STRATTON PARK

Since 2003, the internet home of "the old neighborhood" - Stratton Park , Bronx NY

Message Board Archive 2003


Name:	Catherine Flynn Hunter Haire <dapperhaire@aol.com>
Date:	2003-12-17
Where did you live in Stratton Park	1436 Beach Ave & 1459 Taylor
When did you live there	1943-1962 & 1974-1977
Did you live in an O' Leary Flat	yes
Comments:	I also remember playine Kings, Queens,Jacks again the buildings.


Name:	Catherine Flynn Hunter Haire <daperhaire@aol.com>
Date:	2003-12-17
Where did you live in Stratton Park	1436 Beach Ave & 1459 Taylor Ave
When did you live there	1943-1962 & 1974-1977
Did you live in an O' Leary Flat	Yes
Comments:	I have only the best memories of growing up in that area. I went and my children attended St. Anthony's. I was the best place to grow up. You were always safe and protected. Everyone knew you and your family. It was like one big family. My father, Christy Flynn, was an Usher at all the Masses at St. Anthony's and was a member of the Social Club. He loved the dances that they had. Does anyone remember Stevee, the Bungalow Bar Man and how he would chase away all the other Ice Cream trucks, or sledding down the hill in the empty lots on Beach Avenue? I had a great time growing up there.


Name:	john walsh <jwalsh27@cox.net>
Date:	2003-11-30
Where did you live in Stratton Park	1530 Beach;1803 Guerlain
When did you live there	1935-1958
Did you live in an O' Leary Flat	yes, 1803 is actually apt. 1R of 1574 Beach, the "big house."
Comments:	First, thanks for setting up this site. My wife (Anne Moriarty, 1803 Archer) and I get a big kick out of it, and see it as a source of renewing old acquaintance, as we are doing with Bill O'Sullivan. With Thanksgiving just gone by, we got to wondering if anyone knows the origin of the custom we followed as children, going from door-to-door that morning, in some kind of costume, begging, "anything for Thanksgiving?" We've never heard of it being done anywhere else. It seems to go hand-in-glove with the absence of Trick or Treat on Halloween; it was all trick as I remember it.


Name:	Denis Horgan <cptdenis@aol.com>
Date:	2003-11-28
Where did you live in Stratton Park	1426 Beach Ave.
When did you live there	1940-1960
Did you live in an O' Leary Flat	yes
Comments:	It was great to hear of this site. Brings back great memories. Drove by the neighborhood recently. Some difference. No Kaplans, Lavanders, Liottas, Sullivians, Ferraras, Shapiros, John the Deli, Sam Klines and many more. I have no regrets being raised there. Wonderful experience. I hope a lot more alumnus of the old school(neighborhood) will discover this site. Keep up the good work.


Name:	frank shields <vze3nv5u@verizon.net>
Date:	2003-11-17
Where did you live in Stratton Park	1523 taylor ave
When did you live there	1937-1958
Did you live in an O' Leary Flat	I believe so from what is said here
Comments:	It really is interesting seeing the history of the "old neighborhood" and also seeing some familiar names. Larry Mullaly and I grew up together. I also remember Eddie Stack although he was one of the big guys. I guess we all knew Pete the Barber and by default his daughter. I am surprised that there are not more comments from former residents, I suppose they do not know of this site.


Name:	Larry Mullaly <lmm4cam>
Date:	2003-11-14
Where did you live in Stratton Park	1531 Taylor Ave.
When did you live there	1936-1957
Did you live in an O' Leary Flat	I think so.
Comments:	It was really nice to see the page, both my wife and I attended St. anthony's.She lived at 1471 Taylor,her maiden was Mary Lucey.Hope to see more comments.Thanks


Name:	Julianne D'Ingillo (Karnbach) <thedish51@aol.com>
Date:	2003-11-06
Where did you live in Stratton Park	1501 Thieriot Avenue
When did you live there	1951-1962 and 1972
Did you live in an O' Leary Flat	I don't know
Comments:	I have such fond memories of those childhood days in The Bronx. We had all of our family parties at "The Stratton Park" club. I went to St. Anthony's elementary school. My best friends were Patty Anne Clark and Pamela White. We would buy penny candy at "Minnies" cany store on Archer St. and played jumprope and roller skated doen Theiriot. There are so many fun memories and a feeling of community and most of my family-Aunts, Uncles and cousins were in a few blocks vecinity, I miss the family being close like that.


Name:	Susie Karnbach-Husson <skarnbach@yahoo.com>
Date:	2003-11-04
Where did you live in Stratton Park	1500 Thieriot Avenue
When did you live there	1948-1962
Did you live in an O' Leary Flat	Not sure
Comments:	It was a great neighborhood!! I often think about the fun we had and the friendships made which last a lifetime. It was an incredible time and although we all shared poverty and sad times too, it was filled with love and hope.


Name:	bunny bappert <hasirl@stargate.net>
Date:	2003-10-29
Where did you live in Stratton Park	1807 archer street
When did you live there	1942-1966
Did you live in an O' Leary Flat	yes
Comments:	I am the daughter of "Pete the Barber" - he is now 92 years old and lives in Long Island - the Bronx we grew up in was the best ...I have great memories...


Name:	Ron McKiernan <Ronre7193@aol.com>
Date:	2003-10-19
Comments:	I believe I have 5 pictures from Stratton Park. These pictures were given to me by my Aunt who lived in NY and loved to take pictures. I am more than happy to send them via email if you want. If these pictures are from that time and place I would like for you to put these on your web page. Hope to here from you soon.


Name:	Joan (Griffin) Briglia <jagb121@aol.com>
Date:	2003-10-17
Where did you live in Stratton Park	Leland Avenue
When did you live there	1944-1973
Did you live in an O' Leary Flat	No
Comments:	I feel that I had the opportuntiy to grow up in the best possible place. You could walk anywhere safely, take a bus, subway, taxi to anywhere. The schools were great, the people were awesome. We had so many friends and so many opportunities...


Name:	bob <rwagner35@yahoo.com>
Date:	2003-10-06
Comments:	Looking for info. on Sarah Donohue...noticed that she was a cousin of Senator Sullivan. I'm Sullivan's g-grandson and would be interested in learning more about her.


Name:	Bill O'Sullivan <elbillos@optonline.net>
Date:	2003-10-01
Where did you live in Stratton Park	1807 Archer Street
When did you live there	1935--1957
Did you live in an O' Leary Flat	Yes
Comments:	What a treat to discover this site! I remember Maureen Callaghan whose comments are posted. I got in trouble once for teasing her. Maureen's cousin Eddie was one of my best friends. Those were wonderful days in a less complicated world. The pictures bring back beautiful memories. Many thanks.


Name:	Eileen (Flynn) Cronin <eilcronin@aol.com>
Date:	2003-09-11
Where did you live in Stratton Park	Ist @ 1436 Beach Ave. 2nd @ 1574 Beach Ave & 3rd 1475 Taylor Ave.
When did you live there	about 1942 to 1977
Did you live in an O' Leary Flat	yes and had a great time living there
Comments:	This was the greates place to grow up and I have many fond memories from when I went to the first grade into Sr Assumpta's class to Sr Terese in the 8th grade. I was also married from St Anthony's and my children went to school there. No matter wherever you go in life there is never a neighborhood like we had. We were all like one big happy family & when you leave things may be good or even great, but there's no place like the Bronx. I have so many great memories & sometimes I meet up with some of the crowd from the old neighborhood & it's swell


Name:	lois turetsky-GORMAN <LOLANE54@AOL.COM>
Date:	2003-09-07
Where did you live in Stratton Park	STRATTON COOPERATIVE 1430 THIERIOT AVENUE
When did you live there	1957-1977 1986-present
Did you live in an O' Leary Flat	NO
Comments:	I WAS SUPRISED TO HEAR ABOUT THIS AREAS HISTORY. I LIVED IN THIS AREA FOR A VERY LONG TIME HAS FRIENDS ON TAYLOR AVENUE. MY FRIENDS DID LIVE IN AN OLEARY FLAT. THIS AREA WAS SO NICE A BEAUTIFUL WHEN FIRST WE MOVED HERE. P.S. 102 WAS A BEAUTIFUL SCHOOL A REAL NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL I COULD REMEMBER GOING HOME FOR LUNCH. THINGS DO CHANGE. THIERIOT AVENUE IS STILL VERY NICE THE BUILDINGS AND THE PEOPLE MAKE LIVING HERE ALOT NICER. I REMEMBER THE OLD DAYS GOING AROUND THE CORNER TO ARCHER AVENUE GETTING CANDY A MINNIES AND JACKS ON THE CORNER OF WHITE PLAINS ROAD AND ARCHER. THATS FOR THE MEMORIES


Name:	Maureen Callaghan <irishjam@acninc.net>
Date:	2003-09-04
Where did you live in Stratton Park	1803 Archer St.
When did you live there	from 1940 until 1953, then 1953 until 1960 1807 Archer St. and from there to 1535 Taylor Ave until we moved in 1968
Did you live in an O' Leary Flat	yes
Comments:	You have done the greatest service to me and whoever grew up in that part of the Bronx. Thank you for bringing back great and wonderful memories. We never knew we were poor, we all thought we were rich.I was brought home from the hospital to the top floor of 1803. We lived across the hall from Tom & Della Horan, and next door to the Longman's. Under us lived the Wolf's and under them lived the McKenna's. Boy oh boy never thought I knew so much. Under the Horan's lived the Bushlows and under them lived the Shallans. I could go on with the Sullivans, Trainors, Fausets, and the Frellings (possibly not spelled right. What a great way to grow up with the Irish, Italians and Jewish all getting along. It was a very, very rich life, and it doesn't exist any more. Thank you again


Name:	MCQUILLAN <BETTYMCQUI&AOL.COM>
Date:	2003-09-04
Where did you live in Stratton Park	1575 TAYLOR AVE.
When did you live there	1955 -1960
Did you live in an O' Leary Flat	YES
Comments:	I HUNG OUT WITH THE ARCHER CROWD BECAUSE MY COUSIN LIVED IN 1809 ARCHER ST.I MET PAT AT HIS COMMING HOME PARTY FROM KOREA. WE CLICKED , MARRIED & HAD 4 WONDERFUL CHILDREN.WHEN WE LEFT STRATTON PARK WE LIVED AT THE CASTLE HOUSES 10 YEARS THEN MOVED UP TO NORTHERN WESTCHESTER. MANY MANY GOOD MEMORIES, AND GOOD PEOPLE ARE WITH ME STILL!


Name:	Eddie Stark <FLA4004>
Date:	2003-07-12
Where did you live in Stratton Park	1436 Beach Ave.
When did you live there	1931 To 1951
Did you live in an O' Leary Flat	Yes
Comments:	My pals were Eddie Wolf Bobby Ryff AKA Frankie Ryff And others.


Name:	Martin Walsh <mwalsh5647@aol.com>
Date:	2003-07-11
Where did you live in Stratton Park	Archer St., Beach Ave., Guerlain St.
When did you live there	1935-1958
Did you live in an O' Leary Flat	Yes
Comments:	O'Leary allegedly was a cop who cleaned up with parking lots he opened at Yankee Stadium when it opened in 1922. He persuaded people to move out of the South Bronx to his new buildings. Two men working for him in the rental office on Archer St. were a man named Heide (phon.) and Sean Twomey. Nobody believes it today, but new tenants got a three-month rent concession from landlords in those days. Some people actually moved four times a year. Beach Ave. made a nice show in the summer with striped awnings over every window for two full blocks. On the landlord, of course. I guess the morticians provided the black hatchments which went up on doorways whenever there was a death in a building. Another amenity was the music provided by backyard singers looking for coins to be thrown down to them. Who needed television? There was a Stratton Park Social Club on Merrill St. and Beach Ave. I went to a couple of parties there, I know. All in all, O'Leary had thought of everything. There was a depression on, but people got by. If they wanted to see high living they went to the movies, especially for the air-conditioning in the summer. The seats were covered with canvas and all the letters in the ads were drawn with ice dripping from them. The word "Kool" was used to the max. Kids had it made. There were whole blocks of vacant lots, plus playgrounds, play streets, and schoolyards to work off the surplus energy in. The streets were wide open for games since traffic was nothing compared to today. For that kind of living, you have to be in the suburbs today. Stratton Park was our suburb, and a good one.


Name:	Rosie ( NOCELLA) Schofield <roro1390@frontiernet.net>
Date:	2003-06-30
Where did you live in Stratton Park	1450 TAYLOR AVE
When did you live there	1943 to 1960
Comments:	This is really a great site. Thanks so very much for sharing it with us. I got married in St Anthony's Church by Father Michael


Name:	Tom Anderson <twa46@prodigy.net>
Date:	2003-06-30
Where did you live in Stratton Park	1435 Taylor & Theriot Ave
When did you live there	1946 - 1967 & 1967 - 1970
Did you live in an O' Leary Flat	Yes
Comments:	Nice job! Never knew of the history of the old neighborhood although I attended PS 102, St. Anthony's and played in the Stratton Park Little League when it was first formed. I thought it was the name of a social club. Remember hanging out in Doc Adler's and haircuts from Pete the Barber. Look forward to more pictures and great memories.


Name:	Ralph Behringer <krusty1@rcn.com>
Date:	2003-06-28
Where did you live in Stratton Park	Commonwealth Ave.
When did you live there	1938 - 1959
Did you live in an O' Leary Flat	No
Comments:	With regard to the bottom center photo, it was a private residence. I believe my mother played cards with a lady who lived there. I do not remember the garages, only a small private garden & the house on the corner of Commonwealth (what was when I left the Bronx St. Anthony's Rectory) that was owned by a Mrs. Ryan. The next house south of Mrs. Ryans was owned by the Grund Family, then came the Convent, my father's store, then another house that was occupied by the Pearsons, Horns, Hutters Fabianos, Zupas, Whites (all not at the same time) Then came a few garages, a private lot/garden owned by the Coogans, another unoccupied lot & then a house owned by the Genovese Family.


Name:	Ralph Behringer <krusty1@rcn.com>
Date:	2003-06-28
Where did you live in Stratton Park	Commonwealth Ave
When did you live there	1938 -1959
Did you live in an O' Leary Flat	No
Comments:	The butcher shop pictured next to the convent was my father's. The bike in the photo could have belonged to me or my two brothers. Jake's candy store was across from my home (in the back & above the store) I rember very vividly the day Jake's store & home burnt down. I remember the old church but at that time it had already been condemed.

Established in 2003, This page is a monument to a little spot in the Bronx called Stratton Park. Once the name of a thriving community, it describes a part of the Bronx situated between White Plains Road to the Bronx River Parkway, East Tremont Avenue and the Cross Bronx Expressway. The neighborhood was named for a real estate developer, John Stratton O'Leary, who starting in 1926 built blocks of apartment buildings that would become the heart of Stratton Park. His buildings were also known un-officially as the O'Leary Flats. The Purpose of this web site is to remember Stratton Park and to pay tribute to John O'Leary and the many others that made it a great place to live, work and play. Please visit our Message Board to see what other have said and perhaps add your own remembrances and facts.

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