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This Weeks Attitude
By Neil S. Friedman
Everything Old Isn't Necessarily Historic
Theres a long letter in this weeks issue from Ira Kluger, the co-president of the Canarsie Historical Society. The crux of the letter is Mr. Klugers condemnation about what he calls the "ongoing wholesale destruction" of landmarks in this community.
Mr. Kluger is a virtual encyclopedia regarding Canarsies past and the sole remaining crusader trying to sustain the communitys history. (Two primary Society officials died within months of each other last year.) While I find Mr. Klugers historical goals and condemnation of real estate developers greed quite admirable, I disagree with his analysis that progress is destroying the communitys past.
Take for instance the house that stood for more than a century at the corner of Conklin Avenue and East 92nd Street opposite the office of the Canarsie Courier where the structure stood out like a blot on a landscape.
After being abandoned and gradually becoming an eyesore, the DeGroot-Van Ahen House, after appearing vandalized inside and out, was severely damaged by fire several months ago. While it was not determined if the blaze was arson or an accident, it was demolished a few weeks ago to make way, according to scuttlebutt, for a two-story multiple-family dwelling.
Mr. Kluger refers to the house as suffering from "a few months of neglect." Yet, rat poison was placed throughout the grounds months ago after nearby neighbors reported an infestation of the dreaded urban rodents. In addition, the Sanitation Department placed a few summonses on the boards surrounding the property when its owners failed to clean up the adjacent sidewalks, which have become strewn with all sorts of garbage in recent weeks. In fact, even as the property is being developed, the garbage remains.
While it would have been nice to see the home renovated and transformed into a local landmark or perhaps even a tourist site, there was apparently no one interested in paying the required taxes or for expensive maintenance and upkeep of the house and grounds. Simply making it a landmark only means it could not be drastically altered. It would then be necessary to adequately maintain it for safety and sanitary reasons.
Mr. Kluger goes on to list at least seven "historical sites" that have been lost in recent years, including a property once belonging to the Lott family at East 86th Street and Church Lane.
Its a commendable suggestion, but there already is a Lott House landmark on East 36th Street in Marine Park just a few miles away. For many decades the Lott family owned a great deal of property in what once was the Town of Flatlands, which incorporated the current Canarsie boundaries, but Im sure much of it has already been "lost." Nevertheless, one important site was preserved. It does not seem to save every Lott property at the expense of community expansion.
Theres also the Wyckoff House, once lived in by another prominent 19th century Flatlands family, at Clarendon Road and Ralph Avenue, that was landmarked in 1963. Two historic houses within several miles of each other isnt bad for one neighborhood.
Kluger also lists other sites where 19th century houses once stood. Their removal has led to the development of this community, including the Canarsie subway line and such trafficked byways as Rockaway Parkway and Flatlands Avenue.
Some so-called landmarks may have had a history connected to them, but they became nothing more than old houses standing in the way of making Canarsie attractive to an influx of new residents. Like the house that stood at Rockaway Parkway near Smiths Lane. It was, according to Mr. Kluger, one of the oldest residential structures on Rockaway Parkway and once the residence of William and Isabelle Ripp, 19th century undertakers. Excuse my ignorance, but I dont understand preserving an undertakers home unless the basement was used as a burial ground.
While its certainly pertinent to preserve structures with a historical consequence history and wax nostalgic every so often, whether its family, community or ones nation, allowing the past to hinder progress generally results in abandoned properties or, on a personal level, lots of clutter in basements, attics and closets.
Landmarks are often awesome sights to be treasured and revered. But, it makes absolutely no sense to preserve an old house simply because its old and impedes development. It should only be protected if theres a historical significance attached.
I hope in his earnestness to save a little bit of the past Ira Kluger does not blindly forsake Canarsies future.
After all, if Canarsie and surrounding communities would be ultimately true to history, local residents would be living in teepees made of animal hides left behind by the areas once populous Canarsee Indians!
 
03/29/2001 |
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4/26/2001
Canarsie Historian Salutes Us For Chronicling Community's Past
Dear Friends:
Congratulations to the Canarsie Courier upon its 80th anniversary. We, of the Canarsie Historical Society, salute you upon this momentous occasion. For the past eighty years, the Courier has faithfully brought the news - sometimes positive, sometimes negative, sometimes happy, sometimes sad, sometimes entertaining, sometimes disturbing, but always relevant, always timely, always interesting - to the people of Canarsie.
The Canarsie Courier is both an important part of Canarsies history, and, at the same time, a living entity, continuously growing and evolving, along with the community. While other local newspapers, such as the Canarsie Weekly (c. 1904), and the Canarsie Local (c. 1915), existed prior to the Courier, none of them remained viable for more than a few short years. The Courier has come a long way since 1921, when Walter S. Patrick and Lester J. Stillwell, occupying rented desk space in Harkavys real estate office, at Rockaway Parkway and Glenwood Road (where the Green Point Bank now stands), established it with capital of only $200.00. For the first six months, Messrs. Patrick and Stillwell literally had to give the paper away for free, before they began to cultivate a readership. Only after six months, did they finally show a profit of $100.00. The Courier ceased operations briefly in 1923, and was reestablished by Mr. Patrick. The Courier was subsequently published by Edward Herrschaft, and later by the Samitz family (brothers Joe and Bob, and Bobs wife, Mary). A few years ago, an era sadly came to an end with the death of Mary Samitz. After a period of approximately forty years, the Courier passed from the hands of the Samitz family. However, the tradition lives on under the able leadership of the current publishers, Sandra Greco and Donna Marra, and the editor, Chuck Rogers.
To name everyone who was associated with the Courier over the last eighty years would literally fill a book. However, in addition to those named above, I would like to mention a few such people who are no longer with us. There are the artist and sign painter, Gus Richter, who designed the Couriers distinctive logo, the local historian, Edwin (Ted) Rowland, who, for many years, wrote a column for the Courier, the long-time editor, Maurice Paul, and my mentor, the eminent local historian, John F. Denton.
I would like to remind your readers that, in cooperation with the management of the Courier, we of the Canarsie Historical Society are offering a $250.00 reward to the first person who can produce an original copy of the first edition of the Canarsie Courier, dated April 22nd, 1921. While we cannot offer a similar reward for them, we would also be interested in seeing other early editions of the Courier, or any other early Canarsie newspapers, which your readers may have in their possession.
May the next eighty years be as prosperous and successful as the last eighty were, and may the mutually beneficial relationship between the Courier and the Canarsie Historical Society continue to grow.
Sincerely,
Ira M. Kluger, Co-President
Canarsie Historical Society
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