This is the entrance to Cedar Lane Stables, the home of the Federation of Black Cowboys. As far as I can tell, the stables are currently unoccupied after being shut down by the city in 2013 pending renovations.

The home of the Federation of Black Cowboys is located at the intersection of two high-traffic urban thoroughfares: Conduit Avenue and Linden Boulevard. But the place manages to maintain some rustic charm nonetheless. In keeping with the federation's goal of shining a light on the forgotten history of the black cowboy, this wooden pasture fence running along the edge of the property features the names of many notable black figures from the Old West (as well as a couple who weren't black and a few from more recent times).

The names found on the fence are: Mary (Ellen) Pleasant, Grant Johnson, Frank E. Webner, Marvel Rogers, Isaiah Mays, George Goldsby, Bud Ledbetter, Bass Reeves, Mary Fields, Nat Love, the Buffalo Soldiers, James Beckwourth, Fred Whitfield, and Ben "Tex" Miller.

This enormous structure — presumably future retail space — is one of three buildings that have recently taken shape on the former site of the long-stalled Cobblestone Estates development at the edge of the desolate little neighborhood known as "the Hole". When we were last in the area in February 2013, there was nothing to be seen here but mounds of rubble.

A visit to the strange, sewerless world of the Hole generally involves navigating multiple stretches of flooded roadway. Fortunately, in this case, there was a raised area on the left side of the street that I was able to walk along.

With the help of a little paint, this presumably pineapple-inspired gatepost ornament has transformed into something more reminiscent of a strawberry.

This firehouse is the former site of 9/11 memorial #121. I wonder how many other memorials have disappeared in the time since I saw them.

As suggested by the "B.F.D." over the garage door, FDNY Engine Company 236 is a big fuc— I mean, was originally part of the Brooklyn Fire Department. It began its life as BFD Engine Company 36 back in 1895, when Brooklyn was still an independent city and had its own fire department.