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Dumbo Isn't Just an Elephant

We love our neighborhood abbreviations in New York City. In Manhattan there's Soho -- south of Houston Street and Tribeca -- the Triangle Below Canal Street. In Brooklyn, there's Dumbo, which stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass. Once an industrial neighborhood it later became an area for artists and now is an interesting and quirky residential neighborhood. It also has some of the best views of Manhattan. 
 
The Brooklyn Bridge and the World Trade Center in the distance.

Once again, one of my favorite sights in New York City, the Brooklyn Bridge.
 
Beginning as a ferry landing, Dumbo became a center of manufacturing and warehouses. Machinery, Brillo soap pads and paper boxes were manufactured here. The cardboard box was invented on Washington Street by Scottish immigrant, Robert Gair. The Gair building is now home to Etsy. It is also home to many other tech startups, which has made the neighborhood the richest in New York City.   

A wonderful way to spend a spring afternoon is a visit to Jane's Carousel.  This is a beautifully restored 1922 carousel, which originally was located in Idora Park in Youngstown, Ohio.
 
If you're a theater-goes who wants to experience innovative and lively theater I highly recommend  St. Ann's Warehouse. Started in 1980, St. Ann's Warehouse moved into its present building, an old spice milling factory in 2001. The renovated theater is a great place to view cutting-edge programs of all kinds. I had the good fortune last year to see Mark Rylance in its beautiful and intimate theater.  

I hope you've enjoyed our visit to Dumbo, D in the A to Z Blogging Challenge. We'll be back again when we discuss great pizza of New York City, but that's another letter. 

A special thank you to friends who have contributed suggestions and photographs. Some of you live in New York City, some of you have lived in New York City and some you have visited New York City. What you have in common is that you love New York.

As ever, thanks for visiting and please come back and visit tomorrow.

 

9 comments

TARYTERRE said...

Interesting how this area became an enclave for artists and creative types. Love the old carousel.

Theresa said...

Oh what special days you have in your beautiful city:) Have a wonderful day dear friend, HUGS!

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

Never hear of DUMBO before but was familiar with SOHO and the Brooklyn Bridge. There is so much history there and it's wonderful to see old buildings restored and still used.

Denise said...

Love, love, love carousels. That view from under the bridge reminds me of a scene in Blue Bloods.

@msdeniseh553
Denise at My Life in Retirement Euromast Tower, Rotterdam

lissa said...

haven't visited Dumbo even though I'm sort of close to it, such lovely views there though, that carousel just makes me think of old days

have a lovely day.

my E post: Everything

Mevely317 said...

'Never heard of Dumbo, but I love the re-purposing of that olden warehouse district! Why, a trip to NYC just to hop aboard the carousel would make me a very happy camper!

diane said...

Haven't been to NYC is forever.
Such wonderful places to go and see.
Thanks for sharing.
diane @ thoughts&shots

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

The areas have changed so much and it is good to see that they have done it for the better.

Janet said...

Love the carousel! Thanks for sharing New York with this west coaster!
Janet
G is for Genesis