Flashback Friday: Here Comes The ’22 Flood

Flooding is currently a hot topic in Gowanus. From the torrential rainstorms that often wreak havoc to a new catch-basin law signed by Mayor de Blasio last year, an influx of water is not a welcome neighbor.

The new proposal for a Brooklyn-Queens Streetcar and potential new bridges has also been a topic of discussion. However, the Mayor’s office assures us that the streetcar could handle flooding issues should they arise.

Of course, history reminds us that flooding isn’t a new topic in the Gowanus neighborhood.

Taken in March of 1922, the photo caption reads: “View of flooded section of Fourth Avenue at Carroll Street with horse-drawn wagon in left foreground. Buildings in background include a large, limestone building, originally a bathhouse; at the time of cataloging it is Brooklyn Lyceum, a theater and concert space, located at 227 Fourth Avenue.”

For a current image of flooding at the same intersection, this photo was taken in 2013 looking outside of Root Hill Cafe (262 4th Avenue at Carroll Street).

The image is part of the Brooklyn Collection at the Brooklyn Public Library, and you can find more historic images like this one there or through Brooklyn Visual Heritage.

Do you have any interesting old photos of Park Slope? Share them with us at editor@bklyner.com!