Breaking: Ocean on the Park Historic District Approved

Earlier today, the Landmarks Preservation Commission held a hearing on the designation of 189 - 211 Ocean Avenue, between Parkside and Flatbush, as the Ocean on the Park Historic District. A reporter on the scene with a blackberrry announced that, over the objection of the owner of 189 Ocean, the district designation passed, encompassing all houses in the row.

UPDATE: The New York Times City Room blog has more about the history of the HD and the hearing. In response to the objection of the owner at 189 that she would be handcuffed by the HD rules to respond to development on the lot at 185, the Commission scheduled a hearing extending the district to cover the lot at 185, which would preclude the border lot from erecting a building that would be out of context with its neighbors. Expect to see people out there pouring a foundation ASAP if they are allowed to do so...

Thanks, Barbara, Heidi and Bob!

Image via Brownstoner

LPC vote on Ocean Historic District planned for Tues., October 27

Good news, old house lovers: the Landmarks Preservation Commission has scheduled the designation vote for the proposed Ocean on the Park Historic District for Tuesday, October 27. We can't say for sure what will happen, but the odds are looking pretty damn good that the 10 limestones and 2 brick homes in the row will be given landmark district status, preserving them for the foreseeable future.

The time for submitting letters of support and the public hearing has passed but a show of support on the day of the vote may be helpful in solidifying support or swaying some commissioners during the debate. So, for now, save the date and we'll give you the exact time and place in October.

Happy Random Anniversary, PLG!

While I wish the Brooklyn Eagle had held this story for a year so that the title of this post wouldn't be so silly, yesterday marked the 29th Anniversary of PLG's designation as a historic district.

The article has an interesting architectural timeline of the neighborhood, from the first 1890's construction frenzy to the limestone explosion between 1905 and 1910, through the finishing touch of red brick Colonials in 1915-1925.

The origins of Hawthorne explained

According to Brooklyn By Name, our beloved Hawthorne Street was named after Nathaniel Hawthorne, an American author who appears to have no connection to PLG other than the fact that some of us have read his books. I do find it gratifying in a way, though. Now there's actually some basis for me telling customer service reps, "Hawthorne, as in Nathaniel" when they ask how to spell the street name... though, come to think of it, I don't think that response has ever helped anyone spell it.

PLG History: Integration!

The New York Times archives are a wonderful thing. They have scanned, posted and made searchable the entire news archive since 1851, and it is free for subscribers. One article we came across, from 1930, addresses an issue that most people step gingerly around—racism. Here's one person who didn't: Mrs. Ella Morris.

As surely one of the first people in Lefferts Manor—if not the first—to rent to African-Americans—excuse me, Negroes, you'd think that Mrs. Morris was a hero. You would be wrong. You see, according to the Times, her house at 54 Midwood "was advertised 'for sale or for rent to colored people only'... after neighbors objected to her taking in white roomers."

That's right: the single-family deed restriction in Lefferts Manor left Mrs. Morris unable to rent out rooms and led her to give over the house to African-Americans as an act of revenge because her neighbors were probably just as racist as she was. 

But perhaps I'm misjudging ol' Ella, and her heart really was in the right place.

"The family coming into the house," said Mrs. Morris, "is a large family. I have given them a long lease but it contains a cancellation clause which can be applied in the event the house is sold." On the front and the West of the neat little building are large canvas signs sill advertising the house "Sale to Colored People Only."  The "For Rent" part of the sign has been painted over. Mrs. Morris said the signs are to remain until the house is sold.

Um. No. PLG's first racial pioneer was a spiteful little cuss.