" A Not So 'Crooklyn' side of Brooklyn "

 Day 2 was perfect for visiting Coney Island, it was a radiant sunny day with a cool breeze. While on the train, I debated on whether or not I should ride the infamous Cyclone. I also thought about how many dirty water dogs I'd eat. The Amusement Park was closed when we got there, but my lunch at Nathan's was great! As I stuffed my face, I envisioned this iconic hot dog stand in 1916 when it was founded (BG, p.492). I pictured our soldiers confined to trenches, fighting one of the bloodiest of wars, while many here caroused on the boardwalk and played in the sand. More reasons to love and appreciate our veterans! The Blue Guide indicates that the rise of the automobile, the development of air-conditioning, and the building of new parks and beaches thinned the crowds at Coney Island in the 1940's (BG, p.492). "The boardwalk has been shrinking for decades, and its future is uncertain" (BG, p.491). Apparently, the area has long been declining. I hope that Coney Island will soon be revitalized, and never seize to exist.

I was not expecting to be amazed at our next stop, the New York Transit Museum, but I enjoyed it immensely! Everything from its authentic setting to the century old pictures and train exhibit was awesome. "The New York Transit Museum Archives holds rich collections of photographs, maps, drawings, documents, and ephemera relating to New York's transportation history."http://mta.info/mta/museum/index.html#archives         I learned through the tour guide that immigrant workers began building the NYC subway system in 1900 and that tons of dynamite was used to break up the bedrock. The black and white pictures of immigrant workers mining, excavating, and pouring concrete were remarkable. A caption under one of the pictures indicated that compressed air was pumped into tunnels to keep the riverbed from collapsing on the workers during construction. Well you'd never know by looking at them smiling for the camera that they faced great danger. I am truly grateful for their struggle and sacrifice. 

I found my favorite attraction in Brooklyn Heights, destination #3. His name was Todd. He was an excellent tour guide, and a fine specimen, I mean ...work of art! I kept having to remind myself to stay focused. Todd mentioned that the Brooklyn Historical Society building was designed by George B. Post, who also designed the New York Stock Exchange. The building was completed in 1881. I liked it's layout very much, the floors were uninterrupted by columns, and the rooms and moldings were impressive. The antique tile floor was not pretty though. "The building is one of the few examples of the 19th-century genre of a combined museum and library still in existence."http://www.brooklynhistory.org/about/landmark.html
The collection of historical Brooklyn related material was interesting. Todd called our attention to the giant terra cotta portrait of Sally Maria Diggs, nicknamed Pinky. Her portrait is surrounded by poison ivy, highlighting the "contagious" essence of racism. Before Day 2,  I had not known how involved Brooklynites had been in the movement to abolish slavery. Although slavery was abolished in New York State in 1827, aiding runaway slaves was still illegal. This did not stop those who opposed slavery from providing safe houses, making Brooklyn an important part of the freedom trail, also known as the Underground Railroad. While we walked through Brooklyn Heights, it was clear that its not only rich in history. It must cost a pretty penny to own a brownstone here! Todd said that in the 1820's, Hezekiah Beers Pierrepont invested in real estate and the steam ferry that would bring wealthy New York City families across the East River and into Brooklyn Heights. Pierrepont is said to have created the first city suburb, and great prosperity is still evident here today.

 

 The Brooklyn Bridge is "the best known and most loved bridge in the city" (BG, p.464)

It took 4,000 people, 14 years, and 15 million dollars to complete the Brooklyn Bridge. Two mammoth granite towers with gothic arches were built offshore on underwater foundations, and four heavy suspension cables, secured by huge anchorages at either end, were hung over the towers (BG). "The Brooklyn Bridge spans 1,595 ft across the East River" (BG, p.464). How unfortunate for the father and son engineering team that they could not be present for the inauguration of this magnificent accomplishment. Tetanus killed the father, John A. Roebling, and son, Washington Roebling, fell victim to caisson disease. Washington's wife, Emily, relayed his detailed instructions to the engineers. It opened on MAY 25, 1883 (BG, p.466). It's elevated pedestrian path is awesome. Due to construction, tarps blocked the view of the Manhattan skyline through most of our walk, but the experience was still great. I'm thinking next time I'll bike ride across it.

WHAT A MAGNIFICENT VIEW!