Badian is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 37,699 people. The Municipality of Badian is located 97.6 km southwest of Cebu City. It is bounded on the north by the municipality of Moalboal; on the south by the municipality of Alegria; on the east by the municipalities of Dalaguete and Argao; and on the west by Tanon Strait.

Badian is administratively subdivided into 29 barangays.

Alawijao Balhaan Banhigan Basak Basiao Bato Bugas Calangcang Candiis Dagatan Dobdob

Ginablan Lambug Malbago Malhiao Manduyong Matutinao Patong Poblacion Sanlagan

Santicon Sohoton Sulsugan Talayong Taytay Tigbao Tiguib Tubod Zaragosa

The Kawasan Falls is a three-layered waterfall series located in the Municipality of Badian, Cebu, which has become a huge attraction with foreign and local tourists throughout the years. The first waterfall is the largest and highest of the three falls, while the two falls uphill are smaller.

Kawasan Falls is located in Barangay Matutinao in Badian, Cebu. To get to Badian from Cebu City you can take a bus at the South Bus Terminal for a three hour ride that will directly take you to Badian. From there, you can take a tricycle that will take you to Barangay Matutinao.

If you are taking a private vehicle, drive past the Municipality of Carcar, and upon reaching the Municipality of Badian through the picturesque mountain road, then drive to Matutinao village. You can always ask for directions from people along the way if it is your first time to go to Kawasan Falls, so you won’t get lost.

When you reach the main road leading to Kawasan Falls, there is a main entrance to the waterfalls area and an entrance fee of 10 peso’s per person. From there, you start on a 20 to 30 minute walk on a trail that will lead you to the first waterfall.

You will then have to trek a further 10 to 15 minutes uphill to get to the second waterfall, and another 15 minute trek to the third waterfalls. There is a resort with restaurant at the area of the first waterfalls. There are small cottages and tables for rent at 300 peso’s each table as at September 2012 ( on top of the menu prices ) and several rooms for rent for those who want to stay overnight. A popular attraction is a bamboo raft ride leading to a shower under the cool falling waters of the first and second waterfall.

The Mactan International Airport is located in Mactan, Cebu; it is served by major airlines like Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines. You can also fly from Metro Manila to Cebu. There are many domestic flights and sometimes it is economical because many airlines offer a cheaper airfare. Check also for any available promo. If you arrived earlier in Cebu, you can leave straight to Badian providing you already arranged your accommodation there before your arrival or you can stay for a night in Cebu City and have your trip to Badian the next day.

Your choices to come from Cebu City to Badian are: from the airport you can take a taxi to South Bus Terminal look for Ceres Bus Liner via Barili, you can also take Librando Trans. There are buses leaving Cebu City to Badian every 30 minutes or one hour. It will take 2-3 hours or more bus travel to reach Badian from Cebu City depending on the number of stops. You can also hire a taxi at the airport or at the city to Badian, it is more comfortable and faster. Make sure the driver knows where Badian is. The fare is about Php 1500.00 - Php 3000.00 and be prepare for some bartering and some hidden costs

The capital barangay of Badian town is Poblacion. It is located in the centre of the town. This is where the local high school is located called Badian National High School ( BNHS ) is one of the two high schools in the town of Badian. This is also the largest of the two and many students from the neighbouring town just like Moalboal, Alcantara and Ronda come to study in this high school. The lower educational facility in Badian is the Badian Central Elementary School where all the younger children go to school for the simple fact that it is completely free and the only elementary school and the biggest one in town. One more very important institution that is located in Poblacion is the Town Hospital where everyone from every other barangay goes to in the time of sickness.

The facility has been better than the past management they have more improvements to the hospitals than anything else which is the best thing they could have done because this is where most Badianganons run to in the time of need. This is also the location where the town church is located ~ the church of Santiago Apostol, which celebrates its Festival on the 25th of July every year. Together with the Feast of Santiago Apostle is the Banig Festival which was started about three years ago. Poblacion is also where the Municipal Hall is located in sitio sawang. Thus, I believe that the municipality should ought to have more funding's in the Hospital Facility more so that the roads that they are trying to fix every single year Poblacion has many sitios which is the little corners of Poblacion which is residential or commercial properties. Some of these sitios are; Syma, Walog, Sawang, Highway, and many more. This is the only urban place in Badian compared to any other barangays that surround the town. Poblacion is also the most populated barangay in all Badian. Which has 3854 population as of 2007 Census. Poblacion is where the marketplace is located. Thus, most of the trading is here. Many vendors from all over town will show up mostly on Saturdays and Sundays for the trading.

 

Badian is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 37,699 people. The Municipality of Badian is located 97.6 km southwest of Cebu City. It is bounded on the north by the municipality of Moalboal; on the south by the municipality of Alegria; on the east by the municipalities of Dalaguete and Argao; and on the west by Tanon Strait.

Badian is administratively subdivided into 29 barangays.

Alawijao Balhaan Banhigan Basak Basiao Bato Bugas Calangcang Candiis Dagatan Dobdob

Ginablan Lambug Malbago Malhiao Manduyong Matutinao Patong Poblacion Sanlagan

Santicon Sohoton Sulsugan Talayong Taytay Tigbao Tiguib Tubod Zaragosa

The Kawasan Falls is a three-layered waterfall series located in the Municipality of Badian, Cebu, which has become a huge attraction with foreign and local tourists throughout the years. The first waterfall is the largest and highest of the three falls, while the two falls uphill are smaller.

Kawasan Falls is located in Barangay Matutinao in Badian, Cebu. To get to Badian from Cebu City you can take a bus at the South Bus Terminal for a three hour ride that will directly take you to Badian. From there, you can take a tricycle that will take you to Barangay Matutinao.

If you are taking a private vehicle, drive past the Municipality of Carcar, and upon reaching the Municipality of Badian through the picturesque mountain road, then drive to Matutinao village. You can always ask for directions from people along the way if it is your first time to go to Kawasan Falls, so you won’t get lost.

When you reach the main road leading to Kawasan Falls, there is a main entrance to the waterfalls area and an entrance fee of 10 peso’s per person. From there, you start on a 20 to 30 minute walk on a trail that will lead you to the first waterfall.

You will then have to trek a further 10 to 15 minutes uphill to get to the second waterfall, and another 15 minute trek to the third waterfalls. There is a resort with restaurant at the area of the first waterfalls. There are small cottages and tables for rent at 300 peso’s each table as at September 2012 ( on top of the menu prices ) and several rooms for rent for those who want to stay overnight. A popular attraction is a bamboo raft ride leading to a shower under the cool falling waters of the first and second waterfall.

The Mactan International Airport is located in Mactan, Cebu; it is served by major airlines like Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines. You can also fly from Metro Manila to Cebu. There are many domestic flights and sometimes it is economical because many airlines offer a cheaper airfare. Check also for any available promo. If you arrived earlier in Cebu, you can leave straight to Badian providing you already arranged your accommodation there before your arrival or you can stay for a night in Cebu City and have your trip to Badian the next day.

Your choices to come from Cebu City to Badian are: from the airport you can take a taxi to South Bus Terminal look for Ceres Bus Liner via Barili, you can also take Librando Trans. There are buses leaving Cebu City to Badian every 30 minutes or one hour. It will take 2-3 hours or more bus travel to reach Badian from Cebu City depending on the number of stops. You can also hire a taxi at the airport or at the city to Badian, it is more comfortable and faster. Make sure the driver knows where Badian is. The fare is about Php 1500.00 - Php 3000.00 and be prepare for some bartering and some hidden costs

The capital barangay of Badian town is Poblacion. It is located in the centre of the town. This is where the local high school is located called Badian National High School ( BNHS ) is one of the two high schools in the town of Badian. This is also the largest of the two and many students from the neighbouring town just like Moalboal, Alcantara and Ronda come to study in this high school. The lower educational facility in Badian is the Badian Central Elementary School where all the younger children go to school for the simple fact that it is completely free and the only elementary school and the biggest one in town. One more very important institution that is located in Poblacion is the Town Hospital where everyone from every other barangay goes to in the time of sickness.

The facility has been better than the past management they have more improvements to the hospitals than anything else which is the best thing they could have done because this is where most Badianganons run to in the time of need. This is also the location where the town church is located ~ the church of Santiago Apostol, which celebrates its Festival on the 25th of July every year. Together with the Feast of Santiago Apostle is the Banig Festival which was started about three years ago. Poblacion is also where the Municipal Hall is located in sitio sawang. Thus, I believe that the municipality should ought to have more funding's in the Hospital Facility more so that the roads that they are trying to fix every single year Poblacion has many sitios which is the little corners of Poblacion which is residential or commercial properties. Some of these sitios are; Syma, Walog, Sawang, Highway, and many more. This is the only urban place in Badian compared to any other barangays that surround the town. Poblacion is also the most populated barangay in all Badian. Which has 3854 population as of 2007 Census. Poblacion is where the marketplace is located. Thus, most of the trading is here. Many vendors from all over town will show up mostly on Saturdays and Sundays for the trading.

A Roman bedroom (cubiculum) from the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale, from about 50 BC to 40 BC.

 

The side walls are subdivided into four sections that depict enclosed courtyards, as well as rotundas, pylons and colonnaded buildings with terraces.

Mt Pleasant –last town on the Torrens.

This sprawling hills town near the source of the trickling Torrens has an interesting history. The area was part of one of the SA Company Special Surveys of 1839. The government consequently had surveyed land to sell off which it did in 1842 to three men, Henry Giles Senior, Henry Bushell and James Phillis. They cleared a few trees, built their houses and attracted their relatives, brothers etc to come and take up land in the district. Landowner Henry Glover subdivided some of his land to create the town of Mt Pleasant in 1856 near the pre-existing Mt Pleasant Inn established in 1853. (When this Inn burnt down in 1860 a new hotel was erected called the Mt Pleasant Hotel).

 

Meantime, Henry Giles also decided to subdivide some of his land in 1858 and create a township which he called Totness, immediately adjacent to Glover’s Mt Pleasant township. Giles was already operating a general store here. The two townships competed and then finally amalgamated. In Totness the hotel there opened in 1860 (it began as a single storey hotel with the second floor added in 1918 to provide accommodation for an influx of holiday makers expected with the arrival of the railway in that year). After 1860 Henry Giles developed most of the town himself with a flourmill (1863), blacksmiths, cottages for his workers and his own residence Totness House (1840s) behind the Mt Pleasant Soldiers Memorial Hall. Giles’ town progressed more quickly and it soon had a Bible Christian Chapel (1858) now part of the School, an Anglican Church (1860), a Presbyterian Church (1866) and a Wesley Methodist Church (1867). The Town Pound for straying animals had also pre-dated Giles town of Totness as it was erected in 1855, only closing in 1944. When the former Bible Christian Chapel closed in 1861 it became the town schoolroom until finally being incorporated into a state school in 1876. Glover’s town however got the police station (1867).

 

From its earliest days Mt Pleasant was the service centre for some large estates in the district. By the mid 1850s when the town was established the Melroses had Rosebank estate and the McBeans had Glen Devon estate. Further away Alexander Borthwick Murray had Borthwick Brae and Mt Beevor. These landed gentry had an impact on the town and by 1904 when George Melrose died the Rosebank estate had increased to around 60,000 acres. It was left to the four Melrose children, one who was married to a Murray. This set the stage for ongoing conflict between two rival families of the McBeans and the Melroses over the location of the proposed Institute building. Lachlan McBean wanted it on the triangle on the main street which is now an antique shop on land he would donate but it was a very small parcel of land. Robert Melrose wanted it on its present site or similar on a spacious block of land that he would donate. There was no agreement on this issue amongst the local committee. The impasse was broken after Henry Giles Junior died in 1921. Robert Melrose bought up most Giles’ lands. Robert Melrose then donated the land for the hall in its present spacious site with parking and a small public reserve. Work began in 1926 and the Institute opened in 1927 but by then it was a late Memorial Hall for World War One which had hardly started when this saga began! In recent years Rosebank estate has been owned by the McLaughlin family.

 

Colonel William Light had the task of surveying the city, which he did in March 1837 and then the Adelaide Plains. The land at Mitcham was surveyed and put up for sale as small farmlets in 1838. It was an ideal spot, slightly above the plains, good deep soils washed down from the hills, and an almost permanent stream running through the district- Brownhill Creek. Like many areas surveyed early, David McLaren, the first manager of the SA Company bought up much of the land for the SA Company. In late 1839 he subdivided some of this land to create the village of Mitcham, so named after the township in southern England. Some of the original purchasers of Mitcham village land, near the village green were Harrison, Hogg, McLaren (for himself), Mugg (first school teacher) Playford, Thornber, Traegar and others. In the early 1840s Mitcham was the biggest and most important village outside of Adelaide along with Port Adelaide. Consequently a road was surveyed and constructed to the village. It began on South Terrace and followed, as far as the current Arkaba corner, the Great Eastern Road (now Glen Osmond Road) which went up into the hills. Then Mitcham road headed south to the village and beyond to Coromandel Valley. These days Mitcham Road is known as Fullarton Road. It was the late 1850s before a road was constructed across the winter flooded south parklands to link the city, Unley and the village of Mitcham along what is now Unley Road.

 

As a further indication of the importance of Mitcham it was granted the first district council status in the state in 1853 after a public meeting at the village called for its formation. Other district councils soon followed after, but Mitcham was the first. Its boundaries stretched from South Terrace along the Bay Road (now Anzac Highway), and then south along Sturt Creek up into the Mitcham Hills. In the east it stretched from the Great Eastern Road, up into the Adelaide Hills covering what is now Crafers. Little wonder that it attracted wealthy settlers, local farmers, and city businessmen. Eventually Mitcham lost the Unley area (1871) and the Marion area. The village grew quite quickly with an early Anglican Church, St Michaels (1848), and a Union chapel on the creek used by several denominations and an early Baptist Church (1860). This is the church Prime Minister Julia Gillard attended as a child. The Baptists were led in the Mitcham village by Reverend Playford and services began in 1844, but the church was not finished until 1860. The Union Chapel was eventually used as the village school by head teacher Thomas Mugg from 1848 until 1871when it was moved to the Mitcham Institute. Six years later the school moved to the new the government school when it opened on what is now Belair Road.

 

Minor mines were established along Brownhill Creek in the 1850s but with no great success. Water for the village came from the Creek, and vegetables for the village and the city of Adelaide were grown on the flat areas along the valley. The valley even had its own school for many years. Beyond the village proper settlement grew up around the Torrens Arms Hotel on Belair Road, and some of the wealthy pastoralists established mansions on what was to become Springfield, Urrbrae and Glen Osmond. The horse tramway reached Mitcham in 1879 and it was not electrified until the Metropolitan Tramways Trust took over all tram lines in 1909. In the meantime the railway station at Mitcham opened in 1883 provided a service to the city in 12 minutes, the same as it is today.

 

"Summerhill is a neighbourhood in central Toronto, Ontario, Canada, located north of Downtown Toronto.

 

It was named after Summer Hill house, built in 1842 by Canadian transportation magnate Charles Thompson. Much of the area was once part of the original Thompson estate but was subdivided for development during the following decades.

 

During the 1880s, the North Toronto railway station was established on Yonge Street, and the neighbourhood of Summerhill quickly developed around it. The railway station was rebuilt in 1916 in honour of a visit by the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII). The neighbourhood underwent very little growth after the railway station closed in 1931, but it was revitalized by the launch of the Summerhill subway station in 1954.

 

The railway station from 1916 still exists, and it currently serves as a LCBO outlet. The station, along with the still-operational Canadian Pacific Railway bridge, is a landmark of the neighbourhood. As part of the provincial government's "MoveOntario 2020" program, plans were being considered to return the building to its original use as a train station, serving a planned GO Transit Crosstown line.

 

Toronto (/təˈrɒntoʊ/ tə-RON-toh; locally [təˈɹɒɾ̃ə] or [ˈtɹɒɾ̃ə]) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the anchor of the Golden Horseshoe, an urban agglomeration of 9,765,188 people (as of 2021) surrounding the western end of Lake Ontario, while the Greater Toronto Area proper had a 2021 population of 6,712,341. Toronto is an international centre of business, finance, arts, sports and culture, and is recognized as one of the most multicultural and cosmopolitan cities in the world.

 

Indigenous peoples have travelled through and inhabited the Toronto area, located on a broad sloping plateau interspersed with rivers, deep ravines, and urban forest, for more than 10,000 years. After the broadly disputed Toronto Purchase, when the Mississauga surrendered the area to the British Crown, the British established the town of York in 1793 and later designated it as the capital of Upper Canada. During the War of 1812, the town was the site of the Battle of York and suffered heavy damage by American troops. York was renamed and incorporated in 1834 as the city of Toronto. It was designated as the capital of the province of Ontario in 1867 during Canadian Confederation. The city proper has since expanded past its original limits through both annexation and amalgamation to its current area of 630.2 km2 (243.3 sq mi).

 

The diverse population of Toronto reflects its current and historical role as an important destination for immigrants to Canada. More than half of residents were born outside of Canada, more than half of residents belong to a visible minority group, and over 200 distinct ethnic origins are represented among its inhabitants. While the majority of Torontonians speak English as their primary language, over 160 languages are spoken in the city. The mayor of Toronto is elected by direct popular vote to serve as the chief executive of the city. The Toronto City Council is a unicameral legislative body, comprising 25 councillors since the 2018 municipal election, representing geographical wards throughout the city.

 

Toronto is a prominent centre for music, theatre, motion picture production, and television production, and is home to the headquarters of Canada's major national broadcast networks and media outlets. Its varied cultural institutions, which include numerous museums and galleries, festivals and public events, entertainment districts, national historic sites, and sports activities, attract over 43 million tourists each year. Toronto is known for its many skyscrapers and high-rise buildings, in particular the tallest free-standing structure on land outside of Asia, the CN Tower.

 

The city is home to the Toronto Stock Exchange, the headquarters of Canada's five largest banks, and the headquarters of many large Canadian and multinational corporations. Its economy is highly diversified with strengths in technology, design, financial services, life sciences, education, arts, fashion, aerospace, environmental innovation, food services, and tourism. Toronto is the third-largest tech hub in North America after Silicon Valley and New York City, and the fastest growing." - info from Wikipedia.

 

The fall of 2022 I did my 3rd major cycling tour. I began my adventure in Montreal, Canada and finished in Savannah, GA. This tour took me through the oldest parts of Quebec and the 13 original US states. During this adventure I cycled 7,126 km over the course of 2.5 months and took more than 68,000 photos. As with my previous tours, a major focus was to photograph historic architecture.

 

On this trip I had a surprise 4 day layover in Toronto.

 

Now on Instagram.

 

Become a patron to my photography on Patreon or donate.

Upper West Side, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States

 

HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION

 

Although its history can be traced as far back as the late seventeenth century, the West Side, including the land within the boundaries of the West End-Collegiate Historic District, was still largely farmland until 1880. Prior to its urbanization at the end of the nineteenth century, the West Side, stretching roughly from 23rd Street to 125th Street, was known as Blooming-dale. This appellation came from the early Dutch settlers of New Amsterdam who called the region "Bloemendael" in fond recollection of a flower-growing area of the same name near Haarlem, in Holland,

 

In the 1660s, Governor Nicholls, the first English governor of New York, granted a large parcel of land in the Bloomingdale district to a syndicate of five patentees. Known as the "thousand acre tract," it was bounded roughly by the Hudson River and what are today 42nd Street, a point midway between 89th and 90th Streets, and Central Park West. The tract was surveyed and subdivided among the patentees. The territory which compromises the historic district fell within lots seven and eight, with the bulk of it being within lot seven. Both lots became the property of Egbert Wouterse, one of the five patentees.

 

In the early eighteenth century Bloomingdale Road was opened through the region following the course of an old Indian trail. The road provided the main link with the city at the tip of Manhattan. Gradually, wealthy New Yorkers began to establish country seats in the hinterland flanking Bloomingdale Road.

 

A number of country seats were established in the vicinity of the historic district. One of them, the homestead of Stephen De-Lancey, which was built before 1729, probably occupied the site of the later Vandenheuvel mansion on the west side of Bloomingdale Road at the present location of the Apthorp Apartments, a designated New York City Landmark. In 1792, John Cornelius Vandenheuvel, former governor of Demerara, built his mansion on this site."

 

By the 1830s, the mansion had been converted into a hotel called Burnham's. The Astor family acquired the site in 1879 and had the mansion demolished in 1905 to make way for the Apthorp Apartments

 

Another country seat in the vicinity was established by Teunis Somarindyck when all of lot seven of the thousand acre tract fell to him. After 1745 Somarindyck's house stood at the northwest

 

corner of 75th Street and Broadway. The house was demolished in 1868 to make way for the Boulevard, now Broadway. A second house belonging to the Somarindyck family was located at roughly the southeastern corner of the present West End Avenue and West 77th Street.

 

In the late 1840s, Fernando Wood purchased this house and the adjoining one, added a structure on its south side and used the house as his country seat. Wood lived here while he was mayor of New York City (1855-1858, 1860-1862). In 1860 Wood entertained the Prince of Wales in the home when the Prince of Wales made his famous trip to the United States as Baron Renfrew.

 

By the early nineteenth century four small villages had sprung up in Bloomingdale. According to historian Hopper Striker Mott, each of these villages was a distinct locality which maintained a semblance of village life at least up to the Civil War.

 

The general vicinity of the historic district was known as Har-senville, a hamlet centered around the present West 70th Street and Broadway. It was named for John Harsen whose house stood between 70th and 71st Streets.

 

Although Bloomingdale itself remained largely rural until the late nineteenth century, its eventual development as an integral part of New York City had been foreseen much earlier in the century. The state legislature appointed a commission of three in 1807 to prepare a plan for the orderly expansion of the city, and John Randel, Jr., an engineer, assumed the task of formulating such a scheme.

 

In 1811 he produced a plan, known as the Randel Survey or Commissioners' Map, which imposed a uniform grid of broad avenues and narrow cross streets upon the rolling hills of Manhattan as far north as 155th Street. The austerity of the rigid grid was relieved only by Bloomingdale Road (now Broadway) which cut across the plan diagonally.

 

To be sure, some fifty years elapsed before streets in the vicinity of the historic district were actually laid out. In the interim, the bucolic character of the area began to undergo changes. The large Somarindyck farm was subdivided during the early nineteenth century and much of the land within or near the historic district became part of six separate parcels.

 

Though ownership of these parcels varied throughout the first half of the century, they continued in use as either country seats or farms until being conveyed during the 1850s and 1860s in small parcels and lots. The Wood estate, centered on the present block bounded by West 76th and West 77th Streets, West End Avenue and Broadway, was not broken into lots until the 1880s.

 

The ready availability of land in Bloomingdale encouraged the establishment of a number of institutions there in the early nineteenth century.

 

One, the Orphan Asylum Society of New York, decided to move from its existing home in the increasingly congested and urbanized Greenwich Village area of the city to a new home in Harsenville so that the children in its charge could "enjoy purer air and more ample accommodations.

 

In the 1830s the Society purchased nine and one half acres of land, some of which is presently incorporated into the southern boundary of the historic district, and, on the site presently bounded by Riverside Drive, West End Avenue, West 73rd and West 74th Streets, erected its imposing new asylum. Completed in 1840, the asylum building survived until 1902.

 

During the period, the increase in the permanent population of Harsenville and Bloomingdale was sufficient to warrant opening a local public school. Established in the late 1820s at West 82nd Street and Eleventh Avenue (-West End Avenue), Public School 9 served the families who lived on the farms and in frame houses scattered throughout the area.

 

In spite of these various developments, Bloomingdale retained its countrylike atmosphere to the time of the Civil War. New York City, on the other hand, found itself in the throes of expansion and transformation into a rapidly growing metropolis.

 

Both the impact of the Industrial Revolution and massive immigration from Europe provided the impetus to northerly residential expansion which was channeled primarily to the East Side and roughly followed the uptown march of New York's wealthy citizens.

 

The predilection for development on the East Side was also heavily influenced by transit facilities which were provided there earlier than on the West Side. With the inauguration of the horsecar era in 1852, the city was pushed ever further north until it reached 59th Street.

 

As the city continually expanded to the north, it was increasingly apparent that Bloomingdale would eventually be engulfed by the tide of urban growth. However, residential development proceeded slowly in Bloomingdale. Its pace was influenced by a complex interrelationship of factors which included the opening of rapid transit lines, the construction of various civic improvements, and successive waves of real estate speculation .

 

Rapid growth and expansion only exacerbated the problems confronting New York City and led to closer scrutiny of the deficiencies of the Commissioners Map of 1811. Its rigid grid system for laying streets made meager provision for new squares ,

 

promenades or parks as a means of relieving congestion which resulted from the high densities of urban building. Moreover, the city's breathing spaces were confined to a few small squares, mostly damp and unwholesome "reservations" on the site of old water courses.

 

As early as 1840 a serious campaign was launched to create a park to benefit all the people of New York. By the late 1850s, Central Park, with a southern boundary coinciding with the northern boundary of the city, was under construction in a predominantly rural area of the island.

 

The decision to build Central Park in a rural, undeveloped part of the city spurred development during the 1850s in what is now midtown, particularly in the West 40s and 50s, close to Fifth Avenue, where brownstone rowhouses began to appear.

 

The determination of the park's boundaries also boosted property values to its east, west and north and sparked a wave of real estate speculation in all three areas. This first wave of speculation to affect the Upper West Side was confined to vacant lots along Eighth Avenue, just west of the park, which sold for nearly as much as those just to the east along Fifth Avenue. Since neither the population of the city at the time nor its transit facilities, which on the Upper West Side were limited to a stage line on Bloomingdale Road, warranted the prices at which property was being traded, the speculation was restricted to paper.

 

The period after the Civil War triggered the greatest speculative craze seen to that point in New York City. Land in the vicinity of Fifth Avenue was particularly susceptible even though most of it was unimproved, overvalued, and sold for very high prices. Generally speaking, the postwar speculation undoubtedly was one of the consequences of the inflation which followed the war. On the Upper West Side, it received an additional stimulus from contemplated rapid transportation facilities and from promised civic improvements.

 

The craze, however, was almost entirely restricted to vacant land. In 1868, for example, there were not more than half a dozen "modern" houses on the Upper West Side. In 1873, four lots on 81st Street and Riverside Drive, an avenue which then existed only on paper, were conveyed for $75,000. It was estimated that, between 1868 and 1873, the value of land north of 59th Street increased by 200 percent and in many cases 300 or 400 percent.

 

One of the earliest improvements to fuel post-war speculation on the Upper West Side was the extension of the Eighth Avenue horse car line to 84th Street in 1864. However more ambitious projects exerted far greater influence in this regard. By

 

the late 1860s a new rapid transit system connecting both the Upper East and Upper West Sides with downtown Manhattan seemed virtually assured.

 

The demand for other city improvements was also particularly insistent. Chief among the demands was a proposal to convert the Riverside precipice on the West Side of Manhattan into a park. The idea received additional support when Andrew H. Green, President of the Board of Commissioners of Central Park, submitted a plan to convert the precipice into a landscaped park for the West Side from 55th to 155th Streets.

 

The plan, approved by the Board of Commissioners of Central Park in 1867, called for not only the development of a Riverside Park but also the creation of Riverside Drive, Fort Washington Park and Morningside Park, as well as new streets and avenues that conformed to the natural contours of the land. One of the results was the replacement in 1868-71 of Bloomingdale Road by a wide avenue with grass malls from 59th Street to 155th Street.

 

The new avenue was named the "Boulevard" in the area of the historic district and the "Public Drive" further north. In 1899, the Boulevard and Public Drive were renamed "Broadway." At the same time city improvements, such as the opening, grading and flagging of streets in the area was proceeding slowly. By the 1870s most of the streets and avenues in or near the historic district had been laid out.

 

The Panic of 1873, caused by the failure of Jay Cooke & Co. and the suspension of the Union Trust Co., burst this speculative bubble. Not only did the bottom fall out of the real estate market, but the real estate industry entered into a period of stagnation which lasted until recovery at the end of the decade. During this period little building occurred on the Upper West Side and, more significantly, the value of building lots fell dramatically, often to their pre-Civil War levels.

 

Although this period of stagnation did not completely end until 1879, a large amount of capital had already been invested by then in the region of the historic district. The Boulevard had been opened, Riverside Drive and Park were under construction and the Ninth Avenue Elevated Railroad was nearing completion and in operation by the end of 1879.

 

The erection of the American Museum of Natural History in 1874 - 1877 in Manhattan Square between 77th and 81st Streets and Eighth and Ninth Avenues, indicated the emerging role of this area of the Upper West Side as a setting for cultural activities. Despite these improvements, the Upper West Side at this time "was barren, open land marked with occasional shanties, vegetable gardens, menacing rock out-

 

growths, lowly taverns and decrepit eighteenth and early nineteenth century mansions."

 

With the gradual return to prosperity by the end of the decade building activity once again resumed in the city, but much of it was confined to the Upper East Side. By contrast, the Upper West Side was distant from the city's historic thrust northward along Fifth Avenue. Rather than shift a mile to the west to proceed up Eighth Avenue or Broadway, development marched logically northward on the East Side into the Sixties and Seventies.

 

Furthermore, when real estate began to recover, owners of property on the Upper West Side who had suffered great losses during the Panic deliberately kept prices high in anticipation of development. ^ As a result, East Side property was more attractive to builders and, hence, nearly all of them were busy on the Upper East Side and even in Harlem.

 

After having lagged some twenty years behind the Upper East Side, development on the Upper West Side was finally stimulated by the completion of the Ninth Avenue El in 1879. However, despite the completion of the El, developers were reluctant, at first, to build on the Upper West Side. Builders hesitated to enter a nearly empty area whose social composition had not yet been determined.

 

Although everyone agreed that Central Park West and Riverside Drive were destined to supplant Fifth Avenue as the future home of New York's wealthy citizens, with West End Avenue being envisioned as the location of small shops catering to the needs of local households, no one seemed to agree about the future constitution of the rest of the Upper West Side. To be sure, the elevated stations at 72nd, 8 1st, 93rd and 104th Streets did attract builders like magnetic points, but there were few other fixed points to guide investors in determining the nature of buildings most profitable to erect.

 

The Upper West Side was a wilderness of confusing possibilities. In addition, high real estate prices, the unreliability of city improvements, delays in opening streets, and difficulties in evicting occupants of the numerous shanties spread throughout the region further confounded attempts at development.

 

Development that occurred on the Upper West Side during the first years of the 1880s was restricted largely to individual entrepreneurs. Construct ion first began in the vicinity of 125th Street at the north and in the area of 72nd Street at the south. Edward Clark, President of the Singer Sewing Machine Co., was the first to make major investments on the Upper West Side. In the late 1870s he invested heavily in property bounded by 72nd and 74th Streets, Eighth and Ninth Avenues.

 

Early in 1880, a row of his dwellings was put on the rental market and later in the same year he filed plans for his long heralded Dakota Apartments, a designated New York City Landmark. Standing at Central Park West between 72nd and 73rd Streets, it was mockingly dubbed "Clark's Folly" because of its unfashionable location.

 

The Dakota, however, soon became the nucleus of a residential community built up on nearby streets. Clark's real estate ventures proved to be superb investments and attracted much public attention and comment

 

Despite the publicity generated by such ventures as Clark's, the "Great West Side Movement" continued to lag behind development on the East Side, but by 1885 the Upper West Side had emerged as the recognized speculative area of the city. The developers already at work there undertook new and larger projects and were joined by nearly all of the larger builders in the city to the degree that the city's whole building force seemed to have been transferred to the West Side.

 

Buildings erected on the Upper West Side now sold readily and builders were inclined and financially able to continue launching even more projects throughout the area. In 1886, the Times wrote:

 

The west side of the city presents just now a scene of building activity such as was never before witnessed in that section, and which gives promise of the speedy disappearance of all the shanties in the neighborhood and the rapid population of this long neglected part of New York.

 

The huge masses of rock which formerly met the eye, usually crowned by a rickety shanty and a browsing goat, are being blasted out of existence. Streets are being graded, and thousands of carpenters and masons are engaged in rearing substantial buildings where a year ago nothing was to be seen but market gardens or barren rocky fields.

 

Construction began on the first houses, as they stand today in the historic district, in 1885. Designed by F. B. White, a very young architect, these houses are located on West End Avenue at 78th Street. Roughly one quarter of the row houses which survive in the historic district were built by the end of the decade. They were concentrated on West 76th and West 77th Streets and Eleventh Avenue, which had been named West End Avenue in 1880.

 

Contrary to earlier expectations, West End Avenue evolved into a street of fashionable houses rather than a commercial thoroughfare.

 

By the early 1890s, the Upper West Side had become more densely built up. The West 70s and 80s, in particular, had acquired row houses and began to establish itself as the Upper West Side's most fashionable neighborhood. Development occurred more rapidly on the streets between the Boulevard and Central Park than on the streets to the west of the Boulevard.

 

This was due, undoubtedly, to two factors. First, the land "vest of the Boulevard was relatively less accessible to street cars and to the Ninth Avenue El. Second, land flanking Riverside Drive, Central Park West, and, to some degree, West End Avenue, was considered to be prime property.

 

Speculation thrived on the notion that New York's socially elite and wealthy citizens would abandon Fifth Avenue, move en masse to the West Side and erect palatial mansions along these avenues. Consequently, the value of land adjacent to these streets remained consistently higher than elsewhere on the Upper West Side. High property values discouraged development there.

 

Promotional brochures and publicity in the press, which began to focus on the territory surrounding the historic district, heightened the interest of buyers and sellers alike in the territory west of the Boulevard. In 1888, for example, the West End Association published a pamphlet entitled "West End Avenue: Riverside Park in the City of New York" in which they lauded the virtues of West End Avenue and environs as an ideal residential area.

 

They pointed out the avenue's proximity to Riverside Park, its high elevation and its scientific sewerage system as its chief amenities.

 

In August 1890, the New York Herald ran a series of editorials and articles extolling the advantages of the Upper West Side but especially the Riverside Drive area. The paper focused attention on the proposals of Peter B. Sweeney, Chairman of the Department of Parks, for the creation of a "splendid public pleasure ground for lovers of the horse and the horse himself" on an embankment of the Hudson River between 72nd Street and 98th Street.

 

The newspaper also portrayed the Upper West Side as an extremely desirable residential area.

 

The district to the east of Riverside Park as far as Central Park is likely, or rather, sure to become within the next twenty years, perhaps the location of the most beautiful residences in the world.

 

The advantages of pure air and beautiful surroundings, glimpses of the New Jersey Hills at the end of each street, with the glitter of the Hudson between; the nearness of parks and the accessibility of the district will be insurmountable factors in popularity.

 

As the time of square brick and brown stone houses has gone by, so alas has the time when New York can afford to neglect her approach and her outward appearances.

 

In spite of the Panic of 1893, the entire area within the historic district had been developed with large row houses for the well-to-do by the late 1890s, a time span of less than 15 years since the first houses were constructed, Especially along Riverside Drive, numerous rows of large, ornate houses were built on speculation.

 

The architect Clarence True was instrumental in developing these houses which, with their broad widths, hardly qualified as ordinary row houses but rather as "mansions" with party walls.

 

By the turn of the century the region of the historic district had evolved into, in the minds of many, the most fashionable residential district in the city. In 1899, one observer noted that West End Avenue above 68th Street was one of the finest residential streets in New York City, while Riverside Drive, known as Riverside Avenue, was "universally acknowledged to be one of the most beautiful and picturesque streets in the world."

 

The early years of the twentieth century witnessed the increasing popularity and acceptance by the upper middle class of the residential hotel and apartment house, particularly in Manhattan.

 

As they appeared throughout the city, the value of available vacant land, which previously had been reserved for row house development, escalated sharply and ultimately the cost of the average row house jumped to a point where not even the prosperous upper middle class could afford to buy one.

 

Legislation of the early twentieth century, which permitted the construction of taller apartment buildings, as well as a "universal demand for comfort, with less care and expense then entailed in private house maintenance," further encouraged the construction of apartment houses and residential hotels and caused the virtual disappearance of rowhouse construction in Manhattan.

 

The completion of the Broadway subway (IRT) in 1904 undoubtedly contributed to the popularity of the apartment house on the West Side. During the first decade of the twentieth century, residential hotel and apartment house construction boomed.

 

Apartment house construction on the Upper West Side continued up until the time of the Depression. However, as vacant lots became ever more scarce, particularly after World War I, developers took to demolishing existing rowhouses, many of which were less than twenty years old, in order to assemble sites for more lucrative apartment house construction.

 

Riverside Drive and West End Avenue were particularly vulnerable to this development trend. Most of the rowhouses which had once lined West End Avenue and Riverside Drive succumbed to the apartment house. Numerous apartment buildings standing along both avenues in the historic district date from this period and are the fruit of this development practice.

 

With the onset of the Depression, the Upper West Side entered a period of stagnation and decline. Little new construction occurred there. Many rowhouses, which had become financial burdens to maintain, were converted into multiple dwellings. Although urban renewal activity in the 1950s and 1960s left its mark on the Upper West Side, it did not affect the historic district. Moreover, the district has seen no major building activity since World War II. In recent years, however, the historic district has become one of the most desirable residential areas in the city.

from the author Millie Marotta

I used Derwent Procolor for the Walrus

 

Info from Wiki:

The walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) is a large flippered marine mammal with a discontinuous distribution about the North Pole in the Arctic Ocean and subarctic seas of the Northern Hemisphere. The walrus is the only living species in the family Odobenidae and genus Odobenus. This species is subdivided into three subspecies:[2] the Atlantic walrus (O. r. rosmarus) which lives in the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific walrus (O. r. divergens) which lives in the Pacific Ocean, and O. r. laptevi, which lives in the Laptev Sea of the Arctic Ocean.

 

Adult walrus are easily recognized by their prominent tusks, whiskers, and bulk. Adult males in the Pacific can weigh more than 2,000 kg (4,400 lb)[3] and, among pinnipeds, are exceeded in size only by the two species of elephant seals.[4] Walruses live mostly in shallow waters above the continental shelves, spending significant amounts of their lives on the sea ice looking for benthic bivalve mollusks to eat. Walruses are relatively long-lived, social animals, and they are considered to be a "keystone species" in the Arctic marine regions.

 

The walrus has played a prominent role in the cultures of many indigenous Arctic peoples, who have hunted the walrus for its meat, fat, skin, tusks, and bone. During the 19th century and the early 20th century, walruses were widely hunted and killed for their blubber, walrus ivory, and meat. The population of walruses dropped rapidly all around the Arctic region. Their population has rebounded somewhat since then, though the populations of Atlantic and Laptev walruses remain fragmented and at low levels compared with the time before human interference.

Badian is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 37,699 people. The Municipality of Badian is located 97.6 km southwest of Cebu City. It is bounded on the north by the municipality of Moalboal; on the south by the municipality of Alegria; on the east by the municipalities of Dalaguete and Argao; and on the west by Tanon Strait.

Badian is administratively subdivided into 29 barangays.

Alawijao Balhaan Banhigan Basak Basiao Bato Bugas Calangcang Candiis Dagatan Dobdob

Ginablan Lambug Malbago Malhiao Manduyong Matutinao Patong Poblacion Sanlagan

Santicon Sohoton Sulsugan Talayong Taytay Tigbao Tiguib Tubod Zaragosa

The Kawasan Falls is a three-layered waterfall series located in the Municipality of Badian, Cebu, which has become a huge attraction with foreign and local tourists throughout the years. The first waterfall is the largest and highest of the three falls, while the two falls uphill are smaller.

Kawasan Falls is located in Barangay Matutinao in Badian, Cebu. To get to Badian from Cebu City you can take a bus at the South Bus Terminal for a three hour ride that will directly take you to Badian. From there, you can take a tricycle that will take you to Barangay Matutinao.

If you are taking a private vehicle, drive past the Municipality of Carcar, and upon reaching the Municipality of Badian through the picturesque mountain road, then drive to Matutinao village. You can always ask for directions from people along the way if it is your first time to go to Kawasan Falls, so you won’t get lost.

When you reach the main road leading to Kawasan Falls, there is a main entrance to the waterfalls area and an entrance fee of 10 peso’s per person. From there, you start on a 20 to 30 minute walk on a trail that will lead you to the first waterfall.

You will then have to trek a further 10 to 15 minutes uphill to get to the second waterfall, and another 15 minute trek to the third waterfalls. There is a resort with restaurant at the area of the first waterfalls. There are small cottages and tables for rent at 300 peso’s each table as at September 2012 ( on top of the menu prices ) and several rooms for rent for those who want to stay overnight. A popular attraction is a bamboo raft ride leading to a shower under the cool falling waters of the first and second waterfall.

The Mactan International Airport is located in Mactan, Cebu; it is served by major airlines like Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines. You can also fly from Metro Manila to Cebu. There are many domestic flights and sometimes it is economical because many airlines offer a cheaper airfare. Check also for any available promo. If you arrived earlier in Cebu, you can leave straight to Badian providing you already arranged your accommodation there before your arrival or you can stay for a night in Cebu City and have your trip to Badian the next day.

Your choices to come from Cebu City to Badian are: from the airport you can take a taxi to South Bus Terminal look for Ceres Bus Liner via Barili, you can also take Librando Trans. There are buses leaving Cebu City to Badian every 30 minutes or one hour. It will take 2-3 hours or more bus travel to reach Badian from Cebu City depending on the number of stops. You can also hire a taxi at the airport or at the city to Badian, it is more comfortable and faster. Make sure the driver knows where Badian is. The fare is about Php 1500.00 - Php 3000.00 and be prepare for some bartering and some hidden costs

The capital barangay of Badian town is Poblacion. It is located in the centre of the town. This is where the local high school is located called Badian National High School ( BNHS ) is one of the two high schools in the town of Badian. This is also the largest of the two and many students from the neighbouring town just like Moalboal, Alcantara and Ronda come to study in this high school. The lower educational facility in Badian is the Badian Central Elementary School where all the younger children go to school for the simple fact that it is completely free and the only elementary school and the biggest one in town. One more very important institution that is located in Poblacion is the Town Hospital where everyone from every other barangay goes to in the time of sickness.

The facility has been better than the past management they have more improvements to the hospitals than anything else which is the best thing they could have done because this is where most Badianganons run to in the time of need. This is also the location where the town church is located ~ the church of Santiago Apostol, which celebrates its Festival on the 25th of July every year. Together with the Feast of Santiago Apostle is the Banig Festival which was started about three years ago. Poblacion is also where the Municipal Hall is located in sitio sawang. Thus, I believe that the municipality should ought to have more funding's in the Hospital Facility more so that the roads that they are trying to fix every single year Poblacion has many sitios which is the little corners of Poblacion which is residential or commercial properties. Some of these sitios are; Syma, Walog, Sawang, Highway, and many more. This is the only urban place in Badian compared to any other barangays that surround the town. Poblacion is also the most populated barangay in all Badian. Which has 3854 population as of 2007 Census. Poblacion is where the marketplace is located. Thus, most of the trading is here. Many vendors from all over town will show up mostly on Saturdays and Sundays for the trading.

Naga sadhus are a large and a prominent Shaiva sect, who have existed since the prehistoric past. The Naga sect is subdivided into Akharas, i.e. 'regiments', like an army. Their display of weaponry -- sticks, spears, swords and especially the trident -- have a mostly symbolic function. Among the Nagas are many sadhus who walk about naked.

In their nakedness they do not emanate sexuality. On the contrary, they control, inhibit the sexual 'vibrations', retaining its energy so it can be mystically transformed into psychic and spiritual power.

    

Hi! If you are planning to use my photographs for personal or public use then stop this now as i wont allow it ,I work hard with my photographs and I hope you respect my work and my thoughts.

pavanblog.com/

 

pavankgupta.blogspot.com/

 

The Indian rupee is the official currency of India. The rupee is subdivided into 100 paise. As is standard in Indian English, large values of Indian rupees are counted in terms of thousand, lakh (100 thousand, in digits 1,00,000), and crore (100 lakhs, in digits 1,00,00,000).

 

Among the earliest issues of paper rupees were those by the Bank of Hindostan (1770-1832), the General Bank of Bengal and Bihar (1773-75, established by Warren Hastings), the Bengal Bank (1784-91), amongst others.

 

Historically, the rupee was a silver based currency. This had severe consequences in the nineteenth century, when the strongest economies in the world were on the gold standard. The discovery of vast quantities of silver in the U.S. and various European colonies resulted in a decline in the relative value of silver to gold. Suddenly the standard currency of India could not buy as much from the outside world. This event was known as "the fall of the Rupee."

 

During British rule, and the first decade of independence, the rupee was subdivided into 16 Annas. Each Anna was subdivided into either 4 pisas, or 12 pies.

 

In 1957, decimalization occurred and the rupee was now divided into 100 Naye Paise (Hindi for new paisas). After a few years, the initial "Naye" was dropped. However many still refer to 25, 50 & 75 paise as 4, 8 and 12 annas respectively, not unlike the now largely defunct usage of "bit" in American English for 1/8 dollar.

 

-Text From Wikipedia

The Sevier River, extending 383 miles (616 km), is the longest Utah river entirely in the state and drains an extended chain of mountain farming valleys to the intermittent Sevier Lake. The Upper Sevier is used extensively for irrigation, and consequently Sevier Lake is now essentially dry.

 

The Sevier River Water Users Association subdivides the river into four mainstream sections: Upper, Central, Gunnison and Lower.

 

Upper: The Sevier headwaters are in northwestern Kane County along the western side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau, and it flows northward into Garfield County through an extended valley beside the plateau past Hatch and Panguitch. Along the Garfield-Piute county line, the Sevier descends through the narrow 5 mi (8 km) Circleville Canyon, emerging into Circle Valley at Circleville. It then flows northeast towards Junction, where it receives the East Fork from the east and passes through the Piute Reservoir.

 

Central: It flows north across Piute County to Marysvale then descends through 8 mi (13 km) Sevier Canyon, emerging south of Sevier. It then flows northeast past Richfield and Salina.

 

Gunnison and Lower: After the San Pitch confluence and ~20 mi (32 km) southwest of Nephi, the river flows west around the north end of the Canyon Mountains into the Sevier Desert, then southwest past Delta and into Sevier Lake in central Millard County, along the western side of the Cricket Mountains. It is impounded in southeastern Juab County at the north end of the valley to form the 20-mi (32 km) long Sevier Bridge Reservoir. DMAD reservoir and Gunnison Bend reservoirs are near Delta with Sevier's water. DMAD water goes to the Intermountain Power Project's coal-fired plant located 9 miles west of US-6, north of Delta.

 

The Dominguez-Escalante Expedition crossed the river in 1776.

 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sevier_River

 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Text_of_Creative_Commons_...

Badian is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 37,699 people. The Municipality of Badian is located 97.6 km southwest of Cebu City. It is bounded on the north by the municipality of Moalboal; on the south by the municipality of Alegria; on the east by the municipalities of Dalaguete and Argao; and on the west by Tanon Strait.

Badian is administratively subdivided into 29 barangays.

Alawijao Balhaan Banhigan Basak Basiao Bato Bugas Calangcang Candiis Dagatan Dobdob

Ginablan Lambug Malbago Malhiao Manduyong Matutinao Patong Poblacion Sanlagan

Santicon Sohoton Sulsugan Talayong Taytay Tigbao Tiguib Tubod Zaragosa

The Kawasan Falls is a three-layered waterfall series located in the Municipality of Badian, Cebu, which has become a huge attraction with foreign and local tourists throughout the years. The first waterfall is the largest and highest of the three falls, while the two falls uphill are smaller.

Kawasan Falls is located in Barangay Matutinao in Badian, Cebu. To get to Badian from Cebu City you can take a bus at the South Bus Terminal for a three hour ride that will directly take you to Badian. From there, you can take a tricycle that will take you to Barangay Matutinao.

If you are taking a private vehicle, drive past the Municipality of Carcar, and upon reaching the Municipality of Badian through the picturesque mountain road, then drive to Matutinao village. You can always ask for directions from people along the way if it is your first time to go to Kawasan Falls, so you won’t get lost.

When you reach the main road leading to Kawasan Falls, there is a main entrance to the waterfalls area and an entrance fee of 10 peso’s per person. From there, you start on a 20 to 30 minute walk on a trail that will lead you to the first waterfall.

You will then have to trek a further 10 to 15 minutes uphill to get to the second waterfall, and another 15 minute trek to the third waterfalls. There is a resort with restaurant at the area of the first waterfalls. There are small cottages and tables for rent at 300 peso’s each table as at September 2012 ( on top of the menu prices ) and several rooms for rent for those who want to stay overnight. A popular attraction is a bamboo raft ride leading to a shower under the cool falling waters of the first and second waterfall.

The Mactan International Airport is located in Mactan, Cebu; it is served by major airlines like Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines. You can also fly from Metro Manila to Cebu. There are many domestic flights and sometimes it is economical because many airlines offer a cheaper airfare. Check also for any available promo. If you arrived earlier in Cebu, you can leave straight to Badian providing you already arranged your accommodation there before your arrival or you can stay for a night in Cebu City and have your trip to Badian the next day.

Your choices to come from Cebu City to Badian are: from the airport you can take a taxi to South Bus Terminal look for Ceres Bus Liner via Barili, you can also take Librando Trans. There are buses leaving Cebu City to Badian every 30 minutes or one hour. It will take 2-3 hours or more bus travel to reach Badian from Cebu City depending on the number of stops. You can also hire a taxi at the airport or at the city to Badian, it is more comfortable and faster. Make sure the driver knows where Badian is. The fare is about Php 1500.00 - Php 3000.00 and be prepare for some bartering and some hidden costs

The capital barangay of Badian town is Poblacion. It is located in the centre of the town. This is where the local high school is located called Badian National High School ( BNHS ) is one of the two high schools in the town of Badian. This is also the largest of the two and many students from the neighbouring town just like Moalboal, Alcantara and Ronda come to study in this high school. The lower educational facility in Badian is the Badian Central Elementary School where all the younger children go to school for the simple fact that it is completely free and the only elementary school and the biggest one in town. One more very important institution that is located in Poblacion is the Town Hospital where everyone from every other barangay goes to in the time of sickness.

The facility has been better than the past management they have more improvements to the hospitals than anything else which is the best thing they could have done because this is where most Badianganons run to in the time of need. This is also the location where the town church is located ~ the church of Santiago Apostol, which celebrates its Festival on the 25th of July every year. Together with the Feast of Santiago Apostle is the Banig Festival which was started about three years ago. Poblacion is also where the Municipal Hall is located in sitio sawang. Thus, I believe that the municipality should ought to have more funding's in the Hospital Facility more so that the roads that they are trying to fix every single year Poblacion has many sitios which is the little corners of Poblacion which is residential or commercial properties. Some of these sitios are; Syma, Walog, Sawang, Highway, and many more. This is the only urban place in Badian compared to any other barangays that surround the town. Poblacion is also the most populated barangay in all Badian. Which has 3854 population as of 2007 Census. Poblacion is where the marketplace is located. Thus, most of the trading is here. Many vendors from all over town will show up mostly on Saturdays and Sundays for the trading.

 

Tottenville, Staten Island, New York City, New York

 

Westfield Township District School No. 5, erected in 1878'(architect undetermined) and enlarged in 1896-97 to plans provided by the architectural firm of Pierce & Brun, demonstrates the strong commitment of the inhabitants of Tottenville to education. As the oldest public school remaining in use on Staten Island, the building recalls the era when such schools on Staten Island were under the jurisdiction of Richmond County and the State of New York. The brick schoolhouse appears to have been designed by a builder or architect familiar with the neo-Grec style. The facade, with its temple-inspired form, incorporates stylized classical elements and incised ornament, while the side walls have a robust rhythm established by pilasters and window openings with denticulated window heads. The growing population of the village and the establishment of a two-year high school department prompted the construction of an addition to the schoolhouse in 1896-97. Pierce & Brun established a T-shaped plan and incorporated signature elements of the original building into an up-to-date scheme with banks of windows and a weII-lighted central stairhall. Denticulated brick window heads and patterned bands, as well as the bracketed wood cornice, unite the two portions of the building into a harmonious whole. The projects, undertaken by the School District Board of Trustees and Board of Education with the approval of district residents, were exercises in local government as well as architectural achievements. The schoolhouse, part of the educational complex in Tottenville, remains in use as the Public School 1 Annex.

HistQfy gfTQtterfe'

 

The southwestern tip of Staten Island (Richmond County), once an important Native American habitation site and burial ground, has a recorded history which dates to the 1670s, when Captain Christopher Billopp built a stone manor house (the Billopp or Conference House, a designated New York City Landmark) and initiated ferry service to Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Billopp's plantation, later enlarged and given the title "Manor of Bentley," was the largest holding in the West Division (later renamed Westfield Township), one of the four precincts into which the county was divided. Following the Revolution, the Billopp property was confiscated by the State of New York, partitioned, and sold; it continued to be used largely for farming and as a base for fishing and associated maritime trades. Gradually the land was subdivided into smaller lots and by the 1840s a hamlet began to form around the ferry landing and the nearby sections of Amboy Road, the path leading to it. The slow-growing settlement soon came to be known as Tottenville, after the prominent family who had erected a wharf, Totten's Landing. Many local residents were engaged in the oyster business and ship-building, which remained leading occupations and mainstays of the area economy into the 1920s, while the waterfront setting and frequent steamer and ferry connections prompted the development of small summer resorts, restaurants, hotels, and other recreation businesses.

 

The completion in 1860 of the Staten Island Railroad, which ran from Vanderbilt's Landing on the island's east shore to a depot near the hamlet's ferry landing, establishing an important link between the developing village and the rest of the island, spurred the growth of an adjacent commercial area. During the subsequent decade, a post office was begun and soon named Tottenville, and the hamlet was officially incorporated as a village — the only one to be chartered on the island's southern and western sections. The village, re-incorporated in 1894, reached a peak of development at the close of the nineteenth century, when many commercial and civic institutions — such as the Tottenville Free Library, several weekly newspapers, the Atlantic Terra Cotta Works, and the Tottenville Copper Company — were established. From the 1870s through much of the present century, Tottenville has been the largest, most populous, and most cohesive settlement in the southern section of Staten Island and has retained its individuality as a suburban village.

 

Common Schools on Staten Island Prior to the consolidation of Greater New York in 1898, the schools on Staten Island were under the jurisdiction of the Richmond County Superintendent of Schools and the State of New York. Though thought of today as public schools - as opposed to private or parochial institutions - they were known as "common schools" throughout the nineteenth century. In 1854, local school districts, organized and numbered by township, were given the power to select sites for schools and raise the money to construct and maintain schoolhouses, in addition to other school supervisory powers. Common school districts received financial support from state sources and school district taxes; some continued to use the rate bill system and assessed parents according to the number of children they sent to school. The Township of Westfield had seven school districts, which were centered on small villages and numbered in order of establishment.

 

During the last half of the nineteenth century, presumably all of the school districts on Staten Island erected schoolhouses, which varied widely since each school district was responsible for its own facilities. The increase in the population on the island throughout that period, however, taxed the adequacy of even the best-planned and largest facilities. During the 1870s, the Village of Tottenville and the Townships of Castleton and Southfield responded to the problem with the construction of substantial brick schoolhouses. During the late 1880s, the inadequate and overcrowded conditions of many of the schools on Staten Island prompted the County Superintendent to report that the public was generally taking a greater interest in schools and education, in contrast to the "good enough" attitude that had prevailed.

 

During the 1890s over twenty district schoolhouses were erected on Staten Island. The growing population and the enforcement of the Compulsory Education Act, adopted in 1894, prompted the school construction boom. Richmond County Superintendent of Schools Julia K. West, who held the position from 1894 to 1898, oversaw most of this construction. West noted in her first annual report that the schools in the county were overcrowded and some were unfit for use. The work on Staten Island occurred at the same time as the extensive construction of schoolhouses throughout New York State during the 1890s. According to a Department of Public Instruction annual report, schoolhouse construction emphasized "aesthetics, convenience, and hygienic provisions" and involved such a spirit of rivalry between districts to erect the most attractive school buildings that even the most parsimonious districts and stolid trustees were unable to oppose the progressive aspect of the times. The Staten Island Independent articulated the effect of the school building campaign, noting that the large brick school built in Tompkinsville was "an ornament to the neighborhood and will reflect great credit on the trustees of the district.,

 

The construction of a school on Staten Island prior to the consolidation of Greater New York in 1898 was an exercise in local government that was directed by the School District Board of Trustees, but included all voting residents of the district. The trustees of a school district board would call a special meeting to entertain the question of constructing a new building. If the vote was favorable, the trustees then appointed a committee to consider sites and make a recommendation to the voters. Once the district acquired a site, a small building committee - usually the trustees and two or three additional members of the community - was appointed; sometimes the trustees commissioned an architect to provide plans and specifications, while in other situations, particularly for larger building projects, the trustees acquired plans through a competition advertised in local newspapers. Once plans were adopted, the district usually issued revenue bonds to finance construction. Both the Kreischerville and Tottenville school buildings were erected by local contractors and furnished with materials acquired from Staten Island merchants.

 

Westfield Township School District No. 5 School districts were established in the townships of Staten Island in 1812, and it appears that a common school existed in the area that became Tottenville by 1822. Local residents recalled an early school that was located in a former chapel and Sunday school building near Richmond Valley (the small hamlet just to the northeast of Tottenville). The Leslie sisters from Nova Scotia operated one of the private schools in the village during in the early 1850s, and the Rollins family owned another. During the mid- nineteenth century there were two schoolhouses in the village, one of which was at Satterlee Street near the western termination of Amboy Road. The other was a two-story brick structure on the north side of Amboy Road, between Wood and Fisher Avenues. That building was remembered as having a single room downstairs for older students and two classrooms upstairs for the intermediate group; the primary class was located in a house across the street.

 

In the early 1870s, the residents of Tottenville began to consider the construction of a larger school house because the existing facility was overcrowded and more classrooms and teachers were needed. Although the residents considered erecting a building with two classrooms across the road from the existing schoolhouse, in 1873 the trustees chose a site for a new school: a large, partially wooded lot of about one-and-one-half acres between Garretson (now Yetman) and Prospect (now Brighton Street) Avenues - which was set back from the south side of Amboy Road. The residents instructed the trustees and members of the building committee to procure plans and specifications for a schoolhouse which was not to cost more than $9,000. After the trustees and the building committee presented the plans for the building, the voters in the school district defeated a proposal to issue revenue bonds for $10,000, and the project was temporarily set aside. In October 1877, the school district decided to move forward with the building program and authorized the trustees to solicit bids for construction of the building according to the plans and specifications on hand, and to issue bonds to raise money for building.

 

The new school opened with an official ceremony on the first Monday of September 1878. Students, parents, and friends heard America sung to the accompaniment of a new organ and remarks from officials, including David C. Butler, president of the board of trustees, who reminded the students of how their parents and neighbors had labored and saved to construct the fine school building and the importance of taking care of it. The students and visitors marvelled at the grandeur of the place, with its high ceilings, spotless floors, extra large blackboards, and heavy sliding glass doors that divided both the upper and lower floors into three large classrooms. Also impressive was the view from the upper windows which extended from Sandy Hook to the New Jersey Hills, prompting the name for the school, "Bay View Academy."

 

In 1895, the school district took actions that confirmed the village's strong commitment to education, as well as the effects of the continued growth of die village population and the Compulsory Attendance Law passed in 1894. It initiated the expansion of the school to include two upper grades which became one of the three high school departments established on Staten Island prior to the consolidation of Greater New York. In July 1896, the district decided to build an addition to the schoolhouse in order to accommodate 200 pupils and to improve the existing structure with a new heating and ventilation system. The newly-established Board of Education in the district commissioned the architectural firm of Pierce & Brun to prepare plans for the addition, which was built by the local contractor, P.W. Wolf & Son. The high school department occupied rooms on the upper floor of the building prior to its merger in 1902 with the Stapleton high school, which in turn was soon replaced with the establishment of Curtis High School in 1904.

 

Village Schoolhouse Architecture' Several nineteenth-century pattern book authors articulated the intent of schoolhouse architecture at that time. Henry Barnard, writing in 1842, asserted that schoolhouses should compare favorably to other public edifices in attractiveness, convenience, and durability, and that the exterior of the building should exhibit good architectural proportions and inspire children and the community with respect for education. In his 1871 volume, James Johnonnot added a "modern style" to the Greek and Gothic modes that he had previously recommended for schoolhouses, and noted that the best buildings had a composite style in which beautiful forms were adapted from any of the classic styles and arranged for convenience. School planners had long acknowledged the importance of lighting, ventilation, and adequate classroom size; in the early 1870s, school designers began to recognize the value of what came to be a signature element of a school architecture: banks of windows in classroom walls. Johnonnot noted that grouped windows not only provided the greatest amount of light, but also gave the opportunity for fine architectural detail. The small brick schools erected in Tottenville and Kreischerville were similar in size to designs recommended for schoolhouses in villages or towns that had two classrooms (for as many as fifty-six pupils) on each floor and often an assembly room in the attic; the buildings usually had separate entrances for boys and girls. In towns throughout the state, wood-framed schoolhouses were much more common than brick structures, and many of the schools erected in the small villages on Staten Island during die 1890s were picturesque wood-framed buildings. District School No. 7 in Kreischerville and the addition to the Tottenville school appear to have been the only brick structures of the smaller schools built on Staten Island during the 1890s, although several of the larger schools in north shore communities were brick. The school district trustees and architects were likely to have chosen that material in 1878 and 18% because of its fire-resistant qualities and its strong association with civic buildings, and to establish the Tottenville school as a small village school built of the finest affordable material.

 

District School No. 5 appears to have been designed by a builder/architect (undetermined) in the "modern style" of the era, which is best characterized as neo-Grec. Stylized references to classical architecture include the suggestion of a Greek-temple facade with a crowning pediment enclosing by an interrupted entablature, the denticulated window heads and bands, and incised ornament on the sandstone entrance and window elements. Pilasters incorporating ventilation flues and window openings with jaunty denticulated heads created a robust rhythm for the side walls of the structure; chimneys originally rose above alternate pilasters, creating a lively roofline. The designer of District School No. 5 acknowledged the convention of incorporating towers in school buildings to further their civic appearance by placing an open belfry on the roof. (See Fig. 1 for a late nineteenth-century view of the building.)

 

For the 1896-97 addition to the school Pierce & Brun skillfully incorporated up-to-date elements of schoolhouse design with the prominent elements of the original structure, such as the denticulated window heads. The central portion of the west-facing facade announces the location of the central stairhall; its large windows are flanked by expanses of classroom walls with no openings. The north- and south-facing end facades of the addition have closely-set windows, suggesting the banks of windows of contemporary school buildings; the joined denticulated window heads appear as a variation of a well-established theme. The intersecting gable roof of the entire structure is united by similar bracketed wood cornices which have interrupted entablatures framing each gable face to suggest pediments.

 

The architectural firm of Pierce & Brun specialized in school design during the mid-1890s. George Henry Pierce established an architectural practice in Long Island City, Queens about 1887. He moved his practice to Manhattan about 1892, where he was joined by Clement Benjamin Brun in a partnership from 1894-97; Pierce practiced in New York City until around 1900. After leaving his association with Pierce, Brun established a partnership with Leo Hauser from 1898 through 1902. The firm had provided plans for a school in Pleasant Plains, Staten Island, and may have become known to the Westfield District No. 5 Board of Education through that project.

 

Pegcriptjop

 

District School No. 5 is a T-shaped structure consisting of the original portion facing Yetman Avenue and a wing added to the west end, on the Brighton Street side of the site. The building is now surrounded by play yards and flanked by other school buildings: Public School No. 1 to the north and Intermediate School No. 34 to the southeast (buildings not included in this designation).

 

The 1878 portion of the school is a rectangular, two-and-one-half-story red brick structure on a raised basement. The main entrance is in the end of the building facing Yetman Avenue; steps (with a replacement pipe-rail balustrade) lead to a pair of doors set in a surround of sandstone with carved impost blocks supporting a pediment-like form with a segmental arch framing the opening. The fenestration of the facade of the building is irregular, with a single window on each side of the entrance, four bays at the second story, and an opening of the same size in the gable face lighting the attic. The window openings have sandstone supporting blocks, sills, and crested lintels that are incised with curvilinear and geometric designs, and (like all of the windows in the building) have four-over-four double- hung wood sash. A bracketed raking cornice at the edge of the gable roof is replicated as an interrupted entablature across the facade, which suggests a pediment form; the break in the entablature allows for the placement of a sandstone plaque inscribed "District School No. 5 Erected A.D. 1878." The bracketed cornice extends along the side walls of the building and longer brackets emphasize the corners. Bands of light-colored brick, with alternating denticulated and sawtooth patterns, extend across the end wall at each story at die height of the sills and just below the lintels of the window openings.

 

The side walls of the original portion of the school building are articulated with pilasters that are corbelled out at the main floor level and rise to the cornice. The narrow bays are nearly filled with window openings which are emphasized with denticulated segmentally-arched light-colored brick heads. The east end bays of the side walls have blocked windows; the pilasters west of those bays have corbelled terminations above low, rectangular window openings at the main floor level. Only two of the chimneys with corbelled caps that originally rose above alternating pilasters remain: one near the east end of the south wall and one near the west end of the north wall. A one-story, flat-roofed, metal-clad service structure extends from the mid-portion of the north wall.

 

The 1896-97 addition on the west end of the building has exterior walls of red brick similar to that of the original portion of the building; its intersecting gable roof is edged with a bracketed cornice which is nearly identical to that on the earlier portion. The facade of the addition facing Brighton Street has a central entrance and stairhall bay topped with an intersecting gable roof with a pediment formed by an interrupted entablature; an oculus window with a denticulated brick surround is centered in the pediment (and those above the end walls). Pilasters, like those that emphasize the corners of the addition, set off the bay. The bay has door and window openings with denticulated segmentally-arched brick heads (similar to those on the original portion of the building). Denticulated bands extend from the entrance arch at impost height across the central bay; the entrance has replacement paired doors. The upper portion of the tall, central window lighting the stairhall is separated by a brick panel from the lower opening, which has a sandstone lintel. The central bay is flanked by blank walls that form the side walls of classrooms. The north and south end walls of the classrooms have banks of five windows separated by narrow brick piers above which the denticulated brick heads join. At the junctures of the wings, external staircases have been added to serve entrances at the upper story which have solid doors. A rectangular chimney rises above the addition near its juncture with the original wing.

 

Subsequent History

 

Westfield District School No. 5 became Public School No. 1, Borough of Richmond, at the time of the consolidation of Greater New York in 1898 when all schools were renumbered. In 1905-06, a new school was erected north of the former Westfield District School No. 5. The New York City Board of Education Superintendent of School Buildings, C.B.J. Snyder, designed the new building (not included in this designation), which became P.S. No. 1. Snyder was the architect responsible for many New York City school buildings (several of which are designated New

 

York City Landmarks), and initiated the period of City-controlled school design in Tottenville. The former District School No. 5 became known as the P.S. 1 Annex. The complex of schools was expanded again with the construction in 1935 of the building south of Academy Avenue that originally housed the Tottenville High School, and is now Intermediate School No. 34 (also not included in this designation). The former District School No. 5 building has remained an integral part of this educational complex and currently houses classrooms and a small gymnasium on the main floor of the original portion of the building.

 

- From the 1995 NYCLPC Landmark Designation Report

Sutherlands.

Named after William Sutherland who took up 2,000 acres here in 1879. He subdivided some of this land in 1881 to create a small township after the Eudunda to Morgan railway passed through this spot in 1878. The town for a short time thrived on the cut wood trade by clearing the Mallee scrub. St Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church was built in 1890 with a cemetery. It closed in 1964. The church has especially fine and curvaceous barge boards and matching cement rendering which are quite unusual on a Lutheran church. For a very short time Methodists and Anglicans also had services in the small town but probably not in a purpose built church. Certainly no churches remain today except for the Lutheran Church and cemetery. The fine stone government school was built in 1889. It closed in 1953 and became a residence. The school must have grown in the early years as a 1909 newspaper report on Sutherlands said that it produced “children and firewood”.

 

Sutherlands is just to the east of Goyder’s Line of 1865 so it is very much marginal land and little grain is grown there these days. The general store here became the first Eudunda Farmers’ Store in 1896. From Sutherlands Eudunda Farmers expanded to all parts of South Australia as a farmer’s cooperative store with discount for members. It began as a trader in cut Mallee wood whereby it encouraged farmers to sell their wood direct to Adelaide merchants thus bypassing the “middle men.” The Adelaide wood merchant who became their agent, Thomas Roberts, set up in the Eudunda Hotel to arrange the trades hence the final name for the cooperative. The sale notes were used like local currency to purchase groceries and farm supplies. A local Eudunda man Henry Mucklow came up with the idea of a farmer’s cooperative. Meetings were held in Eudunda and Sutherlands and the organisation was formed in December 1895.

 

Thomas Roberts became the first general manager. Henry Mucklow was in charge of the Eudunda woodyard. The general store in Sutherlands sold groceries and fertilisers etc at lower or discounted prices to their members from the lower prices received by buying in bulk. Although no formal store opened in Eudunda as it just had the woodyard until 1902 the first store in Sutherlands was known as store number two. The third store was opened in the next town towards the Murray, Bower in 1898 and then a store opened in Mount Mary 1899. Store number 56 opened in Woomera in 1992. Eudunda Farmer stores covered the state from the Riverland, Eyre Peninsula, the Murray Mallee, the South East and the Mid North. The majority of Eudunda Farmers stores had opened by 1922. The stores began to close as demand changed in the 1980s and Eudunda Farmers merged with United Supermarkets in the 1990s and still operates supermarkets under the Foodland or IGA banner. By the late 1990s it still had 21 supermarkets. The Sutherlands Hotel still operates for passing travellers.

 

Located in what now is the heart of the Garden District, between Washington, Sixth, Prytania, and Coliseum streets, Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is the oldest of the seven municipal, city-operated cemeteries in New Orleans. It is a non-segregated, non-denominational cemetery. There are immigrants from over 25 different countries and natives of 26 states as identified on the closure tablets.

 

The developers commissioned City surveyor Benjamin Buisson to develop a plan. The plan, dated March 5, 1832, subdivided the area between First Street and Toledano. The cemetery was laid out with two center aisles, a cruciform (cross) pattern, lined with trees giving it a park or garden-like appearance, and divided the cemetery into four sections. The intersecting avenues were built to accommodate funeral processions and originally paved with shells.

 

The cemetery was named for the City of Lafayette, which was annexed to the City of New Orleans as the Fourth District. The area of New Orleans that once was the city of Lafayette consists of two designated historical districts, the Irish Channel and the Garden District. The residents of the Irish Channel were first-generation immigrants many from Ireland and Germany, the two largest groups of immigrants to settle in New Orleans in the two decades before the Civil War. It was known as a working-class poor neighborhood, a rough and tough riverfront area. The Garden District, on the other hand, represented the new wealth of immigrants from Great Britain and the North who came and made their fortunes as cotton factors, brokers, and merchants after the Louisiana Purchase. They are often called “Southern Yankees.”

 

In the cemetery, there are almost 500 wall vaults on Washington Avenue which have been sealed. Only a few of the plaques are engraved.

 

In Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, there are society tombs for several volunteer fireman organizations (now extinct), the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, German Presbyterian Community, Home For Destitute Orphan Boys, Poydras Orphans Home, YMCA, and the New Orleans Home for Incurables.

 

Individual family tombs in Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 feature Judge Ferguson of the Plessy vs. Ferguson “separate-but-equal” case. Also buried in the cemetery is Brigadier General Harry T. Hays who led the 1st Louisiana Brigade. The Brunie family, buried here, were notable jazz musicians who were associated with Papa Laine and the New Orleans Rhythm Kings.

 

Perhaps the most famous residents of Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 are fictional. The tomb for the Mayfair witches, created by Anne Rice, in The Witching Hour, fits a combination of the Lafayette and Jefferson fireman tombs. Rice also staged a jazz funeral where she rode in a glass enclosed coffin down the aisle of Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 to introduce her book Memnoch the Devil. The vampire Lestat’s tomb, made from Styrofoam for the movie, Interview with a Vampire, was possibly modeled from the cast iron tomb. Many other movies have been filmed in the cemetery, including Double Jeopardy in 1999 and Dracula 2000 in 2000. Other filming has taken place in the cemetery, such as music videos by acts such as LeAnn Rimes and the New Kids on the Block.

 

There are about 1,100 family tombs and more than 7,000 people buried in Lafayette I, a single city block.

Upper West Side, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States

 

After the January 21, 2011 snowstorm

If you want to know more about my walks and photos, check out my blog.

 

Although its history can be traced as far back as the late seventeenth century, the West Side, including the land within the boundaries of the West End-Collegiate Historic District, was still largely farmland until 1880. Prior to its urbanization at the end of the nineteenth century, the West Side, stretching roughly from 23rd Street to 125th Street, was known as Blooming-dale. This appellation came from the early Dutch settlers of New Amsterdam who called the region "Bloemendael" in fond recollection of a flower-growing area of the same name near Haarlem, in Holland,

 

In the 1660s, Governor Nicholls, the first English governor of New York, granted a large parcel of land in the Bloomingdale district to a syndicate of five patentees. Known as the "thousand acre tract," it was bounded roughly by the Hudson River and what are today 42nd Street, a point midway between 89th and 90th Streets, and Central Park West. The tract was surveyed and subdivided among the patentees. The territory which compromises the historic district fell within lots seven and eight, with the bulk of it being within lot seven. Both lots became the property of Egbert Wouterse, one of the five patentees.

 

In the early eighteenth century Bloomingdale Road was opened through the region following the course of an old Indian trail. The road provided the main link with the city at the tip of Manhattan. Gradually, wealthy New Yorkers began to establish country seats in the hinterland flanking Bloomingdale Road.

 

A number of country seats were established in the vicinity of the historic district. One of them, the homestead of Stephen De-Lancey, which was built before 1729, probably occupied the site of the later Vandenheuvel mansion on the west side of Bloomingdale Road at the present location of the Apthorp Apartments, a designated New York City Landmark. In 1792, John Cornelius Vandenheuvel, former governor of Demerara, built his mansion on this site."

 

By the 1830s, the mansion had been converted into a hotel called Burnham's. The Astor family acquired the site in 1879 and had the mansion demolished in 1905 to make way for the Apthorp Apartments

 

Another country seat in the vicinity was established by Teunis Somarindyck when all of lot seven of the thousand acre tract fell to him. After 1745 Somarindyck's house stood at the northwest

 

corner of 75th Street and Broadway. The house was demolished in 1868 to make way for the Boulevard, now Broadway. A second house belonging to the Somarindyck family was located at roughly the southeastern corner of the present West End Avenue and West 77th Street.

 

In the late 1840s, Fernando Wood purchased this house and the adjoining one, added a structure on its south side and used the house as his country seat. Wood lived here while he was mayor of New York City (1855-1858, 1860-1862). In 1860 Wood entertained the Prince of Wales in the home when the Prince of Wales made his famous trip to the United States as Baron Renfrew.

 

By the early nineteenth century four small villages had sprung up in Bloomingdale. According to historian Hopper Striker Mott, each of these villages was a distinct locality which maintained a semblance of village life at least up to the Civil War.

 

The general vicinity of the historic district was known as Har-senville, a hamlet centered around the present West 70th Street and Broadway. It was named for John Harsen whose house stood between 70th and 71st Streets.

 

Although Bloomingdale itself remained largely rural until the late nineteenth century, its eventual development as an integral part of New York City had been foreseen much earlier in the century. The state legislature appointed a commission of three in 1807 to prepare a plan for the orderly expansion of the city, and John Randel, Jr., an engineer, assumed the task of formulating such a scheme.

 

In 1811 he produced a plan, known as the Randel Survey or Commissioners' Map, which imposed a uniform grid of broad avenues and narrow cross streets upon the rolling hills of Manhattan as far north as 155th Street. The austerity of the rigid grid was relieved only by Bloomingdale Road (now Broadway) which cut across the plan diagonally.

 

To be sure, some fifty years elapsed before streets in the vicinity of the historic district were actually laid out. In the interim, the bucolic character of the area began to undergo changes. The large Somarindyck farm was subdivided during the early nineteenth century and much of the land within or near the historic district became part of six separate parcels.

 

Though ownership of these parcels varied throughout the first half of the century, they continued in use as either country seats or farms until being conveyed during the 1850s and 1860s in small parcels and lots. The Wood estate, centered on the present block bounded by West 76th and West 77th Streets, West End Avenue and Broadway, was not broken into lots until the 1880s.

 

The ready availability of land in Bloomingdale encouraged the establishment of a number of institutions there in the early nineteenth century.

 

One, the Orphan Asylum Society of New York, decided to move from its existing home in the increasingly congested and urbanized Greenwich Village area of the city to a new home in Harsenville so that the children in its charge could "enjoy purer air and more ample accommodations.

 

In the 1830s the Society purchased nine and one half acres of land, some of which is presently incorporated into the southern boundary of the historic district, and, on the site presently bounded by Riverside Drive, West End Avenue, West 73rd and West 74th Streets, erected its imposing new asylum. Completed in 1840, the asylum building survived until 1902.

 

During the period, the increase in the permanent population of Harsenville and Bloomingdale was sufficient to warrant opening a local public school. Established in the late 1820s at West 82nd Street and Eleventh Avenue (-West End Avenue), Public School 9 served the families who lived on the farms and in frame houses scattered throughout the area.

 

In spite of these various developments, Bloomingdale retained its countrylike atmosphere to the time of the Civil War. New York City, on the other hand, found itself in the throes of expansion and transformation into a rapidly growing metropolis.

 

Both the impact of the Industrial Revolution and massive immigration from Europe provided the impetus to northerly residential expansion which was channeled primarily to the East Side and roughly followed the uptown march of New York's wealthy citizens.

 

The predilection for development on the East Side was also heavily influenced by transit facilities which were provided there earlier than on the West Side. With the inauguration of the horsecar era in 1852, the city was pushed ever further north until it reached 59th Street.

 

As the city continually expanded to the north, it was increasingly apparent that Bloomingdale would eventually be engulfed by the tide of urban growth. However, residential development proceeded slowly in Bloomingdale. Its pace was influenced by a complex interrelationship of factors which included the opening of rapid transit lines, the construction of various civic improvements, and successive waves of real estate speculation .

 

Rapid growth and expansion only exacerbated the problems confronting New York City and led to closer scrutiny of the deficiencies of the Commissioners Map of 1811. Its rigid grid system for laying streets made meager provision for new squares ,

 

promenades or parks as a means of relieving congestion which resulted from the high densities of urban building. Moreover, the city's breathing spaces were confined to a few small squares, mostly damp and unwholesome "reservations" on the site of old water courses.

 

As early as 1840 a serious campaign was launched to create a park to benefit all the people of New York. By the late 1850s, Central Park, with a southern boundary coinciding with the northern boundary of the city, was under construction in a predominantly rural area of the island.

 

The decision to build Central Park in a rural, undeveloped part of the city spurred development during the 1850s in what is now midtown, particularly in the West 40s and 50s, close to Fifth Avenue, where brownstone rowhouses began to appear.

 

The determination of the park's boundaries also boosted property values to its east, west and north and sparked a wave of real estate speculation in all three areas. This first wave of speculation to affect the Upper West Side was confined to vacant lots along Eighth Avenue, just west of the park, which sold for nearly as much as those just to the east along Fifth Avenue. Since neither the population of the city at the time nor its transit facilities, which on the Upper West Side were limited to a stage line on Bloomingdale Road, warranted the prices at which property was being traded, the speculation was restricted to paper.

 

The period after the Civil War triggered the greatest speculative craze seen to that point in New York City. Land in the vicinity of Fifth Avenue was particularly susceptible even though most of it was unimproved, overvalued, and sold for very high prices. Generally speaking, the postwar speculation undoubtedly was one of the consequences of the inflation which followed the war. On the Upper West Side, it received an additional stimulus from contemplated rapid transportation facilities and from promised civic improvements.

 

The craze, however, was almost entirely restricted to vacant land. In 1868, for example, there were not more than half a dozen "modern" houses on the Upper West Side. In 1873, four lots on 81st Street and Riverside Drive, an avenue which then existed only on paper, were conveyed for $75,000. It was estimated that, between 1868 and 1873, the value of land north of 59th Street increased by 200 percent and in many cases 300 or 400 percent.

 

One of the earliest improvements to fuel post-war speculation on the Upper West Side was the extension of the Eighth Avenue horse car line to 84th Street in 1864. However more ambitious projects exerted far greater influence in this regard. By

 

the late 1860s a new rapid transit system connecting both the Upper East and Upper West Sides with downtown Manhattan seemed virtually assured.

 

The demand for other city improvements was also particularly insistent. Chief among the demands was a proposal to convert the Riverside precipice on the West Side of Manhattan into a park. The idea received additional support when Andrew H. Green, President of the Board of Commissioners of Central Park, submitted a plan to convert the precipice into a landscaped park for the West Side from 55th to 155th Streets.

 

The plan, approved by the Board of Commissioners of Central Park in 1867, called for not only the development of a Riverside Park but also the creation of Riverside Drive, Fort Washington Park and Morningside Park, as well as new streets and avenues that conformed to the natural contours of the land. One of the results was the replacement in 1868-71 of Bloomingdale Road by a wide avenue with grass malls from 59th Street to 155th Street.

 

The new avenue was named the "Boulevard" in the area of the historic district and the "Public Drive" further north. In 1899, the Boulevard and Public Drive were renamed "Broadway." At the same time city improvements, such as the opening, grading and flagging of streets in the area was proceeding slowly. By the 1870s most of the streets and avenues in or near the historic district had been laid out.

 

The Panic of 1873, caused by the failure of Jay Cooke & Co. and the suspension of the Union Trust Co., burst this speculative bubble. Not only did the bottom fall out of the real estate market, but the real estate industry entered into a period of stagnation which lasted until recovery at the end of the decade. During this period little building occurred on the Upper West Side and, more significantly, the value of building lots fell dramatically, often to their pre-Civil War levels.

 

Although this period of stagnation did not completely end until 1879, a large amount of capital had already been invested by then in the region of the historic district. The Boulevard had been opened, Riverside Drive and Park were under construction and the Ninth Avenue Elevated Railroad was nearing completion and in operation by the end of 1879.

 

The erection of the American Museum of Natural History in 1874 - 1877 in Manhattan Square between 77th and 81st Streets and Eighth and Ninth Avenues, indicated the emerging role of this area of the Upper West Side as a setting for cultural activities. Despite these improvements, the Upper West Side at this time "was barren, open land marked with occasional shanties, vegetable gardens, menacing rock out-

 

growths, lowly taverns and decrepit eighteenth and early nineteenth century mansions."

 

With the gradual return to prosperity by the end of the decade building activity once again resumed in the city, but much of it was confined to the Upper East Side. By contrast, the Upper West Side was distant from the city's historic thrust northward along Fifth Avenue. Rather than shift a mile to the west to proceed up Eighth Avenue or Broadway, development marched logically northward on the East Side into the Sixties and Seventies.

 

Furthermore, when real estate began to recover, owners of property on the Upper West Side who had suffered great losses during the Panic deliberately kept prices high in anticipation of development. ^ As a result, East Side property was more attractive to builders and, hence, nearly all of them were busy on the Upper East Side and even in Harlem.

 

After having lagged some twenty years behind the Upper East Side, development on the Upper West Side was finally stimulated by the completion of the Ninth Avenue El in 1879. However, despite the completion of the El, developers were reluctant, at first, to build on the Upper West Side. Builders hesitated to enter a nearly empty area whose social composition had not yet been determined.

 

Although everyone agreed that Central Park West and Riverside Drive were destined to supplant Fifth Avenue as the future home of New York's wealthy citizens, with West End Avenue being envisioned as the location of small shops catering to the needs of local households, no one seemed to agree about the future constitution of the rest of the Upper West Side. To be sure, the elevated stations at 72nd, 8 1st, 93rd and 104th Streets did attract builders like magnetic points, but there were few other fixed points to guide investors in determining the nature of buildings most profitable to erect.

 

The Upper West Side was a wilderness of confusing possibilities. In addition, high real estate prices, the unreliability of city improvements, delays in opening streets, and difficulties in evicting occupants of the numerous shanties spread throughout the region further confounded attempts at development.

 

Development that occurred on the Upper West Side during the first years of the 1880s was restricted largely to individual entrepreneurs. Construct ion first began in the vicinity of 125th Street at the north and in the area of 72nd Street at the south. Edward Clark, President of the Singer Sewing Machine Co., was the first to make major investments on the Upper West Side. In the late 1870s he invested heavily in property bounded by 72nd and 74th Streets, Eighth and Ninth Avenues.

 

Early in 1880, a row of his dwellings was put on the rental market and later in the same year he filed plans for his long heralded Dakota Apartments, a designated New York City Landmark. Standing at Central Park West between 72nd and 73rd Streets, it was mockingly dubbed "Clark's Folly" because of its unfashionable location.

 

The Dakota, however, soon became the nucleus of a residential community built up on nearby streets. Clark's real estate ventures proved to be superb investments and attracted much public attention and comment

 

Despite the publicity generated by such ventures as Clark's, the "Great West Side Movement" continued to lag behind development on the East Side, but by 1885 the Upper West Side had emerged as the recognized speculative area of the city. The developers already at work there undertook new and larger projects and were joined by nearly all of the larger builders in the city to the degree that the city's whole building force seemed to have been transferred to the West Side.

 

Buildings erected on the Upper West Side now sold readily and builders were inclined and financially able to continue launching even more projects throughout the area. In 1886, the Times wrote:

 

The west side of the city presents just now a scene of building activity such as was never before witnessed in that section, and which gives promise of the speedy disappearance of all the shanties in the neighborhood and the rapid population of this long neglected part of New York.

 

The huge masses of rock which formerly met the eye, usually crowned by a rickety shanty and a browsing goat, are being blasted out of existence. Streets are being graded, and thousands of carpenters and masons are engaged in rearing substantial buildings where a year ago nothing was to be seen but market gardens or barren rocky fields.

 

Construction began on the first houses, as they stand today in the historic district, in 1885. Designed by F. B. White, a very young architect, these houses are located on West End Avenue at 78th Street. Roughly one quarter of the row houses which survive in the historic district were built by the end of the decade. They were concentrated on West 76th and West 77th Streets and Eleventh Avenue, which had been named West End Avenue in 1880.

 

Contrary to earlier expectations, West End Avenue evolved into a street of fashionable houses rather than a commercial thoroughfare.

 

By the early 1890s, the Upper West Side had become more densely built up. The West 70s and 80s, in particular, had acquired row houses and began to establish itself as the Upper West Side's most fashionable neighborhood. Development occurred more rapidly on the streets between the Boulevard and Central Park than on the streets to the west of the Boulevard.

 

This was due, undoubtedly, to two factors. First, the land "vest of the Boulevard was relatively less accessible to street cars and to the Ninth Avenue El. Second, land flanking Riverside Drive, Central Park West, and, to some degree, West End Avenue, was considered to be prime property.

 

Speculation thrived on the notion that New York's socially elite and wealthy citizens would abandon Fifth Avenue, move en masse to the West Side and erect palatial mansions along these avenues. Consequently, the value of land adjacent to these streets remained consistently higher than elsewhere on the Upper West Side. High property values discouraged development there.

 

Promotional brochures and publicity in the press, which began to focus on the territory surrounding the historic district, heightened the interest of buyers and sellers alike in the territory west of the Boulevard. In 1888, for example, the West End Association published a pamphlet entitled "West End Avenue: Riverside Park in the City of New York" in which they lauded the virtues of West End Avenue and environs as an ideal residential area.

 

They pointed out the avenue's proximity to Riverside Park, its high elevation and its scientific sewerage system as its chief amenities.

 

In August 1890, the New York Herald ran a series of editorials and articles extolling the advantages of the Upper West Side but especially the Riverside Drive area. The paper focused attention on the proposals of Peter B. Sweeney, Chairman of the Department of Parks, for the creation of a "splendid public pleasure ground for lovers of the horse and the horse himself" on an embankment of the Hudson River between 72nd Street and 98th Street.

 

The newspaper also portrayed the Upper West Side as an extremely desirable residential area.

 

The district to the east of Riverside Park as far as Central Park is likely, or rather, sure to become within the next twenty years, perhaps the location of the most beautiful residences in the world.

 

The advantages of pure air and beautiful surroundings, glimpses of the New Jersey Hills at the end of each street, with the glitter of the Hudson between; the nearness of parks and the accessibility of the district will be insurmountable factors in popularity.

 

As the time of square brick and brown stone houses has gone by, so alas has the time when New York can afford to neglect her approach and her outward appearances.

 

In spite of the Panic of 1893, the entire area within the historic district had been developed with large row houses for the well-to-do by the late 1890s, a time span of less than 15 years since the first houses were constructed, Especially along Riverside Drive, numerous rows of large, ornate houses were built on speculation.

 

The architect Clarence True was instrumental in developing these houses which, with their broad widths, hardly qualified as ordinary row houses but rather as "mansions" with party walls.

 

By the turn of the century the region of the historic district had evolved into, in the minds of many, the most fashionable residential district in the city. In 1899, one observer noted that West End Avenue above 68th Street was one of the finest residential streets in New York City, while Riverside Drive, known as Riverside Avenue, was "universally acknowledged to be one of the most beautiful and picturesque streets in the world."

 

The early years of the twentieth century witnessed the increasing popularity and acceptance by the upper middle class of the residential hotel and apartment house, particularly in Manhattan.

 

As they appeared throughout the city, the value of available vacant land, which previously had been reserved for row house development, escalated sharply and ultimately the cost of the average row house jumped to a point where not even the prosperous upper middle class could afford to buy one.

 

Legislation of the early twentieth century, which permitted the construction of taller apartment buildings, as well as a "universal demand for comfort, with less care and expense then entailed in private house maintenance," further encouraged the construction of apartment houses and residential hotels and caused the virtual disappearance of rowhouse construction in Manhattan.

 

The completion of the Broadway subway (IRT) in 1904 undoubtedly contributed to the popularity of the apartment house on the West Side. During the first decade of the twentieth century, residential hotel and apartment house construction boomed.

 

Apartment house construction on the Upper West Side continued up until the time of the Depression. However, as vacant lots became ever more scarce, particularly after World War I, developers took to demolishing existing rowhouses, many of which were less than twenty years old, in order to assemble sites for more lucrative apartment house construction.

 

Riverside Drive and West End Avenue were particularly vulnerable to this development trend. Most of the rowhouses which had once lined West End Avenue and Riverside Drive succumbed to the apartment house. Numerous apartment buildings standing along both avenues in the historic district date from this period and are the fruit of this development practice.

 

With the onset of the Depression, the Upper West Side entered a period of stagnation and decline. Little new construction occurred there. Many rowhouses, which had become financial burdens to maintain, were converted into multiple dwellings. Although urban renewal activity in the 1950s and 1960s left its mark on the Upper West Side, it did not affect the historic district. Moreover, the district has seen no major building activity since World War II. In recent years, however, the historic district has become one of the most desirable residential areas in the city.

 

- From the 1984 NYCLPC Landmark Designation Report

EDMONTON - outer end of the line in an area soon to be subdivided.

Former SAFEWAY SUPERMARKET, closed 1979, sat vacant for years, gutted and converted to National Lumber which finally folded and went out of business around 1990. this store was again gutted and subdivided into three stores. Current stores are Anna Linen, Blockbuster and TJ Maxx. All are located in Studio Village in Culver City California. The entire shopping center was completely remodeled and reconfigured in 1990. A Pavilions Supermarket was built on the site of the former shops in 1989/1990, the Pavilions, which was owned by VONS and later taken over by SAFEWAY. The Pavilions was the major contributor to the re-birth of this shopping center. When In 1979 the SAFEWAY SUPERMARKET closed down, it was the beginning of the end for this shopping center that originally contained: SAFEWAY SUPERMARKET, THRIFTY DRUG STORE, NEWBERRYS Variety Store, plus several small stores and eating places. Most of the small stores closed shortly after the opeing in the 1960's. Newberrys closed and was subdivided into Toys R Us and another misc. stationary store, while Thriftys remained until the remodel of the center, moving into a new store in 1990. When Rite Aid took over Thrifty Payless, Thriftys became Rite Aid. The original SAFEWAY Store Structure is to the right of Pavilions. One of XX photos.

Colonel William Light had the task of surveying the city, which he did in March 1837 and then the Adelaide Plains. The land at Mitcham was surveyed and put up for sale as small farmlets in 1838. It was an ideal spot, slightly above the plains, good deep soils washed down from the hills, and an almost permanent stream running through the district- Brownhill Creek. Like many areas surveyed early, David McLaren, the first manager of the SA Company bought up much of the land for the SA Company. In late 1839 he subdivided some of this land to create the village of Mitcham, so named after the township in southern England. Some of the original purchasers of Mitcham village land, near the village green were Harrison, Hogg, McLaren (for himself), Mugg (first school teacher) Playford, Thornber, Traegar and others. In the early 1840s Mitcham was the biggest and most important village outside of Adelaide along with Port Adelaide. Consequently a road was surveyed and constructed to the village. It began on South Terrace and followed, as far as the current Arkaba corner, the Great Eastern Road (now Glen Osmond Road) which went up into the hills. Then Mitcham road headed south to the village and beyond to Coromandel Valley. These days Mitcham Road is known as Fullarton Road. It was the late 1850s before a road was constructed across the winter flooded south parklands to link the city, Unley and the village of Mitcham along what is now Unley Road.

 

As a further indication of the importance of Mitcham it was granted the first district council status in the state in 1853 after a public meeting at the village called for its formation. Other district councils soon followed after, but Mitcham was the first. Its boundaries stretched from South Terrace along the Bay Road (now Anzac Highway), and then south along Sturt Creek up into the Mitcham Hills. In the east it stretched from the Great Eastern Road, up into the Adelaide Hills covering what is now Crafers. Little wonder that it attracted wealthy settlers, local farmers, and city businessmen. Eventually Mitcham lost the Unley area (1871) and the Marion area. The village grew quite quickly with an early Anglican Church, St Michaels (1848), and a Union chapel on the creek used by several denominations and an early Baptist Church (1860). This is the church Prime Minister Julia Gillard attended as a child. The Baptists were led in the Mitcham village by Reverend Playford and services began in 1844, but the church was not finished until 1860. The Union Chapel was eventually used as the village school by head teacher Thomas Mugg from 1848 until 1871when it was moved to the Mitcham Institute. Six years later the school moved to the new the government school when it opened on what is now Belair Road.

 

Minor mines were established along Brownhill Creek in the 1850s but with no great success. Water for the village came from the Creek, and vegetables for the village and the city of Adelaide were grown on the flat areas along the valley. The valley even had its own school for many years. Beyond the village proper settlement grew up around the Torrens Arms Hotel on Belair Road, and some of the wealthy pastoralists established mansions on what was to become Springfield, Urrbrae and Glen Osmond. The horse tramway reached Mitcham in 1879 and it was not electrified until the Metropolitan Tramways Trust took over all tram lines in 1909. In the meantime the railway station at Mitcham opened in 1883 provided a service to the city in 12 minutes, the same as it is today.

 

"Summerhill is a neighbourhood in central Toronto, Ontario, Canada, located north of Downtown Toronto.

 

It was named after Summer Hill house, built in 1842 by Canadian transportation magnate Charles Thompson. Much of the area was once part of the original Thompson estate but was subdivided for development during the following decades.

 

During the 1880s, the North Toronto railway station was established on Yonge Street, and the neighbourhood of Summerhill quickly developed around it. The railway station was rebuilt in 1916 in honour of a visit by the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII). The neighbourhood underwent very little growth after the railway station closed in 1931, but it was revitalized by the launch of the Summerhill subway station in 1954.

 

The railway station from 1916 still exists, and it currently serves as a LCBO outlet. The station, along with the still-operational Canadian Pacific Railway bridge, is a landmark of the neighbourhood. As part of the provincial government's "MoveOntario 2020" program, plans were being considered to return the building to its original use as a train station, serving a planned GO Transit Crosstown line.

 

Toronto (/təˈrɒntoʊ/ tə-RON-toh; locally [təˈɹɒɾ̃ə] or [ˈtɹɒɾ̃ə]) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the anchor of the Golden Horseshoe, an urban agglomeration of 9,765,188 people (as of 2021) surrounding the western end of Lake Ontario, while the Greater Toronto Area proper had a 2021 population of 6,712,341. Toronto is an international centre of business, finance, arts, sports and culture, and is recognized as one of the most multicultural and cosmopolitan cities in the world.

 

Indigenous peoples have travelled through and inhabited the Toronto area, located on a broad sloping plateau interspersed with rivers, deep ravines, and urban forest, for more than 10,000 years. After the broadly disputed Toronto Purchase, when the Mississauga surrendered the area to the British Crown, the British established the town of York in 1793 and later designated it as the capital of Upper Canada. During the War of 1812, the town was the site of the Battle of York and suffered heavy damage by American troops. York was renamed and incorporated in 1834 as the city of Toronto. It was designated as the capital of the province of Ontario in 1867 during Canadian Confederation. The city proper has since expanded past its original limits through both annexation and amalgamation to its current area of 630.2 km2 (243.3 sq mi).

 

The diverse population of Toronto reflects its current and historical role as an important destination for immigrants to Canada. More than half of residents were born outside of Canada, more than half of residents belong to a visible minority group, and over 200 distinct ethnic origins are represented among its inhabitants. While the majority of Torontonians speak English as their primary language, over 160 languages are spoken in the city. The mayor of Toronto is elected by direct popular vote to serve as the chief executive of the city. The Toronto City Council is a unicameral legislative body, comprising 25 councillors since the 2018 municipal election, representing geographical wards throughout the city.

 

Toronto is a prominent centre for music, theatre, motion picture production, and television production, and is home to the headquarters of Canada's major national broadcast networks and media outlets. Its varied cultural institutions, which include numerous museums and galleries, festivals and public events, entertainment districts, national historic sites, and sports activities, attract over 43 million tourists each year. Toronto is known for its many skyscrapers and high-rise buildings, in particular the tallest free-standing structure on land outside of Asia, the CN Tower.

 

The city is home to the Toronto Stock Exchange, the headquarters of Canada's five largest banks, and the headquarters of many large Canadian and multinational corporations. Its economy is highly diversified with strengths in technology, design, financial services, life sciences, education, arts, fashion, aerospace, environmental innovation, food services, and tourism. Toronto is the third-largest tech hub in North America after Silicon Valley and New York City, and the fastest growing." - info from Wikipedia.

 

The fall of 2022 I did my 3rd major cycling tour. I began my adventure in Montreal, Canada and finished in Savannah, GA. This tour took me through the oldest parts of Quebec and the 13 original US states. During this adventure I cycled 7,126 km over the course of 2.5 months and took more than 68,000 photos. As with my previous tours, a major focus was to photograph historic architecture.

 

On this trip I had a surprise 4 day layover in Toronto.

 

Now on Instagram.

 

Become a patron to my photography on Patreon or donate.

Nos. 44 & 46 Roxborough Street were built semi-detached in 1893.

 

"Summerhill is a neighbourhood in central Toronto, Ontario, Canada, located north of Downtown Toronto.

 

It was named after Summer Hill house, built in 1842 by Canadian transportation magnate Charles Thompson. Much of the area was once part of the original Thompson estate but was subdivided for development during the following decades.

 

During the 1880s, the North Toronto railway station was established on Yonge Street, and the neighbourhood of Summerhill quickly developed around it. The railway station was rebuilt in 1916 in honour of a visit by the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII). The neighbourhood underwent very little growth after the railway station closed in 1931, but it was revitalized by the launch of the Summerhill subway station in 1954.

 

The railway station from 1916 still exists, and it currently serves as a LCBO outlet. The station, along with the still-operational Canadian Pacific Railway bridge, is a landmark of the neighbourhood. As part of the provincial government's "MoveOntario 2020" program, plans were being considered to return the building to its original use as a train station, serving a planned GO Transit Crosstown line.

 

Toronto (/təˈrɒntoʊ/ tə-RON-toh; locally [təˈɹɒɾ̃ə] or [ˈtɹɒɾ̃ə]) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the anchor of the Golden Horseshoe, an urban agglomeration of 9,765,188 people (as of 2021) surrounding the western end of Lake Ontario, while the Greater Toronto Area proper had a 2021 population of 6,712,341. Toronto is an international centre of business, finance, arts, sports and culture, and is recognized as one of the most multicultural and cosmopolitan cities in the world.

 

Indigenous peoples have travelled through and inhabited the Toronto area, located on a broad sloping plateau interspersed with rivers, deep ravines, and urban forest, for more than 10,000 years. After the broadly disputed Toronto Purchase, when the Mississauga surrendered the area to the British Crown, the British established the town of York in 1793 and later designated it as the capital of Upper Canada. During the War of 1812, the town was the site of the Battle of York and suffered heavy damage by American troops. York was renamed and incorporated in 1834 as the city of Toronto. It was designated as the capital of the province of Ontario in 1867 during Canadian Confederation. The city proper has since expanded past its original limits through both annexation and amalgamation to its current area of 630.2 km2 (243.3 sq mi).

 

The diverse population of Toronto reflects its current and historical role as an important destination for immigrants to Canada. More than half of residents were born outside of Canada, more than half of residents belong to a visible minority group, and over 200 distinct ethnic origins are represented among its inhabitants. While the majority of Torontonians speak English as their primary language, over 160 languages are spoken in the city. The mayor of Toronto is elected by direct popular vote to serve as the chief executive of the city. The Toronto City Council is a unicameral legislative body, comprising 25 councillors since the 2018 municipal election, representing geographical wards throughout the city.

 

Toronto is a prominent centre for music, theatre, motion picture production, and television production, and is home to the headquarters of Canada's major national broadcast networks and media outlets. Its varied cultural institutions, which include numerous museums and galleries, festivals and public events, entertainment districts, national historic sites, and sports activities, attract over 43 million tourists each year. Toronto is known for its many skyscrapers and high-rise buildings, in particular the tallest free-standing structure on land outside of Asia, the CN Tower.

 

The city is home to the Toronto Stock Exchange, the headquarters of Canada's five largest banks, and the headquarters of many large Canadian and multinational corporations. Its economy is highly diversified with strengths in technology, design, financial services, life sciences, education, arts, fashion, aerospace, environmental innovation, food services, and tourism. Toronto is the third-largest tech hub in North America after Silicon Valley and New York City, and the fastest growing." - info from Wikipedia.

 

The fall of 2022 I did my 3rd major cycling tour. I began my adventure in Montreal, Canada and finished in Savannah, GA. This tour took me through the oldest parts of Quebec and the 13 original US states. During this adventure I cycled 7,126 km over the course of 2.5 months and took more than 68,000 photos. As with my previous tours, a major focus was to photograph historic architecture.

 

On this trip I had a surprise 4 day layover in Toronto.

 

Now on Instagram.

 

Become a patron to my photography on Patreon or donate.

EDMONTON - outer end of the line in an area soon to be subdivided.

Seen around Thorn Hill near Little Beck North Yorks.

 

The speckled wood (Pararge aegeria) is a butterfly found in and on the borders of woodland areas throughout much of the Palearctic ecozone. The species is subdivided into multiple subspecies, including Pararge aegeria aegeria, Pararge aegeria tricis, Pararge aegeria oblita, and Pararge aegeria insula. The coloration of this butterfly varies between subspecies. The existence of these subspecies is due to variation in morphology down a gradient corresponding to a geographic cline. The background of the wings ranges from brown to orange, and the spots are either pale yellow, white, cream or a tawny orange. The speckled wood feeds on a variety of grass species. The males of this species exhibit two types of mate locating behaviors: territorial defense and patrolling. The proportion of males exhibiting these two strategies changes based on ecological conditions. The monandrous female must choose which type of male can help her reproduce successfully. Her decision is heavily influenced by environmental conditions.

Pair of Grade II listed cottages, now subdivided, described in the listing as mid to late C18, probably with earlier origins. The local authority appraisal says:

 

'Concealed behind the ”modernised” rendered Georgian facade ... is a much older building. The heavy timber framing of the interior, and the gabled rear elevation show this to be in fact, a Tudor building'.

 

Mitcham, London Borough of Merton.

 

(CC BY-NC-ND - credit: Images George Rex)

There are 1.3 million people living in poverty in Hong Kong. Over 100,000 these live in subdivided flats in "cage dwellings" or cubicle homes. The residents are the single elderly, new immigrants, low income families and people with mental and physical disabilities - the most vulnerable and needy groups in society. In April 2010, the AWA (American Women's Association, together with HKIS delivered donations of food and toiletries to the residents of this type of accommodation.

 

If you are interested in finding out more, take a look at the website of the Society for Community Organization (SoCo)

www.soco.org.hk/rights/rights_main_e.htm

  

Badian is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 37,699 people. The Municipality of Badian is located 97.6 km southwest of Cebu City. It is bounded on the north by the municipality of Moalboal; on the south by the municipality of Alegria; on the east by the municipalities of Dalaguete and Argao; and on the west by Tanon Strait.

Badian is administratively subdivided into 29 barangays.

Alawijao Balhaan Banhigan Basak Basiao Bato Bugas Calangcang Candiis Dagatan Dobdob

Ginablan Lambug Malbago Malhiao Manduyong Matutinao Patong Poblacion Sanlagan

Santicon Sohoton Sulsugan Talayong Taytay Tigbao Tiguib Tubod Zaragosa

The Kawasan Falls is a three-layered waterfall series located in the Municipality of Badian, Cebu, which has become a huge attraction with foreign and local tourists throughout the years. The first waterfall is the largest and highest of the three falls, while the two falls uphill are smaller.

Kawasan Falls is located in Barangay Matutinao in Badian, Cebu. To get to Badian from Cebu City you can take a bus at the South Bus Terminal for a three hour ride that will directly take you to Badian. From there, you can take a tricycle that will take you to Barangay Matutinao.

If you are taking a private vehicle, drive past the Municipality of Carcar, and upon reaching the Municipality of Badian through the picturesque mountain road, then drive to Matutinao village. You can always ask for directions from people along the way if it is your first time to go to Kawasan Falls, so you won’t get lost.

When you reach the main road leading to Kawasan Falls, there is a main entrance to the waterfalls area and an entrance fee of 10 peso’s per person. From there, you start on a 20 to 30 minute walk on a trail that will lead you to the first waterfall.

You will then have to trek a further 10 to 15 minutes uphill to get to the second waterfall, and another 15 minute trek to the third waterfalls. There is a resort with restaurant at the area of the first waterfalls. There are small cottages and tables for rent at 300 peso’s each table as at September 2012 ( on top of the menu prices ) and several rooms for rent for those who want to stay overnight. A popular attraction is a bamboo raft ride leading to a shower under the cool falling waters of the first and second waterfall.

The Mactan International Airport is located in Mactan, Cebu; it is served by major airlines like Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines. You can also fly from Metro Manila to Cebu. There are many domestic flights and sometimes it is economical because many airlines offer a cheaper airfare. Check also for any available promo. If you arrived earlier in Cebu, you can leave straight to Badian providing you already arranged your accommodation there before your arrival or you can stay for a night in Cebu City and have your trip to Badian the next day.

Your choices to come from Cebu City to Badian are: from the airport you can take a taxi to South Bus Terminal look for Ceres Bus Liner via Barili, you can also take Librando Trans. There are buses leaving Cebu City to Badian every 30 minutes or one hour. It will take 2-3 hours or more bus travel to reach Badian from Cebu City depending on the number of stops. You can also hire a taxi at the airport or at the city to Badian, it is more comfortable and faster. Make sure the driver knows where Badian is. The fare is about Php 1500.00 - Php 3000.00 and be prepare for some bartering and some hidden costs

The capital barangay of Badian town is Poblacion. It is located in the centre of the town. This is where the local high school is located called Badian National High School ( BNHS ) is one of the two high schools in the town of Badian. This is also the largest of the two and many students from the neighbouring town just like Moalboal, Alcantara and Ronda come to study in this high school. The lower educational facility in Badian is the Badian Central Elementary School where all the younger children go to school for the simple fact that it is completely free and the only elementary school and the biggest one in town. One more very important institution that is located in Poblacion is the Town Hospital where everyone from every other barangay goes to in the time of sickness.

The facility has been better than the past management they have more improvements to the hospitals than anything else which is the best thing they could have done because this is where most Badianganons run to in the time of need. This is also the location where the town church is located ~ the church of Santiago Apostol, which celebrates its Festival on the 25th of July every year. Together with the Feast of Santiago Apostle is the Banig Festival which was started about three years ago. Poblacion is also where the Municipal Hall is located in sitio sawang. Thus, I believe that the municipality should ought to have more funding's in the Hospital Facility more so that the roads that they are trying to fix every single year Poblacion has many sitios which is the little corners of Poblacion which is residential or commercial properties. Some of these sitios are; Syma, Walog, Sawang, Highway, and many more. This is the only urban place in Badian compared to any other barangays that surround the town. Poblacion is also the most populated barangay in all Badian. Which has 3854 population as of 2007 Census. Poblacion is where the marketplace is located. Thus, most of the trading is here. Many vendors from all over town will show up mostly on Saturdays and Sundays for the trading.

 

On a walk around Mona Vale, Fendalton Christchurch October 16, 2014 New Zealand.

 

Mona Vale is an historic property located in the suburb of Fendalton, close to the city centre. The Victorian homestead is surrounded by 5.5 hectares of English-style landscaped gardens on the banks of the Avon River.

 

The homestead in the grounds of Mona Vale was built in 1897 for Frederick Waymouth. Heiress Annie Townend purchased the property in 1905, renaming it "Mona Vale" after her mother’s birthplace in Tasmania. She added the distinctive Fendalton Road Gatehouse, the Bath House and the Fernery. Later owners added the lily pond and plantings of rhododendrons and azaleas.

 

In the 1960s Mona Vale Homestead was to be demolished and the gardens subdivided. However public campaigning saved the property which was purchased for the City.

 

Today, the Christchurch City Council maintains the grounds.

 

Because of earthquake damage the Bath House and the Homestead are still closed and hopefully will get repaired at some time.

 

For more Info: www.ccc.govt.nz/cityleisure/parkswalkways/christchurchbot...

   

Mount Penn Plaza, 2510 Perkiomen Ave; subdivided into several stores, looks like it has been for some time.

Photos taken of Fig at 7th Mall, formerly known as 7th at Fig Mall around 2009. Originally mall contained Bullocks Department Store and a May Co Deparment Store. Over the years, Bullocks closed due to a duplicate store at Macy*s Plaza) and was subdivided into a Gold's Gym on the bottom floor and and vacant space for the rest of the building, and the May Co converted into a Robinsons May Department Store around 1993 after May Co merged two chains together (May Co and Robinsons), and in 2006, Macy*s took over the Robinsons May and converted the store into a Macy*s. Again faced with operating two stores within blocks of one another with the same merchantise, Macy*s finally Macy*s closed the site, and the mall sat vacant for a couple of years. In 2011, it was announced that Target Stores has taken over. The Mall closed for renovation and Target converted the two main floors of the former Bullocks and Macy*s into a City Target. The mall as of 2012 has been completely renovated with a new store mix. City Target is now the main tennant. Fig and 7th Mall is located on Figueroa between 7th and 8th Streets in Downtown Los Angeles

 

Macy*s has operated in Downtown Los Angeles as Macy*s since 1996, when it took over The Broadway Department Store Chain. As a result of that merger, Macy*s was faced with operating two stores in the same area.

 

Macy*s had been operating under the name of Bullocks, and was forced to operate both Macy*s and Bullocks for a short peiod of time. They had intented to close the 7th and Fig location but was forced to keep the location and run it as a Bullocks. This 7th and Fig location was the last of the Bullocks Department Store Chain Stores as Macy*s converted all the other stores to the Macy*s nameplate. Bullocks. After settling with the owners of the mall, Bullocks finally closed.

 

In 2006, the issue arose again, when Macy*s took over the Robinsons May Store. In early 2009, Macy*s closed this location.

Former gunpowder and dynamite factory built in 1879 somewhere in Belgium. This site is where powder and explosives were made, in particular for a use in the mines. The site was sold and demilitarized in 1990 after the bankruptcy of its company.

 

Spread over about ten hectares secretly hidden in the forest, the "factory" is subdivided into approximately fifty buildings isolated from each other. The reason of this isolation? Simply to avoid chain explosions in case of accident.

 

Among all these buildings, there are workshops, laboratories and testing rooms, as well as administration and machinery buildings, and also warehouses. The site is also provided with a central heating network distributed towards all the buildings through above-ground insulated conducts.

 

Discovering the site is comparable to a long and pleasant stroll in the forest, but we have to admit that most of the instruments and working accessories are gone and many buildings are now empty.

 

Besides, the site is polluted and many nitrophilous plants took a malicious pleasure in regaining control of the place, even growing inside the houses.

 

---------

 

Ancienne poudrerie et dynamiterie belge construite en 1879. À ne pas confondre avec la poudrière (soit le "magasin à poudre"), ce site était une usine de fabrication de poudre et explosifs, destinés notamment à un usage dans les mines. Le site fut revendu et démilitarisé en 1990 suite à la faillite de la société.

 

Étalée sur une bonne dizaine d'hectares enfouis secrètement dans la forêt, "l'usine" se subdivise en (approximativement) une cinquantaine de bâtiments isolés les uns des autres. La raison de cet isolement? Simplement pour éviter des explosions en chaîne en cas d'accident de travail.

 

Parmi tous ces bâtiments, on retrouve des ateliers, laboratoires et salles de test, ou encore des bâtiments administratifs, de machinerie et des entrepôts. Le site est également muni d'un réseau de chauffage central redistribué vers tous les bâtiments via des conduites aériennes à parois isolantes.

 

Si la visite du site constitue une longue et agréable balade en forêt, force est de constater qu'il reste peu d'instruments et accessoires de travail dans les bâtiments.

 

Le site étant par ailleurs pollué par des ingrédients (comme le nitrate) qui servaient à la fabrication de la poudre, les plantes nitrophiles ont depuis lors pris un malin plaisir à se ré-approprier les lieux, allant jusqu'à pousser à l'intérieur des maisons.

Apsley.

The major pastoral estate near Apsley village was Elderslie comprising 64,000 acres and first taken up in 1843. The Robertson family of Struan House near Naracoorte eventually purchased this run in 1883. Elderslie estate of 37,000 acres was purchased by the Victorian government in May 1920 for over £108,000. The property was then subdivided into soldier settlement blocks of around 1,000 acres each and 35 soldier settlement farms were thus created. At that time 12,256 acres was also purchased for soldier settlement blocks from Benayeo estate (1845) of 35,000 acres. More was subdivided from Benayeo after World War Two. Benayeo provided 11 soldier settler farms in 1920. This would have boosted the village of Apsley which was surveyed and created in 1851 and named after Apsley House in London. Apsley had a Post Office in 1854 as it was the major town of the district before the emergence of Edenhope. Around 1854 the Border Inn opened to provide a service to walkers and horsemen on their way to the Victorian goldfields. A few years later in 1857 thousands of Chinese who had landed at Robe walked through Apsley on their way to the Ararat and Stawell goldfields. One Chinese descendant who stayed in Apsley was Willie Lowe of Stawell who worked for most of his life as the gardener at Newlands homestead where he died in 1951 as the result of a car accident in Naracoorte. But not much happened in Apsley in the 1860s and 1870s. The Methodist Church at the end of Johnston Street opened in 1864 but is now closed. The cemetery was established in 1868. The first school opened in 1870. A Mechanics Institute was built in the 1880s and by then the Anglicans and Presbyterians were sharing one church building. This weatherboard church still exists in the main street as a residence. In the 20th century a Catholic church was built in the town along with a soldier memorial hall, general store, bank etc. The town was further boosted after World War Two when the Newlands property was purchased for soldier settlement blocks. Newlands homestead was built in 1865 and is on the left heading towards Naracoorte just near Newlands Lake. Today Apsley is struggling to survive. A group of community members purchased the hotel a few years ago to keep it trading and the school only has 13 pupils. The town has a nature wetlands walk and the two giant English oak trees in the town were planted in 1902 to commemorate the relief of Mafeking by Colonel Robert Baden-Powell and his British troops during the Boer War in May 1900. They are in the park by the telephone box west of the general store.

 

Tottenville, Staten Island, New York City, New York

 

Westfield Township District School No. 5, erected in 1878'(architect undetermined) and enlarged in 1896-97 to plans provided by the architectural firm of Pierce & Brun, demonstrates the strong commitment of the inhabitants of Tottenville to education. As the oldest public school remaining in use on Staten Island, the building recalls the era when such schools on Staten Island were under the jurisdiction of Richmond County and the State of New York. The brick schoolhouse appears to have been designed by a builder or architect familiar with the neo-Grec style. The facade, with its temple-inspired form, incorporates stylized classical elements and incised ornament, while the side walls have a robust rhythm established by pilasters and window openings with denticulated window heads. The growing population of the village and the establishment of a two-year high school department prompted the construction of an addition to the schoolhouse in 1896-97. Pierce & Brun established a T-shaped plan and incorporated signature elements of the original building into an up-to-date scheme with banks of windows and a weII-lighted central stairhall. Denticulated brick window heads and patterned bands, as well as the bracketed wood cornice, unite the two portions of the building into a harmonious whole. The projects, undertaken by the School District Board of Trustees and Board of Education with the approval of district residents, were exercises in local government as well as architectural achievements. The schoolhouse, part of the educational complex in Tottenville, remains in use as the Public School 1 Annex.

HistQfy gfTQtterfe'

 

The southwestern tip of Staten Island (Richmond County), once an important Native American habitation site and burial ground, has a recorded history which dates to the 1670s, when Captain Christopher Billopp built a stone manor house (the Billopp or Conference House, a designated New York City Landmark) and initiated ferry service to Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Billopp's plantation, later enlarged and given the title "Manor of Bentley," was the largest holding in the West Division (later renamed Westfield Township), one of the four precincts into which the county was divided. Following the Revolution, the Billopp property was confiscated by the State of New York, partitioned, and sold; it continued to be used largely for farming and as a base for fishing and associated maritime trades. Gradually the land was subdivided into smaller lots and by the 1840s a hamlet began to form around the ferry landing and the nearby sections of Amboy Road, the path leading to it. The slow-growing settlement soon came to be known as Tottenville, after the prominent family who had erected a wharf, Totten's Landing. Many local residents were engaged in the oyster business and ship-building, which remained leading occupations and mainstays of the area economy into the 1920s, while the waterfront setting and frequent steamer and ferry connections prompted the development of small summer resorts, restaurants, hotels, and other recreation businesses.

 

The completion in 1860 of the Staten Island Railroad, which ran from Vanderbilt's Landing on the island's east shore to a depot near the hamlet's ferry landing, establishing an important link between the developing village and the rest of the island, spurred the growth of an adjacent commercial area. During the subsequent decade, a post office was begun and soon named Tottenville, and the hamlet was officially incorporated as a village — the only one to be chartered on the island's southern and western sections. The village, re-incorporated in 1894, reached a peak of development at the close of the nineteenth century, when many commercial and civic institutions — such as the Tottenville Free Library, several weekly newspapers, the Atlantic Terra Cotta Works, and the Tottenville Copper Company — were established. From the 1870s through much of the present century, Tottenville has been the largest, most populous, and most cohesive settlement in the southern section of Staten Island and has retained its individuality as a suburban village.

 

Common Schools on Staten Island Prior to the consolidation of Greater New York in 1898, the schools on Staten Island were under the jurisdiction of the Richmond County Superintendent of Schools and the State of New York. Though thought of today as public schools - as opposed to private or parochial institutions - they were known as "common schools" throughout the nineteenth century. In 1854, local school districts, organized and numbered by township, were given the power to select sites for schools and raise the money to construct and maintain schoolhouses, in addition to other school supervisory powers. Common school districts received financial support from state sources and school district taxes; some continued to use the rate bill system and assessed parents according to the number of children they sent to school. The Township of Westfield had seven school districts, which were centered on small villages and numbered in order of establishment.

 

During the last half of the nineteenth century, presumably all of the school districts on Staten Island erected schoolhouses, which varied widely since each school district was responsible for its own facilities. The increase in the population on the island throughout that period, however, taxed the adequacy of even the best-planned and largest facilities. During the 1870s, the Village of Tottenville and the Townships of Castleton and Southfield responded to the problem with the construction of substantial brick schoolhouses. During the late 1880s, the inadequate and overcrowded conditions of many of the schools on Staten Island prompted the County Superintendent to report that the public was generally taking a greater interest in schools and education, in contrast to the "good enough" attitude that had prevailed.

 

During the 1890s over twenty district schoolhouses were erected on Staten Island. The growing population and the enforcement of the Compulsory Education Act, adopted in 1894, prompted the school construction boom. Richmond County Superintendent of Schools Julia K. West, who held the position from 1894 to 1898, oversaw most of this construction. West noted in her first annual report that the schools in the county were overcrowded and some were unfit for use. The work on Staten Island occurred at the same time as the extensive construction of schoolhouses throughout New York State during the 1890s. According to a Department of Public Instruction annual report, schoolhouse construction emphasized "aesthetics, convenience, and hygienic provisions" and involved such a spirit of rivalry between districts to erect the most attractive school buildings that even the most parsimonious districts and stolid trustees were unable to oppose the progressive aspect of the times. The Staten Island Independent articulated the effect of the school building campaign, noting that the large brick school built in Tompkinsville was "an ornament to the neighborhood and will reflect great credit on the trustees of the district.,

 

The construction of a school on Staten Island prior to the consolidation of Greater New York in 1898 was an exercise in local government that was directed by the School District Board of Trustees, but included all voting residents of the district. The trustees of a school district board would call a special meeting to entertain the question of constructing a new building. If the vote was favorable, the trustees then appointed a committee to consider sites and make a recommendation to the voters. Once the district acquired a site, a small building committee - usually the trustees and two or three additional members of the community - was appointed; sometimes the trustees commissioned an architect to provide plans and specifications, while in other situations, particularly for larger building projects, the trustees acquired plans through a competition advertised in local newspapers. Once plans were adopted, the district usually issued revenue bonds to finance construction. Both the Kreischerville and Tottenville school buildings were erected by local contractors and furnished with materials acquired from Staten Island merchants.

 

Westfield Township School District No. 5 School districts were established in the townships of Staten Island in 1812, and it appears that a common school existed in the area that became Tottenville by 1822. Local residents recalled an early school that was located in a former chapel and Sunday school building near Richmond Valley (the small hamlet just to the northeast of Tottenville). The Leslie sisters from Nova Scotia operated one of the private schools in the village during in the early 1850s, and the Rollins family owned another. During the mid- nineteenth century there were two schoolhouses in the village, one of which was at Satterlee Street near the western termination of Amboy Road. The other was a two-story brick structure on the north side of Amboy Road, between Wood and Fisher Avenues. That building was remembered as having a single room downstairs for older students and two classrooms upstairs for the intermediate group; the primary class was located in a house across the street.

 

In the early 1870s, the residents of Tottenville began to consider the construction of a larger school house because the existing facility was overcrowded and more classrooms and teachers were needed. Although the residents considered erecting a building with two classrooms across the road from the existing schoolhouse, in 1873 the trustees chose a site for a new school: a large, partially wooded lot of about one-and-one-half acres between Garretson (now Yetman) and Prospect (now Brighton Street) Avenues - which was set back from the south side of Amboy Road. The residents instructed the trustees and members of the building committee to procure plans and specifications for a schoolhouse which was not to cost more than $9,000. After the trustees and the building committee presented the plans for the building, the voters in the school district defeated a proposal to issue revenue bonds for $10,000, and the project was temporarily set aside. In October 1877, the school district decided to move forward with the building program and authorized the trustees to solicit bids for construction of the building according to the plans and specifications on hand, and to issue bonds to raise money for building.

 

The new school opened with an official ceremony on the first Monday of September 1878. Students, parents, and friends heard America sung to the accompaniment of a new organ and remarks from officials, including David C. Butler, president of the board of trustees, who reminded the students of how their parents and neighbors had labored and saved to construct the fine school building and the importance of taking care of it. The students and visitors marvelled at the grandeur of the place, with its high ceilings, spotless floors, extra large blackboards, and heavy sliding glass doors that divided both the upper and lower floors into three large classrooms. Also impressive was the view from the upper windows which extended from Sandy Hook to the New Jersey Hills, prompting the name for the school, "Bay View Academy."

 

In 1895, the school district took actions that confirmed the village's strong commitment to education, as well as the effects of the continued growth of die village population and the Compulsory Attendance Law passed in 1894. It initiated the expansion of the school to include two upper grades which became one of the three high school departments established on Staten Island prior to the consolidation of Greater New York. In July 1896, the district decided to build an addition to the schoolhouse in order to accommodate 200 pupils and to improve the existing structure with a new heating and ventilation system. The newly-established Board of Education in the district commissioned the architectural firm of Pierce & Brun to prepare plans for the addition, which was built by the local contractor, P.W. Wolf & Son. The high school department occupied rooms on the upper floor of the building prior to its merger in 1902 with the Stapleton high school, which in turn was soon replaced with the establishment of Curtis High School in 1904.

 

Village Schoolhouse Architecture' Several nineteenth-century pattern book authors articulated the intent of schoolhouse architecture at that time. Henry Barnard, writing in 1842, asserted that schoolhouses should compare favorably to other public edifices in attractiveness, convenience, and durability, and that the exterior of the building should exhibit good architectural proportions and inspire children and the community with respect for education. In his 1871 volume, James Johnonnot added a "modern style" to the Greek and Gothic modes that he had previously recommended for schoolhouses, and noted that the best buildings had a composite style in which beautiful forms were adapted from any of the classic styles and arranged for convenience. School planners had long acknowledged the importance of lighting, ventilation, and adequate classroom size; in the early 1870s, school designers began to recognize the value of what came to be a signature element of a school architecture: banks of windows in classroom walls. Johnonnot noted that grouped windows not only provided the greatest amount of light, but also gave the opportunity for fine architectural detail. The small brick schools erected in Tottenville and Kreischerville were similar in size to designs recommended for schoolhouses in villages or towns that had two classrooms (for as many as fifty-six pupils) on each floor and often an assembly room in the attic; the buildings usually had separate entrances for boys and girls. In towns throughout the state, wood-framed schoolhouses were much more common than brick structures, and many of the schools erected in the small villages on Staten Island during die 1890s were picturesque wood-framed buildings. District School No. 7 in Kreischerville and the addition to the Tottenville school appear to have been the only brick structures of the smaller schools built on Staten Island during the 1890s, although several of the larger schools in north shore communities were brick. The school district trustees and architects were likely to have chosen that material in 1878 and 18% because of its fire-resistant qualities and its strong association with civic buildings, and to establish the Tottenville school as a small village school built of the finest affordable material.

 

District School No. 5 appears to have been designed by a builder/architect (undetermined) in the "modern style" of the era, which is best characterized as neo-Grec. Stylized references to classical architecture include the suggestion of a Greek-temple facade with a crowning pediment enclosing by an interrupted entablature, the denticulated window heads and bands, and incised ornament on the sandstone entrance and window elements. Pilasters incorporating ventilation flues and window openings with jaunty denticulated heads created a robust rhythm for the side walls of the structure; chimneys originally rose above alternate pilasters, creating a lively roofline. The designer of District School No. 5 acknowledged the convention of incorporating towers in school buildings to further their civic appearance by placing an open belfry on the roof. (See Fig. 1 for a late nineteenth-century view of the building.)

 

For the 1896-97 addition to the school Pierce & Brun skillfully incorporated up-to-date elements of schoolhouse design with the prominent elements of the original structure, such as the denticulated window heads. The central portion of the west-facing facade announces the location of the central stairhall; its large windows are flanked by expanses of classroom walls with no openings. The north- and south-facing end facades of the addition have closely-set windows, suggesting the banks of windows of contemporary school buildings; the joined denticulated window heads appear as a variation of a well-established theme. The intersecting gable roof of the entire structure is united by similar bracketed wood cornices which have interrupted entablatures framing each gable face to suggest pediments.

 

The architectural firm of Pierce & Brun specialized in school design during the mid-1890s. George Henry Pierce established an architectural practice in Long Island City, Queens about 1887. He moved his practice to Manhattan about 1892, where he was joined by Clement Benjamin Brun in a partnership from 1894-97; Pierce practiced in New York City until around 1900. After leaving his association with Pierce, Brun established a partnership with Leo Hauser from 1898 through 1902. The firm had provided plans for a school in Pleasant Plains, Staten Island, and may have become known to the Westfield District No. 5 Board of Education through that project.

 

Pegcriptjop

 

District School No. 5 is a T-shaped structure consisting of the original portion facing Yetman Avenue and a wing added to the west end, on the Brighton Street side of the site. The building is now surrounded by play yards and flanked by other school buildings: Public School No. 1 to the north and Intermediate School No. 34 to the southeast (buildings not included in this designation).

 

The 1878 portion of the school is a rectangular, two-and-one-half-story red brick structure on a raised basement. The main entrance is in the end of the building facing Yetman Avenue; steps (with a replacement pipe-rail balustrade) lead to a pair of doors set in a surround of sandstone with carved impost blocks supporting a pediment-like form with a segmental arch framing the opening. The fenestration of the facade of the building is irregular, with a single window on each side of the entrance, four bays at the second story, and an opening of the same size in the gable face lighting the attic. The window openings have sandstone supporting blocks, sills, and crested lintels that are incised with curvilinear and geometric designs, and (like all of the windows in the building) have four-over-four double- hung wood sash. A bracketed raking cornice at the edge of the gable roof is replicated as an interrupted entablature across the facade, which suggests a pediment form; the break in the entablature allows for the placement of a sandstone plaque inscribed "District School No. 5 Erected A.D. 1878." The bracketed cornice extends along the side walls of the building and longer brackets emphasize the corners. Bands of light-colored brick, with alternating denticulated and sawtooth patterns, extend across the end wall at each story at die height of the sills and just below the lintels of the window openings.

 

The side walls of the original portion of the school building are articulated with pilasters that are corbelled out at the main floor level and rise to the cornice. The narrow bays are nearly filled with window openings which are emphasized with denticulated segmentally-arched light-colored brick heads. The east end bays of the side walls have blocked windows; the pilasters west of those bays have corbelled terminations above low, rectangular window openings at the main floor level. Only two of the chimneys with corbelled caps that originally rose above alternating pilasters remain: one near the east end of the south wall and one near the west end of the north wall. A one-story, flat-roofed, metal-clad service structure extends from the mid-portion of the north wall.

 

The 1896-97 addition on the west end of the building has exterior walls of red brick similar to that of the original portion of the building; its intersecting gable roof is edged with a bracketed cornice which is nearly identical to that on the earlier portion. The facade of the addition facing Brighton Street has a central entrance and stairhall bay topped with an intersecting gable roof with a pediment formed by an interrupted entablature; an oculus window with a denticulated brick surround is centered in the pediment (and those above the end walls). Pilasters, like those that emphasize the corners of the addition, set off the bay. The bay has door and window openings with denticulated segmentally-arched brick heads (similar to those on the original portion of the building). Denticulated bands extend from the entrance arch at impost height across the central bay; the entrance has replacement paired doors. The upper portion of the tall, central window lighting the stairhall is separated by a brick panel from the lower opening, which has a sandstone lintel. The central bay is flanked by blank walls that form the side walls of classrooms. The north and south end walls of the classrooms have banks of five windows separated by narrow brick piers above which the denticulated brick heads join. At the junctures of the wings, external staircases have been added to serve entrances at the upper story which have solid doors. A rectangular chimney rises above the addition near its juncture with the original wing.

 

Subsequent History

 

Westfield District School No. 5 became Public School No. 1, Borough of Richmond, at the time of the consolidation of Greater New York in 1898 when all schools were renumbered. In 1905-06, a new school was erected north of the former Westfield District School No. 5. The New York City Board of Education Superintendent of School Buildings, C.B.J. Snyder, designed the new building (not included in this designation), which became P.S. No. 1. Snyder was the architect responsible for many New York City school buildings (several of which are designated New

 

York City Landmarks), and initiated the period of City-controlled school design in Tottenville. The former District School No. 5 became known as the P.S. 1 Annex. The complex of schools was expanded again with the construction in 1935 of the building south of Academy Avenue that originally housed the Tottenville High School, and is now Intermediate School No. 34 (also not included in this designation). The former District School No. 5 building has remained an integral part of this educational complex and currently houses classrooms and a small gymnasium on the main floor of the original portion of the building.

 

- From the 1995 NYCLPC Landmark Designation Report

Phetchabun is one of the northern provinces ( Changwat ) of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are Loei, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Lopburi, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit and Phitsanulok. Phetchabun is located in the lower northern region of Thailand, in the area between the northern and the central region. The province lies in the broad fertile river valley of the Pa Sak River, with mountains of the Phetchabun mountain range to the east and west. It is surrounded by places of interest, many well known national parks, beautiful waterfalls and great lakes. The province is subdivided in 11 districts ( Amphoe ). These are further subdivided into 117 sub districts ( Tambon ) and 1261 villages ( Muban ).

1. Mueang Phetchabun 2. Chon Daen 3. Lom Sak 4. Lom Kao 5. Wichian Buri 6. Si Thep 7. Nong Phai 8. Bueng Sam Phan 9. Nam Nao 10. Wang Pong 11. Khao Kho

Phetchabun was established by two kingdoms: the Sukhothai Kingdom, and the Ayutthaya Period of the King Narai. In the thesaphiban administrative reforms at the beginning of the 20th century, the province together with Lom Sak Province to the north formed the monthon Phetchabun. As it was the smallest monthon, it was also the first monthon to be dissolved in 1915, after being temporarily administered from Monthon Phitsanulok between 1903 and 1907. Lom Sak Province was abolished and merged into Phetchabun in 1932. During the period between 1968-1982 communist insurgents established bases in the mountains in the province. From hidden locations they fought occasional skirmishes against the Thai Army.

It is the mountains that draw tourists. The rolling peaks of Khao Thor, known as Little Switzerland, were once a battlefield against communist insurgents. Today, its beautiful scenery and cool weather attracts many visitors, to see the mountain-top army base turned into a museum, and enjoy trekking in the open zoo and non-hunting areas. The national parks of Phu Hin Rong Kla, with its stunning rock formations, and Nam Nao, whose forests are home to many large animals and birds, are now starting to attract more and more trekkers and eco tourists. Khao Kho The most engaging national park of Phetchabun Province is Khao Kho National Park, about one hour northwest of Phetchabun town. It was designated to be Little Switzerland from many visitors, because of beautiful scenery and cool weather like Switzerland. It was once a battle field against communist insurgents conducted their struggles against the authorities. Its charming scenery and great weather allure tourists to see the mountain – top, army base turned into a museum, a Chedi containing a holy relic and enjoy trekking in the open zoo and non – hunting areas.

Phetchabun may be reach by Road No.21 ( Kochasenee Rd.) from Saraburi and 370 kilometres from Bangkok.

How to get there

By Train

There is no railway system to Phetchabun

By Car

Road No.1 from capital city ( Bangkok ) to Saraburi province and then Road No.21 to Phetchabun road No.12 from Khon kaen ( central province of the northeastern region ) to Lom Sak and then Road 21. southward to Phetchabun.

By Bus.

Quite a lot of buses stop at this town on the way to Lom Sak. Here are some services you can find from Mo chit Terminal: www.transport.co.th 0 2936 2852-66

Phet Tour 0 2936 3230

Thin Siam Tour 0 2936 0500Buses are very frequent, like 2 or 3 within an hour. First Class service from Phet Tour cost 263 Baht and takes 4 hour+.

Wat Mahathat Phetchabun, Thailand. on Nikon Bamrung Road in town, houses several ancient Chedi's of Sukhothai style. Situated in Muang Phetchabun municipality. It seemed strange seeing this Temple as there is another Wat Mahathat I visited in Ayutthaya last year in 2010. However this Temple is totally different to that at Ayutthaya as you will see. Within the grounds is a school for the training of Buddhist Monks and many where around the day I visited this fine Temple. This monastery is an ancient temple which HRH Prince Damrong presumed that this monastery might be constructed during Sukhothai period. Wat Mahathat has the important objects of worship such as, Phum Khao Binth styled pagoda has been presumed that it might be constructed about B.E. 1926 ( 1383 ). This pagoda is a place that comprises Buddha's relics, Orrahan's ( saint ) ashes, and small images of Buddha in several styles. Two Buddha images of the U-Thong period whose laps are 36 inches wide. One is housed in the main chapel and the other is housed in the vihara of Wat Mahathat.

Badian is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 37,699 people. The Municipality of Badian is located 97.6 km southwest of Cebu City. It is bounded on the north by the municipality of Moalboal; on the south by the municipality of Alegria; on the east by the municipalities of Dalaguete and Argao; and on the west by Tanon Strait.

Badian is administratively subdivided into 29 barangays.

Alawijao Balhaan Banhigan Basak Basiao Bato Bugas Calangcang Candiis Dagatan Dobdob

Ginablan Lambug Malbago Malhiao Manduyong Matutinao Patong Poblacion Sanlagan

Santicon Sohoton Sulsugan Talayong Taytay Tigbao Tiguib Tubod Zaragosa

Your choices to come from Cebu City to Badian are: from the airport you can take a taxi to South Bus Terminal look for Ceres Bus Liner via Barili, you can also take Librando Trans. There are buses leaving Cebu City to Badian every 30 minutes or one hour. It will take 2-3 hours or more bus travel to reach Badian from Cebu City depending on the number of stops. You can also hire a taxi at the airport or at the city to Badian, it is more comfortable and faster. Make sure the driver knows where Badian is. The fare is about Php 1500.00 - Php 3000.00 and be prepare for some bartering and some hidden costs

The capital barangay of Badian town is Poblacion. It is located in the centre of the town. This is where the local high school is located called Badian National High School ( BNHS ) is one of the two high schools in the town of Badian. This is also the largest of the two and many students from the neighbouring town just like Moalboal, Alcantara and Ronda come to study in this high school. The lower educational facility in Badian is the Badian Central Elementary School where all the younger children go to school for the simple fact that it is completely free and the only elementary school and the biggest one in town. One more very important institution that is located in Poblacion is the Town Hospital where everyone from every other barangay goes to in the time of sickness.

The Kawasan Falls is a three-layered waterfall series located in the Municipality of Badian, Cebu, which has become a huge attraction with foreign and local tourists throughout the years. The first waterfall is the largest and highest of the three falls, while the two falls uphill are smaller.

Kawasan Falls is located in Barangay Matutinao in Badian, Cebu. To get to Badian from Cebu City you can take a bus at the South Bus Terminal for a three hour ride that will directly take you to Badian. From there, you can take a tricycle that will take you to Barangay Matutinao.

If you are taking a private vehicle, drive past the Municipality of Carcar, and upon reaching the Municipality of Badian through the picturesque mountain road, then drive to Matutinao village. You can always ask for directions from people along the way if it is your first time to go to Kawasan Falls, so you won’t get lost.

When you reach the main road leading to Kawasan Falls, there is a main entrance to the waterfalls area and an entrance fee of 10 peso’s per person. From there, you start on a 20 to 30 minute walk on a trail that will lead you to the first waterfall.

You will then have to trek a further 10 to 15 minutes uphill to get to the second waterfall, and another 15 minute trek to the third waterfalls. There is a resort with restaurant at the area of the first waterfalls. There are small cottages and tables for rent at 300 peso’s each table as at September 2012 ( on top of the menu prices ) and several rooms for rent for those who want to stay overnight. A popular attraction is a bamboo raft ride leading to a shower under the cool falling waters of the first and second waterfall.

The facility has been better than the past management they have more improvements to the hospitals than anything else which is the best thing they could have done because this is where most Badianganons run to in the time of need. This is also the location where the town church is located ~ the church of Santiago Apostol, which celebrates its Festival on the 25th of July every year. Together with the Feast of Santiago Apostle is the Banig Festival which was started about three years ago. Poblacion is also where the Municipal Hall is located in sitio sawang. Thus, I believe that the municipality should ought to have more funding's in the Hospital Facility more so that the roads that they are trying to fix every single year Poblacion has many sitios which is the little corners of Poblacion which is residential or commercial properties. Some of these sitios are; Syma, Walog, Sawang, Highway, and many more. This is the only urban place in Badian compared to any other barangays that surround the town. Poblacion is also the most populated barangay in all Badian. Which has 3854 population as of 2007 Census. Poblacion is where the marketplace is located. Thus, most of the trading is here. Many vendors from all over town will show up mostly on Saturdays and Sundays for the trading.

A view south from above the pumphouse.

 

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With the arrival of fall the nesting season is over and I am allowed to photograph in the South Bay again. This year I received a request to photograph a construction project that is subdividing Salt Pond A12 into series of smaller managed ponds to serve as avian habitat. The ponds will be kept at different salinities.

 

This project occurs along the banks of Mt. Eden Slough, the “cradle of San Francisco’s salt industry” according to author John Sandoval. This section of former marsh is where the first small salt operations appeared in the 19th Century and here remain the most interesting of old salt works ruins, some so faint they are at the threshold of perception. The land is now going through yet another transformation as part of the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project and will see considerable change over the next few years. It should be fun to watch.

 

The set captures the construction project well underway as heavy machinery creates distribution ditches and flow control structures. Many photographs in this set are prosaic images documenting construction. But the session also found some interesting surface textures, particularly in the machine worked layers of clay that line the new ditches. The set also contains a few photographs of Mount Eden Creek Marsh, an area restored to tidal flow in 2008.

 

I am taking these documentary photographs under a Special Use Permit from the California Department of Fish & Wildlife. Kite flying is prohibited over the Eden Landing Ecological Reserve without a Special Use Permit, as is access to this part of the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge.

 

The original owner of this home was William Jackson, director of the Michigan Telephone Company. East Ferry Avenue was developed by Dexter M. Ferry, whose seed company used the land for agricultural purposes before it was subdivided and became an elite subdivision in the 1880s.

located in subdivided former Kmart

This slightly unusual porch is attached to a late Victorian house which is now subdivided into quite a few separate flats / apartments. Originally, however, it was a school, according to one of the residents here. It was converted into flats in the 1950s, sadly, as a lot of damage was done to the original building in the process.

located in a former Felpausch that is now subdivided between the Sally Ann and a Planet Fitness. Sally Ann was previously located where Ollie's is now.

Kingsbridge, Bronx, New York City, New York, United States

 

Designed in 1900, and built from 1901 to 1902 by the New York architects Arthur J. Horgan and Vincent J. Slattery, the former 50th Precinct Police Station House is prominently sited at the intersection of Kingsbridge Terrace and Summit Place. Its style, scale, materials of construction, direct relation to the street, and ornament contribute to the monumental character, which distinguished the building from the surrounding two- and three-story frame structures of rapidly expanding Kingsbridge.

 

A symbol of the authority of the police force and of the presence of municipal government in early 20th century Kingsbridge, and an exemplar of Beaux-Arts principles of composition, the building should be seen within the context of the City Beautiful Movement.

 

Historical interest in the building further derives from its being among the best surviving works of an architectural firm that was very much in the public eye at the turn-of-the-century.

 

Development of the Kingsbridge Area

 

Coincident with the growth of the northwest Bronx generally, the modern development of Kingsbridge and of the area presently known as Kingsbridge Heights dates from the latter half of the 19th century.

 

Rural and sparsely populated, with a varied topographical character, the Bronx of the 19th century depended for its growth on the gradual subdivision of estates, on changed attitudes respecting the desirability of the area, and on the completion of the Harlem River Railroad, which provided a first impetus to the development of the "north side."

 

Kingsbridge formally began to take shape as a residential community in 1847 when the Macomb family's "Island Farm," an extensive tract, was surveyed and subdivided into building lots, which were then sold for development.

 

Notwithstanding its late development relative to communities on Manhattan Island, Kingsbridge has had a rich history beginning as early as 1609 with the arrival of Henry Hudson on the Spuyten Duyvil peninsula.

 

Apparently, the Dutch had considered siting their projected New Amsterdam colony at Kingsbridge. The plan was soon abandoned, but by the early 17th century, the Dutch were fanning areas, on Manhattan as far north as the flatlands of Harlem.

 

It was not long before they began to seek areas into which the population could expand; thus, in addition to disaffected New Englanders, among the first settlers of Westchester County (chartered in 1683) and the Bronx — the land "upon the Maine" — were the Dutch. Indeed, the earliest European settler of the immediate Kingsbridge area was the Dutchman Jonkheer Adrien Van der Donck in 1641.

 

Van der Donck's tract, known as de Jonkheers, included all of the land from Spuyten Duyvil north eight miles along the Hudson River and east to the Bronx River.

 

The construction of the Boston Post Road in 1673 facilitated travel and communication between Manhattan Island and the northern colonies. Originating in lower Manhattan, the route ran the length of the island, crossed the Spuyten Duyvil Creek, traversed Westchester County and Connecticut, and terminated in Boston.

 

Until 1693 and the construction of the King's Bridge by landowner Vredryck Flypsen, crossing of the Spuyten Duyvil was accomplished by ferry. From the bridge, the Boston Post Road ran to Albany Crescent (which is just north of the old West Farms/Kingsbridge town line), followed Boston Avenue (the original name for that block of Kingsbridge Terrace in which the police station is located), and then veered toward the northeast, crossing the Bronx River at William's Bridge.

 

Another of the early roads radiating from the location of the King's Bridge and moving north along Bailey Avenue, was the Albany Post Road (opened in 1669 as far as the Sawmill River and in 1700 to Albany), which then continued along the western side of the Van Cortlandt properties.

 

That the King's Bridge served as the principal passage from the northern tip of Manhattan Island to the Bronx mainland, underlines the significance of the greater Kingsbridge area during Revolutionary times. As the main military artery for the armies of both the British and the Americans, the bridge was under constant attack during those Revolutionary War years when New York City was subject to British occupation (1776-1783).

 

Boston Hill (the name for the rise in the immediate vicinity of Albany Crescent) was the scene of many battles in the years following 1776, and from 1777 to 1779, the British established a presence at the Van Cortlandt mansion (located on the eastern side of the Albany Post Road).

 

Early indications of the eventual residential development of the area can be seen in the period immediately following the Revolution, at which time, well-to-do New Yorkers focused on the natural beauty of the area with an eye toward moving northward.

 

The eventual annexation of the Bronx proceeded in piecemeal fashion and not without opposition: against the incorporation were those Bronx residents who thought that nothing would be gained by aligning themselves with heavily populated Manhattan, and those New Yorkers who saw no advantage to appropriating farmland.

 

Nevertheless, on 1 January 1874, the townships of Kingsbridge, West Farms, and Morrisania formally became the twenty-third and twenty-fourth wards of the City of New York; from that time until 1898, they were known

 

collectively as the "Annexed District". It was not until 1895, however, that the annexation of the Bronx east of the Bronx River was effected.

 

In 1897, the New York State Legislature passed a charter for the creation of Greater New York City; in 1898, twenty-four local governments including all the annexed districts north of the Harlem River, as well as the boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens, and Richmond (Staten Island) were officially consolidated.

 

Commenting on building operations in the Bronx and noting a remarkable thirty-three percent increase thereof between 1898 and 1899, a dealer in real estate averred: "as to the future of the borough, that is assured, for the natural trend of the city's growth is northward, and the Bronx with all its proposed improvements will reap a golden harvest."

 

Corroborating his opinion, the Real Estate Record and Guide of 1901 observed that "more families continue to forsake their downtown neighbors for better homes and the purer air and ampler room above the Harlem and especially brisk in the matter of building is [sic] the upper and eastern sections of the Bronx, where both private and tenement houses are springing up."

 

In point of fact, just after 1895 and the annexation of the eastern section, booms in both real estate and population occurred. These were attributable to a combination of factors, the most important being inclusion into the metropolitan area, self-government, and the improvement of transportation.

 

Bronx Police History and the 50th Precinct

 

Bronx police history formally began in January 1866 when the Metropolitan Police District, created by an act of the New York State legislature in 1857, established a substation in the Village of Tremont in the Town of West Farms.

 

Previously, police activity in Kingsbridge had been under the jurisdiction of Manhattan's 32nd Precinct (currently the 30th), located at Amsterdam Avenue and 152nd Street.

 

Due to an increase in criminal behavior accompanying the immediate post-Civil War growth of the area, the residents of Yonkers and West Farms had favored incorporation within the Metropolitan Police District. Participation in the State's Metropolitan Police District was not long-lived, however; in 1870, as a result of the reorganization of local government according to the terms of the Tweed Charter, the City reclaimed control of the police department.

 

In the following year, Yonkers withdrew from the Metropolitan Police District and organized a police force of its own. In November 1871, the Yonkers police established a substation at Kingsbridge (the predecessor of the 50th) to serve the precinct extending from the West Farms town line to just south of the present Yonkers city line; an existing frame building, located at Verveelen Place, just east of Broadway and south of 231st Street, was adapted for use as a station house.

 

As a consequence of the separation of the Township of Kingsbridge from the City of Yonkers in 1872, the force headquartered at Kingsbridge was administered by a joint Board of Police Commissioners of Yonkers and Kingsbridge. Following annexation in January 1874, the district constituted of Kingsbridge, Morrisania, and West Farms was divided into two precincts and one sub-precinct of the New York Police Department.

 

Shortly thereafter, the sub-precinct, headquartered at Kingsbridge, came into its own as the 35th Precinct.

 

With the consolidation of 1898, the Police Department of Greater New York assimilated eighteen small police agencies, and a move was initiated to conform the boundaries of police precincts to the lines of the individual townships. New precincts were created to serve newly annexed areas and to accommodate rapid population increases and building and commercial development in already established ones.

 

In accordance with the general objective of creating a flexible system that would provide for future expansion of the force, several renumberings of Bronx precincts occurred during the next thirty years. Upon consolidation in 1898, Kingsbridge was redesignated the 40th; in January 1918, the 74th; in April of the same year, the 57th; in 1924, the 26th; and on 1 August 1929, the 50th, which it remains to this day.

 

Despite its changed status upon incorporation into the Greater New York City Police Department, the 40th Precinct (subsequently the 50th) continued to occupy its makeshift quarters at Verveelen Place, which were enlarged in 1886 by taking possession of a two-story frame building to the east. This measure served only as a stopgap, however, for conditions had become progressively unsatisfactory and indeed unsavory.

 

Not only were the quarters cramped, but the basement of the building had flooded so often that the jail had settled out of plumb. A newspaper reporter of the time remarked that "no more unhealthier police station exists in the City of New York than this one, and in the late 1880s, the Board of Health condemned the building. Nevertheless, although a project for construction of a new facility finally was initiated in 1898, new accommodations would not be had until 1902 when " 'the shanty', as the frame building which . . . sheltered the blue-coat guardians ever since the 40th precinct was established [was] abandoned for a modem structure.

 

In a review of the official architecture of New York City, The Real Estate Record and Guide (November 1898) branded municipal architecture a disgrace, deplored its standards, and observed that there appeared to be a tendency to employ builders over professional architects.

 

This situation — in which "there is not even one architecturally decent police station"^ — began to improve as New York embarked on a citywide reconstruction and renovation campaign to modernize police facilities. The turn of the century enthusiasm for constructing civic monuments provided a further impetus.

 

Horgan and Slattery were commissioned to design a new 40th Precinct Police Station House sometime between 1898 and fall 1900, although the City of New York did not purchase the land on which the building is situated until 2 October 1900.

 

The firm estimated the construction costs for the station house, stables, and a prison, at $70,000. Plans were filed in December 1900, but approval to proceed was denied due to the omission of tie rods between the steel floor and the spruce beams of the one-story carriage house.

 

The New Building Application was approved on 9 January 1901 only after the architects filed a petition demonstrating that their use of the Roebling System of Fireproof Construction would constitute a sufficient tie in itself. Construction began 18 March 1901 and was completed 16 April 1902.

 

Horoan and Slattery

 

From 1894, when The New York Times initially reported on the financial difficulties of the firm, until the period 1899 to 1903, when the newspaper regularly and eagerly followed the professional lives of Horgan and Slattery, the architects gained more and more notoriety.

 

While political patronage certainly was not an invention of the Tammany administrators, Mayor Robert Van Wyck was overly zealous about stamping the municipal architecture of New York City with the seal of his administration. It appears to have been Van Wyck's intention either to convey all city projects directly to Horgan and Slattery or to install them in a consulting capacity over more widely renowned architects such as John Thomas (Hall of Records) or Frederick Withers (City Prison).

 

The firm first achieved public recognition with the rehabilitation of the interior of the Democratic Club in 1897. Upon completion of that job, apparently ". finding. . .hundreds of odd jobs, large and small. . .for the favored architects."

 

Queries from a perhaps overly critical press respecting any architect's professional qualifications or lack thereof are not in themselves objectionable.

 

However, in the case of Horgan and Slattery, the situation was rather more complicated as the attacks became a vehicle for denouncing the Van Wyck administration generally and pertained very little, if at all, with a fair assessment of the firm's work. In order to bolster their charges of corruption in the Van Wyck administration, the press seized upon the seeming irregularity in the relationship between the architects and the administration, claiming that the firm name had become "a trademark of municipal disrepute and jobbery".

 

Horgan and Slattery were characterized as political pawns "who had no standing artistic, political, scientific, or financial [but were] used as the cat's paw of politicians anxious to get control of municipal building in New York. . ."

 

Despite the scandals surrounding the firm, political affiliations carried the day, for "on the death of the architect J.R. Thomas, the contract for the completion of the Hall of Records was granted to the favorite Tammany contractors Horgan and Slattery in spite of strong denunciation of such action."

 

Considered cogs in a great political machine and sarcastically dubbed the "universal solvents" or experts in all fields of architecture, the firm was taken to task for lapsed professional and moral responsibilities:

 

The new city administration has acted none too soon and with none too much severity in the cases of those two "devouring absurdities" Horgan and Slattery. Two self-respecting men in their places — but that is unimaginable. Two self-respecting men could never occupy their places. But two men with not more than twice the average thickness of skin would have got out, when Tammany was defeated, without waiting to be kicked out amid the cheers of the bystanders.

 

Upon his election in 1902, Mayor Seth Low called for the "dishorganizing and unslatterifying" of municipal architecture and insisted that "all business relations between the city and Horgan and Slattery, who received the award of all city contracts during the administration of Mayor Van Wyck should be terminated as soon as possible."

 

Mayor Low's administration adopted a hardline position according to which it would be preferable to pay damages in court than to honor any outstanding contracts with the architects.

 

Although ethics rather than aesthetics constituted the point of departure for the accusations in the local press — there having been very little critical coverage of the design work —the artistic capabilities of the architects were fair game as well.

 

Nevertheless, the firm's rise to prominence, even in the context of its alleged association with the great turn-of-the-century New York City Democratic party machine, cannot nullify the inherent value of their designs, which, in large part, combined classical vocabularies and Beaux-Arts principles of composition.

 

The Architects' and Builders' Magazine of January 1907 recognized that, "[J. R. Thomas'] work has been carried on in praiseworthy fashion by Messrs. Horgan and Slattery who have added to Mr. Thomas' brilliant conception much of the virility of design which characterizes their other well-known masterpieces."

 

Scant biographical information exists on the two architects. Photographs or drawings of a fair number of their projects were published in architectural journals, but accompanying text is rare. Arthur J. Horgan (1868-1911) and Vincent J. Slattery (1867-1939) entered into partnership in 1886. Until 1897, the New York City Directory listed them as builders; interestingly, in the 1898 edition, they emerged as architects.

 

Evidently, they had incorporated as such and were working out of an office at 1 Madison Avenue. Apart from Horgan's testimony in 1899^^ before the Mazet Committee that he had studied architecture for five years in the offices of his godfather, Colonel Arthur Crocks, virtually nothing is known about the professional educations of the architects.

 

Slattery testified that the "outside work" of the firm was his responsibility, while Horgan assumed the "inside work"; he also referred all technical questions to Horgan. In the absence of conclusive information concerning their respective positions in the firm, which would elucidate Slattery's statement, one may speculate either that Horgan was the principal designer and Slattery the business partner, or that Horgan dealt with structural questions and Slattery with interior embellishment.

 

Following Horgan's death in 1911, Slattery went into business for himself, retiring in 1934.

 

The Design

 

The former 50th Precinct Police Station House is a handsome example of Beaux-Arts classicism, a mode of design that characterized much public architecture at the turn-of-the-century and became the emblem of the City Beautiful Movement.

 

Although clearly indebted to the architectural styles of the past, the design does not endeavor to replicate historical models exactly, nor did such archaeological accuracy underlie the historicism of the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. Rather, the elements are derived from classical prototypes but are freely interpreted and ingeniously combined.

 

Typologically, the building refers to an Italian Renaissance urban palace; the ornament is eclectic.

 

Horgan and Slattery approached the design of this small (relative to the grandest examples of the style in New York City, among them the Public Library and Grand Central Station) but imposing building in an imaginative way. The building dominates its site; further, it is the dominant architectural feature on the primarily residential block.

 

The architects' masterful handling is demonstrated in the sensitivity to the site, an understanding of the rules of Beaux-Arts composition, the use of ornament, and the adaptation of an ancient but particularly appropriate building type to a modern use.

 

Their studied application of Beaux-Arts principles is evident in the clear articulation of the parts of the building, the bilateral symmetry, the clearly marked and elaborated openings, the hierarchy of constituent elements in the facades, the play of advancing and receding planes, and the consistency of the articulation.

 

The form of the building refers to two distinct phases in the evolution of the Italian Renaissance urban palace. The 15th-century palace, such as the Pitti or the Medici, with its massive presence, direct relation with the street, and rusticated base, is an appropriate model for the expression of such values as power, security, invulnerability, and monumentality, which, surely in the public mind, are associated with the police force.

 

Strengthening this association are the horizontal extension of the station house, which intensifies the image of its being firmly wedded to its site, and the battlements or crenellations of the roof parapet.

 

The horizontal lines of the building are reiterated in the surface treatment on every level of the facades: by the granite base; by the continuous channels of the recessed brick courses; by the lines of the windows; by the projecting stringcourses; by the continuous cornice, which is distinguished from the fabric of the building both in color, texture and materials; by the roof parapet, which is defined as a series of advancing and receding planes.

 

In the 16th-century type, exemplified by the design for the House of Raphael by Bramante, the ground story rustication is mediated by the application of architectural ornament in the upper stories, which is also the case here.

 

Description

 

The Kingsbridge Terrace of today, which is rather an unprepossessing street lined with detached houses as well as low-rise apartments, does not figure prominently in the street system of the Bronx, or even of Kingsbridge. This was not always the case, however.

 

From the 18th century until 1913, that portion of Kingsbridge Terrace north of what is presently Albany Crescent, was known as Boston Avenue, the name deriving from its having been a segment of the Boston Post Road. As the east/west section of the almost elliptical Albany Crescent (running roughly perpendicular to the present Bailey Avenue) was also a part of Boston Avenue, and Bailey Avenue formed part of the Albany Post Road, the station house is in close proximity to the intersection of two historically significant roads, and at the crest of Boston Hill.

 

From the street, the building appears as a massive two-story masonry block. In plan, however, it is a "U", oriented southward such that its eastern arm forms the principal or Kingsbridge Terrace facade, and its base (at the north) constitutes the secondary or Summit Place facade.

 

The principal facade is 83 feet in length and two stories in height; the secondary facade is 119 feet in length and three stories in height, only two of which are expressed, corresponding to those on the principal facade.

 

The juncture of the eastern and northern facades is mediated by a curved comer treatment. This transitional element, the articulation of whose second story departs from those of both street facades, constitutes the focal point of the composition if the building is viewed obliquely from the northeast.

 

The focal point, shifts, however to the center bay of the principal facade if

 

the building is viewed directly from the east or obliquely from the south; from either vantage point, the comer construction is virtually invisible.

 

In both cases, the corner element and the axis of symmetry (formed of the entry, the parapet directly above it, the window in the second story, the plaque identifying the building) provide vertical accents in an otherwise horizontally disposed composition. The principal facade consists of five bays, the central three flanked by projecting end bays in the north and south.

 

This "ABA" rhythm is repeated in the secondary facade with the difference that the projecting end bays flank a central section of seven bays. Three bays define the curved comer section.

 

Gamboge bricks, which are variegated in hue and are laid in Flemish bond, constitute the veneers of the facades, including the southern wall of the eastern arm of the "U". The contrasting limestone members of the windows, door, stringcourses, and columns, the granite of the base, the terra-cotta ornament, and the green tin denticulated Doric cornice create an impressive polychromatic image.

 

Like the urban palaces of the Italian Renaissance, the two stories are differentiated in characteristic ways: a projecting stringcourse composed of a series of classical moldings (the lowermost of which is egg and dart) literally cuts the building in half horizontally; the elaboration of the second story contrasts with the relatively unadorned ground story; the individual bricks in the second story are slightly more saturated in color than those in the first; and the apparent rustication of the ground story, achieved by recessing one course in every seven, is abandoned at the first stringcourse, above which the wall is planar.

 

In keeping with the unadorned character of the ground story are the openings, which receive identical articulation in both facades, in the corner, and on the southern side of the eastern arm. They differ only in their proportions: those in the north facade are squatter than those in the projecting bays and in the principal facade, and those in the curved section and the eastern arm are more attenuated.

 

The sash is one-over-one double-hung aluminum surmounted by a fixed pane of glass. The openings are unframed, vertically-oriented rectangles with flat-arch brick lintels and limestone sills with classical contours. A console at either end of the sill provides support, and a console serves as keystone in the flat arch (the console keystone is omitted in the outermost bays of the curved unit).

 

There are three distinct window treatments in the second story, although the sash remains constant. While the same size as those in the east, the windows in the north side are the least elaborate, treated in much the same way as those on the ground story. Replacing the consoles, however, are wedge-shaped limestone keystones that are articulated in three dimensions.

 

One such opening marks the second story of the southern side of the eastern arm. The windows of the corner element are squeezed within the intercolumniations of four Roman Doric, unf luted columns on bases, the two end ones of which are engaged; a series of classical moldings constitutes the lintels.

 

The surface bounded by the upper edge of each lintel and the lower edge of the second story stringcourse is pierced by a round window enframed with a terra-cotta wreath; the comers are enlivened with foliate terra-cotta forms.

 

All windows in the second stories of both the principal facade and the projecting bays are aedicular in type.

 

The aediculae, which frame the windows, are constituted of a series of freely interpreted classical elements including flanking pilasters, which are articulated with deep channels running vertically from the base, a capital, impost block, and lintel of classical moldings.

 

The window sill is tripartite: at either end, a segment projects slightly to form a base for the pilasters. A console with pendant foliate and vegetal ornament decorates each pilaster from just above mid-height to the capital. The window extends from the sill to the top of the capital; in the space that is roughly the height of the impost block and extends from the capital to the egg and dart molding of the lintel, is a flat, blank plaque.

 

The panel duplicates on a reduced scale the one crowning the axis of symmetry in the principal facade, which is inscribed with the name of the precinct. Each aedicula of the projecting bays is enframed by a larger aedicula, which is vestigial in that it is composed of thick pilasters that are simply projections of the brick fabric. Elaborating each pilaster are a cartouche, festoon, and pendant foliate form, placed in series within a vertically-oriented rectangular panel.

 

The axis of symmetry in the principal elevation serves a dual function: it divides the facade into two equal and opposite parts, and it creates a strong central focus. The double doors are preceded by two granite steps set between granite blocks, upon which originally were lampposts.

 

Rectangular hollow metal double doors, which have been painted bright red, with a transom on which the name of the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center has been painted in white, are placed within a basket or depressed arch with prominent brick voussoirs. A large, elaborate stone cartouche serves as the keystone.

 

Flanking the arch, large ancones with foliate ornament, surmounted by impost blocks, support the stringcourse, which breaks forward from the plane of the building at the entry. Directly above, a parapet is elaborated by a blank panel flanked by two triglyph-like elements surmounted by scrolls.

 

The triglyph/scroll unit (which resembles a section of fluted pilaster) supports a projecting molding along the upper edge of the parapet. Flanking each of the triglyph/scrolls is an S-shaped scroll in bas-relief.

 

The uppermost element of the axis is a plaque identifying the building as the 50th Precinct Police Station House. The limestone plaque is a horizontally disposed rectangle; a continuous egg and dart molding serves as a border. A tripartite guttae-like feature dangles from each side of the lower edge of the panel.

 

A block with a console in its center projects from the center of the lower edge of the inscribed panel.

 

The facade of the western arm of the "U" is undistinguished and virtually invisible from any street. The brick wall is punctuated by windows in the second story.

 

Alterations to the exterior have been few and have not significantly affected the street facades. The police moved from the building to their current location at 3450 Kingsbridge Avenue in December 1974; the present tenant, the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center, took possession in summer 1975. In 1979, with funding from the New York City Capital Budget and the Federal Community Development Budget, the Community Center embarked on a major rehabilitative program, which was completed in 1981.

 

Undertaken by the New York architects, Edelman and Salzman, most of the alterations were in the nature of adapting the interior spaces to new uses and upgrading

 

systems. The architects were sensitive to the original exterior; the north and east facades of the building remain virtually untouched.

 

The terracotta band courses were partially repointed; the existing wooden entrance doors and frames were replaced with hollow metal doors and frame, and the transom was closed; a new wrought iron gate to the courtyard was installed at the south end of the Kingsbridge Terrace facade; the wooden windows were replaced with aluminum ones, and stainless steel security screens were placed on every opening.

 

Unfortunately, the material condition of the exterior appears to be steadily deteriorating. The cornice, a section of which is missing from the curved elevation, shows an advanced state of erosion especially on the underside. Spalling marks the limestone members of the windows, door, stringcourses, as well as the terra-cotta ornament, and large pieces of the window sills have broken off.

 

- From the 1986 NYCLPC Landmark Designation Report

Upper West Side, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States

 

The 858 West End Avenue House is one of an intact group of four residences designed by the architectural firm of Schneider & Herter and built by the firm of Schneider & Company as a speculative venture. 1 The rowhouse group is the sole surviving example of a type of site planning used on several comer plots along West End Avenue in the early 1890s where a group of houses facing the Avenue featured a prominent comer house and an additional house was built facing the side street behind the Avenue-facing houses. Treated as the centerpiece of the rehouse group, the comer house at No. 858 West End Avenue is representative of the many larger comer houses with side entrances and comer towers which once stood on West End Avenue. The group of residences was built in 1892-93 during the first period of intense residential development for the comfortable professional class along the northern portion of West End Avenue where the suburban qualities of landscaped streets, the views of the Hudson River, and the amenities of nearby Riverside Park created a desirable residential area. The 858 West End Avenue House is distinguished by ornament characteristic of the mannerist aesthetic of the firm of Schneider & Herter, the juxtaposition of contrasting textures of rough, smooth-faced, and carved brownstone, and the emphasis on a lively roof line punctuated by a bell-shaped tower and chimneys. The quality and distinctiveness of the Queen Anne/Romanesque Revival style design of the 858 West End Avenue House reflects the desire for individuality in the appearance of houses within rowhouse groups and is representative of the eclectically-styled residential architecture of West End Avenue dating from the 1890s.

  

Development of the Upper West Side

 

Despite its long history beginning soon after the colonial Dutch settlement, the Upper West Side, known as Bloomingdale prior to its urbanization, remained largely undeveloped until the 1880s. In the early eighteenth century, Bloomingdale Road (later renamed the Boulevard and finally Broadway in 1898) was opened through rural Bloomingdale and provided the northern route out of the city which was then concentrated in the southern tip of Manhattan. The Upper West Side was included in the Randel Survey of 1811 (known as the Commissioners' Map) which established a uniform grid of avenues and cross streets in Manhattan as far north as 155th Street, although years elapsed before streets on the Upper West Side were actually laid out, some as late as the 1870s and 1880s, and the land was subdivided into building lots.

 

The city grew rapidly northward during the nineteenth century, but it was not until after Central Park (a designated New York City Scenic landmark) was laid out in 1857 that development began around the perimeter of the Park, setting off the first wave of real estate speculation on the Upper West Side.

 

Improved public transportation to the area contributed to the growth and sustained development of the Upper West Side. By 1880 the horse car line on Eighth Avenue had been replaced by street rail service up to 125th Street and the Elevated Railway on Ninth Avenue (renamed Columbus Avenue in 1890) had been completed. However, the biggest boost to the development of the West End (the area west of Broadway) was the creation, between 1876 and 1900, of Riverside Drive and Park (a designated New York City Scenic Landmark) located north of 72nd Street along the Hudson River. The presence of the park and drive, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, was an important factor in making this area desirable for high-quality residential development.

 

Development of the Wast End began slowly, due, to a large degree, to the hesitation of would-be residents, but by 1885 it had emerged as the area in the city experiencing the most intense real estate speculation. The expectation that the blocks along Riverside Drive and West End Avenue would be lined with mansions kept the value of these lots, as well as adjacent land, consistently higher and developers were willing to wait to realize profits from the potentially valuable sites. The real estate developers, including the West End Association, founded in 1884 by the prominent developer, W.E.D. Stokes, ultimately stimulated the demand for houses in the West End. Real estate brochures and the local press drew attention to the area, emphasizing the scenic quality of the setting, the nearness of parks, and the availability of public transportation.

 

West End Avenue (formerly Eleventh Avenue) was opened in 1880 from 72nd Street to 106th street and was paved with asphalt by 1893. West End Association members set twenty-year restrictive covenants governing West End Avenue which closed the avenue to commercial traffic and initially limited development to single-family houses, thus enhancing the desirability of the residential area. By 1890 the character of the avenue had emerged as completely residential and was promoted as a suburban-like setting with such amenities as grass plots and trees along the sidewalks. The absence of flats and apartment houses on the avenue provided the opportunity for various treatments of the comers with rowhouses and larger attached residences.

 

In the mid-1880s the most attractive areas for development along West End Avenue were located near the El stations and along the higher elevations of the hilly avenue. Construction of mid-size rowhouses, rather than the more grand type of mansions originally projected for West End Avenue, began in 1885 near 104th Street which was convenient to a Ninth Avenue El station and by 1895 the high plateau between West 99th and 104th Streets had been built up with three- and four-story rowhouses. The architectural tone of these private residences was set by the presence of costly mansions such as the W.F. Foster residence at 102th Street and Riverside Drive and the Bacon residence at 104th Street and Riverside Drive.

 

The Schneider & Company's Houses

 

The site at the northeast corner of West 102nd Street and West End Avenue appears to have been first sold for development purposes in 1881 and at that time an open-ended restrictive covenant was initiated which prevented the construction of a variety of commercial and industrial buildings. The property changed hands several times before Hannah O'Brien filed plans in 1890 to build five three-story limestone-fronted houses designed by Andrew Spence; within a year O'Brien lost control of the property and this project was abandoned.

 

Two New York architects, Ernest W. Schneider and Henry Herter, along with two partners — John Fish, a previous client, and Eugene Schultz— acquired the property and soon after filed plans for the construction of a group of four three-story residences with raised basements. Beside the comer house, facing West End Avenue, are two narrow houses, nearly identical in design. Situated across the rear of the three West End Avenue houses, facing West 102nd Street and enclosing the yard area, the fourth house has a freestanding side facade. The houses, built between May, 1892, and April, 1893, were appropriately finished on the interior with decorative mantels, hardwood trim, and horseshoe openings ornamented with fretwork dividing the music rooms from the parlors, as well as up-to-date plumbing and utility areas. The placement of the stairhall in the center of each house permitted large full-width front rooms on the upper floors.

 

The first house to be sold in the rowhouse group was No. 856 West End Avenue. In 1895 the remaining houses were divided among the investors and Schneider & Herter acquired title to No. 858 West End Avenue. The house was sold in 1897 but title reverted to Schneider & Herter in 1898; they soon resold the house. No. 854 West End Avenue had been sold in 1895 and the West 102nd Street House was sold in 1896.

 

The Schneider & Company development venture is the sole surviving example of a site development pattern that emerged on West End Avenue in which large comer parcels were purchased for the construction of rowhouse groups. By decreasing the depth of the avenue-facing houses, an additional house could be built on the plot facing the side street; the plan worked to the advantage of the developer who sought a maximum return on the expensive West End Avenue lots. Slightly larger and more prestigious comer houses, with highly visible design features such as comer towers, were characteristic of this site development plan. This scheme was particularly favored in the early 1890s when the area between 99th and 104th streets was developed. Rowhouse groups facing West End Avenue, with a side street-facing house (or houses) across the rear of these lots, were built at the southeast comers of West End Avenue and 99th, 100th, 102nd, and 103rd Streets; all of the groups except the Schneider & Company group have been demolished.

 

The rowhouse group at the southeast comer of 103rd Street and West End Avenue, designed by M.V.B. Ferdon in 1891, included five houses facing West End Avenue and one facing 103rd Street; only the house facing West 103rd Street remains standing. Another group of houses designed by M.V.B. Ferdon and built by Increase Grenell in 1892 at the northwest comer of West End Avenue and 104th Street (demolished) included a comer house very similar to the Schneider & Company house, featuring the entrance near the center of the 104th Street facade.

 

Picturesque Architecture on West End Avenue

 

Curing the intense period of rowhouse development on the Upper West Side, from 1885 to 1900, residential design was dominated by a reaction to the conformity and homogeneity of older Italianate style brownstone rowhouses found elsewhere in the city. The first wave of development along West End Avenue in the period between 1885 and 1895 produced a number of individually-designed houses and speculatively-built, yet distinctive, rowhouse groups which, along with houses in the West End as a whole, represent the culmination of single-family house construction in Manhattan. Many of the most prominent architects working in New York City designed these residences, often for speculative developers who invested in the area. The residences designed for West End Avenue were characteristic of the picturesque eclecticism of late-nineteenth-century architecture, drawing from a wide variety of stylistic sources and expressing the desire of architects and clients for originality, variety, and novelty in residential architecture.

 

There was a movement away from smooth brownstone as a facing material and a new emphasis on the sculptural and textural qualities of surfaces, as well as on the mixture of colors and materials.

 

Unusual, picturesque house design on West End Avenue had been initiated by the construction of two groups of houses with a "Dutch" flavor in 1885-86, designed by Frederick B. White and McKim, Mead & White. Clarence True and other architects continued to design residences for West End Avenue in unusual and picturesque revival styles which were executed with a high-degree of artistic experimentation. Strong rhythmic patterns, asymmetrical massing, and a lively streetscape were created by the profusion of bowfronts, bay and oriel windows, gables, turrets, chimneys, dormers, cornices, stoops, and ornamentation associated with the popular Queen Anne and Romanesque Revival styles as well as more exotic revival styles. These later rowhouses on West End Avenue, and throughout the Upper West Side, unlike their Italianate brownstone predecessors from earlier in the nineteenth century, were purposely designed to be distinguished from one another, while together forming visually coherent ensembles.

 

The houses designed by Schneider & Herter are representative of this picturesque design movement, and although based on the common hybrid of the Queen Anne and Romanesque Revival styles they are enlivened by unusual carved ornament. The treatment of each of the four houses individually within the easily recognizable group provided the architects with the opportunity to create variations on a theme. The high degree of modulation in the plane of the facades, through the use of recessed entrances as well as projecting bay windows and balconies (which afforded views of the river and park) adds depth and grandeur to the rowhouse designs. Schneider & Herter explored the range of surface effects achievable from smooth-faced and rough-cut brownstone, and incorporated both geometric and figural carving of the material.

 

The repetition of several ornamental elements unites the houses, including paired stringcourses, gridded panels of rough-faced stone, chamfered window surrounds in the smooth-faced facades, sheet-metal panels at the roofline, and elements of the carved stone program. The two smaller West End Avenue houses are identical except for the shape and detailing of the window openings. No. 858 West End Avenue has recessed balconies at the parlor and second stories that relate the comer house to the West End Avenue houses, while the longer West 102nd Street frontage is visually linked to the house at 254 West 102nd Street through the repetition of unusual columns flanking the entrances and the carved panels at the roofline. The round comer tower with a bell-shaped roof serves as the centerpiece of the group.

 

The design of picturesque rowhouses in New York was influenced by trends in the design of architectural ornament in the later nineteenth century, a time when ornament was treated by many architects as an opportunity for creative experimentation. European theorists such as Owen Jones, James K. Collings, and Christopher Dresser encouraged an abstract interpretation of vegetation executed with an emphasis on geometricized form and their publications influenced designers in the United States. At the same time, technological change also influenced the design of ornament. The availability of steam-powered tools encouraged the use of bold, machine-cut ornament while the growing use of terra cotta prompted the design of intricate ornament that could be easily reproduced.

 

The popularity of several revival styles, and the inventive blending of these styles, encouraged the architect/designer to adopt an individualized aesthetic in the design of architectural ornament. This trend can be seen in the abstracted naturalistic ornament developed by such recognized American innovators as Frank Fumess and Louis H. Sullivan, as well as in the pioneering work of architects like Henry Hobson Richardson, who developed a highly personal style drawing on Romanesque sources. Many architects working in New York City also developed identifiable personal styles, such as clarence True with his interpretation of the "Elizabethan Renaissance Revival" style.

 

Schneider & Herter developed a somewhat idiosyncratic and mannerist aesthetic characterized by a lack of reverence for the traditional placement of ornament, an unexpected combining of architectural styles, and asymmetry in the composition of facades and their detailing; these characteristics appear in the firm's early designs for tenements, rowhouses and synagogues. In the ornamental programs of several buildings, including the 858 West End Avenue House, Schneider & Herter combined incised, machine-cut ornament— recalling the earlier Neo-Grec style of incised ornament — with both abstracted naturalistic designs and romantic figurative carving. An uncommon approach to the composition and placement of ornament appears in the design of the entrance where the architects combined pilasters with the projecting balcony above to suggest an entrance portico.

 

Two flattened engaged baluster forms, with incised horizontal bands and necks at the bottom, are topped by capitals with carved shell forms above inscribed circles; animal masks extend from the upper portion of plain blocks above the capitals that support the projecting balcony. Framing the door to the east is a variation on this form, a cylindrical baluster with a capital, different from the flanking ones, of stalky acanthus leaves above which an elongated console bracket supports the balcony. A more subtle example of Schneider & Herter's unusual ornamental treatment appears in the placement of carved stones in the upper courses of the rusticated basement to cap undefined piers.

 

The Corner House on West End Avenue

 

The corner house type evolved on West End Avenue in response to the restrictive covenants that limited construction on this avenue to single-family dwellings, a departure from the development pattern found throughout much of the Upper West Side where flats or tenements were built on Avenue frontage and rowhouses were reserved for the side streets. Architects took advantage of the comer sites to punctuate the West End Avenue streetscape with slightly larger and often taller residences at the ends of blocks, which were often designed with comer towers or curved comer bays, whether built as "centerpieces" of rowhouse groups or as individual buildings. While a tower enhanced the presence of the comer residence, the house was often designed with an entrance near the center of the side street facade rather than a grand Avenue-facing entrance.

 

This was done for interior planning considerations, facilitating the placement of the stairhall near the center of the house which permitted full-width rooms at the front of the house.

 

Most of the comer houses built on West End Avenue were demolished during the redevelopment of the Avenue with apartment houses. Surviving examples of comer houses with side street entrances include the individually-designed and -built 520 West End Avenue (Leech) Residence (1892, a designated New York City landmark), the 858 West End Avenue House, the 560 West End Avenue House (1889-90, in the Riverside-West End Historic District), and several houses in the West End-Collegiate Historic District near the southern end of West End Avenue.

 

The 858 West End Avenue House has characteristics similar to many of these comer houses. The curved comer bay, topped with a bell-shaped roof and originally, a tall finial, extends a story above the other houses in the rowhouse group and serves as a focal point for the group. The roofline, highly visible in the avenue streetscape, features several tall chimneys, pinnacles, and a carved panel. The house is slightly longer than the adjacent houses, although the rear portion of the house is only two stories in height and forms a terrace at the rear, replicating the characteristic form of a rowhouse with a rear extension; a recessed porch with a service entrance at the end bay serves as an extension of the adjacent yard area. The presence of the entrance bay in the long street facade is enhanced by pilasters which frame the entrance, the recessed balcony at the second story, and the window group. A decorative panel extending above the roofline further provides a vertical counterpoint to the long facade.

 

Schneider & Herter

 

Ernest W. Schneider and Henry Herter began an architectural partnership in New York City around 1887; within a very short time they had a thriving business designing tenements, flats, and industrial buildings, primarily on the Lower East Side. Schneider & Herter worked repeatedly for a group of German-Jewish clients with ethnic backgrounds similar to theirs, the most prominent of whom were the real estate developers Jonas Weil and Bernard Mayer for whom the architects designed a number of multiple dwellings. This association led to the firm's commission for the Park East Synagogue, 163 East 67th Street (1889-90, a designated New York City Landmark), which Weil financed and led as president of the congregation. Schneider & Herter also designed Congregation Kol Israel Arshi at 20-22 Forsyth Street (1892, now owned by the Hellenic Orthodox Community).

 

The firm of Schneider & Herter had acted as architect-developers prior to its venture on the Upper West Side as Schneider & Co., designing and building a pair of French flats at 731-735 East 5th Street in 1890-91 and a French flat at 233-35 Delancey Street in 1891-92; the firm began a warehouse project at 141 West Broadway in 1893. Schneider & Herter later erected a five-story apartment building at 79-81 Perry Street in 1895 (in addition to designing several other buildings now within the Greenwich Village Historic District) and a pair of flats buildings at 309 and 317 West 93rd Street in 1901-02 (within the Riverside-West End Historic District).

 

The West End Avenue-102nd Street project was a departure from Schneider & Herter's usual work designing multiple dwellings, and was among the firm's first projects on the Upper West Side. Many of the firm's more than 100 multiple dwellings in Manhattan no longer stand, but those remaining exhibit the firm's individualistic approach to the use of ornament and facade compositions often featuring round-arched windows characteristic of the Romanesque Revival style.

 

Description

 

The comer house of the group of the four houses built by Schneider & Company, with the address of 858 West End Avenue, has a narrow seventeen-foot vide West End Avenue facade and a seventy-two-foot long 102nd Street facade. The house has three stories above a basement and is of brick construction with a brownstone veneer, rusticated at the basement and smooth-faced on the stories above. Dominating the design is an engaged cylindrical comer tower, which rises an additional story and is capped by a bell-shaped roof. The entrance bay, located in the center of the West 102nd Street facade, is emphasized by the use of a box stoop leading to the parlor-story entrance which is recessed behind engaged pilasters and surmounted by a shallow bow-fronted balcony.

 

A recessed balcony at the second story, an arched window group at the third story, and a carved panel with a lion head, which rises above the cornice and conceals the termination of the mansard portion of the roof, make this bay an important vertical counterpoint to the horizontal composition of the house that is accentuated by paired stringcourses. Rock-faced gridded panels in the upper portion of the third story, just below the classically-detailed cornice, add to the picturesque quality of the roof line; the mansard portion of the roof is covered with patterned sheet metal and the sheet-metal cornice is ornamented with sunflower motifs. The carved detailing of the house repeats forms used on other houses in the group, furthering the ensemble quality.

 

The first and second stories are extended in an additional curved bay at the eastern end of the 102nd Street facade, creating an open balcony at the third story. A short column and an implied pier with a carved impost block support the segmental arch (with a wrought iron gate) of the recessed service porch under this bay. A similar gate under an arch spans the entry to the rear yards between the comer house and No. 254 West 102nd Street. Beyond the curved return of the extension, the eastern elevation of the house is faced with brick, as is the eastern wall of the third story.

 

Alterations include the replacement of the original double-hung wood sash with aluminum sash and the panning of the original frames; the circular window next to the main entrance and the elliptical windows flanking the door in the bay above the main entrance remain unchanged. Two tall chimneys, pinnacles, and an elongated finial from the tower roof have been removed. The basement-level window grilles and the cast-iron fence on the areaway wall appear to have been added at an early date.

 

- From the 1990 NYCLPC Landmark Designation Report

Former Ralphs 5200 Stockdale Hwy Bakersfield, CA. Was sold to Save Mart with 2 other locations in Bakersfield but they never reopened this location. Currently subdivided with Sports chalet on the left but the right side is vacant but was Fresh & Easy

Give away price. Taylor Creek Lodge - Sprawling, upgraded residence on +/- 31 acres has development potential suitable for subdividing or partioning. Forested, diverse property w/year 'round creek, cascading waterfall, orchard. Hardi-plank siding/heat pump/new roof. Possibilities ie: small farm, group home, in-law suite or large family. Furnishings included.

randomly subdividing polys

501 E. Gay St; subdivided into the Gay Street Plaza.

Anthriscus sylvestris, known as cow parsley, wild chervil,wild beaked parsley, keck, or Queen Anne's lace (UK), is a herbaceous biennial or short-lived perennial plant in the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae), genus Anthriscus. It is also sometimes called mother-die (especially in the UK), a name that is also applied to the common hawthorn. It is native to Europe, western Asia and northwestern Africa; in the south of its range in the Mediterranean region, it is limited to higher altitudes. It is related to other diverse members of Apiaceae, such as parsley, carrot, hemlock and hogweed.

 

The hollow stem grows to a height of 60–170 cm (24–67 in), branching to umbels of small white flowers. Flowering time is mid spring to early summer.

 

The tripinnate leaves are 15–30 cm (5.9–11.8 in) long and have a triangular form. The leaflets are ovate and subdivided.

 

Cow parsley grows in sunny to semi-shaded locations in meadows and at the edges of hedgerows and woodland. It is a particularly common sight by the roadside. It is sufficiently common and fast-growing to be considered a nuisance weed in gardens. Cow parsley's ability to grow rapidly through rhizomes and to produce large quantities of seeds in a single growing season has made it an invasive species in many areas of the United States.

1841 S. 4th St; became Hersh's IGA in 1982 until 1990, when they merged with Traub's IGA on Emmaus Ave (now Valley Farm Market). Now subdivided between Hollywood Video and Aaron's.

Store 216, Rts. 435 & 502; part of the Keystone Centers chain that was acquired by Rite Aid in 1976. Relocated across the intersection in the late 90s; is currently subdivided into several stores.

The iconic Eiffel tower, seen through the glass roof of a river barge, docked near its foot.

 

I took several shots of the tower without any obstructions (as you have to), but this shot just seems far more interesting, at least to me.