DYRE AVENUE, Eastchester

by Kevin Walsh

I was looking through some photos in my IPhoto collection (I rarely discard any photos from Forgotten NY missions) from the summer of 2011, one of the relatively few times I have explored Eastchester, when I noticed several interesting items clustered around the IRT #5 Dyre Avenue station, the terminal of what is called the Dyre Avenue line on the IRT. Like the A train to the Rockaways, this section of the subways was purchased from a “legitimate” railroad, the NY, Westchester and Boston, a former passenger railway first constructed in the 1910s that was supposed to enable Westchester commuters a faster ride into Manhattan; the line terminated in the south Bronx, where riders would transfer to the IRT subway.

Eventually, the builders wanted to extend it northeast into New England and Boston, hence the name. The line was never a financial success, and shut down in 1937. The Transit Authority, as the MTA was then called, purchased the tracks and converted it into an open cut and elevated shuttle line; the tracks were later given switches to the White Plains Road #2 line. For many years, though, until the days of the MetroCard, it was a true shuttle and passengers paid the conductors on board  or handed them transfer tickets. I walked the streets abutting the line a few years ago and reported on it for FNY

Some items from the cornucopia of Forgottenania here:

 

At Dyre Avenue the line is bridged over the intersection of Dyre Avenue and Light Street. In this section of the Bronx, Eastchester, a long-ago developer gave some of the side streets names like Light, Dark and Lustre. Many NE Bronx avenues carry the names of long-ago mayors. William Dyre was NYC mayor from 1680-81; in those days, NYC consisted of the lower part of Manhattan to just about City Hall, which would not be built for over a century. It’s not to be confused with Manhattan’s Dyer Avenue, a West Side feeder road for the Lincoln Tunnel.

Technically these streetlamp fixtures were known as the 3737 series. They were first manufactured in the 1950s and were mostly used for illumination on side streets. I call them “crescent moons” for their shape. They also frequently turned up under elevated train overpasses. While most were removed in the 1960s, a pair can still be found at this remote outpost, though neither has had a working incandescent bulb in ages.

 

This old-school scrolled fire alarm lamp indicator mast can also be found at Dyre and Light. The city stopped maintaining these about a decade ago, but hasn’t bothered to remove them.

Two sides of the same blue and white Bronx sign at the SE corner of Dyre and Light. This was one of the few remaining blue Bronx signs left in place, from the days when NYC street signs were color-coded by borough (approximately 1964-1984). looking at the latest Street View, this sign may have disappeared. 

 

This faded Dyre Avenue sign is at the Bronx-Mount Vernon border, where Dyre becomes South 5th Avenue. I believe this may be another blue Bronx sign but it’s so sunbleached that it’s hard to tell. 

These two painted signs, on Dyre and Light respectively, are still in place but have faded even more or have been graffitied over. One is for a long-lost bar, the other for a long-lost haircutter.

 

A “swash” Coca-Cola sign on a pizzeria, going back to the early 1980s at least. 

 

While here, I can’t not mention Bronx’ own Little Red Schoolhouse, PS 15, is at 4010 Dyre Avenue, near the Bronx-Westchester line. The architectural gem was built in 1877, designed by architect Simon Williams and was originally a school in the town of Eastchester in Westchester County before its “capture” by NYC in 1895. It now serves as a community center.

 

In 2011, the Dyre Avenue station had several ancient gems, like this track indicator light. Beginning in the early 2000s, these began to be supplanted by “countdown clocks” that showed when and what the next train would be.

Well into the 2010s, Dyre Avenue kept its 50-year-old set of incandescent platform lamps, consisting of twins supporting clusters of bulbs in each luminaire. These have all been replaced by T-shaped high intensity twin platform lamps.

Check out the ForgottenBook, take a look at the gift shop, and as always, “comment…as you see fit.”

1/24/18

 

33 comments

BillyGee January 25, 2018 - 12:10 am

.
.
Yeah Kevin,

That DYRE AVE sign.

At first glance, I thought it was an old Queens blue-on-white sign.

The sun would not have changed the color from white to blue would it?

Mystery.

Billy O’Gorman

.

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Jeff B. January 25, 2018 - 11:36 pm

I believe I once ate at that Pizza shop. Back in the early 90’s, a friend was a motorman on the 5 train from Dyre Av. Once a month or so, I would drive over from NJ and ride with him; all cabs were small. One rainy Saturday afternoon, between trips he had lunch so we walked over to this Pizzeria and had a few slices.

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Bill Rice September 23, 2021 - 5:54 pm

I used to live on E233d St. I often feasted at Mario’s Pizza. It is out of this world!!!

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mickyeggs January 31, 2018 - 10:56 pm

I had my 1st after-school job at Artie & Joe’s in the 50s where the Pizza Place now stands

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Rick Knapich December 19, 2020 - 7:24 pm

Artie and Joe’s!!!!!! Thank you for bringing that gem back into my memory. I had forgotten all about that place. Chocolate egg cream!

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Bill Rice September 23, 2021 - 5:56 pm

Thanks for reminding
me of Artie & Joe’s. It was a great place to get a Coke, or buy baseball cards (5 cents a pack back in the 60s)

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Ann Gurney February 2, 2018 - 9:58 pm

Friends who used this train in the 50s called it the dinky

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Don C August 23, 2018 - 2:30 pm

I was a Bronx resident in that era and I confirm this nickname. It was called that because there were only two cars on each train.

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Robin from Harlem March 5, 2018 - 2:57 pm

Thank You. What great memories! My grandparents were one of the few African Americans to move on south 9 avenue. Which is on the boarder of Mount Vernon and The Bronx. Around the 1950s. Kingsbridge Road was across the street and we were on the Mount Vernon side. I remember when Kingsbridge Road before the city pave the streets. My grandfather would cuss up a storm becouse when the weather was bad , driving was horrible. The Dyre ave. train was always crowded. People even back then, late 50’s early 60’s were cranking and rude on the nmberer 5 train becouse it was survival of the fittest. Especially when the # 5 train passed by 149 ST. Where Hearns Department store use to be. Oh man, That was one wicked, wicked, curve. No Dinky was not the word. Remeber this was way, way, before the Saints invented AIR CONDITION on the trains!!!! And when they were added,guess what line would be at least one of the last to have such luxury? I am not a historian, just sharing my memories from my eyes as a little girl.

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Beverly March 31, 2018 - 9:17 pm

I still remember being “buried alive on the funky five”

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Mike Murphy July 15, 2018 - 5:33 pm

The Dinky was real, it consisted of 2 cars and traveled between Dyre Ave. and 180th street. At 180th street you had to transfer to whatever train you had to take

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Anonymous July 16, 2018 - 2:56 am

Thanks Robin ❤️

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John Gabbamonte July 15, 2018 - 9:33 pm

My Dad and Uncle’s Butcher Shop (John and Frank’s Meat Market) was where that ‘The Lodge Bar’ sign was – in the store with the blue awning. We lived right around the corner on Light St. Many great memories there. We left the area in 1971, and the the store stayed open ’til the summer or ’74. We closed it after my Dad (Frank) suffered a stroke and was unable to work any longer.

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Regina July 29, 2018 - 8:22 am

Did you go to Nativity? I lived on Dyre across from the “el” in the apartment building. From 1960 until 1970? Saw the ‘chicken delite’ go up where there used to be a community garden, the taxi, the fountain shoppe(bookee), the deli, bakery, insurance store, pharmacy. Other side was butcher shop, pigglywiggly, think hardware, bar, my grandfathers barbershop. And of course the school. Tuccis and the rectory and convent and Hickeys bar next to rectory.

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Rick Knapich December 19, 2020 - 7:29 pm

John, did you know Italo Ambrosi? He had Westchester Grinding shop, just down from your father’s place. His son Mark was my best friend (we went to Nativity) and many a time we helped Italo in the shop. That’s where I learned how to sharpen knives.

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Mary Brown January 22, 2019 - 8:41 pm

Hi John, you & I were in the same class, 7th & 8th grades at Nativity. I’m Mary Canich, also lived on Light St, the corner building. My mom always went to your dad & uncle’s butcher! So many years ago, but seems like yesterday!

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Phil Pasciolla September 24, 2019 - 10:41 am

Hey John This is Phil Pasciolla.We lived on light street back in the 60’s I remember your family and your Pops Butcher shop. Crazy how time goes by. I remember you had a brother named Frankie. Hope all is well!!!

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Anthony Ricciardi September 3, 2018 - 8:45 pm

My family owned the Dry Cleaner from 61 to 07.

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KayCee June 8, 2021 - 8:19 pm

Anthony, did you have a brother named Artie? Was the cleaners across from the convent on Dyre Avenue?

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Lisa Britt September 3, 2018 - 9:09 pm

I attended kindergarten at PS15 in 1971 when I was 5 years old! I remember so many things about that sweet little school, especially my teacher, Mrs. Swanson. It was the coziest, sweetest little school. I think I loved it so much because it had so much old-fashioned character. Thank you for bringing back some precious memories for me!!! And Mario’s Pizza was my favorite hangout from the mid 70’s to the early 80’s.

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Dee September 17, 2018 - 10:00 am

Can anyone tell me if there happens to be any free parking on the street around this subway stop – Dyre Avenue/ 233rd Street. I’m looking to take this subway into Manhattan on Wednesday.

Thanks.

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eddive October 10, 2020 - 11:17 pm

Yes, there’s free parking the last time I used it in Nov 2018, but I always park near that brown house (the border line) and then take a short walk to the Dyre Av. subway station. Residents told me that there are no problems parking in that area for a few hours. I don’t remember seeing any parking spots directly under the station.

Sorry for the late notice, but I just saw this. Who knows, you may want to use this option again in the future.

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Jacquie December 9, 2018 - 8:41 am

Hi John G about the meat market was your uncle John Lieto because
I remember Mr Lieto worked at the meat market
Remember the Rex grocery store?

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Anonymous January 22, 2019 - 8:32 pm

Hi John Gabbamonte,
You & I were in the same class in Nativity, 7th & 8th grades. Wow! I lived on Light St. Mary Canich. We went to your dad & uncle’s butcher shop all the time!

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Billb March 2, 2020 - 11:36 pm

Anthony Ricciardi aka Tony Bush Western Electric 1971 to 1974

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Kwabena Darko September 11, 2020 - 10:57 pm

Does anybody remember lustre st in the area?

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Rick Knapich December 19, 2020 - 7:32 pm

I worked at Western Electric as an installer from 1970 to 1976. Small world.

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KayCee October 5, 2020 - 2:22 pm

Arties and Joes was for the older kids. My siblings had that as a hangout. I think there was a jukebox in there if memory serves. We more often frequented Jacks Candy Store next to The Pickwick Shop. I told my daughter stories of how for 25 cents we
would get a Coke and chips, five licorice whips and a comic book! Her comment, “Thats not fair!” ( What can you get for a quarter now!?) . Arties and Joes was next to Sol’s drugstore owned by Sol Lipschitz, not sure if it was called Sol’s or not. In a story
straight out of It’s a Wonderful Life, my brother, Bob Essig employed as a teen-aged helper once stopped Sol from mixing and dispensing the wrong medicine in a Darvon Compound.
Nativity was a great little school, but it always bummed me out that it had no church except when I was really young. Not sure in what year the fire took it. We paid into collection after collection and fundraiser after fundraiser, but never did get a church until the demography of the area changed completely to new immigrants and we were long gone to suburbia. It was a little slice of
heaven back in the day. Idn live on Dyre Ave, but on 233rd Street. Believe it or not, it was heavily wooded when we were kids; we used to play in the woods all the time. Nativity School, the Dyre Avenue stores and trips to 5th Avenue in Mount Vernon were our world. Bigger events were taking the 14 bus to Wakefield library or connecting to the 41 to go to Alexanders on Fordham Road. My dad and grandad used to go to Hickeys. Parties at Tuccis! What memories! Another lifetime!

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Rick Knapich December 19, 2020 - 7:39 pm

Kathy Essig? This is Rick Knapich. We were in the same class at Nativity from K through 8. Jacks. The Pickwick Shop. Memories. I used to walk right in front of your house going to and coming from school. I remember Bob also.

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KayCee June 8, 2021 - 7:56 pm

Hya Rick! Yes!!! Alive and well residing at the New Jersey shore and Venice, Florida. Those were the days! We had very little, but we had everything it seems. I still remember some of our teachers: Mrs. Campion for kindergarten, Sister Jean Rosaire, Mrs. McLoughlin and Sister Maura. Highlights of my memory bank are when Mrs. McLoughlin put our classmate and friend James
Hennessy under her desk for misbehaving (can you imagine doing that today!?) and how when we had a discussion about death, Louis Pontoreiro said he wanted to die “of old age, in his bed.” I loved that answer. Louis sat in the last seat near the
window that year. In first grade I was reduced to tears when I lost my schoolbag, which someone found. I used to love the little
John Hancock hymnal books we used to use to sing Christmas Carols. Sweet memories of a more innocent time.

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KayCee September 10, 2021 - 1:45 am

* Louis Ponteratto

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Bill June 7, 2023 - 8:30 pm

John McKinney and Paul Juergens were soda jerks at Artie and Joe’s from 1954 to I think 1958. Both lived on Harper Avenue and were life long friends. Both are gone now but those two made the best Egg Creams. Paul was very friendly with all of the motormen and conductors on the DINKY and he would be allowed to be the motorman between Dyre and Baychester. at age 14. Just think of how different our world is today. The Nativity Church on Secor Avenue burned to the ground in 1958. What a sad time. Before that I remember the fairs on church grounds bounded by Secor , 233rd , and Dyre Avenue. Pitching pennies, over under, spin numbers ETC, ETC.. Never the same after the fire. I think Nativity of our Blessed Lady was started in 1924 . During the early years Masses were held at Brienliner Park Hall ( the German Park} at Dyre and Post Road. i do remember that at the intersection of Dyre and 233rd Street each corner had a BAR. Northwest corner was Hickeys next to the rectory { and many of our priests would and could be found there on a Friday night}.Northeast corner was Tuccis Italian restaurant (a good and Happy place) . Southwest was a bar the name of which I do not remember but later had a tailor shop and later became a nunnery for the church and school. On the Southeast corner was a bar which we kids were told to stay away from. To this day I still do not know why. Next to Tuccis was Fuggers Butchers Shop and that wonderful delivery boy Herman Jensen and that big bicycle with a giant basket . Herman was everywhere and he lived on Rhombus Street and later lived on Light Street. Light Street was great for winter sledding. On a good run a sled could go from Pratt Avenue past Harper past Secor past Dyre and all the way to Rhombus. Boys who lived on Light Street were Richy Epperlein , Eddie Nestor, Eddie Gerst, Sandy Sprinkle, Henry vos Winkle, Jackie Ross Marcie and Tommy Regan and Billy Terry. Well that is all for now and I may have more at a later date.

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Augie October 7, 2023 - 6:50 am

Time to take a trip down there again.
Parties in the Lodge, Hickeys and Ouzo at the Greek restaurant on the corner of Light St & Drye Ave.

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