The City Desk

Battle of Rincon Hill Re-enactment Puts the City’s Proud Military History on Display

Editor — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 14:24:09 +0000

Visitors to the Rincon Memorial Park on the afternoon of June 22 were treated to a re-enactment of the Battle of Rincon Hill, on the sesquicentennial anniversary of the event that resulted in the only military casualties of the Civil…

Friday Facts: Gratuates, Fish Sandwiches, Little Rascals

Editor — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 12:49:15 +0000

:: Number of City-Suburban Transit Authority (CSTA) buses whose digital signs read “CONGRADULATIONS GRATUATES” earlier this week: 658 :: Reason given for the spelling error, by a CSTA spokesperson: “Just having a little fun.” :: Number of hours after this…

Hello, again

Editor — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 13:44:03 +0000

Well, it has been two or three years since this site has been updated on anything resembling a regular basis, but that will hopefully change in the near future. I cannot guarantee anything, but I’m hoping to turn my attention…

Mafia Slaying Site to Become Museum?

Editor — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 14:25:12 +0000

On first glance, the house at 719 South Decator Street, in the Elwyn Heights section of the city, doesn’t seem to be all that remarkable. It’s just another in a string of large brick twin houses that populate the neighborhood.…

Friday Facts: Narnia, Math, Linguistics, Lascivious Radios

Editor — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:19:49 +0000

:: Median age of mathematics texts used in city public schools:Â 18 years :: Median tenure of mathematics teachers in city schools:Â 4.5 years :: Median SAT mathematics score, city schools (2008):Â 485 :: Percentage of 12th graders in city…

City’s First Subway Car Found

Editor — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:17:33 +0000

The second week of June 1901 saw the formal opening of the City’s first subway- what was to become today’s Brown Line- a modest straight line connecting the old Central Depot (across from Old City Hall, now Ludlow Plaza Station)…

The Board of Trusts and the City’s Generous Dead

Editor — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:57:06 +0000

The current economic situation has given our already cash-strapped City a rough go of it, especially with regard to any funds tied into the stock market. Its pension fund alone has lost millions over the last two years and now…

Snapshots: Col. Barstow’s Private Police Force, 1910

Editor — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:16:50 +0000

May 26, 1910– Caption from this Sun-Recorder photo: “Across from the Cathedral ofÂ St. Vitus on Lorimar Avenue,Â Col. Harrison Barstow demonstrates one of the new mechanical call boxes installed for his new police force, to begin operations Monday.” Colonel Harrison Barstow…

Friday Facts: The Honorable Harold Ramis, No Batmobiles

Editor — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:43:21 +0000

:: On this day in 1889, boxer John Lawrence Sullivan punched Mayor John Overholt’s wife directly in the face, knocking her out instantly. No reason was ever given for the assault, and neither the mayor nor Sullivan ever chose to…

The History of Barkay Bros. Funeral Home: Part II

Editor — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:28:58 +0000

Joel and Isaac Barkay, proprietors of Barkay Bros. Funeral Home on East Folkim St., announced recently that they had accepted an undisclosed sell their business. The local funeral home had been run by the Barkay family for 72 years. Joel…