Archive for the ‘Project Firebox’ Category
Project Firebox 71
“follow” me on Twitter at @newtownpentacle
- photo by Mitch Waxman
The Fireboxes of tony DUMBO are doing a whole lot better than those here in dross Queens, I can tell you that. Freshly painted, seemingly fully functioning, this scarlet scion of the common cause sits between the two great bridges on Cadman Plaza West in what my dad would have called “Downtern Brooklyn.”
Upcoming tours:
The Insalubrious Valley- Saturday, May 25, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Atlas Obscura, tickets now on sale.
The Poison Cauldron- Saturday, June 15, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Atlas Obscura, tickets on sale soon.
Kill Van Kull- Saturday, June 22, 2013
Staten Island walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Working Harbor Committee, tickets now on sale.
Project Firebox 70
“follow” me on Twitter at @newtownpentacle
- photo by Mitch Waxman
Embedded within a cement sidewalk, opposite the fabulous and fossilized remains of the Loose Wiles building of the largely forgotten Degnon Terminal on the Thompson Avenue viaduct stands this soldier of the realm. Unlike many of its brethren in Western Queens, this firebox functions on, awaiting the day it will be needed.
Upcoming tours:
Parks and Petroleum- Sunday, May 12, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Newtown Creek Alliance, tickets now on sale.
The Insalubrious Valley- Saturday, May 25, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Atlas Obscura, tickets now on sale.
Project Firebox 68
“follow” me on Twitter at @newtownpentacle
- photo by Mitch Waxman
This king in crimson was observed on duty amongst the blessed slopes of almond eyed Astoria, where neither a hooka pipe nor a cup of strong black coffee are safe. At 38th street and 28th avenue is its perch, standing ever ready to summon teams of rescuers for the desperately endangered.
Also: Upcoming Tours!
13 Steps around Dutch Kills- Saturday, May 4, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Atlas Obscura, tickets now on sale.
Parks and Petroleum- Sunday, May 12, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Newtown Creek Alliance, tickets now on sale.
The Insalubrious Valley- Saturday, May 25, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Atlas Obscura, tickets on sale soon.
Hidden Harbor: Newtown Creek tour with Mitch Waxman - Sunday, May 26,2013
Boat tour presented by the Working Harbor Committee,
Limited seating available, order advance tickets now. Group rates available.
Project Firebox 66
“follow” me on Twitter at @newtownpentacle
- photo by Mitch Waxman
“Bro, this thing has been on this corner since nobody knows how long, its furniture- y’know? This is, you know where, in Astoria on 38th and 31st, near the Souvlaki guy- the one with the smoke- in front of that Brazilian restaurant with the good coffee. C’mon Bro”.
Such local Astorian, or patois, would best delineate the position and surroundings of this exemplar of municipal service, the humble firebox, were it to be described by far more than one of my neighbors.
Project Firebox 65
“follow” me on Twitter at @newtownpentacle
- photo by Mitch Waxman
Always on the look out for friendly neighborhood Fireboxes which have eluded my notice, this sturdy specimen was encountered on Astoria Blvd. at 42nd street. Unfortunately malfunctioning, it bears familiar signage adjuring the reader to rely on telephone contact with the Fire Department instead of using the alarm system.
- photo by Mitch Waxman
“Engine 263 and Ladder 117′s station house happens to be on the block” thought a humble narrator. “Why would there actually be a firebox on the same corner as a fire house” entered my mind next, but then I remembered that this was, after all, Queens. Logic and Queens are often exclusive of each other.
- photo by Mitch Waxman
No sign of the crews inside, so one imagines that this sign, advising one to use the broken firebox on the corner would need updating. Shame, as it is lovely typography.
- photo by Mitch Waxman
A seeming memorial, this firebox like device ornaments a prominent spot on the building’s facade. The “343″ is a reference to the number of FDNY personnel who perished at the World Trade Center at the turn of the century.
