Before the Brooklyn Bridge was built, there were tenements where the approaches are now. And in those tenement buildings–according to the Brooklyn Bridge watchman–were cats. Lots of cats. One special cat with superior skills became a Brooklyn Bridge watch cat.
Archive for the ‘Cat Stories’ Category
1895: The Brooklyn Bridge Watchman and His Brooklyn Bridge Watch Cat
Posted: 13th October 2020 by The Hatching Cat in Cat Men, Cat StoriesTags: Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn History, Cats of Old New York
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1910: The 300 Cats Wanted to Act at the Manhattan Opera House
Posted: 17th September 2020 by The Hatching Cat in Cat Stories, Cats in the MewsTags: Cats in the Mews, Cats of Old New York, Manhattan Opera House, New York City History, Oscar Hammerstein
On September 16, 1910, The New York Times ran a small article about a want-ad soliciting 300 cats for performances at the Manhattan Opera House on 34th Street.
According to the article, the stage director would accept all cats–with or without stage experience–to take part in the production of “Hans, the Flute Player.” The comedic opera was going to be the opening act for Oscar Hammerstein’s opera house.
1903: The Pet Cat That Edwin Gould Reportedly Abandoned on Fifth Avenue
Posted: 9th September 2020 by The Hatching Cat in Cat StoriesTags: 720 Fifth Avenue, Cats of Old New York, Edwin Gould, New York City History, Sheltering Arms
On September 8, 1903, the New York Evening World reported that a gray and white cat had been living on the steps of the Edwin Gould house at 7 West Fifty-Sixth Street for more than a week. Based on a few facts, I believe the reporter told a few white lies to get this story published…
1905: Malta, the Missing Maltese Cat of Russell Sage, a Manhattan Millionaire Miser
Posted: 1st September 2020 by The Hatching Cat in Cat Stories, Cats in the MewsTags: 632 Broadway, Cats of Old New York, New York City History, Olivia Slocum Sage, Russell Sage
On August 31, 1905, The New York Times and the New-York Tribune reported that Malta, the pet Maltese cat of 89-year-old Russell Sage and his 77-year-old wife, Olivia, had gone missing. The millionaire miser offered a $10 reward for the cat’s safe return.
1897: The Shower of Cats That Invaded the Brush Block in Huntington, Long Island
Posted: 19th August 2020 by The Hatching Cat in Cat Stories, Cats in the MewsTags: Bank of Huntington, Brush Block, Cats of Old New York, Huntington, James Madison Brush, New York History
On August 19, 1897, it rained cats in front of the Brush Block building on Main Street and New York Avenue in Huntington, Long Island. Customers of the human kind could do nothing but walk cautiously along the sidewalk as the business owners used brooms to sweep cats out and hold others at bay.
