About

New York City Times Square

My wife, Janet, surprised our granddaughter, Kyle, for her 11th birthday with tickets to the Broadway show -

Frozen

We waited for the show to open by strolling through Times Square. There were bundles of people, some wearing the NYC marathon cape after running through all five boroughs. Others were staring at the mix of impersonators like Spiderman, Batman, Elmo, and Minnie Mouse. I, of course, was staring at the new statue – Rumors of War.

A close look at the mounted horseman reveals that he is an African-American dressed not in military gear, but in street fashion – dreadlocks tied up in a ponytail, knee-less jeans, and high-top Nike kicks. The artist, Kehinde Wiley, you might know from his portrait of Barack Obama

This same artist is contrasting his equestrian with the one of Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart who rides his steed on Monument Avenue in Richman, Virginia. On December 10th Rumors of War will be moved to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond just a short gallop from other bronze Confederate notables. Can’t wait for the news stories about that move.

Looking over the crowd, you can see there are other monuments on Broadway keeping “Rumors” company.

It all started when…

First, there is the statue of Fr. Duffy, the chaplain for the 165th U.S Infantry from the Spanish-American War to World War I. It is interesting to note that on the “B” side of the monument the number “I” does not appear after World War. I assume the etcher thought that was the last one.

No trip to Broadway would be complete without tap dancing in front of George M. Cohen’s statue. The creator of such patriotic songs such as: “I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy,” “Over There,” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” received the Medal of Honor from FDR in 1940 for his morale boosting songs. I find it interesting that the stone etcher wrote World War without the “I”. I guess he thought it was the last one.

It is also appropriate that the list of Broadway theaters and their street addresses are next to Cohen’s statue.

While my wife and my granddaughter parade off to see Frozen, myself, my son, Keith, and my grandson, Cody, likewise trek off in a zig zag route from 7th Avenue and 44th Street to 5th Avenue and 34th Street to end up at the Empire State Building. On the way we pass by Bryant Park and I see a statue. It must be William Jennings Bryant, the great poet and newspaperman. No, I’m mistaken it’s… who? Andrada?  Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva to be exact.

What I find out is that Andrada was a statesman responsible for the “democratic principles” underlying the foundation of Brazilian independence in the 1820’s. He is also one of six Latin American Leaders whose statue is honored by being placed along The Avenue of the Americas, or what is also known as 6th Avenue. Sounds like a future topic for a newsletter.

Continuing our hike through the urban jungle we arrive at Herald Square, situated at 6th Avenue and 34th Street.

Vivamus sit amet semper lacus, in mollis libero. Donec eget risus diam. Vivamus a ante congue, porta nunc nec, hendrerit turpis. Vivamus sit amet semper lacus, in mollis libero. Aliquam bibendum, turpis eu mattis iaculis, ex lorem mollis sem, ut sollicitudin risus orci quis tellus.

This monument is dedicated to James Gordon Bennett, the founder of the New York Herald newspaper in 1835. You can see the statue of Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, with her owls presiding over two bell ringers who tolled hourly during the “active hours” on the old Herald Building. They didn’t actually hit the bell; mallets located behind the bell mechanically struck it. By the way, the names of the bell ringers are Stuff and Guff.

One other interesting tidbit about the monument, above the door is the French phrase “La Nuit Porte Conseil.” Strictly translated I think it means “the night brings advice.” More colloquially, I think it says “Sleep on it.” But I will defer to any linguists who have a better translation.

From here you can see the ESB.

Looking for a plaque – Found it with a name I didn’t expect.

Alfred E. Smith

After the 1928 election that the Governor of New York lost to Herbert Hoover, Smith became the president of Empire State, Inc., the corporation that built and operated the Empire State Building Construction for the building symbolically began on March 17, 1930, St. Patrick’s Day per Smith's instructions. It took only one year to build.

I think he liked the plaque because it identifies him as President.

So, we took the elevator up to the 86th floor where there is a museum to the building of the building. (I’m sure someone will object to my not using a synonym, but I like the repetition.) There is another more famous observation deck on the 102nd floor, but it cost way too much.

Tired workers and walkers getting ready to see the view from the 86th floor. 

From here you can see across the East River to Brooklyn.

And you can see south to the Battery. Notice the rainbow!

On the way back we stopped at the New York Library so that Cody could see Patience and Fortitude, the sentry lions.

In addition to the lions, I showed Cody the Flagpoles of the NYC Library.

I borrowed this photo from the Bryant Park Blog.

Now let me tell you the story behind the Flagpoles. They are dedicated to John Purroy Mitchel who was the first Latino Mayor of NYC. He was also the second youngest. He was elected as a corruption fighter. After serving one term, he was voted out of office and enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1916. While he practiced maneuvers in his bi-plane, his seat belt became loose and he tumbled 500 feet to the ground. St. Patrick’s Cathedral held a grand funeral for him. Mitchel also has a monument in Central Park

One last note – John Purroy Mitchel graduated in 1894   from the same high school I did – Fordham Prep in the Bronx.

Back to the NYC Library. As we round the corner, once again we are in Bryant Park. I am still looking for his statue, but the kiosks set up for the Holiday Season are blocking my view. There are scores of them row after row. But wait see something– is this Bryant?

No, it is William Earl Dodge. I have no idea either. So off to the reference books.

Apparently, he was a Wall Street business man, one of the “Merchant Princes,” during the pre-Civil War Era.  He does have some interesting achievements: he campaigned for Indian reform and even went after the Calvary commanders who were responsible for the 1870 Marias Massacre of 173 Blackfeet in 1870; in addition, he helped found the YMCA; he also established the American University in Beirut.

This statue was originally placed in Herald Square in 1885. It was moved here in 1941.

Well, enough of this statue hunting. It’s now time to join the play goers for a birthday meal at Bubba Gump’s. I hope you enjoyed our trip downtown.