REMEMBER: THE CASTLE ON EDGECOMBE CIRCA 1920

Harlem Bespoke: We are reposting our architectural history story from 2015 in honor of the royal family visit to this particular school in Harlem.   The original building is no longer there unfortunately but the research photo is a reminder of what was lost.  Archival image courtesy NYPL

Who can guess the location of this cavernous castle that once formerly stood on Edgecombe Avenue? A photo from 1920 shows the structure taking up the entire avenue block which would have been the most striking visual landmark of the day.  We are not sure when everything was torn down but those who know the neighborhood geography can pretty much guess by what is no longer there of this scale within the area.

ANSWER:  This was formerly PS5 and a new schoolyard has been constructed that takes up the block on 140th Street.  Beside the public housing a block north, Edgecombe is pretty intact with original architecture but unfortunately the castle is no longer around.