By CHRISTINA WILKINSON
A REMOTE area in western Queens, filled with woods, swamps and freshwater pools, the town of Fresh Ponds was part of the land chartered by the Dutch West India Company in 1642. Cypress Hills Street (formerly ‘Old Fresh Pond Road’), which starts in Brooklyn at its southern end, was the progenitor of present-day Fresh Pond Road…
The eastern end of Fresh Ponds, where Forest Park is today, was called “Dry Harbor” because it was said that houses there appeared to be sitting atop the crests of trees and hills, resembling a harbor without water. Today’s 80th Street was originally an extension of Dry Harbor Road, named after this part of the community.
In the early 1860’s, developer George S. Schott, (perhaps related to the late owner of the Cincinnati Reds), acquired a considerable amount of land in Fresh Ponds as repayment of a debt owed him. As the Civil War drew to a close, he founded what is today known as Glendale, which he named after his hometown of Glendale, Ohio. At this time, the area’s main occupation was farming. [The 1873 map of Glendale, used as the background photo for this page, can be found here: Brooklyn Genealogy Information Page – map of Newtown.] In the late 1800’s, picnic grounds and beer gardens flourished due to an influx of German immigrants into the area.
Forest Park preserves part of Dry Harbor's original landscape
After WWI, these recreational areas closed, farming began to die out, and textile factories and breweries became the town’s major employers. Each boom in industry attracted a new wave of immigrants of German decent. Today, the community is home to the largest German-American population in not only Queens, but also in all of the City of New York. But their presence is also dwindling, while immigrants from Asia and the Caribbean are now settling in Glendale in sizeable numbers. Over the years, Germans have left their mark in Glendale, most noticeably in the form of dining establishments along Cooper and Myrtle Avenues.
German fare and flair
Von Westernhagen’s, est. 1964, advertises themselves as a “Gute Deutsche Kuche” – good German kitchen.
When you enter Zum Stammtisch, founded in 1972, you may feel as though you have traveled back in time to 1700’s Bavaria.
Founded in 1933, Gebhardt’s served generations of Glendalers who liked their braten sauer. Unfortunately, they picked up and moved to Floral Park in 2003, leaving those with a craving for strudel wondering what they’ll see there next. The building is part of what was once Unity Hall.
Durow’s had a long history. It was a working farm in the 1880’s, a saloon that catered to Forest Park golfers by 1909, a speakeasy during Prohibition and a German bar, restaurant and catering hall from WWII on. In February 2005, mounting repair costs forced Durow’s owners to close its doors for good.
The Railroad
The growth and development of most 19th-century Queens neighborhoods can be attributed in part to rail access. Glendale was no different in this regard. In 1867, the South Side Railroad was extended through the area, and a stop at 73rd Place was opened in 1869. The South Side Railroad was bought out by the North Side Railroad in 1874, which merged with the LIRR in 1876. The tracks through Glendale then became part of the Montauk Branch of the Long Island Railroad, and served as both a passenger and a freight line. In 1927, the station building burned down and was never replaced. In 1998, platform-less Glendale Station (below, left) closed, along with several other passenger stations on the Montauk Line. The New York & Atlantic Railway took over the freight responsibilities for the LIRR in 1997. The New York Connecting Railroad also snakes alongside Otto Road as it makes its way through Glendale.
Someone please tell our Webmaster that he waits for that train in vain!
The entrance to NY & Atlantic’s headquarters at the Fresh Pond Railyard is on Otto Road.
At the southeast corner of 80th Street and Cooper Avenue sits what was formerly known as Atlas Terminal. Construction of this industrial park commenced in 1904. In 1922, the Hemmerdinger Real Estate Corporation purchased the site and over the years expanded the terminal to 16 buildings. By the end of WWII, it had become Glendale’s largest employer.
Atlas Terminal
In 2003, the terminal was decommissioned for railroad use. Most of the buildings were torn down in 2004, and The Shops at Atlas Park opened in mid-2006. Sam Berliner’s Model Railroad Page features photos of the terminal before it was demolished, including shots of a preserved 1941 locomotive that formerly sat at its entrance (see below). The Hemmerdinger family still owns the property.
These 2 pictures, shot in 1999, show the 1941 yard switcher locomotive that pulled freight cars that employed the LIRR Montauk Branch in back of the terminal. Freight service at Atlas terminal ended in 1982. The loco and plaque were removed when Atlas Terminals was redeveloped for retail beginning in 2004.
Atlas Terminals, Cooper Avenue and 80th Street, April 2005. The Atlas signage has been removed and the building has been painted white.
The Atlas Terminal water tower remains as a clue to the complex’s former use.
Shops at Atlas Park, 2006
The center will have 300,000 square feet of shops and restaurants, a 25,000-square-foot cinema, and 75,000 square feet of offices. High-end retailers Coldwater Creek, Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salon and Spa, and Jos. A. Bank have already signed on, as has Cold Stone Creamery. [The architect is A & Co., headed by Theodore Amenta.] The park will be comparable in size to a Parisian park or an Italian piazza. The fountain will have no rim, making it accessible to chill seekers on hot summer days. Honey locust trees will sit in four-foot-deep soil beds rather than planters, giving the impression of a long-established stand with roots running deep below. What will actually run deep below, however, is a 1,500-space parking garage, Amenta says.
In a couple of cases (bottom two photos) an existing industrial building has been refitted for retail.
The water tower will continue to loom over Glendale, and the Atlas Terminals painted sign facing the 80th Street overpass will continue to greet Glendalers.
The Denton House
This house was built in 1872 on the south side of Cooper Avenue at 64th Street by farmer Jacob Denton. In 1898, the house was expanded and over subsequent years it has been modernized to its current state.
A 1940 photo of the house taken by Ernest R. Case. His mother, Wilhelmina Denton Case, was born there, as were generations of the Denton family.
(photo/info from Times Newsweekly)
The Denton House as it appears in 2005. Glendale’s last farm was sold in the 1930’s. Uniform rowhouses were built on subdivided farm lots and are very common in Glendale today.
Herrmann’s Hardware
In 1921, Otto Herrmann opened a paint store in Glendale on Myrtle Avenue at the corner of 67th Place. He soon ventured into hardware.
(photo from Times Newsweekly)
His sons eventually took over the business, which continues to serve the community from the same location.
Belvedere Theater
This building, topped off with the word “Belvedere,” was a movie theater from the 1920’s to the 1950’s. If they had known that The Jazz Singer was coming out in 1927, they may not have installed that organ in 1926. At least the organ can be be put to work again – the building is now a church.
Werst Funeral Home
What better place for a funeral home than in an area surrounded by cemeteries? The George Werst Funeral Home, est. 1901, occupies the area’s oldest home (ca.1850), which was once the mansion of theMeyer family, who founded a tobacco factory and owned much land in 19th century Glendale.
Revonah Laundry Company
Today, this building is home to Kew Forest Plumbing, Heating and Sprinklers. The company moved here from Forest Hills in 2000.
However, a close look at the top of the building reveals that this was once the Revonah Laundry Company. What does ‘Revonah’ mean? Not really sure, but it does spell “Hanover” backwards. Your Webmaster places the age of the building at 1920’s – 1930’s.
Forgotten fan Ben Breitung reports: “The reason for the change in name, as was popularly believed, was because Hanover was a German city and since World War II had started the owners deemed it wise to get rid of the German name and substitute something less offensive. The name Hanover was bad for business.
Woods Inn
Buildings pictured above (from left to right): Philip Knack’s florist shop, George Gundolff’s hotel, Christian Kirschmann’s saloon in 1906. The middle building dates from the 1830’s. It was originally called the Woods Inn and is Glendale’s oldest business structure.
Today the florist shop and saloon are residences and the hotel is a mixed-use building. These photos were taken across the LIRR tracks from the back entrance of Lutheran-All Faiths Cemetery at 73rd Street.
Lost Forever
The Episcopal Church of the Annunciation was founded in 1895, but after 107 years of service to the community, low attendance forced it to close its doors in 2002. (photo from Times Newsweekly)
Landmarking was applied for, but the city rejected the request. “Luxury condominiums” have replaced what was a quaint little working-class neighborhood church.
And speaking of cemeteries…
There are more dead people in Glendale than live ones. That’s not a joke, it’s a fact. This is because in 1847, a law was passed stating that there could be no new cemeteries in Manhattan. To the outer boroughs the burial task then went. Among the notables who found a final resting place in Glendale are: U.S Congresswoman Bella Abzug, convicted murderer and lynching victim Leo Frank, theAdler family of actors, comedian Henny Youngman, and the parents of the Marx Brothers (Mount Carmel), author Helene Hanff (Mount Lebanon), illusionist Harry Houdini (Machpelah), Brooklyn Dodger Jackie Robinson, jazz musician Eubie Blake and actress Mae West (Cypress Hills), dancer Bill “Mr. Bojangles” Robinson, and jazz musician Lester W. Young(Cemetery of the Evergreens). [Although Cypress Hills and Cemetery of the Evergreens have Brooklyn addresses, as you can see from this Yellow Book map, the land itself is in Queens, which is why they are included here.]
Area architecture
A couple of fantastic old houses on 81st Street
Tasteful 20th-century attached homes with Atlas Terminal’s water tower looming in the background.
The uniquely designed Islamic Center provides sanctuary for the area’s latest wave of immigrants.
A distinguishing characteristic of St. Pancras School is its rounded entranceway.And just check out the inside of the church!
The Glendale War Memorial (1921) at Glendale Veterans Park sits at the intersection of two of the town’s main thoroughfares – Cooper and Myrtle Avenues.
The bell tower of The United Methodist Church of Glendale is a striking site, and visible from blocks away.
Dry Harbor Playschool
Dry Harbor Playground sits just south of Forest Park on Myrtle Avenue near 80th Street. The structure that today serves as the Dry Harbor Playschool has an interesting history. A wealthy French immigrant named Edward Bourcier sold most of his land to the Brooklyn Parks Department in 1895. (Queens did not have its own Parks Department until 1911.) This land was then incorporated into Forest Park. Bourcier kept a small parcel of land, on which sat his 3-story mansion, until his death in 1906. The house was then bought from his heirs by a private citizen and turned into the Brooklyn Forest Park Golf Club. In 1924, the city acquired the house, shaved it down to its present height and converted it into a parks department building.
The former Interborough Parkway runs just behind the Playschool and cuts Dry Harbor Playground off from Forest Park proper. When this extension of the Grand Central Parkway was built from 1933-1935, bodies buried in the adjacent cemeteries were disinterred and relocated, part of Forest Park was excavated, and long-standing buildings and the last remaining picnic parks were demolished.
The result of all that? This curvy, 5-mile road is probably the most dangerous highway in all of New York City. In 1997, the Interborough (by that time shortened to ‘Interboro’) was renamed the Jackie Robinson Parkway after the baseball legend, who is buried in Cypress Hills Cemetery, through which the highway meanders on its way to and from Brooklyn. Locals still refer to it as “The Interboro,” though, confusing many a lost driver.
In August of 2004, a tiger escaped from a circus performing in Forest Park and caused mayhem on the parkway.
Those were the daaaaaaaays!
Let’s end this cybertour at the site of Glendale’s most famous residence. No page about the area would be complete without mentioning the house at 704 Hauser Street.
Ladies and gentlemen, please do not break out your street maps. This is neither a current nor former actual street locale, but the fictional Queens address of a character that graced our TVs for 13 original seasons. Lo and behold, Archie Bunker’s attached house (above, left, ca.1971) still stands (above, right, today), not in Astoria where the shows were said to have taken place, but on Cooper Avenue in Glendale, across the street from St. John’s Cemetery.
Glendale scenes
Classic car lover, 83rd Street south of Myrtle Avenue
Union
The dome of PS 113 peeks out between a couple of residences on Union Turnpike.
Most Queensites think of Union Turnpike as running through Fresh Meadows, Hollis Hills, and Glen Oaks on its way to the city line, which it breaches briefly before ending in New Hyde Park. But it gets its start right here in Glendale, at Myrtle Avenue, 86th Street and the Jackie Robinson Parkway. You can travel on only two local roads from downtown Brooklyn — Myrtle Avenue and Union Turnpike –and reach Nassau County.
The term “turnpike’ usually refers to a present or former toll road, as pikes, or long poles, were “turned’ across the road to block traffic until the toll was taken. But older maps show Union Turnpike as a short road, Union Avenue, that gradually was extended east, so we’re not sure tolls were ever taken on it.
Until 2006, this was the only street named “turnpike” in NYC, but in that year the stretch of Jamaica Avenue on the Queens side of the city line between Cross Island and Little Neck Parkways in Floral Park was renamed Jericho Turnpike, the name the road is known by once it crosses fully into Nassau.
(Lower left) Just past Myrtle Avenue, Union Turnpike sports some now-rare twin double-masted octa-poles.
Sources:
AllintheFamilySit.com
Art Huneke’s aRRts aRRchives
Find-A-Grave
NYC Parks
Queens Tribune
Sam Berliner’s Model Railroad Pages
Times Newsweekly
The Encyclopedia of New York City, by Kenneth T. Jackson, et al, Yale Univ Press, 1995
The above photos were taken on March 12th and 13th, 2005, and the page was completed on March 25th, 2005 by Forgotten NY correspondentChristina Wilkinson with extra photos and text added December 3, 2006 by your webmaster.
erpietri@earthlink.net
©2005-2006 Midnight Fish
If you liked Glendale, you’ll like her sisters, Maspeth and Elmhurst
75 comments
Why is this tagged ravenswood? Where’s the Glendale tag?
Thanks — corrected
Thank you so very much it brought back many great memories !!!
I lived in the apartment house directly across the street from the Denton House at Cooper Ave. and 64th street and Cooper Ave. This website and its anecdotal remarks is great.
I sent the URL to some friends of mine from Glendale who now live in Florida.
I think that my attempt at corresponding may not have worked. However, I grew up in the apartment building directly across the street from the Denton House.
Here’s another anacdote. if you went one block up 64th Street you would see the house where Phil Rizuto lived(78-01 64th Street http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/16/nyregion/16phil.html?_r=0.
His nephew, Philip Stoehr was my best friend.
My grandmother lived in the old pink house on st Street. It was fantastic inside…lots of secret doors and staircases!
I currently live in said pink house and grew up here. I’ve lived here for at least 50 Years. Its my childhood home. You wouldn’t happen to be Nicole Lefebvre?
The “704 Hauser Street” footage actually dates back to the 1968 unaired pilot “Justice For All”.
Someplace on the web (oh that I had written down the name of the site) I found two pictures. One of the Yale Republican Club (usually referred to being in Glendale, but sometimes also listed in Ridgewood) as it originally looked, and then a picture of what it looks like now all plastic panel covered. Do you know where I can find this again.
p.s. I’m researching my grandfather, John L. Karle, who lived in Glenwood and served as the NY State Senator for queens back in the twenties.
This is quite interesting but I am trying to locate on a map where the corner of Spruce and Van Dine would have been. My grandfather and his family owned Westling Furnaces Co., Inc. and we are curious. Can anyone assist?
Re: E. Belcher Hyde Map Co. in 1929
Van Dine Ave = 77th Ave
Spruce Ave = 88th St
Brought up in Glendale on 59th st. Went to P.S.68 and Richmond Hill High. Have fond memories of the area
What a wonderful treat this was to revisit the town where I grew up. Lots of changes since I left in 1972, but it all looks great. Thanks so much.
Otto Hermann hardware was not taken over by Otto’s sons. It was bought by My husbands Uncle, Richard Stier , who worked there, sometime in the ’70’s. his sons, Richard Jr. And Robert run it still today.
Great visit to the old neighborhood. I grew up on the corner of 67th Place and cooper Ave. lived in that house from 1957 to 1975. Lots of memories there. Thanks
Hey Lisa, I lived next door to you. I usually get a card from your mom and dad in AZ, not yet. I have been living in VA for almost 18 years my old hometown. How is Laura and Michael?
Born and raised on 67th Place north of Central 1954 to 1961. Then off to North Jersey!
Great Memories
I grew up in Glendale. My mom, dad, 2 brothers and I went to PS 91. After getting out of Navy boot camp in 1956 I had my first legal drink at Mulligans saloon. Charlie and Anna Mulligan were my god parents. We lived up the street on 67th place. My grandfather was Jimmy Abruzzo, a bartender in Mulligans. My family moved to Montauk later. I stayed in California upon my discharge from the Navy in 1959. As I grow older I realize how my life was shaped growing up in Glendale. Now at 75 I see how life was so simple back then. Once a month I would walk to East New York via Fresh Pond Road to visit my Italian famifly. I would run and walk to my fa
I livd across the street from P.S.91 on 68th pl. I think I remmbr you.LOL I went to 91 and the Hill. Do you remembr Ritchie Horn or Freddy troise? How about Bobby Schwab?
Your mom, Anita, was my crossing guard on 69th St. & Myrtle when I went to PS 91. Your brother Harold was in my class. My family too moved to Montauk in the late 1960’s. Matter of fact around the corner from your family. At the time wasn’t aware of it until we met one day. My brother still lives there in the same house and street. Your’s was on Flamingo mine on Gannet. Your brother Jimmy (Stretch) still there too. How’s Harold?
I grew up in Glendale also. Was engaged to Jim Schneidmuller. Wonderful memories.
Pat Connors
Charles,
i’m your cousin Georgie Hans III, oldest grandson of Ann & George SR. My brother was Raymond. After George & Ann moved to Albany, we didin’t see as much of each other, EXCEPT at the Taconic State Park. Your grandmother was Wannie (Mary) I’m 74 and living on the Gulf of Mexico. Almost all of us Hans are gone now. please CALL 850-832-6678, any time….loved this site!!
with much love,
Cousin George
I grew up in the houses on the corner of 75th Ave. & 60th La. Born 60-39 in ’45, Moved out of 60-41 in ’68. I am a Model Train enthusiast since I had a “real” train layout in my own backyard I used to love to watch and listen to the big diesel switches work the large A & P warehouse (Decatur St.) and enjoy the many high-balling trains passing by on the mainlines. I am presently working on a 1:48 scale 7×16 ft. layout of the whole area from Forest Ave.to 61St. and Myrtle Ave. Glendale and Ridgewood was a wonderful place to grow up.I have many memories of this “nowhere block”—– The model of the A&P Warehouse is 16in.x53in. with many windows.—- Could this be a Human Interest Issue? See u later. Chris
What a nostalgic walk down memory lane this is for me. I am going on 87.
Lived in Glendale all my life. Ate in every German Restaurant you mensioned.
All 5 of my children went to St. Pancras school, and all of us to that church. I worked in
Atlas Terminal when it was all factories. My daughter was married in that church and her wedding reception was in Durows. The german bakeries and butchers were untouchable by any others.
Went to George Wersts for many funerals. I remember “Bob’s Diner” when it was Bobs. Now it is the Glendale Diner.I still have a son and 3 grandchildren living there. I loved growing up there with all my heart…..what wonderful times my childhood was going to Rockaway Beach, and to Belvedere Movie. I also remember the Acme theatre (bet you don’t).
Used to ride a “trolley” to Richmond Hill High School.
Can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this article about Glendale…..made me very happy, sad, nostalgic and I wish I could go back and do it all again. Thanks so much!!!
Hello Carolyn,
When did you work at Atlas Terminal, and did you know my father, Albert Werner? He worked there from 1930s until 1960. (See my January 28, 2015 entry in this blog.)
Will Werner
I grew up on old Dry Harbor Road, now 81st. Street. I am a retired Local 3 electrician,that never had a reason to move away. Attended NYu,married a local girl of my dreams, Elaine Kelly, raised 3children am now 76 yrs old. We used to go to the George Seufert Band Shell for superb Sunday concerts. My friend George’s Andre played for the NBC Symphony orchestra, and George Seufert. It was, and still is,a beautiful part of NYC. We still have the last riding academy and horse trails through Forest Park. located in Glendale. My wife and I are members of Trinity Lutheran Church, which organized before the Civil war in 1863, and is still serving our Community. Glendale was a German community of Beer Halls and Oom-pay bands. It’s a great place,
To all the Glendalers out there, has anyone ever heard of a street named Alfsha Place? Seeking a specific address there from 1925. Also, any YMCA Twirlers from early 60s out there?
Try “ask a librarian” at the Queens library – http://www.queenslibrary.org/research/archives/map-atlas-tables
I’m happy to say I grew up in this area….was back 2 weeks ago, had dinner with my family in Zum Stammtisch…still my favorite restaurant.
i grew up on the other edge of glendale….woodhaven blvd and metropolitian ave area…..
the landmarks there was woodhaven lanes bowling……and the target diner.
cooper ave and woodhaven….ALL IN THE FAMILY …house
lupo brothers gas station also was there…..sal lupo was wounded by the son of sam.
I feel blessed having lived in Glendale on 68th Place until I was 14. It shaped who I am today. I went to St. Pancras, along with my sisters. My grandpa (Kelly Kaiser) worked at the tavern across the street, and I would go there after school to do my homework in the back room until mom got home. Remember buying cherry cough drops to eat at school since candy wasn’t allowed! Loved going to Woolworth’s across the street and getting a slice! I seem to recall a movie being made at one of the local cemeteries before we moved to California. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
I try to get HOME every few months. When there for Christmas I took my sister’s (Dorie) dog for a walk. Dorie and my father (Jerry) still live on 74th Ave, down the block from each other. Molly and I walked around the corner to Rutledge Ave…89-39. The face of the apartments changed, but, oh! those memories. Mr. And Mrs. Dower, The Gil Family (perhaps 2 l’s), Susie Brown and Eloise Marsh…my two best friends our first seven years growing up. Mr. And Mrs. Brown lived below us on the first floor. Susie was their granddaughter. Paul Arfanis (Aunt Beadie and Uncle Nick) lived next door on the second floor.
I remember being so excited when we found out a bowling alley was going to be built across the “street,” Woodhaven Lanes. The bar in the bowling alley had a juke box that played videos of the bands performing! MTV, you weren’t the first!! So many happy times were spent there. We went to Sacred Heart School and Church (East Glendale)! My parents both bowled on teams there. My mother’s team were made up of members from the Altar Society (I think St. Pancras was part of that) and the men were from the Holy Name Society. One way “Up THE Boulevard” was Fairyland (I can still smell the popcorn and cotton candy) while “down” took us to Rockaway or Far Rockaway beaches…always making a stop at the Big BowWow!
I’ve tried googling and searching on Facebook for our old neighbors. It’s harder to find the girls because, unlike me, I’m sure many have married and don’t go by their maiden names. I did what I always wanted to do…entered the convent (hence, still Opitz)! I found Paul on Facebook! He’s a dentist in New Jersey. I left him a message but, because I go by “Teddy Rutledge” on FB, either he didn’t see it or figured he doesn’t know anyone by that name (Teddy was our first dog…a little black Pomeranian, and Rutledge, the block I grew up on)!
I was fortunate to grow up in Glendale in the 1950s and 60s. I grew up on 87th Street, across the street from PS 113. We kids had a great deal of freedom. We were on our own to find things to do after school and on weekends and summer. We organized games-softball, handball, “stickball”, and “kings” (Chinese handball). Adults rarely got involved or even watched our sports, except at an occasional Cub Scout event. We were expected to get everywhere on our own- school, Sunday school, church, sports. We usually walked or biked, and sometimes took a bus.
Parents usually didn’t drive kids anywhere unless they were going and we were to go with them. Most mothers including my mother did not drive. My dad took the car to work. It could be a week between going anywhere in a car. My mom would walk to a variety of stores a few blocks away on Myrtle Avenue, towing a folding two-wheel “shopping cart” to and from. She would send one of us further to A&P on Metropolitan Avenue to buy sale items. Some times she would walk to A&P, about a mile. On Sundays we kids picked up rolls and crumb squares at Glendale Bake Shop.
You could do many things within walking distance in Glendale- go to school, cub scouts, church, library, the doctor. You could buy groceries, hardware, insurance, lumber, and bicycles, get a haircut, resole your shoes, and repair your car. Dr. Helfond, our family doctor, made house calls. Kids would get bicycles repaired at Howards Bike Store on Myrtle Avenue. Life for kids in Glendale was self contained and very separate from life in “the City” (Manhattan). Trips to the City required a bus and train (or a long walk to Forest Hills to catch the E or F train. On occasion my mom would take us kids by bus and train on all-day trips to Central Park, Radio City, or Museum of Natural History. Most kids rarely got to Manhattan.
Snow in 1960s Glendale was fun and lucrative. We would sled down 87th Street or in the golf course at Forest Park, or ice skate on a small pond in the golf course. But first, some of us shoveled snow for cash. My brother and I had regular customers. The best customers got their driveways and sidewalks cleared first. We would then wander through the neighborhood free-lancing. People would open doors and ask how much we would charge to clear a sidewalk or get a car unstuck. By 9 or 10:00 p.m. we went home, tired, hungry, with pockets full of cash. Mom would say, of course “you have to shovel our sidewalk!” We did the skimpiest job of clearing our sidewalk! Mom would threaten us with “we will get a ticket” meaning some City official would fine us for not clearing our sidewalk. This seemed very improbable and we scoffed. But decades later in 1998, as I was going through her things after her death, and placing many items in front of the house to be recycled, a Sanitation officer knocked on the door, and asked it the many stacks were mine, which they were, and yes, he did give me a ticket! (for labeling incorrectly or something). No joke. I have a copy somewhere. I felt Mom pointing her finger saying “I told you we would get a ticket!” You were right Mom. I paid the ticket.
PS 113 was smaller when I attended (1956-1962). The original 1920s building on 79th Street was expanded along 87th Street. This area had been school yard with a fenced garden at the corner with 78th Avenue where kids planted radishes. Many classrooms were unused due to low enrollment and competition (?) with Sacred Heart school. We kids could bring lunch or buy “hot lunch” or go home (!) for lunch. It was typical for mothers to be homemakers serve lunch to kids at home on school days. What was less typical- in my family my dad could come home for lunch. A family having lunch together mid week sounds like a picture from rural America at another time-but it was our mid- 20th-century reality in Glendale. We kids would walk back to school and Dad would drive back to his job a mile away.
In 1961 schools were integrated and we met new kids from Woodhaven. In 1962 PS 113 was converted to K-6, and PS 119 on 78th Ave, was converted to Glendale Junior High (7-9). I attended GJH until 1964. I pretty much left Glendale (and childhood) behind when I went to Stuyvesant High School in 1964, commuting 45 minutes each way on the Myrtle Avenue bus and Canarsie subway to East 14th Street (before Stuyvesant moved to the World Trade Center in the 1980s or admitted girls.) During the 12-day January 1966 transit strike I spent one day at my “local” high school Richmond Hill, walking both ways.
I am second generation Glendale. My grandfather, William Werner, immigrated from Germany around 1900 and settled in Glendale. He operated a stone-cutting business at the site that became Glendale Lumber on 73rd Place. At some point he adopted the technology of the day–replacing horses with trucks–to deliver inventory. He had other family that settled nearby in Glendale and did some farming.
My father, Albert Werner, lived all of his life (1908-1991) in Glendale except for two years of World War II he spent in the South Pacific as a SeaBee. Like many GIs retuning from the war, he first saw his newborn child, my oldest brother, months after he was born. My dad worked at Atlas Terminal from mid 1930s until 1960. His role was chief engineer (although I never recall a title). He managed the physical plant which delivered high-pressure steam to the industrial tenants. His workers would call him at any hour with an emergency. He was hired by Henry Hemmerdinger and answered directly to him, and later to his son, Monroe, and to (John?) Baptiste. Henry Hemmerdinger kept my father on full salary for the two years during his enlistment as a SeaBee. Around 1958, my dad had some business at the Southampton mansion owned by the Hemmerdinger family, and I got to walk through this beautiful structure. The mansion was destroyed by a storm in the 1960s after Monroe died.
Will Werner
Portland Oregon
So enjoyed your post; took me back to the good old times. We really were fortunate to live and grow up in such a great community even though we didn’t know it at the time.
Wow we were neighbors. I lived on 79th Avenue off 88th Street. Attended P.S. 113. Graduated 1948 and off to Richmond Hill High School. Went sledding down 87th Street and Forest Park and skated on that small pond on the golf course. Remember Poits deli and the vegetable store on Myrtle Ave. Moved out in 1956. Memories galore.
Hi Arthur. We were neighbors! You were all grown up when I attended PS 113 1956-1962. I remember your tree-lined 79th Ave. We lived right across 87th St from the end of 79th Ave. In warm weather we could hear the buzzer of the school yard announcing lunch was over. (It sounds like another world, but yes we kids could go home for lunch, on our own, and come back for class In the afternoon.)
Best,
Will Werner
Portland, Oregon
Hi All! Kathy Schuler here (now Kathy Dalziel) – I also grew up in Glendale during the 1950s-1960s. Attended PS 113 (Mr. Eberle was the principal). My kindergarten class had an almost life sized light blue play house in the back of the classroom. Attended JHS 119 and Richmond Hill HS, both of which seemed so big. I lived on a small street, only 2 blocks long, called Margaret Place which ran parallel to Woodhaven Blvd. The cross street was Trotting Course Lane. There was an old ribbon mill across the tracks that my friends and I used to dumpster dive in to find what I remember to be exquisite ribbon remnants which we used to make doll clothes with. The ribbon mill was demolished right around the time the Crescent was built. Went bowling at Woodhaven Lanes, bought pizza from the first pizza place in the neighborhood right next to Forest Park where a slice of pizza and a soda cost 15 cents. Those days I thought NYC was the center of the universe and I was thrilled to live in Glendale and bask in the lights of NYC. I live in Silicon Valley now where I tell my grandchildren stories about snow sledding in the golf course on pieces of cardboard and hitchhiking to Rockaway Beach without fear. Now they go to Tahoe for snow and Santa Cruz for sand. I tell them about mothers in the neighborhood having Hawaiian theamed backyard parties which sometimes ended up in the garage when it rained. Now they have their own parties with techno music and sushi. Boy, have times changed.
I grew up on 64th Lane off of Cooper Avenue; graduated from St. Pancras School in 1964 and was married in the church in 1974. So many wonderful memories of family and good neighbors in Glendale. Every street was its own little community
Great site I lived in Glendale on 80th street and 1 block off Myrtyl Ave. Attended PS119 and then Brooklyn Tech and Pratt Institute. Our family’s did not have a car until I was in high school. I also worked as a kid for six years delivering orders on Saturdays for a German butcher shop. It was a great place to grow up and I will always call NYC my home
Billy Bieber I lived across the street and up the block from you, next to Ginny Rumore! If I remember correctly you had light blond hair, you were very mischievous, but you didn’t mind having a girl over to your house! Didn’t you have a passle of brothers too? We left Glendale in ‘54 and moved to Long Island. My aunt still lives on 67th St. Don’t get there much, but very special memories!
Lived on Doran Ave. and have some good memories of my childhood there. The pic of Von Westernhagens was cool because I hung with the son of the owners while in grade school at Sacred Heart. Very nice and thank you ……..
What was the previous names of the restaurant Zum Stammtisch?
See comment below. It was called McManus’s during the 60’s and at least part of the 70’s. Obviously not German.
Chubbies Bar
I grew up in Glendale and lived in the Kurtz Bakery house. When i got married in 1961 they gave me a beautiful wedding cake. We played handball at the 70th st. park…and later in Farmers Oval. Our church is the Methodist church on Central Ave. We just ate in Zummie’s for my 75th birthday…our friends father remodeled both Bob’ Diner and Durrow’s years ago. My father in laws cousin owned the saloon on Central Ave an 67th place…Rhein & Schuleruth…. wow ! memory’s coming back…nice blog.@ireneBurkeyRhein.
Born on 72nd Street (the Cypress Hills Cemetery end). Went to PS119 and Richmond Hill HS. Aunt Helen (now aged 96) still lives in the same house. Gundolffs Hotel (Woods Tavern) was later known as Back Herman’s (we had family meals there every Easter) and then Richards. It had a long intricately carved wooden bar – wonder what became of it when the place converted to residential? Zum Stammtisch was McManus’s Bar (one of many that didn’t look too closely at our draft cards).
I heard the bar was used in the 1964 Worlds Fair in Flushing Queens . Kevin Heffernan
Great stuff – brings back memories. I grew up in Glendale, born 1936 and left about 1961. Too bad a picture of PS 91 wasn’t included. I remember 4 candy stores, 4 German bakeries, and the best german butcher of all (Behams) on Myrtle between 66th and 65th Pl. The Acme movie was known by us as “the itch”. I have no idea why. A great seafood store was Quandts on Myrtle which was especially popular on Fridays so the catholics could get fresh cooked seafood for their meatless Fridays.
I was born in Glendale 1936. Lived there until 2013. You couldn’t find a nicer close knit neighborhood. Spent most of my childhood playing sports in central ave park.
I was born on 68th Place in 1927. Later we lived on 69thPlace and again, on 68th Place. My wife and I attended St. Pancras Parochial School during the Depression. Even though times were tough during that period we had a good family life and many friends I wonder if there is any one around that is from the period? Raymond Burger, Princeton NJ
You left out The Woods Inn on Edsil Ave. It was the oldest bar in Glendale
Dear Bob, you mention the oldest bar on Edsil Ave. I guess I thought the oldest bar was at the railroad crossing around 73rd Street. Our playground, in the 30’s was the Railroad track area that passed through Glendale. A favorite pastime was making “Mickies” (potatoes) In a blazing tin can. The can was perforated in the bottom and slung with a long wire that looped and connected on two edges along the rim. A fire was started in the can and a potato dropped in. The wire sling was then circled overhead. This action created intense heat that cooked the potato in a matter of minutes. Once a week, on Saturdays, if I recall, we would walk down to Atlas Terminal in time to grab on to a freight car, part of a long string of cars, and ride down to about 68th Place, near where we lived. Can one imagine allowing children to do this today. I don’t think so. When I was an older teenager I played football with the Ridgewood Bulldogs and then later with the Glendale Boys Club, at Farmers Oval. Fon Memories. Raymond Burger, Princeton NJ
This is Susan Sherman Bedell, all my family lived in the area in the 40s. We lived on 69th street right up from, P.S.91. I skipped my way home for lunch and the end of school day. I remember Dr. Lynch around the corner. I also remember the Deli around our block with the great bagels. How about the deli on our corner. We use to go with our beer bucket and get clam chowder on Fridays with wish cakes. Who could forget the bakery down the block on Central Ave? What wonderful childhood memories.
Tremendous issues here. I am very satisfied to see your post. Thanks so much and I’m taking a look ahead to touch you Dallas Towing-Towing Dallas-Towing Company-Roadside Assistance. Will you please drop me a mail?
I lived at 71-54-68th Street from 1949 to 1961 when my family moved to Mineola. Extended family lived within blocks of my home and everyone on our block new each other. Although children were to be seen and not heard from, my friends and I were always spoken to as the adults walked to and from their destinations. I attended St. Pancras church and school through 6th grade. Although I walked to and from school many of my classmates used public transportation and I remembered the bus cards they purchased. Everything I needed was within walking distance so my friends and I walked everywhere. Harry’s was the name of the local candy store, Morris’ was the name of the deli and Woolworth’s carried most of the everyday items. we needed. I went to Hermann’s hardware store with my dad and the vegetable store at the corner of 68th St. and Myrtle Ave. sold pine trees at Christmas. Mulligan’s hosted a Christmas party my cousins and I attended and now and again my family and I ate lunch there. Forest Park was a special afternoon trip where my family and I
enjoyed the carousel and playground. In the winter we went sledding down the hills or ice skating at Victory Field. I can’t imagine a better place or time to grow up and Glendale has shaped my life in so many positive ways. I am grateful.
My name is Vincent Tria and lived at 7151- 68th street. I lived there from 54’’, born there, moved to LI in 62’, with my three brothers.
Many fond memories of the neighbor. The candy store, Woolworths, and an older woman who sold pretzels across from St. Pancreas, which I attended until 2nd grade. The nuns taught me many lessons, Sisters Mary Arnold, Mary Steven’s, Mary Steven Teres.
Bohack’s and Many other stores along the Avenue.
And the Parades.
Al Hamerstead was our alleyway neighbor and my Uncle Frank lived a few doors down with a Squirrel Lamp post, which is still there.
Cousins who live on 69th place.
I believe I knew you, though you are older than I.
I also remember a Robert Gearhard.
6924 67th Street. Born in 1940. My niece just sold the house in August. Feeney Family lived there from 1930 for 87 years. My brother Baseball Hall of Fame sportswriter Charley Feeney and sister Marie were also raised there. Played stick ball on Otto Road between 67th Place & 67th Street. Still go out to dinner with my childhood friend Tom Ryan, 6710 67th Street. His brother Kenny & the two of us went on many “Secret Missions” in the railroad lots on Otto Road…the first hill, the second hill, third hill and then the cemetary over to Middle Village. Other days, walked to the Acme, Belvedere, Glenwood, Ridgewood, Madison movie houses.Graduated from St. Pancras in January 1954.
The 1950s….no time or place better than Glendale to grow up in.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading the stories and comments of former and current Glendale-ites. Some of you older guys and gals might enjoy reading a book I published several years ago, entitled “Really, Grandpa.” Most of it is about recollections of Glendale in the late 30’s and 40’s. It’s available from Amazon.com in soft or hard cover.
Lived on 71st 7165 until 1959
Lived in Glendale almost my whole life also married and brought up my children When I was young I lived on 67 street went to PS 91 then we moved to Doran Ave went to 113 Had a great life. When I left high school my family moved to Seaford LI. After I married we moved back to Glendale. Brought back many memories I would love to do it all over again it was great The pictures brought back so many memories that I have about all the places in Glendale and we used to go to the acme movies on Saturdays to see the cartoons and tarzan or three stooges what great days also great restaurants Durrows and Zums and many more
My mom was born and raised in Liberty Park up the street from Belvedere. She dated Phil Rizzuto for a short time who was also raised in Liberty Park
All of her siblings attended St Pancras. My cousin owned and operated Gibbys Tavern on Myrtle and 64Pl.
We have a long family tree from this neighborhood..
We will be leaving very soon but will always have fond memories from the neighborhood.
In 1941, I was born at King County Hospital and raised on Myrtle Ave at 65th Place. In 1962 I went into USAF for 4 years and was briefly back at home in Glendale until I got married in 1969. I never knew some of the facts provided here but can probably clarify some of the descriptions included.
Wow, memory lane!, what a trip. I was there for the end of the German influence in the area. Gebharts Restaurant was on the same block I grew up on. I never knew how famous it was!
What can I say. Wish I could recreate the years before my dad got sick. They were not a bad time for me.
I forgot an important item. My grandfather Alex established the Quality Bakery at Myrtle Ave and 65th Pl. During the depression my Dad, Al jr., took over the business until he got ALS in 1952. Somebody out there may remember the bakery and my family. I would love to hear from anyone who does remember my family. Thanks, Al W.
I grew up on Doran Ave 1942 to 1956. I believe I met you in Escondido CA when our kids swam together. I now live in Visalia CA. Rita Van Pelt Gerrity.
I was born and lived on 69th Street and Otto Road in 1944 and grew up, got married and had 3 daughters while living there in Glendale. My first home was purchased from my best friend’s grandparents (Barbara Meyer-VanCott who is still the dearest friend ever)) on Central Avenue between 69th Place & 70th Street right across the street from the Foreign Car Repair Shop. We had the perfect place to watch the parades as they passed by and were only 3 houses down from the park. Growing up there was the best experience ever and I was so glad my girls got to have the same experience for about 10 years. Then the park started to change and it was slowly taken over by undesirables and when they started using my stoop to sit on it was time to move. I hated leaving my home town and my friends and family but moving to East Meadow was another wonderful area but will NEVER replace the way of life that Glendale had given me. My father-in-law owned the Dick’s Luncheonette on 68th Street and Myrtle Avenue right across from Bohack and St. Pancras School. That was where I met my husband, Richie, who was Dick’s son; 56 years later we are still blessed to be living out our remaining years in Vero Beach, Florida close to my youngest daughter and 5 grandkids.
My grandfather William H. O’Hare, 5 time assemblyman for Glendale bought a new row house at 33 Parkview in Glendale and my mother’s birth certificate shows this address as of August 15, 1913. Shortly thereafter the streets and addresses were changed to numbers and the house became 78-46 80th Street. Then later is got a postal code of Glendale, 27. I was born in May of 1939 and traveled with my parents and paternal grandparents to various wartime manufacturing sites until 1945. My parents divorced in 1944, and mom and I moved in to the second floor of the house in Glendale. I remember playing with Paulie Kurtz next door and Allen Bieber down the block at the corner. We played a lot of Bovine Breeders versus Indigenous Natives along with roller skating and going to the park playground across Myrtle Avenue. I started school at Sacred Heart for first and second grades. In Sept. 1947 I was sent to St. Claire’s Academy at Hastings-on-Hudson, a boarding school.for third grade. Fourth Grade and half of fifth (1948/49) was spent at Coindre Hall in Huntington. Second half of fifth grade and sixth grade was at P.S.119. We then moved to Olcott Street in forest Hills when my uncle sold the house to the Sanchez family. I spent the 1951/1952 School year at P.S. 144, then we moved to McAllen, Texas where I attended middle and high school until joining the Navy. I had to bring my mother back to New York due to illness, and I joined the Navy at a recruiting station in Brooklyn and was sworn in at the Federal Building at 39 Whitehall Street in Manhattan. After boot camp at Bainbridge, Maryland I was sent to Electronics School at Treasure Island, San Francisco and then to an Ocean minesweeper (USS Firm MSO 444) in Long Beach, CA. At the end of my enlistment I was able to join North American Aviation in Downey, CA and spent 35 years in Aerospace on Minuteman, Apollo, and the entire Space Shuttle Orbiter program, retiring in 1995 and moving to griffin, Georgia where I reside today with my wife Glenna.
Wonderful article! Growing up on a dead end street in Forest Park was an adventure, or for any kid a few blocks away from the park! What good times! Barn fires, Dirt bike riding, the Bandshell, horses, THe DUMP!
Many good neighbors and great people.
Hello Folks,
Back in July 20th 2014 (read above for history if interested) I gave a synopsis of an O Gauge Model Railroad Layout that I was beginning to build. I finished it 6 months ago. I moved from Long Island to Maine (my boyhood vacationland) 5 years ago to a larger home to continue construction of the now 12 by 20 foot two level model of my childhood playground which I have named “The GlendaleYard” that is loaded with period (1950’s) Trains , Automobiles and Buildings, many I scratch built with over 500 pieces each. Oh yeah, there are about 250 people too, some depicting stages of my life. I am a semi-professional photographer- videotographer and lately compose my own music score-soundtrack. The main focus and location identifier of course are the A&P Warehouse on Decatur St. and the Empties Building on 60th Lane. Both on each side of the railroad. The row houses on 75th Ave are also a prominent feature. Family members who have seen it consider it a piece of 3D history. It is an awesome sight and is a bit complicated to operate with 24 switches, 7 engines and over 200 ft. of track. I do not subscribe to Youtube, Facebook, Twitter or any other social media, no website either. I would like to share photos and really good videos with anyone on this site who may get a kick out of this sort of thing.(not many are interested in trains ) I an not a robot and this is no toy.
Chris of The GlendaleYard
my family moved from Jersey City to Glendale when i was 4yrs old Rosemary( Godino) Burke, attended PS 88 ,Richmond Hill HS ,lived at 6439 Central Ave row houses until age 20,moved to 65th pl after married ,had two daughters Deborah & Cynthia.4yrs later moved to North Babylon long island , I now live in Whiting NJ. My happy days growing up in Glendale where wonderful ,it was a time never to be forgotten, i’ll be 85 in August , my sister Joan turned 90 in april we speak of Glendale every chance we get ,if the world could grow up in Glendale everyone would be happy ,loving ,caring each other . it would be a special place to have grown up in. All my happy memories are from growing up in GLENDALE.
I played baseball at what was called New Farmers Oval. Played for the Ridgedale Hobos. This team was coached by George Lehning. We were all graduates of the first year 1952 Ridgewood little league . Joe Kepics, Dickie Lalier, Billy Mertz, Billy Engerser,johnie Rosman. I was from Maspeth originally and later lived on 68th avenue. I went to Brooklyn Tech and spent many days riding the Myrtle Ave El. I now live in Delaware.
I lived in Glendale the first 19 years of my life and it was a wonderful neighborhood. My family lived on 82nd Street off Myrtle Avenue. I had many childhood friends and enjoyed Forest Park for bicycle riding, sledding, ice skating, softball and the playground. I attended Sacred Heart School in the 60’s. I enjoyed Gruebel’s candy store and we’d get a 2-scoop ice cream cone with sprinkles for 18 cents!! Now reside in Phoenix, AZ.
Don’t forget the Soda Shop on Myrtle Ave near where union Tpke began, where scenes from “Lords of Flatbush” were filmed in Glendale in the early 70’s. I wish I could upload a screen grab from the film.
Hi Will Werner here. (I posted above on Jan. 28, 2015.)
I grew up across the street (87th) from PS 113. I went to PS 113 from K to 6 from 1956-1962. Then to PS 119 aka Glendale Junior High from 62-64. It would be great to hear from any classmates from either school. Will Werner.
Hi Will. My Mom (born 1921) had an Aunt Carrie WERNER. Two others were Margaret Bauer and Mamie Eichstadt.
Does anyone remember the bar called the Attic? It was a really great hangout! Lots of good times and a good crowd!