From Forgotten-NY:I was surprised to see, on an early 2013 jaunt in Flushing, the 5th mile marker of what is now Northern Boulevard beside the front driveway of Kingsland Homestead on 138th Street, the home of the Queens Historical Society. Since I hadn’t visited for awhile, I don’t know how long it’s been there — will have to check during business hours to find out.
By 1916, only three Jackson Avenue (Northern Blvd) mile markers still stood: the 5 mile marker to the 34th Street ferry, at Grinnell Avenue (100th Street); the 3 mile marker near 51st Street (Old Bowery Bay Road); and the 2 mile marker near Steinway Street.
The 5 mile marker survived in place, amazingly, until 1987 when it was removed to the Langston Hughes Queens Library branch in Corona. Now, it is here at the Kingsland Homestead.
13 comments:
It was in their basement for years.
I'm glad to see it's being displayed.
I haven't looked lately, but there were also milestones on Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn.
Ocean Parkway lost at least one a few years back when the city put a bus stop in. Just went 'poof'.
Speaking of which - is this thing alarmed, guarded by something that resembles Fort Knox? Then how long do they expect this thing to sit out there in a place like Flushing?
In any case, get a 150 year old limestone artifact, slather its base in cement, and put it out in line with the traffic approaching a jet runway and downwind from half the powerplants in NYC.
Fits nicely with 'Arbitration Rock' that sits uneasily in Ridgewood.
Nothing worse than an amateur with a backhoe.
Kinda gives you an idea on how the locals run their borough, too.
I really don't think it's limestone, bub...
way too porous for the old timers to have used.
They had more sense back thenfor choosing enduring materials. Maybe it's granite.
I really don't think it's limestone, bub...
way too porous for the old timers to have used.
They had more sense back then for choosing enduring materials. Maybe it's granite.
(sigh)
If they thought like us in 2013 they would have never used sandstone for building materials and limestone for their grave markers.
Any stone is corroded by the urban air we breath.
There are misgivings around this effort on so many levels.
You must be stoned!
What ignorance you are displaying.
Old colonial headstones were often brownstone, some marble, followed by granite in the Victorian era.
Since when did you become a stone mason?
P.S.
The brace of loins that flank the 42 Street Library in Manhattan are limestone.
They were infused with a protective material in about 1969, thanks to a grant from the Mobil Corporation.
They are strong and robust the last time I looked at them.
Now go return to your corner with your thumb up your ass, and puff some more Mary Jane.
Are you the guy that wanted the Queens Plaza millstones transferred to the Greater Astoria Historical Society's headquarters, on the fourth floor of a funeral parlor, where nobody would see much of them?
Pshaw...you must be daft, man!
"Cleopatra's Needle', an ancient Egyptian relic, sits outdoors and accessible, in Central Park.
Maybe you should take up that cause.
It's far more valuable that this humble (I believe, originating from Corona) mile stone sitting (adequately protected) behind an iron fence at QHS.
http://www.scoutingny.com/?p=5377
Sadly, New York City’s weather has not been kind to Cleopatra’s Needle, with pollution, acid rain, and the elements damaging its surface. Central Park is hoping to secure a $250,000 Partners in Preservation grant for a full cleaning and to assess its current status and possible need for rehabilitation.
http://www.ehow.com/how_5842613_preserve-limestone-cemetery-markers.html
Limestone was a popular choice of material for gravestones up until the early 20th century, because of its beautiful dark finish. However, this stone is susceptible to the wear and tear of outdoor life, and rain, wind and other weathering can fade the limestone. Unlike wood, there is no chemicals or finishes that you can apply to stone in order to protect it from these effects;
You are FOB...full of bull!
As was noted earlier...Mobil Oil Corporation infused the 42nd Street library's lions...MADE OF LIMESTONE...with a protective solution.
It has worked wonders.
Do some research before opening up your big mouth.
Do you have a learning deficiency, or are you merely an egotist feigning expertise on a subject you know nothing about.
You sound like a familiar Ass-torian that always has to have the last word. Do you hail from GAHS?
Which'll last longer, millstones or mile stones? Discuss. I'm all verklempt.
Maybe both should be moved to GAHS funeral parlor headquarters. Isn't that what that Ass-torian wants?
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