The Newtown Pentacle

Altissima quaeque flumina minimo sono labi

Archive for the ‘Project Firebox’ Category

Project Firebox 84

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An ongoing catalog of New York’s endangered Fireboxes.

– photo by Mitch Waxman

Up on the hill which is Old Astoria, an expanse of manses and luxurious homes, one is normally blown down by the sheer Victorian glory of a manifest architectural record. It is easy to miss the tireless firebox, ignominiously serving its purpose. This scarlet gendarme wears its corroded complexion proudly, and it is always watchful.

Written by Mitch Waxman

August 17, 2013 at 7:30 am

Project Firebox 83

with one comment

An ongoing catalog of New York’s endangered Fireboxes.

– photo by Mitch Waxman

A provocatively placed municipal pimpernel is found at the angle between Sunnyside and Blissville, bathing in the corrosive miasma of automotive exhaust, blasted with coruscating radiation emanating from the burning thermonuclear eye of god itself- stands this steadfast guardian of the public good. Greenpoint Avenue is where the gradation from residential to industrial zones in this area of NYC takes place. From this point, passerby begin a descent from the high hills of Sunnyside to that troubled alluvial plain which surrounds the infamous Newtown Creek. A surprise in Western Queens, this firebox seems to be functioning.

“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle

Want to see something cool? Summer 2013 Walking Tours-

Kill Van Kull TODAY, Saturday, August 10, 2013
Staten Island walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Working Harbor Committee, tickets now on sale.

13 Steps around Dutch Kills Saturday, August 17, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Newtown Creek Alliance, tickets now on sale.

Written by Mitch Waxman

August 10, 2013 at 7:30 am

Project Firebox 82

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An ongoing catalog of New York’s endangered Fireboxes.

– photo by Mitch Waxman

If a job description involved the term “Boulevard of Death,” the reticence of prospective employees toward accepting the position would be normal and natural. Such fears are no consideration for the Fireboxes, émigrés from a foreign and quite scarlet shore. They came here to raise their alarms, not to complain about their post. This guardian of the vibrant and diverse is found stationed along the aforementioned “Boulevard of Death,” better known as Sunnyside’s stretch of Queens Boulevard.

“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle

Want to see something cool? Summer 2013 Walking Tours-

Glittering Realms Saturday, August 3rd, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Atlas Obscura, tickets now on sale.

Kill Van Kull Saturday, August 10, 2013
Staten Island walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Working Harbor Committee, tickets now on sale.

13 Steps around Dutch Kills Saturday, August 17, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Newtown Creek Alliance, tickets now on sale.

Written by Mitch Waxman

August 3, 2013 at 6:51 am

Project Firebox 81

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An ongoing catalog of New York’s endangered Fireboxes.

– photo by Mitch Waxman

This bad boy is on Grand Avenue in Maspeth, and seems to be one of the few fully functioning Fireboxes in the area. It’s stationed in front of what used to be a cardboard box factory, which is a tremulous duty.

Shine on sweet Firebox, shine on.

“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle

Want to see something cool? Summer 2013 Walking Tours-

Glittering Realms Saturday, August 3rd, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Atlas Obscura, tickets now on sale.

Kill Van Kull Saturday, August 10, 2013
Staten Island walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Working Harbor Committee, tickets now on sale.

13 Steps around Dutch Kills Saturday, August 17, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Newtown Creek Alliance, tickets now on sale.

Written by Mitch Waxman

July 27, 2013 at 7:30 am

Project Firebox 80

leave a comment »

An ongoing catalog of New York’s endangered Fireboxes.

– photo by Mitch Waxman

Like so many other Fireboxes in Queens, this sentry is emasculated by shrinking maintenance budgets and an odd notion which has caught on in Manhattan that everybody carries a cell phone whose easy access to calling 911 makes its kind redundant. Maspeth shudders in the manner of Troy, gazing down as its guardian lies helpless before Achilles.

“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle

Want to see something cool? Summer 2013 Walking Tours-

Kill Van Kull Saturday, August 10, 2013
Staten Island walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Working Harbor Committee, tickets now on sale.

13 Steps around Dutch Kills Saturday, August 17, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Newtown Creek Alliance, tickets now on sale.

Written by Mitch Waxman

July 20, 2013 at 7:30 am