59 HICKS, Brooklyn Heights

by Kevin Walsh

Brooklyn Heights is known for its attached brownstones and apartment buildings, but here and there are some freestanding buildings, as well as frame and wood houses, leftovers from the very beginnings of the neighborhood.

59 Hicks Street, at Cranberry Street, is one of those relics. It was built by cooper (cabinet and furniture maker) John Rogers in 1822, was the office of John and Washington Roebling, the designers of the Brooklyn Bridge, and was the longtime home (1957-2012) of the Brooklyn Veterinary Hospital.

I plan to have more on Brooklyn Heights’ older buildings soon.

3/27/13

9 comments

John S. March 27, 2013 - 11:11 am

I recall hearing that Roebling could see the construction of the bridge take place from here. Is this, in fact, the case?

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Peter D. March 27, 2013 - 6:23 pm

I wasn’t aware that the Roeblings used this building as their office. But after Washington was disabled from a case of the “bends,” he observed construction of the bridge from his home – a brownstone on Columbia Heights that has since been demolished.

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Deb Connors March 27, 2013 - 12:45 pm

That was the office of our veterinarian back in the day. Looks the same as it always did!

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Bob Sklar March 29, 2013 - 8:57 am

Don’t forget 58 Joralemon St. This “house” blends in perfectly with all that surrounds it, but is actually the air shaft for the tunnel carrying the (4)(5) trains.

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Carol Gardens March 29, 2013 - 10:06 pm

This was my vet, too! Now she makes house calls.

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Chris G April 3, 2013 - 7:14 pm

Sadly, the tree at left in the picture won’t be flowering this spring…it came down following Sandy

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sharon April 23, 2013 - 12:18 am

any pictures of 60 hicks street as it was in 1944? lived there as a child and would be absolutely delighted to see it as it was then. thank you.

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Matt February 21, 2019 - 2:44 pm

Hello. I am fascinated that this was the Roebling office. What is your source? Thanks.

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Morley Thomson July 12, 2019 - 3:24 pm

59 Hicks Street continues today as the Brooklyn Heights Veterinary Hospital, under Dr Heather Thomson.

Reply

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