where/how to find out history of buildings in neighborhood?

ak217

Does anyone know where I might find out what the building that now houses the Baptist Church across from the Gas Station/Car Wash at Bedford and Lincoln was before it became a church? I'm just curious what the original purpose of that building was, and what it might have looked like before the facade on the street level was altered. What is the name of the city agency or department that would have that info? or should I try Brooklyn Historical Society maybe?

caseopele

I've been trying to find info on buildings as well. Property Shark is useful for finding out what year the building was built and they sometimes have tax photographs. But you have to pay to view them. I have a few links to various collections where you might be able to find something. The Brooklyn Historical Society may be the best bet but I just heard about the Brooklyn collection at the Grand Army Plaza branch. I'm going to try to check it out soon.

http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/brooklyncollection/

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/browse/index.html

http://www.archives.gov/research/arc/index.html

http://digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypldigital/index.cfm

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/pp/pphome.html

http://www.archives.nysed.gov/d/

http://digital.nypl.org/mmpco/

http://digarc.usc.edu:8089/cispubsearch/

http://museumofnyc.doetech.net/voyager.cfm

http://www.sah.org/index.php?module=ContentExpress&func=display&ceid=257&meid=

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/eresources/eimages/

http://www.nyc.gov/html/records/html/gallery/home.shtml

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/indiv/avery/nycbuild.html

https://www.nyhistory.org/web/

Hope some of these are helpful, let me know if you have any luck!

homeowner

Try Crown Heights North Association. They have been doing a fair amount of research on the community to prepare for landmarking and may be able to answer your questions or tell you where you can get photos.