February 28: ON THIS DAY in 1940, boro ‘L’ removal costs $2,500,000

February 28, 2019 Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Share this:

ON THIS DAY IN 1848, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported, “From Venezuela – Massacre of members of Congress. – The Herald published yesterday a very exciting letter from Caracas, dated 27th ult. A revolutionary movement having been contemplated against President [Jose Tadeo] Monagas, it is alleged that he excited the populace to enter the halls of congress and murder the members, at the opening of the session, 24th ult.: ‘On the opening of congress, serious disorder commenced between several members; high words drew a great crowd; daggers were drawn, and, it is said, a member from the city, Hon. Hemeregildo Garcia, stabbed a member from Maracaibo, Hon. Antonio Salas. The scene which ensued was terrific; those that could fly, fled; and when the alarm reached the street, the citizens fled in terror. A body of soldiers rushed in front of the hall, firing several volleys indiscriminately into the windows. Several members reached the door, and were cut down like dogs.’”

***

ON THIS DAY IN 1860, the Eagle reported, “The Common Council passed a resolution last evening to memorialize Congress for an appropriation to erect a suitable building for a post office. The increasing growth and business of Brooklyn require some permanent and adequate accommodation for the postal business of the city, and we think if proper measures were taken, an appropriation for this purpose could be obtained from the general government. Postmaster [William H.] Peck has been using his best efforts to this end, and seconded by the city authorities and public opinion, the project may be realized during the present Congress.”

***

ON THIS DAY IN 1891, the Eagle reported, “Another old landmark is destined soon to disappear from the public gaze. For several weeks an army of workmen have been engaged cutting down the trees in Lefferts’ park, at Gates and Throop avenues, and ere long a row of handsome residences will occupy the ground. Recently, after years of litigation, this property was so adjusted by the courts that a clear title could be obtained to the ground and it has been sold piecemeal to a number of uptown capitalists. From 1884 until the forepart of this year, Lefferts’ park occupied the attention of the local courts … The seat of the Lefferts family was on Bedford avenue, and the family mansion is still standing on Fulton street, above Bedford avenue. The principal member of the family nearly a century ago was Leffert Lefferts, or Judge Lefferts as he was usually called. He was 9 years old at the close of the revolutionary war, and often in after life narrated incidents connected with the occupation of his father’s house by the officers of the troops encamped at Bedford.”

***

ON THIS DAY IN 1940, the Eagle reported, “Controller [Joseph D.] McGoldrick today prepared an application to the Board of Estimate for a public hearing on the removal of the Fulton St. ‘L’ – and other elevated lines – to be held Thursday afternoon, March 14. The hearing will be the first specific step toward actual razing of the gloomy spider’s shadow over Brooklyn’s main business street – the demolition of which Brooklynites have sought for many years. The controller estimated that the price of demolition will be $2,000,000. He added another half-million for the razing of most of the 5th Ave. elevated, and a mere $50,000 to pull down the Broadway ‘L’ spur, an idle section of the Broadway line adjoining the Williamsburg Bridge, between Roebling St. and the East River front. To that Brooklyn total of $2,550,000, the controller added $8,000,000 for Manhattan ‘L’ removals — $6,000,000 for the 9th Ave. elevated and $1,500,000 for the 2nd Ave. line. A prolonged, bitterly contested hearing was foreseen.”