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Where's 5th and Broadway in Williamsburg?
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jun 1, 2009
Modified Jun 1, 2009
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Jun 1, 2009
Modified Jun 1, 2009
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There's some curious old text on a building at the corner of Driggs and Broadway in Williamsburg. ScoutingNY spotted the word "Fifth" marked on the Driggs side of the building and the word "Bway" marked on the Broadway side—but where's Fifth?
A commenter clarifies, saying it's not a typo, but "Driggs Avenue includes 5th Street, Williamsburgh, and 5th Street, Bushwick; 5th Street Williamsburgh was ordered in 1836. The street was opened in 1850." You'll allegedly see a similar sign on the corner of Bedford and North 4th Street, which states one is at the intersection of “Fourth Street” and “North Fourth Street”. Google Maps should really have an "old timey" button so one can click back to see the way things used to be, but then we wouldn't get to look at these gorgeous old maps.
Tagged
5th Street
broadway
brooklyn
driggs
history
map
street names
williamsburg
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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