Past Events 2002

The program will begin with a presentation by Charles Dono, who is the Co-President of Canarsie Historical Society, as well as a historical researcher of some renown. He will enlighten us regarding Canarsie Lane past and present, and some of its offshoots, as well as the nearby railroad line.

Following the presentation, light refreshments will be served. We will then commence the walking tour. We will visit the remnants of Canarsie Lane (also known as the Road to Flatbush), and then explore East 92nd Street (originally known as Main Road), and the heart of Conklin Avenue. The sites, which we will visit, include the 19th century Schenck Lott House, which fronts on a remnant of Canarsie Lane; the remnants of the colonial era Varken's Hook Road; the Brennan House (believed to be the site of Canarsie's first Catholic mass); the Joseph Smith House and Store; the remnants of School Lane and the site of the second District School 3 (now P.S. 114); the Hager James general store; the home and office of early physicians William S. Tromer and Jacob Thall; the site of the "German Schoolhouse", which later became the first Holy Family Church (1880); the Dutch Reformed Church and its parsonage; Rumph's Blacksmith Shop; the Lewis Dry Goods Store, the
Quaritius-Lehman General Store; the railroad right-of-way; the site of Canarsie's first freestanding public library; the sites of the Canarsie State Bank and its successor, the Guardian National Bank; the sites where medicine and dentistry were first practiced in Canarsie; the facade of the American Theater; St. Matthew's Lutheran Church; the early 19th century Van Houten Cottage; the Richard Cordes house and store, Skidmore Lane; the Schenck House; the clubhouse of the "Canarsie Wheelmen"; Church Lane (officially known as the Road to Lott's House); Grace Church; the site of Canarsie's first cemetery (learn why the official name, the "Indian Cemetery" is and isn't a misnomer); the site of the original District School 3, which was Canarsie's first public school; and the presently endangered Wilson House, which was the home of the late Justice of the Peace and state legislator, John Wilson. The tour will end at approximately 4:00 P.M. Please wear comfortable
walking shoes, and bring your questions.