THE WHITE ELEPHANT OF AVENUE “O” (1914)
Brownstone Detectives investigates the history of our clients’ homes.
The story you are about to read was composed from research conducted in the course of one of those investigations.
Do you know the history of YOUR house?
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We came across an old newspaper photograph from 1914, republished 30 years later in an old newspaper in 1954.
This picture not only celebrates our first entry for a house in the Flatlands section of Brooklyn, but it specifically illustrates a “long-familiar landmark in Old Flatlands.”
So noted the text accompanying the picture in the Old-Timers section of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle from May of 1954.
Having stumbled across this interesting picture, we were curious to learn if the 2-story and basement structure in question – No. 5407 Avenue O, Brooklyn – was still there, and, by the way, if it was still “white.”
So, we looked the address up on Google Maps, expecting to find a shopping mall or a 1940s era soap factory, and – miracle of miracles – there it was! There is a “newer” house to the left of it now, and it seems to have been faced with some vinyl siding (yes, white), but the house appears to be largely as it was back in 1914.
The story accompanying the pic in the 1954 article reads as follows:
“THE OLD WHITE ELEPHANT”-This picture, taken in 1914, shows a long-familiar landmark in Old Flatlands located at 5407 Avenue O.”
COMPLETE FAMILY
“The Di Carlo family is shown. Mrs. Di Carlo is seated holding young Jerry Di Carlo, while Mr. Di Carlo Sr. is in foreground with mustache and hat. Young Jerry is now a prominent Flatlands roofer and the White Elephant still houses his family.”
Other Old Flatlands families represented are the Archibalds, Rosanos and the Mollicas.
BEER 15c-WITH PRETZELS!
“Note the growler the gent in the background is flourishing (at this time a can of beer was 15 cents, with pretzels). Also, the picture of the unknown Floradora Girl in the window.”
(Ed.’s note – the Floradora Girl picture is no longer in the window today. 🙂
SO WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS HOUSE?
After 81 years of being in the Di Carlo family, a family member sold the property in 1995. The property switched hands a few times, hit a rocky patch in the 2000s, was last sold in 2008 for $655,000, received a violation for not complying with its Certificate of Occupancy, was visited by the city because of complaints that the tenants had no heat in winter, and finally was up for a tax lien sale in 2014.
We can only guess an investor will purchase the property next and turn it into condos.
Mr. Di Carlo, however, would be proud his White Elephant was still standing. Although, now, it is blue…
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Brownstone Detectives is an historic property research agency. Our mission is to document and save the histories of our clients’ homes. From our research, we produce our celebrated House History Books and House History Reports. Contact us today to begin discovering the history of your home.
