I figured today was the perfect day to post one of my all-time favorite EC Comics covers from the 1950s, by the brilliant Johnny Craig. I love that he included the NEW LOTS AVENUE designation – does that make this a 2/3 train? Happy Halloween!! -SCOUT
Last week, I was scouting a hospital basement for interesting spaces when I happened to notice something lurking in one corner… …this enormous iron wheel-shaped machine: As it turns out, this was part of the original steam generator system that powered the hospital in the early 1900s (now long since out of use). Made by…
Did you know Lucy and Desi lived on the Upper East Side? I had no idea, but apparently, their apartment was located at 623 East 68th Street. There’s just one problem – that puts them right in the middle of the East River. While Lucy and Desi’s apartment might not have a real world counterpart,…
Last week, I was heading home from a day of scouting in Westchester when I found myself passing through Sleepy Hollow. Suddenly, it felt like autumn had officially arrived. As a kid, there was nothing I loved more around Halloween than revisiting The Legend of Sleepy Hollow – both Washington Irving’s tale, for which I…
One of my all-time, hands-down, most favorite places to explore in New York City is the abandoned hospital complex on Ellis Island. Normally off-limits to the public, tours are suddenly being offered for the first time in 60 years, and I highly, highly suggest you go while the opportunity exists. I wrote about my first…
When you first come to Eighth Avenue between 43rd & 44th, it appears to be nothing more than a strip of touristy gift shops. Swing around the corner on 44th Street, and you’ll just find a row of restaurants. But look at this intersection from above, and you’ll see something unusual hidden from view… Nestled…
As you probably know, I always send out a Scouting NY sticker/magnet to readers who donate to my film fund. I just ran out of last year’s version, so it’s time to unveil the new Scouting NY sticker, celebrating that unique manner in which New Yorkers can ignore pretty much anything… I know I left…
Just received word that the Tabernacle of Prayer church will be offering a rare tour of the unbelievable Valencia movie palace (read my full post here) THIS SATURDAY, September 27th, at 11am. My advice? YOU SHOULD GO! Tours are by appointment only – contact Sister Forbes at 718-657-4210 ext. 20 to sign up and for…
I’ve been spending some time in downtown Brooklyn recently, and as I was walking down Fulton Street last week, I was suddenly reminded of an experience from way back when I first started scouting. Back in 2007 or so, I was in the same area searching for vacant storefronts for a movie when I happened…
Last week, I was scouting downtown Brooklyn for apartments when I happened to turn onto Duffield Street and come across a great little surprise I’d forgotten about… In fact, the best part is that it’s almost invisible when you first start down Duffield. Then, as you near the halfway point, something quite surreal suddenly comes…