WHILE trolling Google Street View (I do it to pass the hours between waking and sleeping) I found this interesting item on the corner of Hillside Avenue and 143rd Street in Jamaica, and ancient ad that was composed unusually on the 143rd Street side. There are some words spelled out in bricks that jut out more than the surrounding brickwork, an interesting way of placing wording. I looked at it from numerous angles and couldn’t get a decent fix on what it said.
I consulted the helpful website 1940s.nyc for the answer, and, while the 1940 photo shows a blank wall (best I can tell from the angle), the site also includes 1980s tax photos, most of which are quite blurry and indistinct. The reasons for this are partially explained here.
The 1980s photo does clear things up somewhat. Then, the ad was indeed painted with the raised bricks. The first line remains indistinct. Then:
SPECIALS
NO CASH VETS
LOW CASH OTHERS
(indistinct) 2 FAMILIES
Thus, Essex offered no cash down for US veterans, basically. I have nothin more on the ad’s evolution, as Street View offers only two images from 2022 and 2024.
This isn’t the only oddly constructed ancient ad in the area. The one advertising the Crosley Super-V television from the 1950s is still there at Hillside Ave. and Parsons Boulevard, but has been hidden beneath pasted ads for several years.
Check out the ForgottenBook, take a look at the gift shop. As always, “comment…as you see fit.” I earn a small payment when you click on any ad on the site.
3/12/26