Greenpoint Trivia Answer Page

Here are the answers to the Greenpoint Trivia Questions (last update: Saturday, August 12, 2000)

QUESTION: - January 29, 2000 - from: Frank Dmuchowski
What buried treasure attracted many of the 'Point's boys to dig on Vandervoort Avenue (across from the tanks) in the late 1950's before Vandervoort  went all the through to Maspeth Avenue?
ANSWER: The buried treasure was military emblems from practically every branch of the military.  These were found in bales of rags that were piled up behind a building that faced Morgan Avenue.  These treasures were embroidered patches of rank (stripes and hashes), unit designations, etc.  Shortly after the discovery, you would see many of these sown onto various items of clothing worn around the neighborhood.
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QUESTION: - September 20, 1999 - from: Marie Iannuzzi
Where was a trampoline located in GREENPOINT? Bonus: When was it in operation? Why did it close?
 ANSWER: The trampoline was located on the corner of Driggs and Manhattan Avenue. It was in operation for only a few months in the early 1960's.  It was closed because someone was seriously injured by fracturing their skull on the concrete.  The trampolines were set over pits constructed with concrete.
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QUESTION: - August 8, 1999 - from: Marie Iannuzzi
On what street was the Our Lady of Snow Feast, circa 1950, and how many blocks was that feast.
 ANSWER: The feast ran on and it was Withers Street Between Manhattan Avenue to Humboldt St, 2 blocks . It was held on Aug. 3, 4, 5th and the 5th was and is still what we neighborhood people call the Big Holiday. The sandes pronounced SANZASE, would march around the neighborhood proudly dressed in blue, the traditional sandes color and stop along the route for cool drinks and treats from neighbors who displayed what we Italians call " a Table For the Feast".
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QUESTION: - March 21, 1999 - from: Frank Dmuchowski
Today there is a bagel store almost anywhere you go. This was not always true. In order to get a real bagel in Greenpoint, where did you have to go?
ANSWER: There were 3 places.   One of them was the Royal Bakery was at the corner of Rodney Street South 1st Street in Williamsburg. Another one was the Grand Street Bakery on Grand Street Between Bedford and Driggs Avenues. The last was Engels on Manhattan Avenue, near Greenpoint Avenue.  They don't make them like that any more.  You could eat'm hot, right out of the oven and they'd melt in your mouth.
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QUESTION: - February 13, 1999 - from: Frank DeMaria
In the 50's & 60's there was a building across from McCarren Park on the corner of N12th and Bedford. It was here that they made a unique item that could only be used by the US Government. What was it?
ANSWER: Few people in the neighborhood knew what was made there and I think the company, for security reasons, liked it that way. The company was called Reinhold Chemical. They made the special green ink used in the printing of US currency. When the truck doors on N12th st. were open, from the park you could see the workers, their clothes all covered in green, always washing down the ink off the floors and sidewalk. At first you would think it was a paint factory, but then you had to wonder why the only color you ever saw was green. It wasn't until I read a magazine article about US currency counterfeiting that I found out what they made there. Part of the article
said "....the ink made by Reinhold Chemical Co. of Brooklyn was almost impossible to reproduce."
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QUESTION: - January 20, 1999- from: Frank Dmuchowski
Where could you find a roller coaster in Greenpoint? Bonus question: In what years?
ANSWER: For two Summers in the late 1950's a Carnival company (don't know who or who sponsored it) setup its rides and concession stands at the end of Russell St. on Greenpoint Avenue. Among the rides was a roller coaster. It was the first one I ever saw and rode. Over the years, I don't remember seeing another roller coaster in Greenpoint.
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QUESTION: - January 2, 1999- from: Theresa Candeloro
In the mid-sixties, which famous police officer made a live movie-promotional appearance at the Meserole Movie Theater. Bonus Question. What was the name of the movie he was promoting ?
ANSWER: Officer Joe Bolton (of The Three Stooges WPIX TV Show fame) Bonus Question. What was the name of the movie he was promoting ? BONUS ANSWER: "Have Space Will Travel" starring The Three Stooges, of course.
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QUESTION: - December 13, 1998- from: Frank Dmuchowski
What great American sex idol of stage and film was a born and raised Greenpointer?
ANSWER: Mae West, a blonde, buxom beauty of stage and film in the 1920's and 1930's was a born and raised Greenpointer. While West was not her real surname, it was said that she took this stage name because she lived on West St. However, we can not vouch for the veracity of this story.
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QUESTION: - November 22, 1998- from: Frank Dmuchowski
Which American President visited Greenpoint to inspect an important new weapon system being developed there? Bonus: What was the weapon system?
ANSWER:: The American President was Abraham Lincoln and the weapon system was the U.S.S. Monitor, a newly designed steel plated war ship built by the Union Navy during the Civil War in Greenpoint to combat the Confederate Navy's steel clad, the Merrimac.
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QUESTION: - November 22, 1998- from: Audrey and Gerri Szczecina
From the 1920's to 1960's, the children of Greenpoint did not go trick or treating on Halloween. Instead they did something akin to it on Thanksgiving. So, what did they do on Halloween?
ANSWER:: Halloween for the children of Greenpoint was for tricks and no treats. Using nylon stockings filled with flour and large colored chalk sticks, they would leave their mark on any receptive or non receptive object that could be marked. Egging was also practice with earnest. When the people of Greenpoint woke up and began to enter the streets on the morning of November 1st they would be greeted with a great collage of sidewalk, wall, and street art performed the night before. Not to mention the boys and girls who were, themselves, so creatively decorated with chalk and flour by their peers.
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QUESTION: - November 8, 1998- from: Audrey and Gerri Szczecina
In the 1940s and '50s what was Greenpoint's favorite Pizza
restaurant, which wasn't in Greenpoint? Bonus: Where was it located?
ANSWER:: The answer that Audrey and Gerri were looking for was Andy's in Long Island City.
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QUESTION: - October 11, 1998- from: Frank Dmuchowski
 October 11, 1998- from: Frank Dmuchowski
In recent years Greenpoint has become a favored location for Hollywood movie makers. But, what was the first nationally renowned movie that was made in Greenpoint?
 ANSWER:: No, it wasn't Serpico, it was one of the Spanky and Our Gang films. I don't have the exact date, but it was filmed shortly before the Mack Sennett studio left Brooklyn for sunny California in the 1920's.
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QUESTION: - September 14, 1998- from: Frank Dmuchowski
In the 1930's to the 1950's, when your mom or grandma went down to Moultrie Street, what did she usually come home with?
BONUS Question. Where else in Greenpoint could this be done?
ANSWER:: If you got the answer to the previous question, this one then should have been easy to answer. It was fresh killed chicken, or as according Hank Olszewski, a fresh killed rabbit. For many years a fresh poultry market was operated on Moultrie Street between Meserole and Norman Avenues. When you went to this market, you'd pick out the live chicken you wanted, then they would process it for you while you watched, this is if you cared to. An alternative answer also could have been lox and other Jewish delicacies. BONUS ANSWER: There was another one on Greenpoint Avenue.
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QUESTION: - September 3, 1998- from: Hank Olszewski
What is the "The Inkies"? BONUS Question: How did it get the name, "The Inkies"?
ANSWER: The Inkies refers to the apartment building located at the corner of Norman Avenue and Moultrie Street (Humboldt Street). One story about the origin of the name "Inkies", according to Hank," the story I was told, when I was growing up, is that there were always lots of babies in that building and that it was referred to as the 'incubators". I also remember people using that name . This was shortened to "inkies" or "da inks". Another version comes from Maureen & Tom McNeill, "They were called the "inkies" for incubators. The reason for this name is because they were so hot because the apartments were so close together."
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QUESTION: - August 13, 1998- from: Kevin Gray
What was the original name of McGuinness Boulevard?
ANSWER: Most of Oakland Street used to run along the present course of McGuinness Boulevard. Only a very small portion of Oakland Street remains today. Do you know where?
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QUESTION: - March 23, 1998 - from: Bill Modzelewski
Which recent New York City Mayoral candidate has a Greenpoint upbringing?
ANSWER: George Marlin who is currently the head of the Port Authority.
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QUESTION: - October 25, 1997 - from: Michael Lydoni
Greenpoint has twice, thus far, in it's history has hosted army encampments. The first was during the Revolutionary War when the British Army encamped on Greenpoint soil. But, can you name the other war, the location and name of the camp, when another Army camped on Greenpoint soil?
ANSWER: The War was World War II, the camp was located at the end of Beadle Street near the current location of the Brooklyn Union Gas Company's Tanks. Unfortunately, no one new the name of the camp, including Michael.
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QUESTION: - September 15, 1997 - from: Frank J. Dmuchowski
Greenpoint once boasted one of the most popular Long Island shore resorts. What was it's name, and where was it located?
ANSWER: The resort was called the Pottery Beach Resort and was located at the highest point (in those days) on Greenpoint's East River shore. This was at the point where the East River and the Newton Creek met, at the foot of West & Ash Street's. Today, a lumber depot resides in this space. It was called Pottery Beach, because the sand was so fine and crystalline, it was much sought after by the potters in the area. Eventually, Greenpoint's pottery industry contributed to the removal of most of the beach's sand. The rest was removed to level the shore for the coming of the Greenpoint's docks.
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QUESTION: - July 2, 1997 - from: Diane Dray
What was the name of the Chinese restaurant located on the second floor on the corner of Manhattan Avenue and Meserole?
ANSWER: This question was posted without an absolute accurate answer. Based on the answers that were submitted, it appears the restaurant was called the "New Garden" Restaurant. However, some also felt pretty strongly that it was also known at some point in time as the "Chinese Garden Restaurant.
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QUESTION: - April 18, 1997 - from: Frank Dmuchowski
Today, there are no movie theatres in Greenpoint. However, in the 40's and 50's Greenpoint had several of them. Can you name each of them along with where they were located?
ANSWER: There were 6 theatres:. The Winthrop Theatre was located at the corner of Driggs Avenue and Russell Street; The Nassau Theatre was located on Nassau Avenue between Leonard Street and Manhattan Avenue; The Meserole Theatre was located on Manhattan Avenue between Norman and Meserole Avenues; The RKO Theatre (the Grandest of them all) was on Manhattan Avenue between Calyer Street and Noble Street; The American Theatre was on Manhattan Avenue between Greenpoint Avenue and Kent Street: The Midway Theatre on Manhattan Avenue between Eagle & Greene Streets.
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QUESTION: - March 23, 1997 - from: Frank Dmuchowski
Greenpoint has several historical landmarks. What public structure was designated a City of New York Historical Landmark in 1966? For extra points, what year was it built?
ANSWER: The Winthrop (McGoldrick) Park Shelter house was designated a City of New York Landmark in October, 1966. The shelter house was built in 1910. On Sundays during the Summer, a band would assemble in the shelter and perform concerts. For anyone who ever wondered, Winthrop Park was named after the new born son of one the Park Commissioner's who created the park.
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QUESTION: - March 9, 1997 - from: Ann (Jacobus) Bordelon
In February of each year, St. Stanislaus Kostka's School would close down for one week. What was this week called?
ANSWER: It was called, "Newell Fuel Week". As February is one of Greenpoint's coldest months of the year, St. Stan's would close the school down for a week to reduce their fuel costs. It was called Newell Fuel Week because the Newell Fuel Co. supplied them with their fuel. Incidentally, Newell Fuel Co. is still in business across the street and down the block on Newell Street.
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QUESTION: - February, 25, 1997 - from: Frank Dmuchowski
The bridges that will cross Newton Creek at the turn of the 21st century are: the Pulaski Bridge (McGuinness Blvd.), the Greenpoint Ave. Bridge and the Kosciusko Bridge. What three bridges crossed Newton Creek at the turn of the 20th century?
ANSWER: The sites of the three bridges crossing the Newtown Creek from Greenpoint when the 19th century turned into the 20th were roughly the same as the current ones. From the East River from east and then south they were: The Manhattan Avenue Bridge, at the foot of Manhattan Avenue (It was built as part of the Turnpike that connected the cities of Williamsburg and Astoria; the bridge eventually shifted the focus of Greenpoint's business district away from Franklin Street to Manhattan Avenue which even today remains Greenpoint's "Main Street") was about one block west of the present day Pulaski Bridge; The Blissville Bridge, at the site of the current Greenpoint Avenue Bridge, connected Greenpoint with the village of Blissville, now Long Island City; The Penny Bridge, which ran from the foot of present day Meeker Avenue to Laurel Hill (Cemetery Row), was used primarily for funerals and other cemetery related affairs. The Kosciusko Bridge now crosses the Newtown Creek just slightly south of the old Penny Bridge. The Long Island Railroad still maintains a primitive station/stop on the Laurel Hill side called, Penny Bridge Station.
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QUESTION: - February, 8, 1997 - from: Mike (Ox) Orban
What are the names of the east to west streets, in alphabetical order, from the confluence of the East River and Newtown Creek? (No fair peeking at the map!)
ANSWER: First, when the streets were originally laid out by Neziah Bliss in 1834 they were simply named A to Q Streets. Here are the current names: Ash, Box, Clay, Dupont, Eagle, Freeman, Green, Huron,
India, Java, Kent, (L Street was renamed to Greenpoint Ave, breaking the pattern), Milton, Noble, Oak, (P Street was renamed Calyer St in honor of the Calyer Family. Calyer Street runs roughly through the original Calyer homestead which was also the site of the first Greenpoint homestead established by Dirck (the Norman) Volkertsen),and Quay.
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QUESTION: - January 28, 1997 - from: Frank Dmuchowski
On what day of the year did the children of Greenpoint in the 50's , 60's and part of the 70's ( and perhaps earlier) dress in costumes to go from door to door collecting candy and penny's?
ANSWER: Thanksgiving. The children of Greenpoint did not dress up on Halloween to Trick and Treat. Instead they did so on Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving the children would dress up to go from door to door yelling, "Anything for Thanksgiving?" A response to this question from Eddie Mills gave some insight as to the possible origins of this tradition. Eddie's family resided in Greenpoint for several generation. He recalls his family referring to this as Ragamuffin Day. This would seem to indicate that perhaps this tradition had it's origins in the Depression days. It was also the tradition to dress as a hobo; however in later years kids wore all different types of customs. Thanks Eddie for this insight.
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