Mr. Coney Island:
I was born and raised on W 33rd Street and Surf Avenue. Growing up in the early 1970′s there was a large brick house along the boardwalk, which was razed to make way for the Sea Bay Manor, the nursing home on 33rd Street. I recall the building being called the “Jefferson House” but don’t know what it’s origins were. I remember being about 4 years old and being inadvertently pelted by debris being tossed out of the windows by the wreckers who were clearing out the building before it was destroyed.
PS: My family lived in building 1 of O’dwyer Gardens, first on the 13th floor, then the 8th floor. My mother still lives there.
Thank you,
Gerard Thornton
Hello Gerard,
The building was Jefferson Baths, a bathhouse and summer resort built around 1910. The establishment had rental lockers, a tree-lined courtyard, bungalows, summer apartments, and a bar on the boardwalk. The complex was demolished in 1970. It was one of Coney’s “presidential” bathhouses: Lincoln Baths was on West 32nd; Roosevelt Baths was on West 30th; Washington Baths was on West 21st.
August 24th, 2010 at 10:23 am
If I recall the Jefferson was owned by the Shavin family. They lived in the 2nd floor all year. It was one of the best looking bungalows in the Island. Remember Sam’s
February 17th, 2011 at 3:38 pm
[...] the world and the Lincoln Baths go back over 110 years.” On the History Project’s blog “Ask Mr Coney Island,” Denson notes that the Lincoln Baths, along with the Washington Baths (W 21st St), Roosevelt Baths [...]
July 8th, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Dear Mr. Coney Island,
My family were regulars at Jefferson Baths during the 30′s, 40′s and 50′s. We gathered every week end and enjoyed the gathering of friends and family. The steam room was wonderful and the long term attendant was always looking after us children. I can’t remember his name; do you?
The beer garden across the street, Dalton’s was the favorite after beach gathering place. I think they ran Jefferson during this period.
Thanks for the memory.