A year after it opened, plenty of New Yorkers still weren't sure the bridge would hold. Then in May 1884, Jumbo led a parade of 21 of Barnum's elephants across, and the doubts eased.

A few more Brooklyn stories that surprised me:

- On opening day, May 24, 1883, about 150,000 people and 1,800 vehicles crossed. That night there were fireworks, watched from boats jammed into the river and from rooftops.
- The walkway was in Roebling's plan from 1867, and it still runs 18 feet above the cars.
- The Parachute Jump wasn't built for Coney Island. It went up for the 1939 World's Fair in Queens, and Steeplechase Park bought it afterward. During World War II, while Coney was blacked out, a light on top served as a beacon for American planes and ships. It's the only piece of Steeplechase left today.

Full disclosure: I built a free app called Stride Stories that plays short stories like these in your earbuds when you run or walk past the spot. Your own music keeps playing and just dips while a story plays.

Brooklyn tours so far: the Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO, Park Slope, Grand Army Plaza to Prospect Park, the Coney Island boardwalk, Dyker Heights lights, a Prospect Park Thanksgiving loop, the Brooklyn stretch of the marathon course, and a half-marathon bakery crawl that starts at Radio Bakery in Greenpoint.

It's in beta on iPhone right now, so the link takes you through Apple's TestFlight first: stridestories.com/beta?src=reddit-brooklyn

Then open Explore and pick New York. Would love to hear what Brooklyn stories you think should be in there.

Please keep an eye out for this sweet shy boy who snuck out of his apartment last night on south 4th and Bedford. Call 1 (786) 208-1682 with any info.

Looking for an old souvenir. It is a snow/water globe with a pencil sharpener. Someone hinted at vendors outside Brooklyn Museum. Said it came with a small pencil. Looking for a specific one of Egyptian style. But anything will do.

This started as a random idea on the subway and snowballed into a hobby. The map shows the whole system in 3D, with every tunnel and station at its real depth and live trains moving through it. It has detailed models of stations like Atlantic Av–Barclays, Jay St and Broadway Junction. I’d love feedback from people who ride it every day: what’s wrong, what’s missing, and what would make it useful on your commute. I was curious about this while in the subway one day and it has spiraled into some kind o real thing and so Im curious what other people may find beneficial out of something like this.

It’s in beta if anyone wants to try it. iPhone: https://belowtown.com/beta?s=brooklyn.

Android waitlist: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSda97c5yNFEOxyBgTM6HzcbNKFjTQJfBTspNdj8Ez8wnlp2pw/viewform

After dealing with a nightmare landlord who turned off heat every weekend, I started digging into how people actually vet NYC buildings before signing a lease. Here is what I’ve learned about navigating online tenant feedback:

1. Check the review dates against the heating season: A 5-star review left in June means nothing about winter living conditions. Look for comments posted between December and March that specifically mention radiator heat and hot water consistency.

2. Filter out corporate reputation management: Some review portals give buildings high letter grades just because the management office posts a generic "Please email us to resolve this" response.

3. Look at what actual tenants say about repair turnaround times and whether they got their security deposits back.

4. Pair lived experience with public data: I usually look up the address on open igloo to read tenant ratings on noise and super responsiveness, but then immediately look at their city data tab to see if there are active HPD violations or court cases.

Anything to add to my list?

Hi! I’m looking for a cat sitter for the week of Thanksgiving and 2 weeks over Christmas.

I have 3 cats, 2 ragdolls and 1 tabby. They’re pretty low maintenance, I have a gravity feeder, water fountains, and 2 automatic litter boxes. I’m looking for someone to come by every other day to hang out with them for an hour or so, check the water and food levels, replace the litter tray/bag, and replenish the litter if necessary.

Please message me if you are available and have experience pet sitting.

The Travel Companion is an indie dramedy filmed largely in Brooklyn about a documentary filmmaker whose close friendship with his best friend since third grade gets complicated when his friend gets a girlfriend. His friend works for an airline and has been hooking him up with free flights, which is suddenly in jeopardy.

The film premiered at Tribeca, and there's a one-night-only online screening tonight (Thursday, Oct. 22), followed by a Q&A with the directors at 9 p.m. ET on The Lone Screen.

Full disclosure: I help run The Lone Screen, the platform hosting the screening. Thought some Brooklyn film fans here might be interested!

Apologies if this was brought up in here before recently because I was looking to write a catalog of some fine grilled cheese establishments in the Grand Army Plaza area of Brooklyn.

Like what I am getting at is that I could have sworn there used to be some places nearby that had a menu with all kinds of grilled cheese sandwiches as lately I was looking to satisfy my hunger by seeing what restaurants were around that specialized in that kind of food.

I don’t need it styled or even dried. I can even wash it first at home. I just need a hair cut with layers to add volume to my hair. Less than $100 if possible.
If anyone has recs in (or around) Bay Ridge, let me know!

Unfortunately last night I saw the aftermath of a cyclist after they got hit on Lafayette and Ashland Pl right in front of BAM Rose Cinemas, the driver hit them and drove off. I didn't see the crash itself but the immediate aftermath. They had a pretty severe head injury and were bleeding from the head but thankfully they were conscious, and many bystanders helped remove her from the street and kept her calm and still, I directed traffic and got emergency services to respond. I hope she is okay.

I'm posting this in case anyone in Law Enforcement or the victim can see this in the future in case they need further information from witnesses on what happened and where.

Hello Brooklyn -- the rescuer that rescued my cat off the streets is trying to place this sweetie, Jimmy, into his forever home and I'm helping her out for extra reach.

Jimmy is approximately 3 years old, medium-sized, neutered, a litter box master, and a sweet boy with a lot of playful energy (he loves his toys and birdwatching). Due to his friendly temperament, he can be placed in a household as a single cat or with other cats; HOWEVER, he does get a little skittish with new people and surroundings and will require a little time and patience to get warmed up. We can start with “love at first sight” for you, prospective pawrent, and then work patiently from there. Jimmy is based in Bushwick with his rescuer, so if location is a factor to be considered, nearby folks in Bushwick and surrounding neighborhoods (Bed Stuy, Brownsville, Ocean Hill, etc) may find it especially convenient to meet him! Having said that, all are welcome to check out Jimmy's page for more of his story -- https://catcafebk.com/cat/jimmy-21598313/

Anyone interested in adopting Jimmy or learning even more about him from his rescuer, please see Cat Cafe BK for the application process as well as next steps.

Thanks for reading! 🤍

I work at a small business on a block in Brooklyn and there is a local deli on our block that my coworkers all used to go to for breakfast, snacks, etc. The manager at my business went there a few weeks ago for her morning coffee and upon getting back to our office there was a cockroach floating inside the cup. She tossed it and told everyone about it except the deli. Since then everyone at our office stopped getting coffee or food from this deli. My manager told me she was going to talk to the deli guy about what happened but she felt awkward about it so she never went over to tell them. Now I’m torn between telling the owner what happened or just letting it go and continuing to avoid this deli forever. What would you do?

Hello everyone, I’ll be in New York briefly at the beginning of February and I have zero knowledge of public transportation. I’ll need to get from the airport to the Brooklyn Heights area. Please let me know if there’s any apps or anything to figure out how to navigate around Brooklyn! Thank you in advance.

Hi folks! This tournament had to be rescheduled for the rain date as I need knee surgery this week and so won’t be able to host. If you already registered but can’t attend now, please let me know and I’ll get you refunded. If you couldn’t come before but can now, learn more here! The time and place is the same: 12-4:30pm at Quaker Hill in Prospect Park.

Hi Brooklyn friends!!! Tomorrow evening, buds on the move is meeting up in Williamsburg @ Green Apple for a nice cozy fall evening walk by the water 🌙🌃🍃

Hope to walk with you! Check the luma link for details and sign up

https://luma.com/nv4tmc8k?utm_source=reddit

Looking to meet new people, enjoy live music, and celebrate Halloween in South Brooklyn? The Marine Park Young Adults Association (MPYAA), a local 501(c)(4) nonprofit, is hosting two Halloween events this weekend!

Friday, October 23 - Halloween Movie Night Party

Join us at Marine Park Coffee (3411 Avenue S, Brooklyn) starting at 6:00 PM for a screening of the horror film Obsession, board games, Halloween trivia, and a costume contest with prizes!

This event is for young adults ages 18-35. Admission is $5 and includes water and soda, with pizza available for $2 per slice. Come in costume, bring friends, or meet some new people!

Saturday, October 24 - FrightFest X: 10th Annual Halloween Music Festival

Join MPYAA and local musician Kate Barlow at Costello’s Claddagh Inn (3042 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn) from 4:00 PM until late for a Halloween concert celebrating 10 years of FrightFest!

Enjoy live performances by Nick Hazard, Kate Barlow, Céline Iris, Dorothy Key, Ibri, Harrison Reed, Andrew Alarcon, and more! There will also be local vendors, a costume contest, games, and a raffle.

The concert is open to all ages from 4:00-8:00 PM, with adults 21+ only after 8:00 PM. There is a $13 suggested donation, and the bar is cash only.

Both events are great opportunities to support local artists, connect with your community, and meet new people in South Brooklyn!

RSVP and find all our upcoming events here:
https://linktr.ee/marineparkyoungadults

For questions, email [sam@marineparkyoungadults.org](mailto:sam@marineparkyoungadults.org).

Hope to see you this weekend!

I'm a dad with a newborn fighting a 3-family holdover eviction in Brooklyn after the landlord retaliated over open HPD violations.
For anyone who fought a small-house holdover like this:

-What specific technical moves, counterclaims, or strategies worked for you to get the case dismissed or wear the landlord down so they let you stay?
-Which solo L&T attorneys or law firms in Brooklyn do you recommend for limited-scope representation, ghostwriting a Motion to Dismiss, or a per diem appearance?

Appreciate any real street-smart advice or recommendations!

Organizer: Coney Island Business Improvement District (coneyislandbid.nyc)

Photos: Mara Zalite Photography (marazalite.com)

Starting the apartment search again around Crown Heights / Bed-Stuy and the signal to noise ratio is rough. Half the marketplace listings I've messaged this week stopped replying the second I asked about lease terms or turned out to be bait and switch brokers.
How are you guys doing these days? Any tips are welcome!

Hi Brooklyn, we are hosting Sunday Soul- Football Edition on October 25th at Drunken Fruit. We are partnering with "Slap Yo Mamas Soul Food" Truck. Wings, Shrimp, Fish, and other amazing items to choose from and we got a mean Drunken Fruit Half & Half for you to enjoy with your food, along with a wide range of delicious mocktails , zero proof and non alcoholic beverages. Don't forget dessert! We will have our Drunken Fruit Candy Apple Sundaes and other goodies on deck! We welcome all who want to have a chill food, football Sunday Funday.

1PM -Games

Screen 1- Giants/Texans

Screen 2- 49ers/Falcons

Screen 3- Bengals/Ravens

4:05PM- Games

Screen 1- Packers/Lions

Screen 2-Rams/Raiders

Screen 3- Broncos/Cardinals

Good Vibes, Good Food, Football.

Come Thru- 185 Van Dyke Street Unit 109 Barnell Street Red Hook Brooklyn NY

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Hi everyone!

I'm an architecture student working on a school project, and I'm currently studying the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Visitor Center by Weiss/Manfredi.

I'm looking for more visual references to understand the building better, especially how it works from a visitor's perspective.

If anyone has visited the center or has access to useful materials, I'd really appreciate:

- Photos or videos showing the interior and exterior.

- Videos of the visitor experience, from the entrance through the different spaces.

- Floor plans, sections, or architectural drawings.

- Photos showing the exhibition spaces, reception, café, event area, and connections to the gardens.

- Any photos or explanations showing the different levels and how visitors move between them.

I've found some drawings online, but I'm struggling to understand the circulation and identify exactly where each space is located.

Even personal photos or a short video taken during a visit would be a huge help for my project!

Thanks a lot to anyone who can share something or point me toward useful resources.

Looking for a miracle. I lost my grandmothers class ring I wear every single day tonight. Worn it for 10 years. Devastated. If anyone finds it on the ground, it’s yellow gold with blue stones. Reward!!