On a recent day of subway rides through New York City, I counted no fewer than ten passengers (myself included) wearing Timberland boots, or as New Yorkers refer to them, Timbs. Along with the black puffer jacket, Timbs are part of the unofficial winter uniform of New Yorkers. On the 50th anniversary of the creation…
It's natural to be focused on the future at the start of the year, but as a history buff, I can't help but be curious about the past, specifically the distant past of 100 years ago. So after an afternoon of time traveling via the New York Times archives and the small collection of NYC…
Continue reading ➞ What was NYC Like 100 Years Ago? Notable Events from New York City in 1923
With New York's history of being a cultural trendsetter both in the US and around the world, is it that surprising that the city has had an outsized effect on Christmas? Here are three things that New York has contributed to Christmas culture. "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" Poem ‘Twas the night before Christmas and…
Continue reading ➞ Three Christmas Things You Can Thank NYC For
Every holiday season, an estimated 150,000 people make the journey to the Brooklyn neighborhood of Dyker Heights to admire its houses decked out with lights and holiday decorations. That number may not sound like a lot compared to the 6.5 million people who visit New York City overall during the holidays, but this is quite…
Continue reading ➞ Dyker Heights Christmas Lights: What to Know Before You Go
If there was a competition for NYC neighborhoods with the weirdest backstories, Marble Hill would definitely be a strong contender for the top prize. Read about Marble Hill's neighborhood history below and then let me know which borough you think it should belong to. Marble Hill Neighborhood History Tiny by NYC standards, with around 10,000…
Continue reading ➞ The Curious Case of Marble Hill: A Neighborhood Caught Between Two Boroughs
Here are five NYC urban legends that will get you into the spooky season spirit. The Legend of Cropsey Beware, kiddos: if you don't behave, you'll be taken to Staten Island. Staten Islanders have long told tales of Cropsey, a bogeyman with a hook for a hand who kidnaps badly behaved children and takes them…
Continue reading ➞ NYC Urban Legends That’ll Keep You Up at Night
Whether you are new to the city or have been living here for the majority of your life, it's important for all New Yorkers to have a grasp on the basics of the city's history. I know that every history teacher you've had from elementary school through high school has probably said that the past…
Continue reading ➞ The Best Introductory Books to NYC History
NYC's subway system is a never-ending source of fascinating things, and I'm not just talking about all the stuff that is used as fodder for Subway Creatures. With over 100 years servicing the people of New York, the subway has racked up volumes worth of stats, facts, and trivia. Let's go over a few of…
Continue reading ➞ NYC Subway Facts from the Most Basic to the Fairly Obscure
Inwood may be at the top of Manhattan island, but it's rarely top of mind when people think of Manhattan neighborhoods. So why are we talking about Inwood on the blog today? Well, to be honest, it is partly because sometimes I want to be a little self-indulgent. I've lived in the neighborhood for over…
Continue reading ➞ How to Explore Inwood in a Day: An Inwood Neighborhood Guide
