As a neighborhood, Morris Park, located in what’s about the exact center of the Bronx, appears to be one of the borough’s most stable and long-standing, but it’s actually only a few decades old and occupies what used to be a vast racetrack – come airfield -come road racing track; many of NYC’s more “stabler” neighborhoods, such as Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, are located where the ponies used to run and automotive pioneers raced.
(LEFT) Morris Park Racetrack Clubhouse; above, Morris Park Racetrack grandstand, both in 1899. from McNamara’s Old Bronx, John McNamara
The name Morris turns up a number of times in the Bronx, primarily from two different families: the Revolution-era Morrises: Richard, who arrived in the 1660s and first settled the South Bronx; Declaration signer Lewis, US Senator Gouverneur, and Robert, who was a 3-term NYC mayor in the 1850s.
The Morris of Morris Park was John A. Morris, whose Westchester Racing Association acquired 152 acres in 1888 on the outskirts of the old Bear Swamp (which was quite literally named) and built a huge racetrack and clubhouse there. As opulent as the racetrack was, though, it was in operation only from 1890 to 1904 (though a vestige of horse racing in the area, the Track Restaurant and Tavern, held down a corner at Eastchester and Williamsbridge Roads some distance from the old track until 1957). The track itself burned to the ground in 1910.
In 1908 the abandoned racetrack became the world’s first formal airfield and the American Eagle, the largest dirigible in history to that time at a full 105 feet in length, was built there, and one of the first gliders, piloted by 17-year-old Lawrence Lesh, was launched from the former track that year. And, in the early 1900s, the old racetrack was also used for speed and endurance races for the newfangled automobile, and a young Swiss driver named Louis once won a gold watch for driving a Fiat a the-record 52.8 MPH there. The driver along with his brother Gaston competed in many road races at the Morris Park track and Gaston won at Indianapolis in 1920. Of course, it was Louis Chevrolet (1878-1941), who ironically sold his share in the Chevrolet Motor Car Company he founded in 1911 to original partner William Durant in 1915, and returned to the racing business, as well as aeronautics. (The gold watch he won had been donated by Walter Chrysler.)
It was not until the 1920s that streets were cut through and houses constructed; the neighborhood was not “completed” until the 1970s!
The portal to Morris Park (by public transportation, at least) is the East 180th Street IRT station, which boasts the most majestic station house in the system. The building, thankfully protected by landmark, was constructed in 1912 as a grand Italian villa station for the New York, Westchester and Boston Railroad that operated between the Bronx and Westchester from 1912 to 1937 (it never made it to Boston) and was subsequently sold to NYC and became the Dyre Avenue Line. Other station houses along the line have survived too.
A short walk west along East 180th Street will bring you to the FDNY Fire Alarm and Telegraph Bureau (right) built 1923 in an Italian Renaissance style. It’s actually in West Farms, a Bronx crossroads that borders on Morris Park, Tremont and Crotona Park.
Morris Park Avenue
Morris Park Avenue marches northeast from the old NYW&B station to Hospital Row (see below) and forms the main commercial spine of the area. Like most of NYC’s neighborhood main drags it has several mysterious items, at least to someone not from the neighborhood
Shot this through a wrought iron fence leading to an auto body shop. One of FNY’s more enduing, or annoying traditions…name that car.
Looks like a 1936 Buick Special, according to some FFs.
The 180th Street/Unionport subway yards, are, of course, closed to the public, but a look through another fence on Morris Park Avenue provides a look at R-26 cars 7774 and 7775. These redbird cars were retired from passenger service in 2003. Cars of much older vintage are also stored there.
Unlike Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates, you usually know what you’re going to get on Morris Park Avenue.
New York City is nothing more than a collection of small towns and most New York neighborhoods are blissfully non-suburban in the sense, to put it simply, that all sorts of things are right next to each other. If you want to take your kid to chess lessons in the morning, he can walk across the street for boxing in the afternoon.
(LEFT) Wonderfully non-politically correct name for a movers.
Unionport Road, connecting Bronx Park and the old Bronx town of the same name (now a part of Castle Hill), runs past Morris Park Avenue and officially divides the neighborhoods of Morris Park and Van Nest. (Unionport was originally a sheep pasture and the road has been called Sheep Pasture Road in the past.)
Anchoring the SW corner of Unionport Rd. and Morris Park Avenue is this long-standing pasta wholesaler.
Know your pasta: cannelloni means “large pipes” or large reeds” in Italian and are tubes filled with flavorful fillings, more popularly “Mannicotti” in the USA.Gnocchi, pronounced approximately nyo’ kee, literally “lumps,” small dumplings made from a mashed potato and flour mixture with some egg as a binder; and agnolotti (an yo lat’ ti), “priests’ hats” are a variety of ravioli.
If I’m wrong about these descriptions…hit me with a wet noodle.
When Italian-Americans in the Bronx are mentioned, the guidebooks will usually direct the reader to Arthur Avenuein Belmont, famed for its many restaurants and delicacy shops, but Morris Park and Middletown, to the northeast, are not to be outdone and Morris Park Avenue is lined with pizza places and pasticcerias.
The flags are left over from the celebrations when Italy won the World Cup in July 2006.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDsqDqh_IxQ
One of Morris Park’s little surprises is this peaked trio on Amethyst Street just off Morris Park Avenue.
Hospital Row
Ullmann Research Center at Newport Avenue (right) is part of Yeshiva University’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
Jacobi Medical Center, on a vast plant between Pelham Parkway, Eastchester Road, Morris Park and Seminole Avenues, is the Bronx’ largest public hospital. Also in the Bronx’ Hospital Row are the Bronx Psychiatric Center, Montefiore Medical Center on Eastchester Road and Calvary Hospital, where your webmaster’s father rested comfortably in his final days.
ForgottenFan Michael Szmyga: Where you refer to Jacobi Medical Center, there is a picture that shows a prominent grey building with lighter grey and red buildings in the back. The dark grey building is actually the Rose E. Kennedy Center which is a neuroscience research building part of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (I’m actually a graduate student at Einstein, hence my now living in Morris Park and knowing which buildings are which). The two buildings in the background are Jacobi Medical Center itself with the red one being the recent addition that opened ~2006.
White Plains Road
White Plains Road, like many NYC streets, is named for a town where it doesn’t go, at least not any longer. It’s the only street in the Bronx that runs from the East River all the way to the city line at Mount Vernon, Westchester County. It doesn’t go to White Plains proper…it changes to West 1st Street in Mount Vernon, but make a turn or two and you will arrive at NY Route 22, known as White Plains Post Road much of its length, which leads to the titular town. In fact, the Bronx’ White Plains Road was laid out in 1863 and was named for fields of bright balsam flowers found along its route.
There are no pastoral scenes left along White Plains Road, but there is this brilliant aquamarine building at Rhinelander Avenue. A close inspection reveals its original function as a garage.
Probably not for your webmaster though. Exercise causes him pain and injury.
Cruger Avenue between White Plains Road and Bronxdale Avenue featured the boyhood home of ubiquitous TV personality Regis Philbin. But what would Reege say if he saw that the Department of Transportation has installed his sign on the wrong street?
photo via Cityrag
Bronxdale Avenue
An Indian trail led through the farms belonging to the Fowler family in Revolutionary times, skirting Bear Swamp, which did in fact feature ursine mammals in the era. It led from the town of Westchester (now Westchester Square) to what is now Bronx Park and later carried the appallation Snuffmill Lane, since at the end of the road was the tobacco-producing Lorillard family’s mail built in 1840, now part of the New York Botanical Garden. Bronxdale Avenue is one of the few roads even at present between Morris Park and Westchester Square, which are separated from each other by the tracks of the Metro-North RR and Amtrak.
On either side of Bronxdale Avenue and Antin Place are the magnificent Art Deco Bronx Park Medical Pavilion that formerly fronted a swimming pool, and a turreted Tudor tower. Walk up Cruger Avenue for some more Art Deco which rivals the Grand Concourse’s collection.
We pause from the great Art Deco to point out these tiny bungalow-like homes on Hunt Avenue just around the corner. Forgotten Fan Don Gilligan surmises they could have housed trackworkers who built the NY, Westchester & Boston RR.
Here I go again..my, my, how can I resist Mamma Maria on Bronxdale and Morris Park Avenue. I haven’t been inside but this place looks huge. 9/19/10: Now known as 900 Park
Forgotten Fan Charles Ferrari writes:
The Mamma Maria restaurant is actually just part of a shopping complex on the corner of Bronxdale and Morris Park, which was built about 10-15 years ago and has gone through some interesting turf wars. If you look at the bottom floor you can see a place called “For Kids Only” which is a daycare center. Originally, each storefront was a separate store, with Mamma Maria and For Kids only being two of them. Slowly, For Kids Only began to expand until it took up most of the building leaving only Mamma Maria and a Cafe. Then suddenly, I come back from college this summer to see Mamma Maria taking up the whole thing.
Barnes Avenue
The Bronx contains some long streets. There’s the aforementioned White Plains Road, there’s Tremont Avenue which runs from the Harlem River to Throgs Neck, Jerome Avenue, and Boston Road, which does go to Boston. Then there’s Barnes Avenue, which begins at a trickle at a dead end past Van Nest Avenue in Morris Park and runs north to the city line at Mount Vernon…at a trickle. In fact Barnes Avenue is interrupted many times on its journey and contains four separate sections, the longest and widest being from Astor Avenue north to Bissel Gardens in Wakefield.
Like most of the Bronx’ long streets it began life as a Native American trail, and has been known in several sections as Kingsbridge Road, White Plains Road (no connection to the other one), Cedar Street, and Madison Street. It’s likely named for 1840s landowner Samuel Barnes, through whose farm part of the route was built.
Like the Tudor shown above at Bronxdale Avenue and Antin Place the avenue’s angle through the area has produced buildings with distinctive triangular shapes that resemble the prows of sailing vessels such as this one at the SE corner of Barnes.
Just south of Bronxdale on Barnes we find this brilliant yellow building with a bright, enclosed porch.
Morris Park contains two of the Bronx’ obscurest alleys, visible on only the most detailed maps, Barnett Place off Barnes Avenue between Rhinelander and Morris Park Avenues. As short as it is it does contain two handsome 2-story brick apartment buildings.
Carpet store sign, Barnes and Morris Park Avenues.
The other obscure Morris Park alley is Graham Place, which is a trickle of sidewalk leading north from Morris Park Avenue east of Matthews Avenue leading to a single house.
More Bronx alleys can be found here, here and here.
Turkish Cypriot Mosque, Morris Park Avenue and Graham Place.
The DOT has been doing a little lamppost experimentation along Morris Park Avenue (along with parts of Williamsbridge Road) in taking double-shafted telephone-pole mounted masts, painting them black and equipping them with neo-Bell mercury bulb luminaires. (Historically in NYC the double masts have always used Westinghouse “cuplights” at first, then Westy silverliners and GE M400s). First installed in about 2003, this style has yet to catch on elsewhere around town.
A group of streets in Morris Park along Jacobi Hospital sport Native american names: Seminole, Pawnee, and Narragansett. Originally these streets were part of a real estate development called Westchester Heights in the 1860s, and the developers decided to give the streets Indian-sounding names (Seminole was originally Saratoga Avenue.)
Pelham Parkway
The greenway/parkway known officially as The Bronx and Pelham Parkway (sort of like The Grand Boulevard and Concourse) runs from Boston Road east to Stillwell Avenue, connecting Bronx and Pelham Bay Parks, after which the greenway ends and the road becomes the Pelham Shore Road, running through Pelham Bay Park. Though not constructed by Frederick Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the designers of Brooklyn’s Ocean and Eastern Parkways, it follows their model of the parkway in its true sense; a park along which traffic runs. (And does so even more effectively than Brooklyn’s entries!) Unfortunately there’s no actual connection between the Bronx’ two great parkways, Pelham and Mosholu.
Um, am I interrupting something?
I stopped by the Garabedian residence at 1601 Pelham Parkway North and found that their Christmas house looks pretty much the same in the summer as it does in December!
Bay Plaza at Co-Op City watches balefully over Waring and Delanoy Avenues.
OK, I can name that car at Gun Hill Road and Allerton Avenue, it’s ’52 Dodge!
Photographed August 13, 2006. Page completed August 20.
erpietri@earthlink.net
©2006 Midnight Fish
117 comments
I’m a native New Yorker, grew up in Morris Park The Bronx. My grandfather had a luncheonette, named Denise’s. The present business there now is Anne Clair’s, if this will help! That was my grandfathers place & i’m looking 4 pictures of it.Maybe u can help. Thank u,
Joe Geller
my name is joe mastroianni. is your father Richie geller? my mother millie and your grandmother cal were sisters. I lived at 1725 lurting ave and your grandparents lived upstairs. I lived in the Bronx until 1959. I presently live in Farmington ct
Hi Joe, this is Joe Geller, Richie Geller’s son. Wow!!! Aunt Millie… Yes my grandmother Cal, Columbia.. I remember i use 2 play with Carl…My Uncle Danny and the whole family was 1722 Lurting across the street. Pls feel free to contact me. Joe
Wow small world, i’ll post up the pictures gimme a call one day.
hi.. i remembered when Denise’s opened… sorry .. no photos..
Hey Joe,
How are you? I would like to connect with you. Have some free time and had the urge to look on line for photos of Denise’s Luncheonette. R u still in NYC, The Bronx .Would lv to chat with u hope all is great. Here is my num 917 202 6718/ Mobile
I’m a life long resident & now raising my family in Morris Park! Recently my wife found an ice pick in her grandfathers belongings and it faintly read Morris Park ice service 764 Morris Park owned by the Grittani family. Talk about old school if anyone can shed some light on this please do. I see my friends Joe Geller & Joe Cosentino have posted comments, all great Memories
Hi, my grandfather was an ice man. I am 62 now and remember going with him as a child. All the traffic, horns blowing, the smell of exhaust. He would pick up the ice, throw a leather pouch and burlap over his
Shoulder, then a large block of ice on it. Climb what seemed to be endless stairs, knock on the door. He would answer them it’s Tommy the ice man. They would open the door and he would walk to the ice box, not a
refrigerator. Put the ice block in it. Pull out water tray empty it, put it back. Collect 15 cents. Hard workers. I
miss him a lot.
The troubled son Joe Geller. Stay away he is nothing but an air head that fights with everyone and his family stays away from his troubled lifestyle!
WATCH OUT Joe Geller is BAD NEWS!! He has been into drugs and jail on and off through his years, now living in California off a girls pocket. Better off staying away from his terrible ANGER issues. Good luck!!
i remember opening day….
Joe,are you the same guy that buys and sells record albums ? If so,you came to my house in Yonkers in 2013 and bought some from me.
Joe,are you the same guy who buys and sells record albums? if so,you came to my house in Yonkers in 2013 or 14 and bought some.
Wow… Denise’s Luncheonette! I attended Our Saviour Lutheran High (Williamsbridge & Morris Park Ave) from 64-68…we hung out at Denise’s after school most days! Fabulous memories! Thanks for all the great info on this neighborhood 🙂
im looking for any pictures of my dad’s cleaners Enterprise.
An old school friend from the Bronx sent me this!! We attended Our Savior Lutheran Church and I attended the Elementary School for two years. I graduated in 1960. I went to Walton HS for a year then Christopher Columbus HS. I have now lived in Florida longer than I lived in the Bronx, having moved to FL in 1974.
Great article for a great neighborhood. I’m glad to see Morris Park getting the recognition it deserves.
Joseph Cosentino
Owner/Broker
Morris Park Realty
874C Morris Park Ave
Bronx, NY 10462
718-863-1212
like us on Facebook
My uncle was Dan Fasolino, who was part of Morris Park Realty for many years. My grandparents, Aniello and Nancy Fasolino owned Liberty Pizzeria. I grew up on Barnes and Morris Park. Many great memories of the neighborhood, Our Lady of Solace school and of the bakery across the street. The wonderful smells from the bakery after church are still how I judge other bakeries!
My sister and I were just talking about the Liberty Pizzeria this past Sunday!. We grew up on White Plains Rd near Rhinelander during the ’60s. I graduated from OLS in 1969. We were at the Liberty all the time. I remember your grandmother so well – she was always so nice and friendly!
You were born at 1900 Hunt ave, If i recall correctly. Nicholas Di Brino ,jr
Was great friends with Dan for some for 45 years attend many affairs with Dan and both of his wifes. at many majors political affairs Nicholas Di Brino
Dan Fasolino and I were very close friends for some 47 years.Nicholas Di Brino
I lived on 1663 Wallace ave, right next to your grandparents. Dan and I had a few argument, but nothing physical. Your grandfather, we called “POPS’ made the best pizzas in the world,back in 1955/56. To this day, 2017, only Amica’s pizza comes close
Morris Park and Wallace Ave.. Best pizza and meatball and sausage hero ever.
I lived at 1663 Wallace Ave, next to your grandparents. Dan and I had a few arguments, but nothing physical. Your grandfather, we called “POPS”, made the best pizza in the world. To this day, 2017, only Amica;s pizza is even close. Best pizza and meatball and sausage heros.. Small place , but no one beat it.
My name is Anthony Agnone. My Dad bought 1910 Radcliff Avenue in 1951. One of the first new homes on an established street. Our family lived there until 1986 when mom, Janette passed and my sister, Diane and Dad moved to join me in California. My memories of the Bronx upbringing are vivid and close to forming my success as a person. Here are some of the names of folks I remember and stay in touch with. Carlantone, Trani, Vetrone, Van Cook, Stienfeld, Del Vecchio and DeLuca. The neighborhood was the greatest upbringing anyone could imagine. Italian, Jewish and Irish with other eastern European folks. Those days you could eat off the floor. People loved the neighborhood. They were the greatest generation. Dad came back to the Bronx after WW2 and as others did wanted peace and quiet and make babies.
All I wanted to do in those days was play ball, ride bikes, play ball, go to school, play ball and work for Uncle ALs butcher shop on Morris Park. ANYONE remembering those great times , I would like to reminisce. Thank you.
Across from the church was the Stroll,s bakery. Next to Safeway(Pioneer) was the Home bakery, a touch of Germany
Hi, I grew up on White Plains Road, just past Morris Park. We used to go to Liberty Pizzeria all the time. This was in the early to mid sixties. Your grandma used to pinch my cheek whenever she saw me! Such a friendly woman! To this day, the best pizza I ever had! Wish I could go back in time to experience the Liberty Pizzeria once again.
got married in Our Lady of Solace three children baptized there, do I remember a chicken market on Morris Park 1940s lived on Bogart Ave until 1955 went to Columbus High school, graduated 1949
This site is great! Brings back memories as I grew up on Pierce Avenue. The Mamma Maria’s on Bronxdale and Morris park Avenues was a mini golf place and then a storage area behind the Van Ness Bowling Alley. This was the bowling alley in the movie Men in Black 3. In the summers of 1971 and 1972 this corner spot held the Bronxdale Little League’s carnivals. Across the street to the northeast stood the Carvel’s Ice Cream stand with its white sloped roof (now a RiteAid complex). The laundrymat on the southwest corner was a great pizza place in the 70’s.
does anyone remember Triplets?
Hi Stephen,
I remember Triplets fondly. When my wife and I were dating before we were married she lived in the Bronx. Triplets was our favorite spot for a meal. The pastas were excellent.
Ron Marzoli
Hi Stephen — DId you have a brother that Graduated from Cardinal Spellman HS in 1976?
yes..Ralph is his brother
Yes:my father was related to nickola Gentile.The founder of the Triplet’s founded circa 1939. I resided, with family at 872 kinsell street, second floor. nickola and jenney purchaed this house in 1944. we moved into the second floor.(nickola wanted my Dad as a tenant;he insisted) Ann bernice and delorise were babies.RITA:was the older daughter; use to buy her deveil Dog’s in the morning at the local grocery story(Ralph’s)(“””Whaaady You Want Mister””” Bronxdale ave).I am now going back to the middle forties. nicholas Di Brino;author ;The history of The Morris park Racecourse and the Morris family. commished in 1976 by John A.Morris to compile a book of the long gone Morris Park Racecourse.
I remember the Triplets well and often think of them. Graduated PS 83 and Grace Dodge Vocational with Delores, Anna and Bernice. In fact I just pulled a picture of the three of them on their 13 birthday with their niece and nephew . Would be wonderful to hear how they are doing.
Always went to the Triplets for pizza especially after the dances at Our Lady of Solace .
(The Triplets)That would be Anne Bernice and Deloris. my father and there dad were cousins. We rented from 1943 to 1952 there above apartment located at 872 kinsella street, the older sister Rita;was a waitresses at the Pizzeria :, I would as a kid of some 7 years old always in the morning head to Ralph’s grocery store(Bronxdale ave; next to Van nest auto Parts)for her daily Drakes Devil Dogs..and a reward of some five cents to 15 cents Nikolai Gentile was the family name;( Gentile) In respect to a inquire. I had grown up in my childhood at 1842 Barnes ave, , and in turn in 1944 circa we moved to Kinsella street. A truly country setting in the nineteen forties, hardly no cars parked; some 3 on kinsella street (one was my Fathers 1939 Oldsmobile) a very quite time slot in america empty lots all over, as all of the new brick houses were built most all in the circa of nineteen fifties ,and another housing boom in the nineteen sixties) so; if you search about and look at those small brick house. , in my time there were all empty lots and wooded locations. One of the largest with left over hugh boulders would be the present location of that site . along Bronxdale ave, from Van nest ave to morris park ave. this was one of our our playgrounds for hugh Barn fires and other play activities of those day’s. I will point out the site closets to Morris park ave, during the era of the morris park Racecourse(!889 to 1903) this was the carriage and horse and buggies parking lot for the Racecourse fans (with Money).Another large empty lot was along bronxdale ave. The present location of mastro Catering.This lot was in its time owned by the builder of the large 4 story building.(kinsella st at Bronxdale ave) this lot ran from Bronxdale ave to Van Nest ave. and was the playground of some 16 children,I was one of them,/ I will point out the building at Bronxdale ave, at kinsella street The builder and his son and some 23 others were killed in the late thirties , during construction of a building that collapsed at moshula Parkway. The father was waked in the building at the second floor his apartment, the son a bit down the street in his private house living room (As was still the custom) the streets on kinsella street and else where were empty of cars. kinsella street held some 3 cars most all of the. time, one was my fathers a 1939 Oldsmobile deluxe, Traffic and life was lived in a slow paced relaxed deliver. a very claim era in my time. Neighbors spent time with each other chatting almost on a daily bases and the young would greet any older person with the salutation of Mr; or mrs. i still remember it all including so many of the original residents that in that time were the original owners , who purchased there house new; along the streets of kinsella Street all in there late seventies. in that time of my youth. the dress was very causal old clothing and old dress.yes all worn dresses . Submitted by Nicholas Di Brino; Author Historian former12 term Board of trustee; Bronx County historical society and of the Edger alllen poe of that publication. The history of the Morris Park Racecourse and The Morris family
Nicholas,
I have a friend that grew up in the Morris Park area and we are taking her back to New York for a visit after Thanksgiving. She fondly remembers Tripletts. Would love to know any local haunts to check out with her. She graduated from Christopher Columbus in 1949-1951.
Any info would be appreciated.
Took me two years to get back here thank Nicolas for the wonderful history.
My dad was a part time musician who played for weddings, etc and was the house band when Maestro’s was Blaise’s. His name was Eugene Lifrieri he and we lived on Radcliff Ave. My parents occupied their home for 54 years, when the death of my mom and failing health of my dad had us move him to Florida. Thank you again for the information
My parents owned Blaise’s caterers!
My Parents owned Blaise’s caterers (now Maestros).
I remember Triplets Pizzera, but my family frequented Liberty Pizza Parlor (owned by the Fasolino family), as we lived only doors away from it in the apt. house at 1741 Barnes Ave. I have been bac to the old neighborhood over the years, but lived there from 1945 to 1955. We were right next door to Ceas chicjen marjet and Conti’s. There was a shoemajer, then the Palumbo’s house, Ochel’s Deli, Liberty Pizza Parlor, a bar, Charlie’s Meat Marjet. Waljed to Our Lady of Solace Grammar School (gone) & bought candy & vanilla cojes at Mac’s Candy Store. In that neighborhood also was Izzie’s and Burje’s Bije Shop….& along Morris Parj Ave. Singer’s Drugstore & Willie’s Meat Marjet. The bus ran down Morris Parj Ave., but before that – there was a trolley. Great memories of a blessed childhood bacj in the innocent fifties. Joan (Volonino) Decjer, Bethlehem, PA.
Yes
I lived next door to triplets and was friends with David
My brother worked at Carvel’s and I remember free ice cream on Halloween, Van Nest was a two-way street, sledding down Kinsella street and Roy the ice cream man. Also, at the corner Mamma Maria’s now occupies was an inground, outdoor trampoline area. Surprise that Conti’s Bakery did not have a mention. Conti’s has been in the neighborhood since the 1920’s and has a great soda fountain. Also, it’s speciality, Boston Cream Pie, is unrivaled.
(A)-Roy: In the winter drove a Oil truck for Lubrein Oil; company; garage was located at Waterbury ave, Bronx. Roy resided near scrub Oak, New York. a great Gentleman;was Roy: ;(B) John built Carvel’s, at Bronxdale ave circa 1956 a former contruction worker great guy. good people always bitched about Carvel (the old corp.; that was in place when Tom Carvel ran the operations)Nicholas Di brinoNOTE This location was a very high hill with a hugh old billboard. of some 20 feet long, witha walking platform for the worker to slop on the new paper advertisemens; this location was never built upon. the first building was Carvel’sThis location was part of the Morris Park Racecouse property location – Racecouse opened oct 1889. closed in 1904 Nicholas Di Brino; author of the history Of The morrisPark Racecourse and the morris family. 1976.a book commished by the grandson of the founder of the Morris park racecourse MR: John A. morris.
Connie, did you live on Mathews A e. Near Kinsela St We lived in the Mr. Vogle house . Araldi
You are so right my grandmother was friends with mrs coties ( forgive the spelling ) and we went there once a week. Can’t remember the hard candy that came in box
triplets pizza?? that was my grandfathers restaurant
hi nicole if your grandfather ownend the triplets resturant then john frantangelo would be your father or uncle l worked with john at the time of his marriage to teri and attended their wedding.i moved to ca.in 1976 and stopped to see john while working in nyc in 1986.he was woking for g.m in tarrytown at the time.we worked for sullivan plumbing together.if this is the john i knew pass this on and let me know how he is doing,
Triplets! I graduated from Solace with the owners’ son. He lives out west now, but I am in touch with him all the time!
Tell him that Jay Said hi, I am Billy Calbos cuz, rember David, we went through a lot together.
[…] Forgotten New York – Morris Park Thoroughbred Racing Association – Belmont Park […]
[…] Forgotten New York – Morris Park Thoroughbred Racing Association – Belmont Park […]
[…] Forgotten New York – Morris Park Thoroughbred Racing Association – Belmont Park […]
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I grew up on Rhinelander Ave & Victor st.circa 1964. Stokely Carmichael lived in one of those 3 peaked homes on Amithyst. They were down the block from P.S.34, which went through many changes when we played on Victor st. It was always locked up but that did not prevent all of us from playing softball & stickball there.I also remember that on the corner where Mamma Maria’s (now 900 Park) is, used to be a miniature golf site & later on a trampoline place ! We only went to the Triplets when my folks had “extra” money, other than that we went to Liberty pizzeria for a night out. This article mostly covered Van Nest, the “heart’ of Morris Park is really from Bronxdale to Eastchester rd. Oh & those little bungalows on Hunt ave were just that, they were summer rentals for the Bronxdale Swimming pool, that is now the Bronx Park Medical Pavillion. I still live here & have raised my 3 sons here. It is “my little town”. It’s nice to see kids who grew up with my sons buying houses here & raising their own family here.
Went to school with stokley; 1952 to 1954-P.S 34 He died some 15 years ago;,I had known the family very well, my future wife resied next dooor to the Carmichel family(Very nice people) Stokley was very low keyed in that time;He also was the scholl crossing guard for morris park ave, at lunch time; nicholas Di brino
Are you the Nicholas Di Brino whose mother was Tessie and you had a sister named Mary?
Think there was also another brother,Rocco, born in Italy?
If you are, the above maiden name would be familiar to you.
I just remember your mother being one of the nicest, sweetest persons living in that area, visiting with my mother.
They lived across the street from the then, Public Library . . .. and your father
used to come to my father on Wallace and Bronxdale to play Bocce.
I remember your sister Mary, being a very nice person too. Being a girl, myself, then, I remember you
as the little brother.
If the above is true, I must say “Those were the days, my friend!
I have never seen this Website before but came across it while looking for the accident that occurred
on Bogart and Morris Park, last nite.
Sincerely
Ann Regina
Yes Ann Regina-I am that person today in my late seventies. I have never forgotten your family including your sweet mother;(“””They don’t make them like that any more : a saint”””) I go back to when you lived on Barnes ave, and of course the Barbuto Open house where all were welcome at Wallace ave. Some 3 years ago I did contact your brother Patsy, and planned on visiting him, But I never went thru the visit.Regards And love; Nicholas Di Brino (Junior)
Yes Anna ,I am Nicholas Di Brino. i have never forgotten the family (barbuto) .How can I get in touch with you.
Does anyone remember a restaurant on Morris Park called the Morris Park Inn? We would call it the MPI. I can’t find out any information about it on the internet. Thanks for any help.
Where was it located? areeyou sure that was the name. Give the location. I may have a answer; nicholas
10001 Morris park ave was the location of the Morris park inn, in reality a Bar and restaurant. of a cloud to some people.
MPI closed up several years ago
its a 99 cent store now
I remember the mpi who remembers crown town
The MPI was the site of the old Colden Ave Tavern across from P&J Deli. Does anyone remeber in the mid-late 70’s Trilpets changes hands and was run by a guy I think his name was Bruno and his wife. really nice folks.
I worked my teenage years at Dom’s Deli (formerly Joe’s) at 1555 Paulding Ave.
How about he Mister Softee truck that was ownered by Louie and then George? Or the Italian Ices from Patsy’s Bakery
Most of the time I would take my little sister to the outside window of Patsy’s Bakery to get some Italian ices. We lived 1842 Lurting Avenue in the 60s and 70s. Does anyone remember Larry’s Candystore on the northeast part of Lurting avenue & Morris Park? I moved away around 1979 and would like to know what ever happened to Larry. Mike
Larrys! that place was congested, every inch of space occupied…only place carried Sunday NY Times
I use to ho to Larrys after school. St. Francis Xavier. Delicious vanilla soda and pretzel rod.
Larry Ermler passed away early 2000’s.
I grew up on Bogart Ave and Haight Ave and moved in the 60s. My grandfather owned Morris Park Hobby/Auto Shop on Morris Park Avenue. I would love to find any pix or info of his store. I enjoyed the posts and remember the bowling alley and mini golf, many wonderful pizzerias, Bruno’s Deli, and Russo Bakery!
I grew up on Haight Ave and made many many trips to the Morris Park hobby shop, next to the A&P between Paulding & Colden Ave. It’s been over fifty years ago, If I remember right the owners name was Abe, he was a real nice guy I loved that store, I was like a “Kid In A Candy Store” when I went in there. That;s where I purchased my first of many model planes, cars and all sorts of army vehicles. My cousin lived on Colden Ave and every time I walked to his house I would pass the hobby shop and either stop to look in the window or go inside to browse at all the cool things he had there. I lived and worked in the Morris Park area for forty years and have many fond memories of the area. I still visit friends in the area and whenever I drive past all the stores on the avenue, my wife and I play the trivia game of remember this and that, and the Hobby Shop is always mentioned!
Remember ‘Lavelles’? I think Morris Park avenue off of Colden….or K and F variety five and dime?
Yes I remember Lavell’s I believe Lavells’ was the stationary store and K & F was the five and dime.
Lavalle was a toy store
Frank. Are you related to Joe Calciano who was in my class at St Clare’s, class of 1959? I also remember his older sister who may have joined the sisters who taught at SCS.
I remember all the Morris Park great places….Triplets, Liberty Pizza, Nick’s Heroes, Lavalles, Kay ad Eff’s, etc, but the fondest memory I have is for the Morris Park Hobby and Auto store next to the A and P. We called Abe’s Hobby Shop, because the owner’s name was Abe. He was a very nice man. My friends and I would buy Matchbox cars, Aurora monster models, Revell car and plane models as well as bicycle stuff. It was the central hub of my childhood. I wish someone had a picture of old Abe’s hobby shop. Great memeories!
Hi, Anyone remember Tony’s deli on Van Nest Ave? I lived at 807 Van Nest next to a bar and the entrance to a train yard. Use to collect newspapers and rags and sold them for pennies on Mathews Ave. Still miss the 10 cent ice from Conti’s and their 35 cent banana split. I remember stick ball and kick the can on Barnes Ave and Van Nest and helping the Good Humor man up the hill with his bicycle truck. I lived there between 1948 and 1966. I went to OLS (Our Lady of Solace) and on Sunday’s pick up sweet buns after church and the smell of old Italy as I walked home. Will never forget Morris Park.
“”Amendola Says”‘ – I can say: yours truly remembers this family very well from the forties and fifties.of Van Nest ave across the street from the Gooddfellows bar; I also as a child of 7 would be sent to Tony’s humble little grocery store at Van nest ave at Wallace ave.You are going back to the nineteen forties. ,If you are Sally .I will say my mother and father spent many days together in the nineteen forties;I do remember your mother and father and sister well as yet. My mother and father names
were Tessie and Nikolai Di Brino. . sincerely Nicholas Di brino(Junior)
Lived at 1663 Wallace Ave, deadend to the New Haven Repair yards 1944-1956
Worked at Tony Farfarana deli on Van nest and Wallace from 1953 to 1956.
Liberty Pizza owner lived at 1667 Wallace.Great Pizzas.
Went to Mac’s candy store, then Covins, O’Shanassey, then Virgina Moffett circa 1952.
OLS from 1944 to 1952
Joined Air Force in 1956 and left the area.
Went back in 2008, Van Nest & White Plains looked good,,,,
But what happen to Fordham Rd ??????
My grandfather owned a candy store around 1944 in morris park. Do you remember any names of the. CAndy stores in the neighborhood during that time period. His name was Al
The R26’s were the last NYC rapid transit railcars manufactured by American Car & Foundry (ACF) of Berwick,PA in 1959 & 1960. The 7774-7775 twin unit originally had General Electric motors, and cars 7804 and above had Westinghouse propulsion. This was common practice in an effort to be fair to both companies, and was in effect to about the first days of the IRT.
I stand corrected. The R28’s (7860-7959) manufactured in 1960 & 1961 were the last ACF cars, NOT the R26’s. The rest of the comment is accurate. Kevin, perhaps you can edit the original comment by deleting the first sentence, and leaving the rest. Of course this reply would have to go as well. Many thanks in advance.
I lived on hunt ave. right off morris park, around the 80’s. I remember the corner store had candy and arcade games and it always smelled like cigars I think the owner was named doodles, also clown town down the street and anthonys pizza was a lifetime ago
Doodles and clowntown are long gone. Anthony’s just relocated across the street in what was the Post office. My grandparents moved to Wallace Avenue in 1952 we have been here since then. This place is changing fast as is the whole Bronx.
Father was born on Rhineland ave between Amethyst & Victor street, went to School at PS 34. I grew up in this neighborhood, as did my brother. Know most of the places written about. Family home was sold in the early 2000’s. I also remember when Kopals pharmacy had dozens of pictures in the windows of that area dating back to the late 1800’s. Our house was in one of those old photos. It was 670 Rhinelander ave. The house my Dad was born in & my brother & I were raised. And yes the neighborhood is changing for the worst. I now live in NC & there is no such thing as an Italian Deli. Or a decent Pizzaria.. I also know Tom Parognoli as he lived across the street from me. My brother & I went to St. Dominic’s. And I love reading all of these beautiful ITALIAN names..Most of the people here are older then me, but it still brings back great memories reading all the stories of how close people were & what a real neighborhood is like..
What years did you go to St.Dominic’s? I also went there but I left after the 5th grade,I would have graduated in 1978. I just turned 55 and have been feeling nostalgic so ive been looking at photos and reading stuff about the old neighborhood. I lived off of Van Nest.
Mark,
Did you live on White plains rd near the barbershop. Just down from the Pizza place and around the corner from Clown Town?
I live on Hunt Avenue and Van Nest and as a kid there was a candy store on one corner and grocery store and laundromat on the other. Went to St. Dominic’s School when it first opened and spent most of my time playing stick ball on the street along with other games of that time. Born and raised there until I returned from Vietnam and left around 1970. Never will forget the good times I had growing up in the area. Remember going across White Plains Road to the Five Corners and Baldi’s candy store. Went back this past year and could not believe how much the area has changed.
My grandfather owned a candy store in Morris park near the five corners. His name was Al. I was trying to find put the name of the candy store.
Pop’s candy store and the Z & Z grocery store on the corners, Up Van Nest was a Italian bread store with fresh baked bread
Lived on Wallace ave and frequented the 3 stores and laundromat. Left in 56 to join the Air Force. Left Nam in Oct 1969.
Do you remember Larry Larson on Hunt and Van nest Aves., circa 1950’s
PS 108 … PS83 … Christopher Columbus H.S. … raised not born on morris park and tenbroeck … you name it .. we did it … what a ride !!!! …
Does anybody remember what was on the corner of Home and mars Paul about 25 years ago across from nava shoe store
Across from Nava Shoes was a homemade sausage place, Its where Side Street Sports is now. Next to where the Old Capri/Captain’s Pizza was. I think it was called Jimmy’s Homemade Sausage..
Anyone remember the ragman on Van Nest & Barnes Ave?
I believe he worked out of a garage. This was 1953. Also Tony’s
deli on Van Nest. My mother had an account there and I remember
Tony always wrote the price of each item on the brown paper bag to
show my Mother how much she owed. Wow those were the day’s.
Pops rag man in 1952. old newspaper paid $1.10 for 100 pounds. not a garage but a small metal shed. Had a daughter, Albina.
Anthony Farfarana;s deli. Worked there 1953 thru 56. He taught me to write taps on the bags and keep accounts
My sisterinlaw was Cynthia amendola. Her dad was anthony. He died young sometime around 1956 or 6. Are you related
I don’t remember a Cynthia, where did they live? Were they on Van Nest Ave?
I forgot to mention I lived at 807 Van Nest Ave.
Yes; I remember Larry Larson and his sister; They lived at a street level apartment.Think he became a police officer. a Hunt ave resident resided on the west side of hunt ave, some 400 south from from Morrus Park Ave.Nicholas Nicholas
I grew up on Haight in the early 70’s…Used to love going to Larry’s for comic books, wrestling magazines and fountain sodas. Also next door was Carolinda’s where we would buy greeting cards. Another store with fond memories was Kay and Eff, I would spend all day in there. Lavelle’s used to be on Morris park near Bogart and then moved down the side block for a few years near the end. I remember eating pizza at Tony’s (corner of Haight and Morris Pk.) and Carlo’s pizza. On Saturdays my mom would “drag” me to Grand Union Supermarket at the corner of Morris Park and Williamsbridge and then send me to get the dry cleaning at the corner of Haight (where Dunkin Donuts is now). Great memories!
Kenny those were the good ol days. So many stores have changed since we went to St. Francis. Hope you are well.
Hi joe im
From Bronx too grew up on Bogart.
Do you remember the family mame of Carmines deli located on the corner of morris park and Ibelieve Rhilander?
I lived at 1859 hunt ave from 1945 till 57. Our dad would take us to the Wallace tavern , there was a hole in the wall to the liberty pizza parlor he would have a beer while we waited for our order. I went to ols with the owners son , I think his name was sal. The candy store was up on the corner I can’t it’s name. The Williams brother live above the laundry mat on the corner of hunt and van nest.
Went to PS 83 1951 went to triplets for lunch almost everyday after went for walk away sundaes 1953 Columbus high
Wow innocent times filled with great memories
Anyone remember mr Dill Mrs. Fiore mr Goldblatt in #83,
What was the name of the caterers right after Blaises and before Maestros. It was for a short time.
Thanks,
RDV
I remember getting my first haircut from Sam the Barber, Sam Russo, right next to Our Lady of Solace School on Morris Park Avenue during World War II.
Jerry
Does anybody remember the name of the Bar on the corner of Eastchester Road and Blondell Avenue in the 70’s?
Blackrock, before that sanferdinos
My dad owned Joe & Mike’s Superette on Woodmansten Place, a tiny street off of Colden not far from Pelham Parkway, in the early 1960s. The street is almost impossible to find. It’s at the bottom of the Morris Park subway stop staircase. Finding Woodmansten is like finding Hogwarts. No wonder my dad (and the most recent owner of the store) went out of business. Anyone who might recall it, I’d love to hear from.
we use to go to Our Lady of Solace dances where they’d play Harlem Nocturne for slow dancing. Wow. This was maybe 1960. The different crews would stay in their part of the dance floor and once I remember going over to ask a girl from a different set to dance. Scary stuff, but she said yes. I had a friend whose dad had a delicatessen there on Morris Park Ave. .Friend was Dickie Klusmeyer (spelling may be off). Anyone remember?
My name is Al Marsiglia. I was born on Allerton Ave. and moved to 627 Morris Park Ave. in 1935 after my father died. I was three and a half years old. Next door on one side was a Mobil gas station on the other side was a strange set-up. Two houses were built on the same lot, one behind the other. Between the two they built a very nice Bocci alley. Daily and nightly men and women frequented the house and bocci alley, drinking wine, singing, and playing bocci. They were running a speakeasy. They were a very nice family who I will not name for obvious reasons. Eventually, local tavern owners blew the whistle on them and one night (I remember it was Mothers Day) they were raided by the police; and that ended the Speakeasy. I attended PS34 and graduated about 1944. I had many friends in the area. I’ll name them. If you knew me or any of them please get in touch. amarsig@yahoo.com There was Louie Tibolla, Mike DiPasquale, Frank Filice, Bruno Pellegrini, David Berolas, Sergio Facchera, Mario Puig John Morano My brothers, Hec, Eric, Rudy. We hung out at Sam’s candy store on Morris Park between Victor St. and White Plains rd..
Krause’s Ice cream parlor. The best ice cream in the country. Who remembers the pretzel/candy vendor outside of PS 34? Great pretzels. Check out my books on Amazon. Say you saw them here.
Miss the Bronx growing up. Does anyone remember Pats bakery on the corner of Cobden and Morris park?
We lived over the A&P on Morris Park Ave during the second world war. My mother would look down at what the trucks were unloading and if it was something good she sent us down with our food stamps to stand in line! Walked to school up to Williamsbridge to Our Savior School.
Lifelong resident of Barnes Ave. (1950) Moved here as a child with my family and I never left!
Love the neighborhood!