Brooklyn Changes & Park Slope Memories

01/20/2026

Who remembers a record store on 9 street, 2 doors down from the YMCA and one door up from the prospect theater, where the pet shop came in? NOT the record store on 5ave. Anyone remember?

11/19/2024

Remember when making out was a thing?

09/05/2024

Late 1860s. Prospect Park. The Dairy. Women at the entrance and outside.

In the late 1800s, before pasteurization, fresh milk was a near-delicacy for Brooklyn residents, accustomed to a gray, watery variety of milk produced by most city cows.

When the Dairy opened in Prospect Park, a herd of cows grazed in the park and provided “wholesome milk, cold or warm” to grateful park picnickers, according to the Brooklyn Park Commissioners.

In the summer of 1871, it was reported in the Annual Report of the Brooklyn Park Commissioners that “11,000 quarts of milk were disposed of by the glass, or in larger quantities to pic-nic parties (sic), or family gatherings, for which purpose the grounds in this vicinity of the dairy cottage were a favorite resort during the summer.”

Dairy customers could purchase a variety of snacks for their picnic, some of which may seem odd by today’s standards. (See comments).

Prospect Park creator Frederick Law Olmsted wrote, “A man from any class shall say to his wife… ‘My dear, when the children come home from school, put some bread and butter and a salad in a basket and go to the chestnut tree…We will walk to the dairy-man’s cottage and get some tea and fresh milk for the children and take our supper by the brook-side.’”

The Dairy was a hugely popular Prospect Park attraction during this time, not least because picnicking was prohibited in Central Park. Though the Dairy was razed in 1935 by then Parks Commissioner Robert Moses, picnicking became synonymous with Brooklyn’s Backyard, and continues to be a preferred pastime of Prospect Park visitors.

seeoldnyc.com

06/10/2024

Who knows where this is in Park Slope?

03/02/2024

01/26/2024

Who remembers?

12/27/2023

The sales and selection at Prospect Beverages couldn't be beat. Who used to pick up the C&C Sodas here by the case. They used to charge 3.99 and allow you to mix flavors.

12/21/2023

Kresge's Christmas wrapping paper.

09/12/2023

Woolworth used to be on 10th st and 5th ave.

03/25/2023

The new park on the lower West side of Manhattan.