Bushwick's brewing industry before Prohibition accounted for 1 in 10 beers drunk in the country. After World War II, Bushwick lost its economic and middle class stability. Little remains of what was once a highly visible industry. Most of the breweries are quite nondescript, as the one pictured on Bushwick Pl., the Edward B. Hittleman Brewery. The area northeast of Bushwick Ave. is filled with artists studios. Belvidere St. is home to the Ulmer brewery. The storybook-like office attached has a "U" embossed.
Bushwick Ave., once fondly called the Boulevard, was the home of mansions built by the beer barons. Speaking of Ulmer, near the El is a Romanesque Revival brick mansion (1885), which he built. Of more interest, it was subsequently owned by Dr. Frederick Cook, who was on the medical team that accompanied Robert Peary's Arctic expeditions to the North Pole. He claimed he reached the Pole in 1908, one year earlier than Peary. He was also discredited as being the first American to summit Mt. McKinley. Cook later served 7 years in jail for stock fraud, but was pardoned by FDR. Further down Bushwick at Grove St. is the shingle-style (1890) Charles Lindemann residence (photo) with turret.
No comments:
Post a Comment