Archive for the ‘Project Firebox’ Category
Project Firebox 79
An ongoing catalog of New York’s endangered Fireboxes.
– phot0 by Mitch Waxman
This sooty sentinel in scarlet sits at the edge of Manhattan’s Chinatown. An ancient example, does no one care for this scratched and weather beaten soldier of the realm?
“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle
Want to see something cool? Summer 2013 Walking Tours-
Modern Corridor– TODAY, Saturday, July 13, 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.
Project Firebox 78
At the currently undefended border of Brooklyn and Queens…
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Were open and armed conflict between the Boroughs to break out, the Grand Street Bridge would likely be a key strategic asset for either side to possess. The nearby MTA bus depot serves the transit fleet of Brooklyn, not Queens, and the Maspeth Militias would not be able to pass up such a key strategic target.
This centuried firebox, a member of that peaceful legion which desires naught but an absence of harm and obeyance to a strict fire code, would enjoy a front row seat at the literal and littoral frontline- should hostilities erupt.
Want to see something cool? Upcoming Walking Tours
Modern Corridor– Saturday, July 13, 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.
Project Firebox 77
An ongoing catalog of New York’s endangered Fireboxes.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
It’s a busy corner in Greenpoint, Brooklyn that this alarm box offers coverage to. During the era in which the modern City was formed, and these alarm boxes installed, telephones were a luxury item enjoyed only by the rich. Common folk would hand out the phone number of a church, bar, or shop to friends and associates. The phone would ring and one of the throngs of kids playing in the gutter would be dispatched to find the intended party and draw them to the phone. Fire service was deemed too important to rely on such a complicated and third party laden scheme, and the alarm boxes were installed by the FDNY. The modern government of the City would like to see this system uprooted, claiming that since “everyone” has a cell phone with access to 911, why shoulder the expense?
Want to see something cool? Summer 2013 Walking Tours-
The Insalubrious Valley– TODAY, Saturday, June 29, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Newtown Creek Alliance, tickets now on sale.
Modern Corridor- Saturday, July 13, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Atlas Obscura, tickets on sale soon.
Project Firebox 76
An ongoing catalog of New York’s endangered Fireboxes.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Where this Manhattan firebox is stationed was once the heart of a most wicked slum. In fact, its station was the Baxter Street side of an alley known as Bandits Roost. When Riis and the rest of the silk stocking swells got the place razed, and the Old Bailey and the House of Industry had court houses land on top of them, the Gangs of New York lost their old haunts here in the Bloody Sixth Ward. This crimson B’hoy came in with the officially sanctioned gangs- NYPD, the State Bulls, Bailiffs, and all the other badges, who dominate the spot to this day.
Want to see something cool? Summer 2013 Walking Tours-
The Insalubrious Valley– Saturday, June 29, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Newtown Creek Alliance, tickets now on sale.
Modern Corridor- Saturday, July 13, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Atlas Obscura, tickets on sale soon.
Project Firebox 75
An ongoing catalog of New York’s endangered Fireboxes.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
On 31st street at 21st avenue in almond eyed Astoria, stands another sentinel of the public good, guarding its turf against accident and incursion as it has for decades. Shine on, fire-bro.
“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle
Want to see something cool? June 2013 Walking Tours-
The Poison Cauldron– TODAY, Saturday, June 15, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Atlas Obscura, tickets now on sale.
Kill Van Kull– Saturday, June 22, 2013
Staten Island walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Working Harbor Committee, tickets now on sale.
The Insalubrious Valley– Saturday, June 29, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Newtown Creek Alliance, tickets now on sale.
The Newtown Pentacle 