New-York tribune., 1902-05-18
GOSSIP OF THE BOROUGH

Few of the thousands of people who go to the
Hall-st. ferry by way of Montague-st. every day
are aware that in doing they are passing over
private property. That part of the street which
goes through the Furman-st. wall, forming the
edge Of Brooklyn Heights belongs to the Pierre
pont estate. The terrace above which is much
used and popular a point from which to get a
good Nie% or the Bay IS also the private property
the cut down TO the ferry and the terrace for
careful TO preserve their rights by stretching
chains across the street and in front of the ter
once each year for a period lust long eroneb
10 comply with the law on such subjects
Most Of the vacant pieces of property on the
west side Of Columbia Heights and at the ends of
Clark, Pineapple Orange and Cranberry SITS are
owned by the city, though they have always been
cared Tor by adjoining property owners. In every
case they are separated from the street by iron
fences ana are not accessible to the general pub
lie II has frequently been suggested that these
small tracts OF land be opened breathing spots
@ ION To 10 such an Oq6 id naeQfay T9nsderable oppos
f4 teLehehI houses would profit greatly by being
Heights ana enjoy the cooling breezes that come
IN from the sea. But the noise and disorder that
burden for the residents of the Heights who TiIe
I%ahe % sItaL comfort in the quiet eXclusiveness of
The property at the end of Grace Court is not
owned by the city. but by the Prentice estate The
tract nearly TO Joralemon-st on ono sid a,d
Remsen-st on the other. and has a number OF
large, spreading trees and an abundance of green
vegetation The old Prentice mansion. fine old
wooden building in its day is now iilapidated and
occupied only by a careteker. Probably some day
hotel as no more magnificent site looking out
It has been suggested that an elevator cnYIS Sc
run through shaft right down the level of
wall From that point to either Wal-st. or South
minutes. "'
Gradually the old residents of the Heights are
giving up their homes. and the property is being
converted into apartment hotels and bachelor
apartment houses Only recently a wealthy Mex
lean. who lied for years in a handsome home
which he built at No. y Grace Court sold the
property and it is now being rented in the shape of
single rooms and apartments. Only few. private
houses in Montague-st- remain such to-day and
speculators-
once again it is reported that the navy yard is
the last Of the old wooden receiving ship Yer
mont Since she was replaced by the steel cruiser
Columbia last fan there has been much speculation
10 the ultimate fate OF the historic craft That
she brought $1,000 when sold was great surprise
10 most persons; but this is explained by the fact
that she Is tul! OF copper rivets. Were ii not for
could not get anything for the craft, and. indeed
+ Is now noeftii&s & sTeD0og 10 @ 94Kg tn her away;
viii BE towed away from The navy yard this week
Ne. il is said where she will be burned in such
way that the copper can all be recovered.
Apropos Of the $4,000 which the Board of Esti-
mate and Apportionment appropriated on Friday
for street signs in Brooklyn. it has been noticed
that the Department OF Public Works has been put
ting street signs through the downtown district
in the last week. Putting down" would perhaps
be better word for the signs, which are of sheet
ircn with a blue and white enamel surface.
being fastened 10 the curbs only inch two
from the street level. Much criticism has been
heard Of this scheme. However signs in any loca-
tion better than none at all. and Brooklynites
are duly thankful Up in the Bedford section the
streets plainly and conveniently indicated by
ground glass signs. which fit around the curved
surface OF the tops Of the gas street lamp. The
burners are Of the incandescent KIND. and give
good white light resembling electric lamps When
that style of lamp first introduced IL be-
lieved that the fragile mantles would break
easily that it would be impracticable to them.
Experience has shown however, much to the
prise of the department, that the msntes the
street lamps last almost as long as those used in
houses.