L.A.'s major league play: Dodgers' 50 years in Los Angeles - Part I

Los Angeles Times ^ | October 6, 2007 | Steve Springer

[timer]

It was the Stone House on 3rd Ave and 3rd St, site of a famous revolutionary war battle. It was built in 1699 by the Vechte family. It had 2 ft thick walls and was in the dutch style w/chimneys at both ends. On Aug 27, 1776 the americans were retreating from superior hessian and british forces through Prospect Park and Long Meadow.

They took refuge in the house but were soon overcome. The british then set up shotgun artillery and were ready to wipe out Gen Washington’s army. But 400 patriots from Maryland did 6 suicide charges against the stone house, suffering 300 fatalities. This bought Gen Washington enough time to get his army across to manhatten, to live and fight another day(crossing of the Delaware).

Where today could you find such patriotism in america? Today it’s a large playground where free children of a free people play every day. Their sacrifice was not in vain. We wouldn’t have a US of A today if they hadn’t died for us 231 years ago.

And it was the first clubhouse for the Dodgers, before they were called the Dodgers.

[jazusamo]

Thanks for that, timer, I had no idea. The sacrifice those patriots made for this country is truly amazing, we all owe them our thanks and utmost respect.

[timer]

Although from Montana, my son is a confirmed brooklynite, he works in manhatten like millions of others(chicago refugee). He got married @ a resort(9/23)in the catskills to a korean girl, now on honeymoon in central turkey(ephesus and thereabouts). Since I had 2 heart attacks this summer + double bypass aug 23, my kids/grand kids wouldn’t take me on their running jaunts around manhatten to see the sights, fearing I’d keel over any moment.

So that left me to entertain myself(loc’n 5th Ave and 12th St). My son had told me about the Stone House so I walked down there to 4th Ave and 3rd St, about a mile. It has been moved slightly from its original location, turned 90 deg and raised because the Aves around were later raised. And yet what better monument to the sacrifice of those brave men from Maryland than to have a playground there where they gave their lives for our freedoms. Freedom ain’t free.

Also walked Prospect Park, the model for Central Park. It was there that we americans really came to grips with the forces of tyranny. We may have lost that battle, but who won in the end?

Actually, my first real job in the real world was in White Plains NY(1964), working for the Nestle Corp. I remember the twin trade towers were just a hole in the ground back then. (2002)My 30 yr old son had just had a heart attack @ age 30 and since I was in NJ at the time, I rushed to see him. Once again the twin trade towers were a HOLE IN THE GROUND.

This time I paid dearly for riding the subways. On july 9 I had my 2nd heart attack = no smoking(after 50 years, haven’t had a cold in 22 years = smoke in lungs KILLS any invaders). But that meant no protective GRUNGE in lungs = PLAGUE diseases in subway tunnels, kicked up by the trains = I got bronchitis = a day in the hospital here.

So if NYC wants to see any tourist traffic = clean up the PLAGUE lurking in those subway tunnels. No visiting mother-tourist wants that for her babies....