Then and Now: A Unique Building on Cortelyou
What I love about old pics even more than seeing buildings that aren’t there anymore is spotting buildings I THINK aren’t there anymore, but actually are. This building is one of those, and it’s on Cortelyou Rd near Coney Island Ave, tucked in between Lea and the Element Nail Salon. These photos show it in 1940 and today.
The tree in front of this building is a swamp Spanish oak, a popular street tree because of their sturdiness. Based on other photos I’ve seen, swamp Spanish oaks were planted throughout Flatbush in the early 80s. They’re easiest to spot in the early winter, because they’re usually the last trees to lose their leaves, and swamp Spanish oaks in less windy areas won’t lose their leaves at all. 🍂 I had to wait until mid-February to get a good view of the building behind it.
More posts about Cortelyou Rd…
Three “self service” groceries from 1940s Flatbush, and why they’re called that.