‘‘Twas a balmy summer day on the East River…Look, there’s Washburn!
Posted: November 8, 2021 Filed under: Angela's picture galleries, Architecture, But Not Forgotten!, East Harlem, Gone, Italian Americans, Italian East Harlem, New York City, NEW YORK ITALIANS, Pleasant Avenue, Vintage Photography | Tags: East Harlem, East River, factory, forgotten new york city, Gone, History, Italian American, Italian East Harlemites, Italian Harlem, Italian Immigrants, Journey to Italian Harlem, Little Italy, Manhattan, New York City, Nostalgia, nyc, old building, Pleasant Avenue, Urban History, urban landscape, vacant, vintage photographs, Washburn Wire 8 CommentsOn a warm summer day, well over 30 years ago, I was out boating with my cousin, Guy. As we were passing East Harlem, heading North up the East River, I saw the vacant Washburn Wire Factory. It was located between East 117th and 118th Street, at the end of the 500 block, off Pleasant Avenue, by the East River Drive.
My family lived right up the block from that once active factory- back in the 1950’s and ‘60’s. At the time of this actual photo, I had a feeling that Washburn had outlived its welcome, and that it would be just a “matter of time” before it would be (ultimately) demolished & replaced. So…with that thought in mind, as we were drawing closer to the vacant factory, I quickly reached for my film camera and took this photo!
Behold a moment in time- captured on a hazy & humid summer day- on the often tumultuous East River! Thankfully, the river was very calm when this photo was taken!
AIEH
VINTAGE EAST HARLEM- FLASHBACK to P.S. 102: FIRST GRADE CLASS PHOTO!
Posted: November 6, 2021 Filed under: Angela's picture galleries, East Harlem, East Harlem School Days, Italian Americans, Italian East Harlem, Just for fun, New York City, NEW YORK ITALIANS, Vintage Photography | Tags: East Harlem, first generation italian american, History, Italian, Italian American, Italian Harlem, italians, Little Italy, memory lane, New York City, nyc, nyc public schools, public school 102, school days, second generation italian american, Tenements, the old neighborhood, uptown little italy 11 CommentsThis heartwarming “blast from the old neighborhood’s past”, was thoughtfully sent to me by one of my readers, Steven B., who is a former Italian East Harlemite. This adorable photo depicts Steven’s 1st grade class, from Public School #102, which is located at 315 East 113th Street-between 1st & 2nd Avenue. The approximate year was circa 1953-54.
According to Steven’s memories of his East Harlem school days, the male teacher in the photo was named Mr. Dupoid. (spelling uncertain). You can find Steven sitting in the first row-4th from the right, with hat in hand. 🙂 Thank you so very much for sharing this wonderful vintage photo with us, Steven! It truly is a historical gem!
A note to my readership: Take a look at the teachers, and the children in this class photo. If you recognize anyone, feel free to comment on who they are, and point out exactly where they are in this photo! Thanks, and enjoy! P.S. The children in this photo would currently be around 73-74 years old!
Italian Harlem 
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