Central Harlem, Frederick Douglas Boulevard at 126th Street

Mary Sargent © 2009 …………………………………….. click to enlarge

Would you have guessed that bright blue and white building was a funeral home? Their website asserts that, contrary to rumors, Unity Funeral Chapels Inc. is NOT owned by a white funeral home chain. Rather, it is owned by five African-American entrepreneurs. Check it out.

See map.

Central Harlem, Frederick Douglass Circle at 110th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard

Mary Sargent © 2008 ………….. click to enlarge


This is Towers on the Park, a condominium built in 1988. I remember there was some stir about it at the time; according to The New York Times, in an article dated August 27, 1989, and titled A Housing Renaissance Sweeps Central Harlem ". . . it was hailed as the start of a housing initiative that would put home ownership within reach of many more Harlem residents." The article goes on to discuss at some length the other projects in the works, the problems and concerns and the cautious optimism.

Now 20 years later, I guess I should track down all those projects and see if they actually happened.

As for Towers on the Park, while it's not hideous, it could certainly look better. Maybe some nice graffiti.

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Central Harlem, Frederick Douglass Blvd Between 125th and 124th Streets

Mary Sargent © 2006 ……………….........…………….. click to enlarge

My son, Bill, came for a visit this Thanksgiving, and Friday we went for a walk in Harlem which is mostly new territory for me. In the 24 years I've lived here, I can remember going to Harlem only 4 times; once with a black man to eat at Sylvia's, which did not go over big, my being white, that is, but this was in the early 80s, maybe it's different now, once to go to some kind of African festival, a bit disappointing as it was in its early stages of organization, once to take my grandson to Rucker Park, so he could see the famous basketball court from his video game, and once to The Classical Theatre of Harlem to see Waiting For Godot. OH, I just remembered another time, another restaurant, but can't remember the name. Soul food.

Anyway, point is I have a lot of walking to do.

We took the A train to 125 and walked east to Lenox Avenue, down to 116 and up St. Nicholas back to 125. 125th Street is a big, bustling commercial street, with lots of stores and lots of people selling stuff on the sidewalk. It was a beautiful day in the 50s with bright, bright sun, but not so good for shooting because of the dark shadows and bright sunlight. Too much contrast. Especially a problem on 125th Street, so I can't show you the scenes I'm describing. Try to imagine.

This shot is taken from the corner of 125 and Frederick Douglass Boulevard, looking down the boulevard. By the way, Frederick Douglass is a continuation of Central Park West, which is a continuation of Eighth Avenue. Map Quest doesn't seem to recognize it.

See map.