Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY

I had to run a few errands recently in a very old and unique neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York called Park Slope. This neighborhood takes its name from its location on the western slope of neighboring Prospect Park. I thought I'd take some photos of some of the interesting homes in the area, to share their architecture with you.

Did you hear about the miracle rescue of all the passengers from an airplane that went down in the Hudson River yesterday? The cause of the crash was thought to be a collision of the airplane with a flock of birds, which then destroyed the engines. The photo below will show how Canadian geese have been spotted flying over NYC in greater numbers than I ever remember seeing in my entire lifetime of living here. This group made quite a racket as they flew overhead!

The home below still had their outdoor tree whimsically decorated for Christmas.
Yes, a tree does grow in Brooklyn! (my apologies Betty Smith, but I couldn't resist!)

Another apartment building, in the photo below, whose construction probably dates back to the early 1900's. The area that today comprises the neighborhood of Park Slope was first inhabited by the Canarsee Native Americans. The Dutch colonized the area by the 1600's, and farmed the region for more than 200 years. During the American Revolutionary War on August 27, 1776, the Park Slope area served as the backdrop for the beginning of the Battle of Long Island, also called the Battle of Brooklyn, the first pitched battle between the British and the Continental Army under the command of George Washington.

The picture below is of houses on 6th Avenue near 12 Street.

Except for the bars on the windows, the house below looks like it could have been built in the colonial era. The Park Slop area is very populated, and it's fortunes over the years have been both up and down. At one time it was among the richest neighborhoods in America, another time subject to urban blight. By the 1990s, partly as a result of inflated Manhattan rents, people who might otherwise have lived in Manhattan began moving to Park Slope in large numbers. The influx was mainly families and young professionals. This created a real estate demand for the area which has caused some home values to rise into the millions.

A long lasting Halloween pumpkin was found sitting on this front stoop! The world "stoop" is derived from the Dutch word "stoep," which means "a small porch," and is commonly used in the common vernacular of the NE states.

I really admired these unusual and intricate window bay carvings and cornices It is an example of old world craftsmanship that rarely seems to be seen anymore.

A close up of a stoop with antique decorative wrought iron railings and some decorative window bars.

This building reminded me of a scene in the opera "La Boheme." I could envision struggling artists living in the attic loft apartments on the top floor.

This quirky little scene under a tree on a home's front lawn made me smile! Click on the photo to enlarge it to see what is written on the sign:

It says, "Retirement home for well loved stuffies." Isn't that sweet?

Only in Brooklyn! "Ya gotta love it!"