Awhile ago, Harriette S. wrote a great article in BACK IN THE BRONX about life in "The Projects" in the 1950's and 1960's. I knew Harriette S., Arlene Z., Arlene K., Barbara A., Wendy M., Karen W., Carole S., and her other friends back then...we were in the same age-group and frequented the same community center. My maternal grandparents lived on the sixth floor of her 1551 University Avenue residence.

Harriette S.'s perspective was right on-point. Although her focus was Sedgwick Houses on University Avenue, Harriette S.'s experiences seem to mirror other Bulletin Board participants who provided "posts" and "post replies" within the topic "BRONX PROJECTS."

Back to Sedgwick Houses...anyone else remember those halycon years of the 1950's and 1960's in "The Projects"?

Yes, I lived there, as well, in the 50s, We were relocated from the East Bronx as a result of the building of the Cross Bronx Expressway. I loved it there ... Loved the library, the handball and basketball courts, Eddie's candy store, Kenny's delicatessan, the barbers, Ronai's and most of all the good friends I made there, some of whom I am in contact with today.
Charlie Goldberg

Charlie G., in what Sedgwick building did you reside? Mine was 140 West 174th Street, at the top of the concrete steps. Montgomery Avenue faced directly ahead (north). Popham and Undercliff Avenues were to the west and Eddie's Candy Store and University Avenue to the east. The community center, library, and the handball/basketball courts were to the south.

Shalom Barry,
I lived in the same building. I sent you a personal email.
Charlie

...and what a surprising coincidence, Charlie, that we lived in the SAME building. Your private e-mail was indeed a huge pleasure to receive...in fact, it was also enlightening...I telephoned my 82-year-old mother in Florida to tell her. I also tried reaching Jay's 84-year-old mother, who lives in the "A" section of my Co-op City building...left her an answering-machine message.

Tell Ross that Jay's dad, Lenny, passed-on in 1982 at age 62. Ross will remember Lenny sitting on the benches in front of '140' with your dad, may he rest in peace.....

Hi,
I remember all those places mentioned. I loved the library too, used to walk there from 1800 Popham, corner was Montgomery or Andrews(?), next to the Salvation Army Training School.

UNIVERSITY AVE...OH YEAH...I lived there for a while. Gettoooooooo...I won't mention what building becuase I still have family there. But gettttoooooo...

I see our resident Bronx Doomsayer is at it again...everything is a ghetto....how are all these places ghettos if the crime rate in the Bronx is the lowest it has been since the 60's.. I don't think you have a clue as to what you are talking about.

I lived in the project also. From when it was built around 1950 until 1959. I lived at 1535 University Ave on the 2nd floor. Our bldg overlooked a playground with huge concrete barrels that I used to play in and climb. Those were some great days.

"I see our resident Bronx Doomsayer is at it again...everything is a ghetto....how are all these places ghettos if the crime rate in the Bronx is the lowest it has been since the 60's.. I don't think you have a clue as to what you are talking about."

Becuase you are more likely to get your ass beat walking through Sedgwick Houses then most other areas. On top of that, ghettos are slums, and this area is poor.

I don't think you know what your talking about. Crime, hah. If you selling crack and steal the money, your ass will still get killed. If you a girl walking down the block by yourself at night, its a good chance you will get raped. If you walking outside with a nice leather, talking on your cell phone, good chance you will get robbed.

The only thing that has changed, is that Bronx neighborhoods no longer have more murders then most cities. Most shit is personal, besides the occational stray, rape and robbery gone bad.

Same quality of life issues. Same poverty, same problems.

Same old baloney from you..I think you are quite full of it. I was in the Bronx this weekend ..I didn't see any of what you would have people believe. I think you are quite the phony.

Wow you visited for like 2 days. So you honestly belive no one gets robbed in the Bronx. No one gets shot in the Bronx?

The Bronx is poor...

Poverty means...do what you gotta do to survive...

If it means robbing someone, selling crack or whatever, do what you gotta do.

People fight for the last nickel becuase of the mass poverty here.

Density + Poverty = Common violent crime

With so many people, crime is something you see more commonly. 2 people were murdered in seperate incidents on a single Block, Creston and 188th in the last 2 weeks. Imagine that happened in Orange County. both of those incidents involved guns. People feel safer becuase less people are getting robbed. Still, drug dealers are killing each other off. People still are getting robbed and raped. Increased police presence has scared off most muggers and rapist. Many murders happend when a robbery went bad and the victim fough back. Some occured when a rapist killed his or her victim.

Things like this still happen, much more frequently then areas not as poor. Things have improved, but lots of things have not changed. It is still dangerous to be hanging out on say 141st street at 2am, alone.

I never said that " no body " gets robbed or assaulted. I go into the Bronx frequently and have many NYPD buddies and connections so I am well aware of the true picture of the Bronx.
There are many..in fact a majority of poor folks in The Bronx who are law abiding and hard working.

You paint a dismal picture that really isn't the case for most.

Yeah, I lived in Sedgwick houses in the 1970's. Just when it started to get bad around 1974.

Does anyone remember marble season? That was the best.

Sedgwick Projects.

Love the photo. Does anyone have anymore. I lived at 150 W. 174th St from 1950 thru 1961. Just wanted to say that I don't think any of us would be considered rich (monetarily) living there in those days. I know my Dad worked two jobs and my Mom made all of our clothing. We were rich in that it was a great place to live with great people who worked hard and made a good life for their families. Just my two cents.

ahhhh .. The good ol days ! I know the Projects well. I lived in 150 W. 175st ( 1 block from the Projects ), and had many friends from there. Back in those days there was mainly two groups of friends. The Projects and the group that hung out on Popham and 175st ... But we all knew one another. I lived there from 1955 to 1970. I also worked in Danny's Grocery store. ( My brother and i ) ... anybody remember those two greek owners ... Danny & Spiro ? Really great guys !

Hi All,
I have been watching this post for a while. Now that I finally signed in I just had to add my 2 cents.
If anyone out there is from the W174th st. area --let get this thing going--there a so many memories we all share-- good and bad.
I grew up in 1472 Montgomery Ave. and married a guy from 156 W174th in Sedgwick. Ring any bells?? Laura Schafenberg/Alex Tomorelli (sadly, he passed away in 1977).
We left the area in 1970 when we got married and moved to Yonkers. His parents and sister moved in 1971 to Pelham Pkwy. My parents and brother packed up in 1972 and went to Co-Op City with everyone else.
Yes, this was a great place to grow up in. As I said in another posting on this site "There were so many kids in the neighborhood--all sizes, shapes, colors, nationalities, religions, and attitudes. Perfect for learning how to live with the rest of the world as an adult."

Peace.....

Hi LaurieT
I lived on 174th and Popham. I was there from 1950 to 1970. Was Alex in Vietnam? I remember an Alex but for some reason I thought it was Tomaselli but I could be mistaken... I fondly remember the area, marble season!!! sidewalk picnics, Eddie's candy store and all the kids in my building. I keep in touch with 2 local people still...
Melanie