The second week of June 1901 saw the formal opening of the City’s first subway- what was to become today’s Brown Line- a modest straight line connecting the old Central Depot (across from Old City Hall, now Ludlow Plaza Station)…
Tag: old city hall
The Brothel Five Levels Below the Street
The old Central Depot, which sat across across Ludlow Plaza from Old City Hall from 1896 until its demolition in 1968, was a wonderful, massive gothic structure, covered in ornament and decoration which one doesn’t find much in today’s construction.…
Rare City Documents Burned
Fire Commissioner Gordon ‘Chick’ Hall reports that an electrical fire in the 4th Floor Records Room at Old City Hall early Saturday morning destroyed some of the city’s most irreplaceable historical treasures. The blaze was discovered by third-shift security guard…
Go There: American Insurance Holiday Model Railroad
Go There is a feature in which our writers tell you about tourist attractions and other places of interest around the city. The annual American Insurance Co. holiday model railroad display at Central Station has delighted kids since 1952. Each…
Urban Legends: Secret Subway, Haunted Skyscraper
Every city has urban legends, and our city is no different. These stories grow over time, whispered in hushed tones in the corridors of power, retold to generations of passengers by gregarious cab drivers, or a vaguely remembered by an…
The Lost Treasure of Old City Hall
When state Rep. Walker Burke announced his candidacy for mayor this week, many pundits here in the city were confused. Burke’s in the middle of his fourth term and with the turnover in the recent elections, his seniority position’s been…
The Survivor- This Year’s Holiday Fest Tree
There is much you can say about this year’s official City Holiday Festival tree, to be lit tonight in front of Old City Hall. It’s very tall (49 feet), very Teutonic (Austrian Pine), will be very bright (over 8,000 lights,…
Briefs: Election Day!
:: Some of the odder places where people will be casting their votes around the city today- Hanson’s Barber Shop, Warnum Avenue…Barkay Bros. Funeral Home, East Folkim Street… The back room of Genardi’s Pizza, Halpern Street… The garage of Mr.…
Friday Facts: Real Human Skin, Itchfinger Yardling, Hats Blocked
:: Number of businesses that still offer hat blocking: 3 :: Television pilots shot here: 11 :: How many of these which were picked up for a series: 1, “Colt & Hammer,” a police drama that ran as a midseason…
Friday Facts- Illiteracy, Tetherballs and Nazis
:: Number of light bulbs used in the 30-foot-tall “YOU ARE NOW ALMOST HOME” sign on the Wendell Willkie Bridge: 20,016 :: Number of workers killed in construction of the massive sign in 1949: 3 :: Number of ex-Nazis given…