AboutMarc W Expertise Transportation, Local Government, City Infrastructure
Experience Having lived in NYC most my life, I am an 'expert' on navigating it both by public transport, car and bicycle. I am also very knowledgeable on how the City works (and occasionally does not work!) in areas such as government, infrastructure, etc.
Education/Credentials BA (from a well known local university)
Expert: Marc W Date: 12/4/2007 Subject: street name and where located in 1884
Question QUESTION: Where is Hanover Street? I have family photo 1884 with great-grandmother seated on a front entry step of a 2 story house wood frame with country setting. On the back is the word Hanover so I presume it to be Hanover street. I do not think it is Hanover Square...not rural enough.
Can you help?
ANSWER: What makes you think this was taken in NYC?
There is a Hanvoer St in Manhattan but that is right around the corner from Hanover Sq.
There is a Hanover Pl in 'downtown' Brooklyn -- that area was likely developed back then so probably not there either.
Any chance it could be Staten Island (Richmond County) -- there is a Hanover St there and that would definitely have been rural.
Also could it be Long Island, there is a Hanover St in Floral Park.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you for your suggestions ... As my Great Grandfather John William Kitson was in business in NYC I presumed it to be there but Brooklyn sounds possible too, as he would have been able to get to work via the Brooklyn Bridge. In 1884, was Brooklyn considered to be in NYC? Also, is Hanover Street in the Park Slope development? Would you be able to direct me to a map?
Answer Brooklyn was technically a city separate until 1898, however there was much traffic between Manhattan and Brooklyn from early on. (In addition to the Bridge, there were many ferries that operated between the two.)
Hanover St, Brooklyn is about a mile away from Park Slope, Brooklyn. (Go to Google Maps and enter Hanover St, Brooklyn, NY -- Park Slope is to the SW (bounded by Flatbush, 4 Ave, Prospect Park & 15th St.)
