© Frank H. Jump
Entenmann’s – Between Farragut & Glenwood Roads
Idiotarodders on the Run – Saturday, January 26, 2008
© Vincenzo Aiosa
Vincenzo caught these 2008 Idiotarod participants running from the Manhattan Bridge into DUMBO. I love the Amish couple with the Buggy.
Lillianette Cigars – Columbia Hall – Park Slope, Brooklyn
© Frank H. Jump
Lillianette Cigars. Mugge & Treckmann. Mfgs. Bklyn,
N.Y. Cigar box opener. 5″ long.
Nemo (18:25:39) : January 28, 2008
I think the “Columbia Hall” in the NY Times article was a different one from the one at Union St. & Fifth Ave. in Park Slope. The “Columbia Hall” with the connection to the cycling groups was over at 1239-41-43 Fulton St. The “Columbia Hall” in Park Slope housed a bowling alley and was a center for bowling enthusiasts.
The online Brooklyn Eagle at the BPL reveals at least six different “Columbia Halls” in the latter half of the 19th c… very confusing!
This was found at the Brooklyn Daily Eagle/Brooklyn Public Library Database thanks to Nemo.
Beckers Aniline & Chemical Works – Ditmas Avenue & East 83rd Street – Canarsie, Brooklyn
© Frank H. Jump
Beckers Aniline & Chemical Works
East 83rd Street and Ditmas Avenue, Brooklyn New York
Source: The Washington Post, July 5, 1916
courtesy of Robert Baptista’s Colorant History Website
Robert Baptista (05:01:34) : January 28, 2008
These photos document the beginnings of the U.S. synthetic dye industry. After WW I broke out, dyes could no longer be imported from Germany, creating the so called “dye famine”. Dr. William G. Beckers, a German chemist who had emigrated to America, built a large dye plant along Ditmas Ave. near 83rd St. The plant was designed by architect Benjamin Forrester and had 40 buildings on the 15-acre site. It was one of the largest dye plants in the U.S., employing 1,200 people.
Allied Chemical and Dye Corp. acquired the business in 1920 and transferred the production to an even larger plant in Buffalo. Beckers, now one of the wealthiest industrialists in the U.S., built a 40-room palatial estate on Lake George, NY and became owner of the Sagamore Hotel. An unfortunate environmental legacy of the dye manufacturing operation was the pollution of Jamaica Bay, resulting in a ban on oyster harvesting.
The Brooklyn plant was closed in 1922 and the property was purchased by the Brooklyn Union Gas Co. Several of the buildings are still in use today by KeySpan Energy.
The top photo shows the 4-story red brick building which was erected in 1917 as the dye firm’s warehouse. The architectural details in the facade, the archway keystones, and elaborate brickwork make this an impressive building to this day.
The bottom photo depicts a former dye manufacturing building erected in 1916. The building was later remodelled with architectural details matching those of the 4-story building nearby.
Thanks Robert!
H. Kohnstamm in Red Hook Revisited – Robert Baptista's Historical Website on Colourants & Dyes
© Frank H. Jump
An extensive history is provided on Robert Baptista’s colorantshistory.org
Here are some excerpts from his letter to me:
Frank –
Thanks for allowing the use of your photos at my website. I have posted the Kohnstamm plant photo and the Reckitt’s Blue photo, with links to you, at my web page. I will add the new shots as soon as they become available at your web site.
The history of other Brooklyn dye companies is available at my web page. Some of the buildings, such as Beckers Aniline on Ditmas Ave., are still in use today. Have you photographed any of these locations?
The NYC TV show “Secrets of New York” is preparing a documentary based on my web site on the Brooklyn Dye Industry. It will include scenes filmed at the Kohnstamm plant. I think the program will air sometime in 2008. When I find out I will let you know. I’m really glad to find someone who shares my interest in industrial archaeology.
Best regards,
Robert
Exquisitely Bored Posts Exquisitely Gorgeous Knippa Texas Coca-Cola Ads
© Chris Adams, Exquisitely Bored in Nacogdoches
I knew it was somewhere in Knippa. I saw it in my rearview mirror, pulled off the highway, and walked back to it. The light couldn’t have been more perfect. – Chris Adams
I couldn’t agree with you more Chris. Breathtaking!
Colossal Media Dewars Ad in Red Hook, Brooklyn
© Frank H. Jump
Sam Roberts of UK Brick Ads site was kind enough to comment on the recent Landmarks hearings at which I was asked to speak on behalf of Colossal Media, but sent a letter instead due to work schedule conflicts.
