We still didn’t quite understand what a substation was after the tour but it was still cool. After some googling, we have our answer: “It coverts High Voltage AC current into the DC current used by the New York City subways.” Quoted from untappedcities.com. Continue reading
The Rockefeller family contributed a lot to US history. When you hear their name you think of Rockefeller Center but from museum wings, historic mansions, state parks, public policy, etc – they are there.
Along one of our favorite walking paths, the Old Croton Aqueduct trail, lies Rockefeller State Park Preserve. Continue reading
We first learned about The Old Croton Aqueduct Historic State Park on the MTA’s one day getaways section. It’s no longer listed on their website. It spans from Croton Dam in Westchester County and use to go all the way down to the NY Public Library on 42nd Street. Continue reading
On April 24, 1913, President Woodrow Wilson turned the lights on in the Woolworth building with the push of a button while he was in Washington DC. They thought electricity was a fad so the building is wired for electric and gas power. Continue reading
Congregation Mickve Israel is home to the 3rd oldest Jewish congregation in the USA. It’s a Gothic style synagogue and has a churchy kind of feel. Savannah was originally created as a buffer between the Spanish south and English north, meaning it was mainly created for defense. Olgethorpe, the founder didn’t plan on taking in more colonists but they needed a doctor. On July 11 1733, the William and Sarah ship carrying 40 or so Jewish passengers and Dr. Samuel Nunez landed. They were allowed to stay against the wishes of the London Trustees. Continue reading
Untermyer Gardens is an obscure gem. I learned about them when I started looking into walking trails accessible by public transportion. Untermyer lies along the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail. It was mentioned on the map so we decided to check it out and we were very pleased. Continue reading
Savannah escaped burning during the Civil War but that doesn’t mean it didn’t leave scars. Colonial Park Cemetery became the campground for General Sherman’s troops. The Union soldiers looted and desecrated the grounds. It was established about 1750. Continue reading
This is the reason why we flew to Savannah – Bonaventure Cemetery.
We learned cemetery enthusiasts have a name – taphophiles.
Originally we planned on taking a cab to the cemetery so we could take our time and take pictures but we decided a tour would be less headache. We booked a tour with Dash Tours. (Looks like Don Teuton moved to another tour company called Bonaventure Don, click here for link.) We had the pleasure of meeting Don Teuton, a 5th generation Savannahian, future resident at the cemetery and a stickler for history. If you have a question about Savannah and it’s inhabitants or history, then he’s the guy to go to. He was also friends with Danny Hansford, a man who met an unfortunate end that was documented in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. I have to read the book. I tried watching the movie but it was too slow for me. But the book cover photo of bird girl. She’s the reason why I’ve been wanting to visit for years. Continue reading
NYC’s public transportation is like the blood of the city. A lot of native folks never learn to drive and a lot of the ones that do hate it. Driving isn’t second nature to us; trains, buses and taxis are. On December 20, 2005, the Transport Workers Union Local 100 went on strike. That not only put a damper on holiday shopping – it was cold and made it hell to get to work. Continue reading
I’ve been in a cemetery mood. I just adore them. The weathered tombstones with dates that sometimes need deciphering, mausoleums more beautiful than any home I’d ever live in, the departed’s legacies withstanding years, decades, and centuries of erosion. Continue reading
Jebus Mews & Andrea 