THE NAVY BICYCLE SQUAD OF BROOKLYN (1897)
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.
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Boy! But the Navy sure knew how to get around back in the day!
These “wheelmen” – resplendent in their military uniforms – were organized not just for play, but for work.
As bicycling was as much of a past time then as it is today, these men likely rode not only for their enjoyment, but to travel from station to station, as well – also representing the Navy in bicycling races.
Headquartered at 56th Street in Brooklyn, the Second Naval Battalion was organized just before this picture was taken in July of 1897.
It performed duty for the state during the Spanish-American war on coast signal service, guarding mine fields at Willets Point, in Queens, and on patrol duty in New York harbor aboard various vessels.
From the New York Tribune of 4 July 1897, we have pictured above, “the first meet of the Bicycle Squad of the 2nd Naval Battalion at the Memorial Arch (Grand Army Plaza) in Brooklyn.”
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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.
