Monday, December 9, 2013

☞ REMEMBER: Upper Lenox circa 1938


A photo by Berenice Abbot taken in 1938 shows what the brownstone storefronts looked like back in the day on upper Lenox Avenue.  Today those buildings between 131st and 132nd Street still exist but the stoops have been removed and a majority have had the original brownstone replaced by brick.

Archival image courtesy the Museum of the City of New York

5 comments:

  1. Love these then and now photos, especially showing street life. Imo, the street scape was much better in the old pic.

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    1. Theresa Coles-Ragin here...@ Westsider I like the nostalgia of the 1938 black & white photo it bring back memories of the old Harlem...the good old days a neighborhood...where everyone said good morning to one another..Today Harlem is a community people rarely no one another...!!!

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    2. I agree, I always liked the friendliness of Harlem that is in danger of being lost, but Harlem cuylture is still much more engaging than downtown.

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  2. I live 3 blocks from here and I'm sad to see that the brownstone has been replaced and the stoops removed. A great deal of character has been lost, it seems. It has been fun to watch the re-blooming of Lenox Ave, however. The wonderful wide sidewalks make for a unique opportunity for outdoor seating and vendors which makes a vibrant and dynamic street life in warmer weather. Harlem is beautiful!

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  3. A sign of the times during that period

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