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  3. The Myrtle Avenue El

Myrtle Ave El, Oct. 1969, plus a few earlier shots

The Myrtle Elevated line is dear to my heart because of nostalgic associations with Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School, which I attended in the 1950's. Over a period of four years, I traveled the line from Knickerbocker Avenue to Vanderbilt Avenue, enjoying the homely views along the way. I used to be especially touched by windows decked out top to bottom with house plants, which I took to be a sign of a godly dwelling and a reverent hand.
     (March 17, 2010 -- finished correcting the scans with Photoshop.)
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  • This is what it looked like back in October of 1969, shortly before the line shut down.

    This is what it looked like back in October of 1969, shortly before the line shut down.

  • Jan. 1973. The Metropolitan Avenue terminus of the El.

    Jan. 1973. The Metropolitan Avenue terminus of the El.

  • Early 70's. The Metropolitan Avenue station -- last stop! There was a tranquil, rustic flavor to the place, which has since been lost, naturally. A warm summer breeze is blowing in the early evening. The air is fresh, clean, clear, and bright.

    Early 70's. The Metropolitan Avenue station -- last stop! There was a tranquil, rustic flavor to the place, which has since been lost, naturally. A warm summer breeze is blowing in the early evening. The air is fresh, clean, clear, and bright.

  • Metropolitan Avenue station. My neighbor Dennis Richter sits for the photo. Early 70's.

    Metropolitan Avenue station. My neighbor Dennis Richter sits for the photo. Early 70's.

  • The Metropolitan Avenue Station at night. Early 70's.

    The Metropolitan Avenue Station at night. Early 70's.

  • Latter part of 1960, around the time of the fall of leaves. The inbound train pulls into the Kinckerbocker Avenue Station. On the right is Schwaben Hall, "where the German elite meet."

    Latter part of 1960, around the time of the fall of leaves. The inbound train pulls into the Kinckerbocker Avenue Station. On the right is Schwaben Hall, "where the German elite meet."

  • Detail of the previous photo.

    Detail of the previous photo.

  • Early June, 1960.

    Early June, 1960.

  • Early winter 1960. Charley Burnet, classmate, on the left, Denis, my brother, on the right.

    Early winter 1960. Charley Burnet, classmate, on the left, Denis, my brother, on the right.

  • September, 1960.

    September, 1960.

  • Third week of April, 1960. Denis, my brother. Rory Calhoun is drumming cigarettes in an ad in the background.

    Third week of April, 1960. Denis, my brother. Rory Calhoun is drumming cigarettes in an ad in the background.

  • Pulling out of the Myrtle and Broadway station, heading west to the Bridge-Jay Street terminus.

    Pulling out of the Myrtle and Broadway station, heading west to the Bridge-Jay Street terminus.

  • Side-of-the-building ads for the New York Frame and Picture Company used to be everywhere.

    Side-of-the-building ads for the New York Frame and Picture Company used to be everywhere.

  • Myrtle and Tompkins Avenues. Looking north up Tompkins.

    Myrtle and Tompkins Avenues. Looking north up Tompkins.

  • (A little stretching and pulling in Photoshop corrects the perspective.)

    (A little stretching and pulling in Photoshop corrects the perspective.)

  • This is a detail of the previous frame. See the gent in the suit and tie!

    This is a detail of the previous frame. See the gent in the suit and tie!

  • This row of set-back houses is still there -- I saw it from the bus in 2009.

    This row of set-back houses is still there -- I saw it from the bus in 2009.

  • It was a mild early fall afternoon.

    It was a mild early fall afternoon.

  • The water tanks of the Cascade Laundry can be seen on the upper left.

    The water tanks of the Cascade Laundry can be seen on the upper left.

  • The water tanks of the Cascade Laundry.

    The water tanks of the Cascade Laundry.

  • Past the water tanks, we see the windows of the Cascade Laundry.

    Past the water tanks, we see the windows of the Cascade Laundry.

  • Kids are playing baseball in the foreground and basketball in the background in the upper right.

    Kids are playing baseball in the foreground and basketball in the background in the upper right.

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    Pulling out of the Myrtle and Broadway station, heading west to the Bridge-Jay Street terminus.
    Side-of-the-building ads for the New York Frame and Picture Company used to be everywhere.
    Oct-1969-Myrtle-Av-El-0001c2.jpg