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.

Then and NowJennifer BoudinotJanuary 8, 2024trolleys, rogers ave, then and now photos, Flatbush things, the lefferts family, the 1940s, horsesComment

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 ave Comment

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.

Now GoneJennifer BoudinotJanuary 24, 2021Prospect Lefferts Gardensthe revolutionary war, prospect lefferts gardens, the lefferts family, Flatbush places, ice skating, farms, dutch history, Flatbush things, the 1860s Comment

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.

Stuff You Should KnowJennifer BoudinotMarch 30, 2020the revolutionary war, Flatbush things Comments

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.

Flatbush CultureJennifer BoudinotMarch 9, 2020the 1940s, the 1920s, the 1930s, the 1950s, the 1910s, Flatbush places, Flatbush things, hot dogs Comments

When the Circus Came to Flatbush

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

Flatbush CultureJennifer BoudinotFebruary 3, 2020Prospect Lefferts Gardensthe 1930s, eugene armbruster photos, Flatbush thingsComment

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.

A RetrospectiveJennifer BoudinotJanuary 20, 2020Flatbushadvertising, old businesses, Flatbush things Comment

Photo of the Day: Speakeasy Graffiti

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

A Quick PhotoJennifer BoudinotJanuary 20, 2020Prospect Lefferts Gardensrandom photos, the 1920s, Flatbush things, eugene armbruster photosComment

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.

A RetrospectiveJennifer BoudinotJanuary 20, 2020Flatbushhorses, Flatbush things, the vanderveer family Comment

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.