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The Creepy Book-Reading Gargoyle at West 181st Street


I was waiting at a light yesterday at the corner of 181st and Fort Washington Ave, when I happened to look up at the building on the corner…

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…and noticed a line of human gargoyles perched near the top. But one in particular quickly caught my eye…

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A very creepy book-reading gargoyle.

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Here’s another angle. The glasses are a great touch – but what is he reading to provoke such a reaction??

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There are two others. This guy…

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…and this fellow:

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In fact, that last guy looks frighteningly like one of the figures at 527 West 110th Street, which I wrote about four years ago…

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Couldn’t find confirmation, but would not be at all surprised if they were by the same sculptor.

-SCOUT

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13 Comments

  1. There are some similar gargoyles (or grotesques, really) on a building on 110th between Broadway and Amsterdam. Creepy (but kinda funny at the same time).

  2. I’m betting that each one is represents an actual person that was a predominant figure at the time.

  3. I’ve lived off of 181st and Fort Washington for six years and I love, love, LOVE these gargoyles. Thank you for sharing!

  4. There are similar gargoyles on a building here in Toronto — similar faces (no glasses, though), and reading books. The building is a TV station’s studio space now, but it used to be a publishing house… and a Freemason Temple. I wonder if that connects up with the history of these buildings at all.

  5. Despite working in publishing, the one with the book isn’t the one I find most intriguing. It’s the last one – the one holding what appears to be a whole roasted chicken. I had no idea Boston Market had been around so long.

  6. I found a great picture online at the Museum of the city of NY on their archives site. I hope this link works. http://collections.mcny.org/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult_VPage&VBID=24UAYWTDR4PQ

    If it doesn’t, try searching for Nathan Hale Apartments, 181st St. & Washington Ave, on the website http://collections.mcny.org/.

    I saw the picture there first and then found your page here. I love this stuff. I’m going to put a then/now picture up on my webpage. I hope you don’t mind I use your picture. I will credit you and reference your page. http://Www.WashingtonHeightsMusicalSociety.com

    Thanks for bringing attention to these lovely gargoyles.

    Alexandra

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