bit older it could get very dangerous just going to the store for a 17 cent container of mike. You might get "pantsed" and come home naked, maybe even have your quarter taken that you had for the milk. However, I wouldn't trade growing up in Yorkville between the 1940s, 50s and 60s for a silver spoon in some fancy Connecticut mansion. In answer to Richard A. Clark: I was 11 in 1953 and used to sell newspapers in the bars on 86 St. I am almost certain that they were dancing in the Hindenburg back then. Loved your piece Laura. Richard A. Clark: 8th Mar 2009 - 19:43 GMT LAURA, thanks for taking a moment to answer my nagging question: "Was there, during 1953, dancing at Café Hindenburg?" Your recollection helps me confirm (I believe) the fact that not only was there dancing at the famous Lorelei, but also on what I remember to be a rather crowded dance floor at Café Hindenburg. Your experience selling newspapers in the bars of 86th must have produced some interesting stories...??? BTW, If any of your family or friends can help us confirm the question about dancing, please be so kind as to add another bit of info for me. (I am writing about my 1953 summer in NYC as a member of the U. S. Navy.) Again, many thanks. -Richard DJ: 8th Mar 2009 - 22:51 GMT Richard: that was DJ that answered your question about dancing at the Hindenburg. I'm old, Laura is a youngster and we do not want to add any extra years to her age, they come on much too sneakily as it is. Besides, Laura would never forgive us. BTW My mom's name was Margaret "Margie" Stein and she grew up in Yorkville and went to the original St Joseph's School back in the 1920s. My brother, nine years my senior and my sister 3 1/2 years younger than me, we all went to St Joeseph's School. Very Best, DJ Richard A. Clark: 9th Mar 2009 - 00:38 GMT Thanks so much for setting me straight, DJ. No, surely we should not add any years to Laura --- they escape us all too rapidly! Can see that you have enjoyed reminiscing on this blog. As you might imagine, since I was only there for one summer, my experiences in that section of NYC were somewhat limited. But limited or not, the Café Hindenburg and the Lorelei are fond memories. Thanks, again, so much for helping me with the research for my book! -Richard of California Ricky P.: 12th Mar 2009 - 19:33 GMT Wagners bar Freddies Charades 93 St Seond Ave 1964 - 1975, soft ball at 96 St Ruppert Brewery, off the point, take the sled down the 93 St hill, say hello to George the shoe shine man, Dons candy store, alot of memories - doo ops forever. Paul Laube: 24th Mar 2009 - 22:49 GMT My uncle was the cook at the Lorelei, I used too go to German School and the turn verein in the Jagerhaus Rest. A freind woked at a German Bakery. The pizza coming out of the subway was the best. This was in the days when Blimpies opened on 3rd and 85th, Great sandwiches in those days and who can forget the Papaya, and Berliner Bar hotdogs! Richard A. Clark: 25th Mar 2009 - 01:38 GMT To Paul Laube - what can you or your uncle add to the answers which others have given me? (Question: "In 1953 in addition to good food at Café Hindenburg, E. 86th St., was there also dancing? Thanks! Very curious." Thanks, Richard anon (ppp-71-130-236-50.dsl.chi2ca.pacbell.net): 1st Apr 2009 - 19:21 GMT To Laurie: You posted the following: "If anyone could help me or help give me ideas on how to trace this stuff or get any more info it would be greatly appreciated.My Email is lau56 at optonline.net." You and I both wish to obtain info. Probably I am of little help, since my time in Yorkville was brief, but here is my question (three others, DJ, Jarrod, and Maureen were kind enough to respond): can you answer this question?: In 1953 in addition to good food at Café Hindenburg, E. 86th St., was there also dancing? Thanks! Very curious. -Richard DJ: 12th Apr 2009 - 01:42 GMT To Richard: Just to let you know, I'm also trying to find out about the dancing for you. I know they danced in there at that time but I don't know if it was legal. I'm trying to get in touch with my buddy's aunt who lived on 83rd St off second Avenue in 1953. She was about 18 at the time and I have a feeling she could give you a definite yes or no on your question. When and if I get any info on it, I will post it for you. anon (ppp-71-130-236-50.dsl.chi2ca.pacbell.net): 12th Apr 2009 - 17:16 GMT Thanks, DJ. I answered you in this space yesterday, but don't see my response here this a.m. Anyway, I do appreciate your help! -Richard DJ: 12th Apr 2009 - 18:07 GMT Richard, I did get to see your response before it evaporated. I'm am also interested in the answer. DJ Editor: 12th Apr 2009 - 21:20 GMT Sorry, I have a thing against ALL-CAPS comments as well as "anon" comments where people repeatedly overlook the blank that allows them to post a name with their comment, and avoids plastering their hostname all over the site... so those often get deleted. Like, why append "-Richard" to the end of your comment when you can just type it in the "name" field? That would prevent all this "anon (ppp-71-130-236-50.dsl.chi2ca.pacbell.net)" business. Richard/ 12 April '09: 13th Apr 2009 - 00:33 GMT Editor: sorry, I'm new to this and was not aware that it was advisable to type within the box, etc. Please excuse me. I do wish to conform with your requested format. Thanks for permitting me to share in this blog.... Doug: 20th Apr 2009 - 21:17 GMT I enjoyed this article and the comments. Takes you right back! I grew up in Yorkville in the 1970's, living near 79th street/York Ave. Softball and Roller Hockey at John Jay, Pizza at John's and Italian Village, Hot dogs at Papaya King, and squeezing into Victor's Ice Cream on York Ave... or walk up and over to Carvel. And 86th Street... the movies, and Arthur Treacher's! All the candy shops, Woolworths, Lamston's! (my spelling terrible...) Mr Chips! Sabrett hot dogs on the corners, guys drinking beers on the John Jay benches, salad with blue cheese dressing at Dresner's! The creepy old school library on York ave, all the markets! Finast, Dag's, A&P, Jade Tang, First Wok, sitting at the counter at Twin Donut! Scrapes and scraps in the 158 and Wagner yards, Ringalevio, Weblos, in uniforms, meeting at the school, taking candy at Star Pharmacy. Bottlecaps, Mr Softee at Carl Schurz, the real short porch at John Jay! Yorkville Yutes, running up the river til it got too garbagey- creepy. Cutting through the blocks to get to the parks, visiting giant Ruppert, giant Pavillion. M-80's, Italian Ice, new Iron Man at Action Comics, who stole my Apollo 3 speed?! Beat up in the bathhouse at John Jay Pool (again), Candy at the old newsstand by St Monica... Save My Ups, 3 Flies Up, NBO... The ever-ringing phone booth on York Ave? Answer, and get a wild earful no 12 year old could imagine! All the old german stores with the hanging meats, and the men with the aprons. Bowling at East End Bowl!!! Cigarettes puffed at every turn. Yes, Yorkville, the old life! Steve: 6th May 2009 - 06:02 GMT great article! lived at 325 E. 79th St. from 1963 to 1970. I got up on the roof one day, and tossed my GI Joe up into the wind with a handmade parachute made out of pillowcase and string. at 16 stories up, i could watch it real well as it soared up and over to the East River never to be seen again by myself, but I hoped someone was there one day to see it come down and be amazed by it. perhaps they tell the other end of the story - it's about the day that a GI Joe landed on them as they stood on the deck of a tour boat, or something like that. Ed Millman: What a great article. It brought me back. Eileen A.: 14th May 2009 - 20:43 GMT I grew up in Yorkville from 1962 till 1978, when I moved to Queens. I lived on 85th st and 2nd ave. Thanks for all th memories. Carl Shultz park, Old Dutch, Lorelei, I miss Yorkville Richard/16 May 2009: 16th May 2009 - 19:16 GMT DJ: In your message of April 12 you mentioned that you might be in contact with your buddy's aunt: "Just to let you know, I'm also trying to find out about the dancing for you. I know they danced in there at that time but I don't know if it was legal. I'm trying to get in touch with my buddy's aunt who lived on 83rd St off second Avenue in 1953. She was about 18 at the time and I have a feeling she could give you a definite yes or no on your question..." I plan to go to press within the next month or so, in case anything comes up. You have already been of assistance. Thank you for being so helpful! -Richard James W: 17th May 2009 - 04:08 GMT Laura - Wow, thanks for the pics. I haven't seen OL and the Church since moving out of the city in 1970. Anyone recall Mrs. Burke (Stoney Burke)? I grew up on 2nd Ave between 93rd & 94th near Wagners bar. I recall Rupperts Brewery and when they set the clock tower in the vacant lot behind our buildings and how as kids we would climb up the inside. Also, Don's Candy store, Joe the taylor, Frank the barber, the pigeon lady, the Yodeler, and Shoeshine George. Off the point, tops, ling-a-lario, Johnnie on the pony, the OLGC Rams kicking ass in the Bronx regularly and the countless # of "spaldeens" we lost to the rooftops. That was my Yorkville. Jim sonya: 19th May 2009 - 06:09 GMT this is for Richard. In the 50's there was, in addition to the Lorelei, Cafe Hindenburg, Cafe Geiger there was a charming restaurant called The Wienecke (spelling might be off) on the north side of 86th Street, probably between 2nd and 3rd or 3rd and Lex. where they indeed did have dancing. And Cafe Geiger always had a little 3 piece group of men playing waltzes and other old songs. Can't remember exactly about the Hindenburg, but they well may have. Do you remember a little Austrian restaurant in the low 80's call the Blaue Danube? Richard/19 May 2009: 19th May 2009 - 22:37 GMT Sonya, so nice of you to respond. That area of New York City was one of our favorites during the summer of 1953. Our ship, USS Bennington, was at New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn, for repairs and maintenance. Someone steered me to that area and I ended up liking Café Hindenburg. Think I went, perhaps, to the Lorelei a few times, too. The other spots which you mention, I don't recall, however. (But your description of them makes me wish I had visited them also.) Thanks so much for you help. -Richard anon (99-189-1-45.lightspeed.irvnca.sbcglobal.net): 4th Jun 2009 - 19:16 GMT Enjoyed your artical...I lived on 93rd & 3rd. in the 50's and 60's great memories. My Uncle worked at the brewery. The Papaya stand and the Automat. Great fun.. On hot summer nights ...My Dad and I would take a walk to the Automat. So exciting when the women in the booth would toss nickles arcross the worn away marble. The custard at Woolworths delicious/ There was a restuarant near 2nd. ave. the best sauerbraten in the world. Looking out yur window was better entertainment then television. At night when the bars closed , you had a ringside seat to the bar brawls.. Good memories. --Lil anon (c-76-98-166-243.hsd1.nj.comcast.net): 9th Jun 2009 - 17:44 GMT Hi Laura, I don't know a thing about Yorkville excepte that my daughter and family are looking favorably at an apartment on 89th, near Lexington and 3rd. I'd be much obliged if you, or anyone else reading or posting here, would commnet on the neighborhood in that area of Yorkville as it is in 2009. I know she mentioned the new Bed, Bath, and Beyond and Best Buy... Too bad nice, historic buildings from your memories had to come down for this. Even in my rural little community in southern NY, the structurallly beautiful and historic old bank was torn down a number of years ago for a new Eckerd's. So sad........ Thanking you in advance. RH belle Mears: 8th Jul 2009 - 10:24 GMT I lived in and loved living in the romantic area of Manhattan called Yorkville from 1973-1989. My recollections and favorite impressions live inside me forever as a most treasured part of my life. One of the best parts of my years there were the times spent at the Fireobat House by Gracie Mansion, a then newly refurbished and wonderful community spot where classes for kids about marie biology met after school on weekday afternoons, and a whole world of beauty and fun opened up for me. There was a special solar retrofit of the building, and a new dock. The interior was lovingly restored with new hardwood floors with a beautiful inlaid nautical star, the window sashes were taken back to their original copper beauty and many a fine time was had there at fund raisers for the Neighborhood Committee for he Asphalt Green. There was a little greenhouse area on one side and a special Peach tee was planted just outside. I would like to say so many things about this place and what it meant to the neighborhood and tourists alike. So I hope to get my thoughts together and do that. On my way to work and can't get it all in at the moment. It would be so nice to revisit this noble old place with others who share my recollections. Dr. and Annette, Guy, Danny, et all. The Cost Guard, the wonderful Op Sail day, ect. More later. Fig: 27th Jul 2009 - 01:53 GMT Thank you so much! I was born in Metropolitan Hosp in 1960 & lived at 236 e 89th st, until we moved into the "projects" on 92nd & 1st when I was about 10. What a great place to grow up for me and my 2 brothers. Eating hockey pucks at John & Matilda's, always with an egg cream. OLGC, Rhinelanders, Anna Maries Pizza, hanging out at the monuments behind the project buildings.Playing ball all day at The Asphalt,I learned to play frisbee and other things in Central Park, with the leftover hippies. Even met my wife dancing at Wednesday's dance club on 86th st. Got married at 22 in OLGC and moved out to Queens for a few years. My mother still lives in the same projects, so I do get to visit now & then. I still find myself walking around searching for that "old neighborhood" feeling, but like everything change happens, whether we like it or not. I do miss those innocent days, but I always have the memories and I still smile when I think of "Yorkville" Joe in Florida: 27th Jul 2009 - 20:18 GMT Wow! Thanks for a great story. I was born in Lenox Hill hospital in 1954 and lived on 305 East 85th Street from birth until 6, when my family moved out to Levittown, Long Island. Brought back memories of Loews 86th Street movies, Papaya King, and I lived on the 5th floor of a walk up, and the 1st floor was the "Old Stream" beer garden. I used to watch the Oktoberfest in the Garden in back of the bar from my window with my brother. Thanks for the memories!! BJ: 1st Aug 2009 - 17:12 GMT My mother, who is 90 now, remembers going to 86th Street with her mother to see German movies (probably at the Palast). She did not remember the name of the theater, but she said the movies were in German and her mother enjoyed them. Carol G: 6th Aug 2009 - 14:24 GMT Fabulous write-up. I really enjoyed this piece... .thank you for posting it. rf46@hotmail.com: 6th Aug 2009 - 23:49 GMT Can anyone name the park on 92nd and York right across from the ASPCA. It isn't Carl Shultz. I grew up on 92nd but can't remember the name. rf46@hotmail.com: 7th Aug 2009 - 00:15 GMT Forgot some of the few memories Gansfus bar on 93rd where we would have one of the older guys buy us containers,the blackout and hanging out at the brewey, Reifs and his mothers surprise German dishes she would make Keoughs on 92nd,Luis Candy Store and of course John's Candy store and the famous hokey pucks he sold, Silversteins Deli next to the gas station. The chicken market and ice house on 93rd and the cab lot next to it. The power house on 96th and 1st and the 3rd Ave. Ell. The ice cream parlor on 87th and 1st, Red the butcher next to the A&P and the drug store on the corner. If you went to OL you may remember having to sell turkey chances 10 for a dollar and if you sold the most, you would get a plastic holy medal or no weekend homework.Or you may remember Miss Burke (rest in peace)Docky's florist on 90th and three funeral homes within 4 blocks. Ann Marie's Pizza across from Rhinelander's or even going to the dentist there for 50 cents. Some may even remember when there were 2 Papaya Kings, 86 and 85th and third.I lived at a time that the snow was pushed to certain corners creating 2 story high mountains. King of the mountain. Trips to Paramus Lake,Palisades Amusement Park,Rockaway Playland-going to Coney Island or Rockaway and coming home with wet salty pants on the air conditioned train oops my bad there was no air conditioning only the webbed seats if you were lucky and maybe you still had a piece of the penny gum you bought at the train station in the morning on your way. How about the neighborhood cast of characters and bar room brawls when they emptied. I don't have the room or time to write about Baldy Joe-next time. Kathy G.: 8th Aug 2009 - 16:43 GMT So interesting reading your piece, Laura, and seeing that wonderful picture of the 3rd Avenue El. I was born at the Park East Hospital on 83rd Street between Lexington and Park in 1942, and went to St. Joseph's, where my mother, aunt, and grandmother had gone. I've noticed there was someone known here as DJ who seems to be of the same era and am curious to know who this person is, since we must have been in the same class. I grew up on East 90th Street right across from the Brewery. The good thing about this was that in the winter they didn't shovel the snow from the sidewalk, so it was great for sledding. I always held my nose when walking past it on 3rd Avenue because I hated the scent of the hops, or whatever it was. In summer I'd hear the rattle of the cases of beer on the conveyor belt as I was going to sleep. On my side of the street there was an iceman/coal man named Racanelli and I was friends with his son Gus. I remember Papaya King when it had a grass skirt around it and squeezed real oranges, and all the great movie houses on 86th Street, including the Grand, and Little Loews. I'm doing a lot of writing about the area so if anyone has any interesting information I'd love to hear, or see photos. Kathy G: 10th Aug 2009 - 00:02 GMT Which Papaya King are you talking about. There was one on 85th and 86th. For years the one on 86th had a joke on the wall. The last time I saw Gus (the owner) the joke was still there and yellowing. Did you the Zaboinskis (sure I spelled it wrong) they live west of the church. I remember big John Nicholson who lived 90th by 2nd Ave. His mother was always out the window. There was a drug store on the corner and funeral home 3 doors down. I think there was a liquor store there also. You may know the Shotz's. They had twin daughters and there was Dockey's florist. There was a bar I think it may have been called the Twilight and next to that was another funeral home. Hey, someone was making money. I grew up on 92nd and our coal man and ice man, was Botz. If by any chance you know, nobody can tell me the name of the park at 92nd and York. Not Carl Shultz. If you went to OLGC church, I probably knew Miss Burke who was a fixture. I think when I was a kid, a priest at St. Josephs was a family member of the Heidi Candy Co. I remember a pet shop on 88th 2nd & 3rd that only sold canaries. Manhattan Storage on 3rd and 88th.Of course, you remember Woolworth's and Grant's right next store. Woolworth's was the best for us because as kids, we could go there and buy cheap nail polish etc. for our family for christmas. We had no money. But I always tried to have enough to buy some candy which was on the left and you entered. Also, the baloons you broke to get an ice cream sundae from 1cent to 39cents or the ice cream sandwhich on a waffle. Horn and Hardett between 3rd and Lex. The Lotus down the block. The bowling alley on 84th. Well hope that brought something back. Agnes Doherty Ondrovic: 27th Aug 2009 - 20:45 GMT I grew up on 78th between York and East End. Went to St. Monica's school and was married in St.Monica's Church. Saw the pool being built in John Jay Park to which I went every year. Played all the street games of the time and visited all the settlement houses such as East Side House. Remember fondly the bug house movie on 74th where you could get in for 5 cents and free candy but seats were on the floor. Agnes Doherty Ondrovic: 28th Aug 2009 - 12:39 GMT more on my neighborhood. PS 158 was on the corner. The Monroe movie theater was the place to meet and greet and where I met my husband. Third Ave. had the Irish stores and the A&P was called The Great Atlantic and Pacific CO. Boys had scooters made out of old milk crates and roller skate wheels. Every year we had the June Walk where everyone went to Central Park and played games and given free food. The Welfare Island ferry was at the end of 78th St. and we saw the workers going and returning from the hospitals located there. Before the drive was built East End Ave. was a dock and called Marie Curie Ave. When the pool was first built only teenagers were allowed in at night and we could watch them dancing. When WWII started that ended because the lights had to be turned off. Jones Memorial was the other settlement house where you could play. My husband had a little plot of land by NY Hospital where children in his neighborhood could plant whatever they wanted. It was called Button Park. Most of the museums were free. Halloween we did not dress up but put on old clothes and marked each other up with chalk but the boys, being boys, put flour in socks to hit you with. Thanksgiving we went door to door asking anything for Thanksgiving and we also sang in the courts for money or fruit or whatever anyone would throw to us. My husband and his friends swam in the East River and we used to get covered with dust from the Farmers Field site on, I believe, 76th and East End. Agnes Doherty Ondrovic: 28th Aug 2009 - 16:08 GMT My mistake Farmers Field was Farmers Feed - for animals. There was the 2nd Ave.El with the pushcarts underneath selling fresh fruit and vegetables with the rabbits hanging on the end. The 2nd Ave.El was taken down and the metal was sold to Japan who in turn used it for munitions to attack U.S. There was an el on 3rd Ave. with a trolley underneath and a trolley ran across 59th from York. We used to watch the Slovak Parade every Memorial Day. It went up and down each block. Before John Jay Park was renovated there was a Park Lady who would teach us how to make straw baskets. When the pool was built, and before the park house was turned into a place to change for the pool, we used to go to the bathhouse on 76th and Cherokee Place to change. The bathhouse was there for people who did not have bathtubs in their apts. Agnes Doherty Ondrovic: 30th Aug 2009 - 18:27 GMT continuation of my area. Besides the Monroe movie theater there was also the Granada, Colony and the Loews on 72nd St. where the ceiling looked like the sky including stars. Bicyles could be rented from one of two bike rental stores..15 cents for 1/2 hr and 25 cents for 1 hr. I preferred the balloon tire ones. Everyone made hot mickeys a potato cooked in a small area on Cherokee Place (a short block from 76th to 78th Sts. next to John Jay Park) in coal and leaves until it turned black. Tasted great. You could get a one bedroom walk-up apt. for $20 a month. If you did not pay your rent they dispossed you by putting all your possessions and you on the sidewalk. Where you went from there I do not know. The library on 78th and York was a favorite of mine. Learned to read there before I started grammar school. Every Saturday at 1:00 we had story hour and the librarian was a great storyteller. My block was mostly Irish and German. If you can find it there is a book entitled A Dream Fulfilled - City and Suburban's York Avenue Estate by Andrew S.Dolkart & Sharon Z. Macosko 1988. Pictures of the houses I grew up in and some of the surrounding area before and after my leaving Yorkville for Queens. perons: 3rd Sep 2009 - 22:31 GMT i also live in ruppert towers and have since before it changed into a condominium. my family is one of the last rent subsidized left in the building. i have recently been on a quest for old pictures of yorkville the way i remember it most fondly. i was hoping especially to find a picture of the north-west corner of 90th and 3rd before they built the giant skyscraper. do you remember the victory café? Gooch: 4th Sep 2009 - 17:30 GMT Hi, I am not a native of Yorkville, but have lived here for a few years and love the neighborhood and reading about its history. I live in a walk-up on East 93rd St, between 1st and 2nd Ave. (Someone named “Dave. S.” previously said he used to live on this block. I would love it if he or anyone else who lived here could describe what the block and environs was like decades ago. Was it Irish? German? What kind of stores were there? What sort of people lived here? Working class, middle class? Did people here go to Central Park regularly, or did they prefer Carl Schurz? Did people avoid going above 96th St. in those days? Thanks Agnes Doherty Ondrovic: 9th Sep 2009 - 19:19 GMT Yorkville, my area, was divided into Italian, Czechs, Slovaks,Hungarian, German,Irish. We often went to Central Park because it was within walking distance, in fact you could walk all the way through Central Park to the West Side and the Museum of Natural History. Carl Schurz Park was on East End Ave. and we divided our times between that one and John Jay as they were just blocks apart. Most of the residents in my neighborhood were immigrants and first-generation Americans working-class. The first Gold Star Mother of WWII from my block was Hungarian who lost her son. There were many different languages and customs yet everyone got along very well. Up to 110th Street used to be Italian but they are long gone. 86th Street, having all the fun places, was the place to go. When I visit Yorkville, now the Upper East Side, I am dismayed at how MY Yorkville changed and how few really know it as I did. Perhaps someone else will write as I have about how it used to be. Gooch: 9th Sep 2009 - 23:24 GMT Thank you, Mrs. Ondrovic. One thing that amazes me about Yorkville is that we have rich, poor and middle-class all jumbled together, in some cases, living next-door to each other. For example, over on 1st Ave. near me there is a huge housing project (Isaac Houses), but across the street are some luxury high-rise buildings (and they all have the same view of the East River). I get the feeling that as Yorkville gentrified in the 1990s a lot of the older inhabitants were forced out, which is sad. Still, I sometimes see some of the old-time Yorkvillians around. Agnes Doherty Ondrovic: 10th Sep 2009 - 19:17 GMT Many of old-time Yorkville inhabitants were forced out by rising costs and upscale housing. There are a few of my old neighbors still living in City and Suburban houses which were almost destroyed by a developer who wanted to tear them down and build large skyscrapers but the tenants fought and won to keep their homes. Living there was like living in a city within a city. Gooch: 11th Sep 2009 - 00:45 GMT When the Isaac Houses were first built back in the 1960s, who lived there? Neighborhood folks or outsiders? And what was the reaction to its construction from long-time inhabitants. What strikes me most about these projects is how huge they are -- there must be thousands of apartments there. Agnes Doherty Ondrovic: 11th Sep 2009 - 21:00 GMT I do not know the Isaac Houses but like all projects they are huge and the tenants usually do not come from the neighborhood. Most projects were built for the underprivileged or in areas where buildings were destroyed by fire or became vacant due to disinterest by owners and the land was taken over by the city...that is why you will often see them in areas such as where you live. Gooch: 14th Sep 2009 - 00:33 GMT Does anyone remember an Italian restaurant/bar on York Ave. & the mid-80s called "Carmello's." I don't think it's there anymore but back in the 1960s or 1970s it was supposedly quite the place and was allegedly owned by the Mafia. Anybody go there? If so, what was it like? Did the Mob have any kind of presence in Yorkville? Thanks JimmyC: 17th Sep 2009 - 20:51 GMT first my Yorkville credentials:born in Doctors Hospital across from Gracie Manson;lived on 92nd bet. 1nd & 2nd from 1955-1968;and then at 93rd st. (lex/park) form 68-2006(when ma died). I still live,love and play in yorkville(85th and 2nd). Played in Yorkville East-Harlem softball league(1972-83) for Riefs and Wagners.REGULARLY STOOD IN FRONT OF jOHN`S CANDY STORE, FOR ENDELSS HOURS AND NIGHTS. Played stickball on 92; on the Hill(91 bet. 2 nd 3rd)hittin ball from one Rupert Brewary wall to another;and also played in the school yard(ps151) on 91th st. I remember getting my first pay check (stock boy) from BREMEN HOUSE(86TH BET. 2/3RD)and using it to take my mother to the first lunch I ever treated her to;and we did that across the street in CAFE HIDENBURG,because ma loved the sauerbrauten.... much of what I read here is wonderful;all of it brings back memories; some of it needs correction: 2 Papaya`s stands correct,but on nothwest corner of 86th and Souteast corner of 87th-not 85th...and on 92 nd st.,there was a man named BOTZ(frank tasselli,we knew him as eitehr Botz or Rocco)but he did not deliver ICE or Ice Cream, but he did work as delivery/driver for Pepsi, and the Wonderbread,and also for a milk company...and the people who delivered the big blocks of ice were: THE AMATO BROTHERS....whatelse? we had an ICECREAM factory on the southwest corner of 92nd and 2nd...AND 5CENT LUNCHES AND FREE DENTISTRY @Rinelander....and I would like to thank whomever for the info. about Jonhs Candy store and Cagneys last movie(terrible joe moran)..didnt know that! and my final memory today is about the Lorelei, in it`s last days (late 70S) it became a PUNK Club..I saw JOE "KING"Carasco and also THE STARNGLERS there..funny enough ,despite this NEW SCENE, old german cleintale still drank there, and sat and watched in amazment ,at this NEW wave of youth who had invaded the faded palace...thanks for providing an opportunity to comment..C YA... Walter B.(mackmuggs@netscape.net: 18th Sep 2009 - 19:32 GMT Lived at 350 E. 76th st from the time I was born (1938) until I got out of the Army (1959). The block was garage central as there were four garages on the block (Sutton and Annex are two names I remember). The block was an Italian enclave and had its own Italian American club. Quietest block in Yorkville as most of the adult Italians were connected and didn't want too much attention. Pigeon store in my building, supposedly sold racing pigeons which were raced from most of the apartments bulidings on the block. Hung out at all the usual places - John Jay, Carl Shurz, Eastside House, Bunnies Ice Cream Parlor, etc. 21 cartoons on Saturday morning at the Monroe theatre on first ave; three movies, a serial (weekly short movie that continued for a few weeks), a Laurel & Hardy or Three Stooges Short and 5 cartoons at the Annex theatre (the bug house) on Saturday morning - 5 cents if you were under twelve and 14 cents if you were an ADULT over twelve. Going to the Sokal houses on Saturday nights for pitchers of beer and OOmpah bands at age 14 (legal drinking age back than was only 18)- no one really checked id's as long as you could afford to pay for your drinks. 2 cent hot rolls at Fink's bakery after swimming at John Jay pool, Soft ball in JJ park where hitting the chimney on the power house was worthy of Babe Ruth. Penny wings cigarettes from Izzy's candy store on first and 75th along with a good egg cream. Could go on and on, but it is all gone and you can't go back again. Hugh M.: 25th Sep 2009 - 13:28 GMT Grew up on 90th and Second Avenue during the 1970's. Papaya King, Woolworth's for the diner counter while "Santa's" rang bells for the Salvation Army. The Ideal German restaurant on 86th street, Carl Shurz, the Ancient Playground on Fifth Ave, Bagel Nosh, MiMi's Pizza, and all of the arcade games in the Optimo bodegas up and down second aveneue. Glazier's Bakery and the two recent Yorkville inspired books by Yorkville's most famous author- George Brennan,Jr! Gimbel's, Lamstons, Wings, OLGC, John Jay, Baskin Robbins. Good times-good times . . . PKC: 30th Sep 2009 - 03:33 GMT 1944 to 1967, born Misreacorida Hsptl when it was on E. 86th St. Attended St. Ignatius Loyola. Mom's family grew up on E. 87th & her brothers went to St. Joseph's, considered the German Catholic School back then. I remember Ronner's Ice Cream Parlor, Bauer's bakery, Kramer's bakery, Mrs. Herbst's bakery. Restaurants were The Jaeger House in same building as the TurnVerin, Heidelberg, Kleine Konditori,Geiger Haus, Platzel & Loreli, Blue Danube, and many more. There was Bauman's pork store on second avenue, best braunschweiger ever. The Automat/Horn & Hardart, air conditioned movie theatres - AC was a treat back then. The marzipan store - best candy ever. The frankfurter stands, Woolworth's & Grants 5 & 10 cent stores. Grew up on E. 83rd bet. 2nd & 3rd - so many kids. We were always outside playing. No TV until we were about 7 or 8, but the TV repair shop used to put Howdy Doody on for us, with an outdoor speaker. Central Park, East River Park which is known as Carl Schurz Park, museums, library - we had everything and most of it was free! The noise of the Third Avenue El was exciting and we rode it often up until 1954 when it was torn down and Yorkville slowly began to change. There were so many churhes - St. Ignatiue, St.Elizabeth's, St. Stephen's, St. Monica's, St. Joseph's and many more. Most of us were Irish or Irish/German descent, and grew up on the same streets our parents did. Everybody had a grandparent living there also so we had numerous people who kept an eye on all of us to make sure we stayed out of trouble. It's a shame the old neighborhood is gone - it was the best place in the world to grow up. atf: 1st Oct 2009 - 19:41 GMT Grew up in yorkville mainly in 70s (1964 to 1992). My mom still lives in Stanley Issacs. Those projects use to be all working class irish, italian and german. I remember st iggys, sandpark, the 'poderosa' on 84th and lex, gimbels, woolworth, grants, lamstons, 86th street automat, mimis pizza, stickball on 85th and 3rd, wiffleball on 83rd & 2nd (do kids play on the street anymore?) papaya on 86th and 87th and 3rd, ideal restaurant, bantry bar, blarney stone on 84th and 85th on 3rd, carrols pub (later cobblestones)and all the german bars. i moved to nj in 1992 and get to yorkville many times a year to visit my mom. the place has lost all its character. so very sad. Joe Romaine: 2nd Oct 2009 - 15:12 GMT The Stanley Isaacs housing projects were all white back in the 1970s?? Wow, I live near there and it seems like all the tenants are black now. E.Spitzer: 4th Oct 2009 - 18:49 GMT I too grew up in Yorkville and lived here all my life. It is a sorry state that I see now because of the overbuilding and destruction of trees and mess from the 2nd avenue subway construction. It was such a lovely quaint area filled European restaurant, bake shops and mama and papa stores. It has lost its charm and personality with all the chains and transient people that are not invested in making this a community. I think the rezoning of 86th street so Gimbels could be built was the begining of the end! I am so happy that I at least have the memories of what once was a beautiful place to live. My Block: 4th Oct 2009 - 19:42 GMT Wow Laura, great story, I'm sure you got an "A" especially if the responses your article received had anything to do with grading you. I read every one of the responses and enjoyed them immensely. Seems Yorkville still lives on even if it's just in the heart of our memories. I'm almost certain that I probably knew back then, a few of your other commentators. I lived in Yorkville from 1960-75 on 94th st. Went to OLGC, was an alter-boy, cub-scout, boy-scout, OLGC Rams, OLGC hockey, OLGC baseball and even one year played basketball. Played street hockey, Wring-a-lario, kick the kan, catch one catch all, freeze tag, red light –green light, off the point, stick-ball with pink Spalding’s, Played 4 box ball, A K Q handball. I remember pitching pennies, playing rolly poley, Johnnie on the pony, spinning tops, flipping baseball cards, playing bottle-caps: we would use one cap filled with melted crayon so they couldn't slam you to far away and used a glass cap made from old coke/pepsi/RC cola bottles for the long distance shots. The glass ring glided smoothly over the tarmac. We scraped old Schaeffer and Balintine cans on the cement so the lids, top and bottom, would separate, which we would then use on the Hydrant-pump during the hot summer days. We'd blast the cooling water at people walking by on the other side of the street, even at the cars going by. Summer nights we’d sleep out on the fire-escape listening to the sounds from the street below coming from folks sitting on the stoops playing cards and dancing while listening to what are now mo-town oldies. My dad cooking out on the roof with his green coleman burner stove he got from collecting A&P plaid stamps and the coupons from his Chesterfields. I remember Don’s candy store! Even before I could read, just knowing a few of my letters, buying a pack of baseball cards, shoving the gum in my mouth and looking at the first picture of the pack, first name began with an "M" and the last name was an "M" and I knew it was Mickey Mantle even though I couldn’t read. A kid last name EVANS tried to give me a shopping bag full of doubles and triples for it, but I held out. We got our empty cigar boxes from Don. We bought our comics, kite’s, water-balloons, tops, yo-yo's, wiffleballs (NY accent Wooffleball), Spalding’s, black hand-balls and sometimes softballs and even hard-balls on occasion. The red soda cooler in the back opened like a trunk filled with water and bottles of soda and the opener on the side where we would hunt for smooth caps for Skully (bottle-cap game). We bought the big color chalk there too in order to draw on the streets and make the bottle cap game and make hopscotch games. Oh yeah, and there was the glass candy case cabinet. My favorite: mallow cups (collecting points) and Bazooka gum with Joe’s tiny comic wrapped around it and the fortune at the bottom of it. And who can forget the nickel machine filled with Red Pistachio nuts. As I got older I would buy a stack of news papers and run to the local bars to sell for a quarter or more, especially if some guy hit the number. My earliest memories, was of my mom stripping and waxing the hard wood floors of our apartment which was turned over to my parents from my grandparents when I was born. Years later she opted for linoleum. One time I remember her walking me to a Pre-K on 97 and 98th street off of first ave and FDR, it was for a half day. Sometimes we’d stop at the park on 96 between 1st Ave and the FDR to swing on the swings. One time she let me run around the park only to find me with my head stuck between the bars of the black iron fence surrounding the park. The “Parkie” waved down a passing fire engine that came to my rescue. (My first experience with the FDNY). I remember trips to the NY Metropolitan Hospital on many occasions. I remember one time I shoved a dark blue crayon all the way up my nose (I was 4 :) and on our way home from that experience, along Second Avenue on 96st there was a guy dressed in all white, peddling on a beautiful gold ten speed bicycle, riding west from first ave. From across 96th St from one of the buildings was a woman screaming and crying in Spanish and then all of a sudden some guy running from that side of the street across 96th who jumped up on the back of the guy on the bike and stabbed him in the back while my mom an I were right there on the corner. She swooped me up into her arms whilst dashing across the cobblestone street. I don't think she realized I continued to watch the drama unfold as she was fleeing, with me draped across her shoulder. I could see all the red blood against his white clothes and the gold bike shining in the sunlight. It was incredibly vivid, even to this very day. Years later, I carried my lil bother home from that hospital. We also played in the other 96th st park where you could stand on the swings and fly while also watching the bar-leagues play softball. Incredible memories! Speaking of flying, would you remember the “Half-Moon” ride and the Whip ride on the backs of trucks that would come down the street like a traveling carnival all for the mere cost of a nickel a ride. We lined up!!! On two occasions the fire trucks were parked on our street and we would climb all over them, ringing the bell and sit behind the steering wheel pretending to be firemen while the firemen were carrying people off of the fire-escape in their underwear as flames flashed and smoke billowed out of the 5th floor windows. As I got older the neighborhood boundaries got more daring... The back alleys became a whole new world for exploring. Especially when you realized you could go into the cellar on 94th and come out on 95th st or even 1st Ave. and on the other side of the street go in and come out on 93st. There was a ROLLSROYCE dealership on the SW corner of 94th and 1st ave. We loved watching all the expensive sports cars and luxury cars going in an out. There was an older black gentleman dressed as a chauffer that would pull them out of the showroom garage in the summertime to wash and wax them. Up off of second ave between 93-94 was the market K&S (kris & sonya) that first use to be near to Wagner’s and the Tailors. Then they moved to the NW corner of 94st. They had the best macaroni salad and the VERY BEST HERO'S around. My folks had a running bill there, which K&S kept in a Composition book, keeping a tab for many families in the surrounding blocks was a part of the lifestyle. A Mobil gas station was across the Ave on the NE corner and just north of them was the Chinese take out which happened to have a pinball machine. Further north before 96th street was the barber shop and pizza parlor. For 50 cents I could get a crew cut, Italian icee and slice of pizza. Finally, Nick's Restaurant on the SE corner of 2nd Ave and 94th street, Great Pea soup in the winter time for a dime. Especially after a good snowball fight or sledding down from 3rd ave. Sometimes we would even venture up to Cherry Hill to go sledding or down to Carl Shultz which in the summer / fall we played hockey. (Sidebar: I remember being really little and going with my mom and other mothers and their kids to “Pick-it” outside of Gracie Mansion, it had something to do with getting into the projects 1964-65. To this day I can almost remember their chant that had to do with Marijuana LSD Rockefeller makes it and Lindsey takes it,). In the summer Nick’s would leave their crate of eggs outside at their back door and we would borrow their eggs:) and egg people from the roof tops. (Roof hopping was a daring sport) Usually we would throw them at the girls or even some of the characters who hung out on the block or outside of Ned's Tavern in the middle of the block. (Crazy Billy, Lady with the cane, Joe Carney, Ginny-Beans and even Woodsie on his bicycle was a tempting moving target)  Ginny Beans!!! Now there was a character! He was one of the bartenders at Ned’s. He was a hairy faced, one legged guy who's leg got cut off when he was young due to an infection from a cut he got when he was a kid playing “Johnny on the pony” (so he said). He would smoke cigars in his mouth and non filter Lucky Strikes from his nose. Gross!!! As a lil kid he was a scary character. As we got a bit older he told some very interesting and funny stories as we sat at the bar getting free sodas because we would run errands for him. (Daily News from Don’s or get a hero from K&S) As we got older, the older kids got older, which some went off and came back from Vietnam. As young as I was I can only remember one 94th street kid who didn't come back but I’m sure there were more. This particular guys name was John; they called him "piggy" RIP. The others who made it back were different and as kids we noticed. I remember my dad made the whole family march in a parade that supported the Vietnam vets. He asked (told) my brother and I to wear our boy-scout uniform and carry a big flag while the rest of the family were garnished with RED WHITE and BLUE sashes, carrying a huge sign reading: “94th Street LOVES VIETNAM VETERANS”. while getting ready to pass a set of bleachers set up on 5th avenue, holding several hundred soldiers in uniform, (it was windy and I was complaining about the flag being hard to carry) I can remember my dad snapping at me “get ready, look sharp and hold the flag pole up right and march straight, this is why we’re here” and just as he finished his command I heard a loud voice from the bleachers bark “AHHHTENNNHUT” and to my amazement everyone of those soldiers jumped to their feet in almost perfect unison and saluted our American flag as my family and “94th street sign” marched by. Patriotism ran through the veins of my father, a Korean war veteran, as well as many other adults in the neighborhood. One year, in the summer, the Ned’s softball team made up shirts for the kid's and on the shirts were written "Ned's little Piggy's" with #’s on the back. They were a hot item and the envy of the other teams neighborhood kids. Ned’s was also one of the few that supported a woman’s softball team that my mom played on. It was pretty cool watching her play third base and jumping into the air, stabbing at a hard hit line-drive and come down with it glued to her glove, ending the inning with runners on. Amazing! There were many other neighborhood characters that hung out at Ned's... It was the hub of a lot of activity, Pete Peter’s was the coach of the OLGC Rams after Mr. Byrne’s and Mr. Cronin. In the back of the bar on the pool table is where they painted the green ram horns on our helmets. It was always a crowded place, mostly construction iron-workers, wire lathers, some sandhogs etc... As rough and tough as they were, they were even more so generous. These were men who helped build the Twin Towers, only to have some of their son’s un-mangle the iron a generation later, working around the clock at ground Zero. In the middle of the block was a parking garage on one side and consolidated laundry across the street from them. On the wall of the consolidated laundry building was a bronze plaque depicting the face of Lou Gehrig and declaring 94th st the block where he grew up. It was the envy of many kids in the surrounding neighborhoods, even my own cousins who came to visit from Long beach and Long Is. and Staten Is. were in awe. They were Yankee fans. (Amazing Met fan here). Years later, the plaque disappeared and was replaced and disappeared again. I’m sure there is a guy out there who knows a guy, who knows a guy, who knows the real story behind the “borrowing” of the plaques. Also, years later the parking garage became the City Welfare building, which became the permanent resting spot for a sabrett hot dog stand. To this day I can’t walk past a stand without having one and I don’t even live in NY anymore. After leaving the neighborhood, I heard years later the building became a police station and also heard Ned’s closed for good. Next to Ned’s was a tenant building and next to that was the Orange Iron Fortress. It was an empty lot, guarded by a solid iron gate with curving spikes at the top. It used to be a chain link with barbwire that we were always climbing to retrieve Balls. It became the ultimate climbing challenge for kids from 6-10 yrs old. We left our mark on it by tagging it with our initials or nicknames. One summer after cleaning the lot out, we used it to play wiffleball. It was still there several yrs ago when I last visited and showed my kids were I grew up. The street seemed so much smaller! As we were rounding the corner from 2nd Ave I was hoping that the pump might be on. I remember walking along 2nd ave to go to church and 1st ave to go to OLGC. I remember dodge ball in PS 151 after school. I remember having Andre G. as a partner during 1st communion practices and took a lot of ribbing for it. But I laughed last during the very last practice when they brought in the PS 151 kids who would be making their 1st communion as well. I ended up with Mary W. as my partner. Then there was Confirmation in 6th grade and graduation. In between the years was Miss Burke’s rehearsals and messing around back stage, watching people climbing up an over the cat walks. Her commanding, monotone voice is ringing in my ears even now as I type.”Aaanda 5 6 7 8” and also hearing her voice say “50-50 chances” in the foyer of the church every Sunday. Yes and her Orange Turkey Chances. Her recital’s were a great deal of fun, mostly because of getting out of class and the night of the Gala… Who can forget the door prizes? One year our family won a big thing of German Bologna the kind they use on a meat slicer at the deli. We ate bologna sandwiches and fried bologna for more than a month. (Sidebar: one thanksgiving as a real little kid about 5, OLGC church sent over a box of food to our house and it was filled with all kinds of can goods. Some was peanut butter and even a block of cheese similar to the size of the bologna.. While helping put it away I asked all kinds of questions about why they did that and my mom answered all my questions appropriately with stories of the good Samaritan and Jesus wanting us to help each other. To this day I love fried bologna, American cheese and peanut butter. I serve in my community on the church benevolence team which feeds and clothes the poor all year round but I have a great fondness for doing it at Thanksgiving and Christmas and Easter. Which I believe is due to my mothers answers to my questions so long ago. Walking along 2nd ave was the noisy Bryers ice cream factory along with the brewery’s and other places previously mentioned by your readers. Sidebar: My dad told me there was a bar in the basement of the brewery that had running tap for the workers when they got off work… Walking up 90th st there was a building that stored the street salt for winter snow. As teens we hung out in the projects at the monument on FDR and if too cold we hung in the staircases of the buildings keeping a sharp eye and ear out for Kenny & Jules the cops. When chased off we would hang at the checker tables along the FDR and when it rained we would sit under the FDR overpass on 96th st. On the walk to school along first was everybody’s favorite, John’s candy store, Marlboro cigs, hockey puck burgers (they really were good) chocolate egg-creams and summer snow-cones. If I remember correctly, he also had a really old, pinball machine which was a pitching baseball game. One guy would pick the type of pitch and the other person would control the bat, game on!!!. There was another candy store on 93rd street. I think it was owned by the Conner’s. Someone mention baldy Joe. I think he was a “seriously crazy” locksmith. Most time going home from school there would be kids on the corner taunting him with a screaming chant…”Baldeeeee , Ballldeee JOE”. He’d come out and throw whatever he could get his hands on, across the avenue into the crowd of kids. It was quite humorous until he’d run across the avenue and like roaches the crowd would scatter. Continuing south on 1st Ave was Rhinelander’s. During its heyday was great for winter swimming, arts and crafts, dodge ball and the trampoline. I think they had a trampoline, unless that was at Lenox Hill which was further south along with John Jays. And even further south was where we played baseball under the 59th street bridge. Coming home from a day of swimming at JJ there was a bagel factory where we’d get warm bagels for 10 cents each and somewhere along there was the penny candy store. The bowling ally was a lot of fun on rainy days and Anna Maria’s pizza and juke box were a Friday night favorite. Seems sneaking into Loews and other theater’s was tradition. What kid from Yorkville didn’t swim in the east river, down by the sanitation barges and the dive off of BIG JOHN was ballzee. Someone mentioned the abandoned park off of the FDR drive and 92nd street. I only remembered it as the Planetarium park, which was across from where we played football at the Asphalt. It had a broken down “parkie” house and handball courts, where a lot of beer drinkers and stoners would hang out playing paddle ball. There were even Dealers and Junkies who hung out there at night. One time while heading to the east river to go swimming we were cutting through the park and across the river we witnessed a live shoot out between cops and whomever. We didn’t go swimming that day. Lastly, the projects center, the hub of teenage life, particularly winter time. I remember the names Tinker and Patti who were counselors. Ping-Pong and pool table tournaments, they would even let Kozi and Charlie’s band practice in there. They were guys from 93rd and 92nd street. We went on a few skating party trips and camping. Touch football on the lawn of the projects along FDR while again, keeping an eye out for Kenny and Jules the housing cops… Thanks for listening… very slow day here at work… God Bless you and yours. FM anon (ool-45733f37.dyn.optonline.net): 4th Oct 2009 - 22:17 GMT Thank you for posting this...I too grew up on 90th St. between 2nd and 3rd Ave. right across the street from the Brewery. Went to O.L.G.C., made my communion, confirmation and graduated there. Absolutely the most beautiful Church in NYC. It is very true about growing up in Yorkville, there simply is no place like it on Earth. Everyone knew everyone. I remember the 'bums seat' as we used to call it. After the brewery closed, I used to sell Lemonade there. Sadly, I also remember them tearing it down. When the finally got the building down, there was the 'Big Rock' in the middle of the block. lol I also remember all the dynamite they used to get rid of the 'big rock!' As I'm sure anyone who attended OLGC does. Thanks again for posting this...brought back alot of great memories...anyone remember the gardens on 90-91 near 2nd ave? atf: 5th Oct 2009 - 18:57 GMT Joe Romaine....yes stanley isaacs was 90 % white in the 70s....crazy huh? Agnes Doherty Ondrovic: 6th Oct 2009 - 14:42 GMT Are there any residents from Yorkville who lived there around the time I did? The early 30's to 1950. The area in the 70's to 80's from East End Ave. to 3rd. Ave. Joe Romaine: 6th Oct 2009 - 18:30 GMT Why were the Isaac houses built in this neighborhood anyway? Did they have to demolish any existing apartment blocks to make room for the projects? How did the local population initially react to the Isaac construction back then? What I find really interesting is that there are now luxury high rises across the street from the projects where presumably the wealthy tenants pay vastly more than the Issac people for the same exact view of the east river! atf: 6th Oct 2009 - 20:47 GMT joe romaine...when the projects went up there were only 5 story buildings in the area....i remember every building going up in that neighborhood....i beleive the stanley isaacs were complete around 1964...none of the other high rise luxury apartment buildings were around back then....i dont know what the neighborhood reaction was but the neighborhood use to be all working middle class and that is what was in the projects...so i dont think that was any issue...the snobs that live in the high rises today probably have an issue....but those projects were there first so i dont think any newcomer to the area has a right to complain...for instance my mom has lived there for 45 years....what are you going to do throw her on the street? atf: 6th Oct 2009 - 20:53 GMT joe romaine...you also need to know that while most of the projects were white back then i actually think it was a rougher place to live back then in the 70s....alot of kids hanging on the streets etc...while it is mostly minorities now i feel safer going there now than i did when i was a kid...there were alot of troublemakers in those buildings...drugs, fights, drunks....luckily i had older brothers to protect me... Joe Romaine: 6th Oct 2009 - 21:00 GMT Thanks, ATF. Sorry I meant no offense at all. I'm just fascinated by Yorkville and consider it a privelege to live here and I like learning about its past and history. I was thrilled to know that Lou Gehrig, Jimmy Cagney and the Marx Brothers either were born here or grew up here. atf: 9th Oct 2009 - 02:53 GMT joe romaine...no offense taken...you would have liked the old yorkville alot better....more of a sense of neighborhood and family back then....the population in the neighborhood now have hardly any kids and are very transiant (sp)....i also heard that obama lived on 94th between 1st and 2nd ave when he was a teen (same block as lou gehrig)... fM: 10th Oct 2009 - 20:44 GMT Obama, on 94th st. No way...hahahaha. He grew up in Hawaii. Unless he was there after 1975. As far as Stanley I./before they were built I remember we were let out of OLGC early one day because of a massive explosion on the grounds of where they are now. There was some sort of Fuel Depot there that went up in flames after exploding. The foundation of the school shook the building and we had a fire drill after about 20 minutes lined up in the street they sent us home. We weren't allowed back into the building. fM: 10th Oct 2009 - 21:20 GMT Marty- This posted link doesn't work: http://www.liveworkplayoutwest.com/yorkvilleindex.htm Can you or someone else correct it? fM: 10th Oct 2009 - 23:45 GMT ATF.... my humblest apologies, I just read the story by mike daly about obama living on 94th street when he was a student at Columbia. Unbelievable... the building next to where I grew up "1960-75" Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/11/10/2008-11-10_young_barack_obama_came_to_the_city_to_f.html#ixzz0TZxBFkMT Gooch: 11th Oct 2009 - 00:44 GMT Can anybody tell me about the Kinsale Tavern, the Irish bar on 2nd Ave. near 94th St.? Has it been here forever? Any stories about this wonderful place? Thanks. Lee Glen - Georgia: 11th Oct 2009 - 02:59 GMT Hi Laura, I enjoyed your story and according to all the posts, you have generated great interest about Yorkville. I'm not from Yorkville,but I can see it was a great community. The photo of the el sparked a memory of passing through somewhere in NYC on my way to port for military duty in France. At that time I wondered how these people stand all the noise living so close to the tracks. Great story..thank you. rf46@hotmail.com: 12th Oct 2009 - 03:28 GMT the projects replaced 5 story buildings on 92nd between 1st and York and from 92nd to 93rd on first. There was a car parts dealer on 92nd and Louis's Candy Store in the middle of the block and a deli next to that. On 93rd there was a novelty store. Down 93rd to the drive was an ice house and car repair on the south side. On the North side, there was a chicken market. North of that was the taxi garage lots and there was a power plant which came down around 1954 or 1955 between 95 and 96th. Down 92nd in the 50's there was a very old grocery store, a pet shop and a glazier. Of course, the ASPCA was on York on the North Side. I still can't remember the name of the park on York between 92nd and 91st. atf: 14th Oct 2009 - 18:04 GMT gooch...kinsale was my old stomping ground while i was in college....i beleive it moved to 3rd avenue between 93rd and 94th street in the early 80s....i think it was and is still owned by the same person that onwned the old bantry bar on 86th between 3rd and lex....it moved and they renamed it kinsale.....i still love going there to this day.... Gooch: 14th Oct 2009 - 20:18 GMT Thanks, ATF. I love the Kinsale because it’s so authentic and old-fashioned; it’s probably what Irish bars used to be like. The Kinsale reminds me of old Irish pubs I used to frequent when I lived in Queens, and before that, in Boston. But a lot of these type of places are either converting into more “chi-chi” type lounges or disappearing altogether. It’s a real shame. I hope Kinsale can buck this trend and stay for a long time. Agnes Doherty Ondrovic: 16th Oct 2009 - 18:22 GMT How come no one mentions Vito Marcantonio who had an office over the 5&10 on 1st Avenue? Although I was not old enough to vote I do remember people complaining that he was the person responsible for the destruction of Yorkville as it was. It was said he brought in the mattress people. He was utterly disliked by the old residents. He was gerrymandered into the area and I believe did not remain for too long. Gooch: 17th Oct 2009 - 01:41 GMT Vito Marcantonio lived in Yorkville?? He was a Communist, no? atf: 19th Oct 2009 - 18:43 GMT i dont recall vito marcantonio since he was before my time......but i do remember the 5&10 on first avenue next to the old A&P....i will ask my mom who is a lifelong resident of 82 years whether she has any opinion of this marcantonio guy. Agnes Doherty Ondrovic: 21st Oct 2009 - 22:28 GMT Marcantonio was a Communist but I do not believe he lived in Yorkville. Because of the way districts are cut apart he was active in Yorkville, my area, the 70's for a short time. He was given a grand funeral when he died but not by those in Yorkville. You can look him up on the internet. Some people worshipped him. BTW atf I might know your mother or she might have known my parents depending upon where she lives. I grew up in the City & Suburbans. Amelia: 22nd Oct 2009 - 20:13 GMT Hi, I just moved to Yorkville and becoming acquainted with the area. I have enjoyed reading about people's reminiscences of the neighborhood. For those who are still living here, can you suggest the best places to buy groceries (i.e., not Key Food!), with respect to both fresh and prepared food. I wanna help the local businesses as much as I can. Thanks Frank: 23rd Oct 2009 - 20:31 GMT Laura, thx for the great article! It brought back all sorts of memories as I grew up on first on 85th between York and First, then on First Ave. itself and finally on 84thbetween First and York! This was from 1943 to 1962. And my father (Frank) may have served some of those who’ve posted here as he worked at the Cafe Hindenburg. But sorry, I don’t remember anything about dancing being on the menu there! I went to school at PS 77, which was right across the street from us, and then to PS (JHS) 30, which was all boys while the girls of the same age went to PS 158. Both 77 and 30 were torn down for apartment buildings shortly after I left them. PS 30 was crazy as you might imagine, with hundreds of boys all hitting puberty at the same time and no girls around to be on good behavior for. Fights were common and a big kid we nicknamed ‘Rabbit’ I think because of his teeth once gave me a punch in the stomach that I still haven’t forgotten! I remember the El and the various stores of the neighborhood, also the movie houses of which there were four on 86th: an RKO, Loews, Brandtss and one other. Right up there along with Woolworth’s, Grant’s and the Papaya place that’s still standing! And I had a dentist named Schwimmer whose office was on 86th and York. I can still remember his old slow drill grinding away at my molars for what seemed like hours! There were no fluoridation then and my teeth had more fillings than enamel. The nieghborhood has changed a lot over thte years but one thing that has remeained constant is Carl Shurz park where I often walk these days (I still live in Yorkville). As parks go, I guess it’s fairly small but beautifully laid out, and of course right on the river. Thanks again for your work! Judith Speckmann Garlow: 26th Oct 2009 - 18:37 GMT My grandparents lived in Yorkville in the early 1900s. I have visited recently and loved the Heidleburg restaurant and deli. It is a lovely area and I would move there if I could afford it. Thanks for your story. My father worked for Woolworths. Lots of history in NY. Gooch: 27th Oct 2009 - 22:49 GMT Since it's World Series time, I have a question for you older Yorkvillians. Was this neighborhood a Yankee stronghold? Or was it more of a Giant enclave. I assume it was easier and quicker to get to Yankee Stadium than the Polo Grounds. atf: 28th Oct 2009 - 19:34 GMT gooch...i grew up in yorkville 1964 to 1992....during that time it was majority yankees...but i beleive when the giants still played in ny it was a giants neighborhood....at least thats what the old timers told me. Walter B.(mackmuggs@netscape.net: 30th Oct 2009 - 20:50 GMT In the old days it was split between Yankees and Giants (lots of arguments), but we all hated the Dodgers. In those days there were two Giant teams using Polo Grounds - football and baseball. rf46@hotmail.com: 10th Nov 2009 - 21:59 GMT Sharon, I guess you remember the Tumble Inn, Walworths,Red the butcher,the candy store and the tailor and the corner drug store. I remember the kid getting killed by the NY News truck. I think he was the son of the candy store owner, but I am probably wrong. rf46@hotmail.com: 14th Nov 2009 - 18:19 GMT Sharon, the candy store was next to the butcher. Maybe not for long. Margie lived on 1st between 92nd and 93rd. A funny story about her. She actually had a priest from OL come to bless and supposedly baptize a bird she had. You also must remember John Moore the bartender. You may have gone to school with his daughter Margaret at St. Joe's. Also Tommy Sheridan tendered bar there. Right across the street was the old movie theatre. Between 89th and 88th on the west side was a fruit market at one time which became a laundermat. There was also Mike's clam bar with it's group of characters. South of that I believe was the ice cream parlor but that may have been 88 and 87th. There was another butcher on the corner of 88th North East corner. I remember it because I delivered meat for them and remember delivering to Soupy Sales on East End Ave and the guy who was on I've got a secret. I also the remember the hot dog wagon on the corner of 89th. I used to push it from 92nd and then get a orangeade in a cone shaped cup (before that was discontinued by the board of health) and maybe even a hot dog. Editor: 17th Nov 2009 - 01:37 GMT no offense, but if you guys want to small-talk, consider switching over to email...? Laura: 17th Nov 2009 - 04:14 GMT Ha! What a wonderful conversation I've provoked. Thank you to all who have contributed your memories. It is wonderful that this little ditty has turned into an orchestra. I hope this thread continues. Its fantastic. -Laura Dino Saraceni: 17th Nov 2009 - 21:43 GMT This is a fascinating thread! I moved into Yorkville last year and have lived in another part of the Upper East Side the past three years. I cannot imagine an elevated train line running through this neighborhood! For those who remember the el-train, was there constant noise from the trains and soot in the air? Or was it tolerable and something one just got used to? Did it create shadows and darkness even during sunlight hours? Also, how far south did the el-train go? Did it connect with Grand Central Station? What was the reason for tearing it down? Was it because of the developemnet of the Lex. Ave subway line or for some other reason? Thanks Walter B.(mackmuggs@netscape.net: 18th Nov 2009 - 20:05 GMT The third avenue el separated the rich people to the north going to central park from the poor and middle class going to the south to York Avenue and the east river. Between the noise of the el and the traffic it was never quiet. Some of the houses were so close to the El the trains shook your bed as they passed. The El was torn down because it had become redundant with the advent of the Lexington Avenue line. When it came down the rich people said hey there is some nice property South of Lexington Avenue and so began the development of the Silk Stocking district as tenemants were torn down and families were forced to move to Queens or the Bronx to make run for the so called upper class. On streets where their used to hendreds of kids watched over and yelled at by any mother or grandmother standing on a stoop or hanging out a window, you went to hight rise, air conditione, sterile buildings with no children to be seen on the streets and not a mother in sight. What a loss. Dino Saraceni: 18th Nov 2009 - 21:13 GMT Thank you, Walter B. Was the El-Train torn down in the 1960s or before? How come there are no remnants of this system anywhere that I can see? I mean, there’s no plaques commemorating it, nor any physical evidence it was ever here (only peoples’ memories?). Comment on this article.. Name: Type your comment here: Upload photos (opens in popup window) Browsing articles by Laura - [previous] :: [next]	search citynoise.org lisse, pull-box, eyemod, lascoff, driver litter cyclist, recent discussions Trike Blastin' from: serlingrod Bayside Acacia Cemetery from: NWhyC Fuck England from: Peter PDX Graffiti Like Ummm... from: fuzzytank High Heat, Kezam from: Peter Yuba from: Paul G JA: A True NYC King from: Peter America's Most Boring Towns: 10 from: Scott Sargent My Unusual Hobby from: Ralph Enderby NYC Style Graffiti Throw Up from: Metro1 from the archives North Philly Reppin' Shot between Oxford & Cecil B. Moore, 23rd to 33rd. Just a small slice of the many square miles of economically depressed North Philly. North Philly Reppin' recently viewed America's Most Boring Towns: 1 from: Scott Sargent Yorkville: A Neighborhood Recalled from: Laura Text One Mile Long from: barry Popcorn Tree from: elaine Schoolgirls at Lunchtime from: WildBritishStyle Untitled from: zagg Rittenhouse Square Snow from: JJ Flying Down to Jersey from: jack Lascoff Prescriptions from: GGP Abandoned Lunch, Part 2 from: Peter
concept and content © citynoise.org 2002 - 2012:: designed and maintained by Jamie and Peter caveat: entries and comments on citynoise.org represent the views of their respective authors; this is an open forum, open to all relevant ideas, and as such, sees minimal editorial interference. as such, all content on this site remains property of its creator/author, and is therefore protected by all applicable copyright laws.

browse by city

popular articles

recent articles

browse by author

hot topics

Yorkville: A Neighborhood Recalled

Browsing articles by Laura - [previous] :: [next]

little ukraine: 7th Dec 2006 - 04:21 GMT

Laura : 7th Dec 2006 - 05:12 GMT

Marty: 11th Dec 2006 - 00:29 GMT

procyon: 13th Dec 2006 - 18:42 GMT

Ashley: 21st Dec 2006 - 12:50 GMT

Ashley: 21st Dec 2006 - 12:51 GMT

Princess: 27th Dec 2006 - 14:29 GMT

Barbara: 8th Jan 2007 - 23:52 GMT

K. Jacob Ruppert: 2nd Feb 2007 - 00:29 GMT

Joe: 10th Mar 2007 - 15:05 GMT

Joe: 10th Mar 2007 - 16:51 GMT

AG: 31st Mar 2007 - 01:24 GMT

Laura : 1st Apr 2007 - 18:50 GMT

Helen Kane Munro: 13th Apr 2007 - 06:13 GMT

Anthony: 24th Jun 2007 - 04:20 GMT

Laurie: 31st Jul 2007 - 12:00 GMT

Gary: 19th Aug 2007 - 00:57 GMT

2o9 FiNeSt cHiiick : 1st Sep 2007 - 22:51 GMT

Jarrod Lynn: 11th Sep 2007 - 03:53 GMT

gus hassler : 3rd Oct 2007 - 00:23 GMT

John: 12th Oct 2007 - 19:07 GMT

Michael: 17th Oct 2007 - 15:23 GMT

Lulu: 6th Nov 2007 - 20:48 GMT

lynn ward: 12th Nov 2007 - 00:57 GMT

Pat Tracey: 13th Nov 2007 - 00:24 GMT

JOEY - The TPA Crew - ThePublic Animals: 27th Nov 2007 - 16:10 GMT

Liam McCann: 7th Jan 2008 - 04:02 GMT

Bob Watt: 10th Jan 2008 - 05:23 GMT

jettr130: 16th Jan 2008 - 20:19 GMT

Jean: 15th Feb 2008 - 06:05 GMT

ed marecek: 9th Mar 2008 - 02:16 GMT

Kevin: 25th Mar 2008 - 21:00 GMT

Dee McArdle: 27th Mar 2008 - 19:35 GMT

Kathy : 24th Apr 2008 - 18:53 GMT

Jim M 52: 11th May 2008 - 21:04 GMT

Tish: 27th Jun 2008 - 00:37 GMT

Joe F: 30th Jun 2008 - 09:57 GMT

lynnlindsayward@yahoo.com: 6th Jul 2008 - 14:47 GMT

maureen.downing@comcast.net: 27th Jul 2008 - 17:22 GMT

Dave S.: 18th Sep 2008 - 22:30 GMT

Laura: 30th Sep 2008 - 22:36 GMT

Bob O: 1st Oct 2008 - 06:44 GMT

Bob O: 1st Oct 2008 - 06:44 GMT

Bob O: 1st Oct 2008 - 06:44 GMT

Crack Dealers dealing drugs @ Ruppert Houses, Yorkville, N.Y.C.: 14th Oct 2008 - 22:18 GMT

Ruppert Houses Problem: 14th Oct 2008 - 22:19 GMT

anon (142.128.203.205.in-addr.arpa.net): 25th Nov 2008 - 13:55 GMT

Arthur: 25th Dec 2008 - 21:36 GMT

bob: 29th Dec 2008 - 02:20 GMT

Dan: Jan 2, 2009: 3rd Jan 2009 - 04:11 GMT

Great Read: 4th Jan 2009 - 20:16 GMT

Paul: 1st Feb 2009 - 07:06 GMT

bigapple134: 8th Feb 2009 - 01:34 GMT

anon (38.112.183.231): 18th Feb 2009 - 21:58 GMT

Richard A. Clark: 3rd Mar 2009 - 03:35 GMT

DJ: 6th Mar 2009 - 04:00 GMT

Richard A. Clark: 8th Mar 2009 - 19:43 GMT

DJ: 8th Mar 2009 - 22:51 GMT

Richard A. Clark: 9th Mar 2009 - 00:38 GMT

Ricky P.: 12th Mar 2009 - 19:33 GMT

Paul Laube: 24th Mar 2009 - 22:49 GMT

Richard A. Clark: 25th Mar 2009 - 01:38 GMT

anon (ppp-71-130-236-50.dsl.chi2ca.pacbell.net): 1st Apr 2009 - 19:21 GMT

DJ: 12th Apr 2009 - 01:42 GMT

anon (ppp-71-130-236-50.dsl.chi2ca.pacbell.net): 12th Apr 2009 - 17:16 GMT

DJ: 12th Apr 2009 - 18:07 GMT

Editor: 12th Apr 2009 - 21:20 GMT

Richard/ 12 April '09: 13th Apr 2009 - 00:33 GMT

Doug: 20th Apr 2009 - 21:17 GMT

Steve: 6th May 2009 - 06:02 GMT

Eileen A.: 14th May 2009 - 20:43 GMT

Richard/16 May 2009: 16th May 2009 - 19:16 GMT

James W: 17th May 2009 - 04:08 GMT