Back in the days of Shea Stadium, this apple would rise out of the hat (then located just beyond the center-field wall) every time a Mets player hit a home run. While a new, larger apple has now taken its place inside Citi Field, the original still maintains a fairly high profile here in the plaza outside the ballpark.
Built as a heliport for the 1964-65 World's Fair, the Terrace now serves as a banquet hall for weddings, bar mitzvahs, proms, and the like.
According to those two stone pillars, this was the Henry Hudson Entrance for the 1939-40 and 1964-65 World's Fairs held here at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. You can see two observation towers from the New York State Pavilion in the background.
Here's a map from 1965, with the Henry Hudson Gate (as it's called on the map) located near the bottom left corner.
I remember seeing the mini Eiffel Tower on the roof from the highway before and wondering what it was. It turns out it's just one of several little towers decorating this hotel. The place doesn't look too exciting from the outside, but take a peek inside the lobby...
I kept hearing a woman's voice, and then I finally realized that what I had thought was just a fish tank was actually the front desk!
The year after this firehouse was dedicated, Commissioner McElligott abruptly resigned from the FDNY, along with several other department officials, in an attempt to secure more generous pensions than would be provided under a new pension plan that was soon to take effect. In response, Mayor La Guardia named Deputy Commissioner Mustard acting commissioner and instructed him to cancel most of the retirement orders in question. McElligott resumed his duties as commissioner shortly thereafter (although the higher pensions were eventually upheld in court), and so the brief reign of Mustard came to an end after a mere four days or so. And his life came to an end just a few days later, when he died suddenly of a heart attack.
I knew nothing about any of this when I took this picture, however, so when an older woman with a thick Eastern European accent asked me why I was photographing this plaque, I explained to her that I thought Elmer Mustard was a funny name. After a moment's contemplation, her hearty chuckle seemed to indicate that she concurred with my analysis.
Close! It's a shawarma beacon, complete with a spotlight to aid in nighttime navigation.
These rails are remnants of an old LIRR line to my metaphorical birthplace, Rockaway Beach. The rotting wooden plank in the center of the photo is a cover guard for the (formerly) electrified third rail.
A weatherproofed and driveway-friendly version of the famous painting
It's so wordy and awkwardly phrased, but people seem to love it anyway.
These ones are still in operation, though, as part of the Port Washington Branch.
Satchmo lived in a house nearby for the last three decades of his life.
These old trolley tracks have preserved the route of an original colonial highway!
First levantapompis, now levantacolas — Colombians certainly seem to enjoy a perky behind!
Lady Liberty looks a little different than I remember...
