Flatbush things — Articles — Flatbush History

Calling Buckminster 4! A Telephonic History of Flatbush

When telephones were the latest new-fangled tech in Flatbush, including a rundown of old Flatbush exchange names.

A RetrospectiveJennifer BoudinotMay 7, 2024Flatbush thingsComment

Then and Now: Rogers Ave Firehouse

The picturesque firehouse on Rogers Ave looks almost identical in this rare color photo from 1947.

A Turning Point in Grocery History

Three “self service” groceries from 1940s Flatbush, and why they’re called that.

A RetrospectiveJennifer BoudinotJuly 29, 2023old businesses, the 1940s, Flatbush things, kensington, cortelyou rd, rogers aveComment

Then and Now: New Construction Tucked Into an Old Building

A Then vs. Now comparison of an old building on Flatbush with a new residential space peeking out from above.

Then and NowJennifer BoudinotJune 30, 2023then and now photos, flatbush ave, Flatbush thingsComment

Photo of the Day: Cortelyou Rd, 100 Years Ago

A rare photo of the short-lived Cortelyou Rd trolley.

A Quick PhotoJennifer BoudinotApril 25, 2023cortelyou rd, trollies, Flatbush thingsComment

That Time They Made "Lords" Into a TV Show

A short history of an even shorter TV show.

Weird StuffJennifer BoudinotMarch 26, 2023Flatbush things, the 1970sComment

Photo of the Day: Flatbush Ave, 1890

Two girls stand beside a Dutch house typical of rural Flatbush.

A Quick PhotoJennifer BoudinotFebruary 9, 2023flatbush ave, dutch history, the 1890s, Flatbush thingsComment

How the Last Ice Age Shaped Flatbush

What Flatbush was like before humans existed and how its geology has shaped our lives.

Stuff You Should KnowJennifer BoudinotJanuary 16, 2023prospect park, nature, Flatbush things Comment

Skating at the Steenbakkery: Winters in Wartime Flatbush

A magical skatepond on the Lefferts Farm, the Steenbakkery was a pivotal part of village social life for more than 100 years, especially during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.

The British Occupation of Flatbush

The Battle of Brooklyn has just been lost, people are close to starvation, and soldiers well-versed in brutality are camped out in Flatbush homes. This is the story of what happened during the seven-year occupation of Flatbush.

Ebbets Field, the Best Ballpark There Ever Was

Ebbets Field was the heart and soul of Flatbush for 40 years. Here’s what it was like to be the home of the Brooklyn Dodgers, with lots of photos.

When the Circus Came to Flatbush

The circus pitches their tents at the future site of Kings County Hospital.

The Ghost Signs of Flatbush

“Ghost signs” is the cool-sounding name for advertising for businesses that are no longer around. Here’s a collection of the many ghost signs I’ve spotted in the neighborhood.

Photo of the Day: Speakeasy Graffiti

How to find black market booze in Flatbush the 1920s.

On the History of Horses in Flatbush

Flatbush’s history as a horse town, and signs throughout the neighborhood of when horses were our main source of transportation.

Still Missed: The Flatbush Macy's

The now-gone twin of the Art Deco Sears, the Flatbush Macy’s (on the corner of Flatbush Ave and Tilden) had some innovative features and a lot of fans.

Then and Now: Flatbush Ave Billboards

The frames for these billboards still stand on Flatbush Ave across from Erasmus Hall.

The Lords of Flatbush, Flatbush, Flatbush...

Love it or hate it, this B movie is the most famous movie about Flatbush ever made, and had some surprisingly long-lasting effects.

Flatbush CultureJennifer BoudinotJanuary 20, 2020East Flatbushthe 1970s, Flatbush thingsComment

Vanderveer's Mill: Lost Landmark

The first windmill ever built on Long Island played an important role in the lives of Black Flatbush residents 60 years later.

Now GoneJennifer BoudinotJanuary 20, 2020FlatbushFlatbush things, black history, the 1860s, the vanderveer familyComment

Bickford's: Dimestore Art Deco on Flatbush Ave

Above this bank sign, you can still see the sign and design work of Bickfords, a popular cafeteria chain in the 30s and 40s.