This 1920s postcard makes the City College campus in Harlem appear almost pastoral. Where are all the buildings?
Lewisohn Stadium had those magnificent Doric columns, a nice touch. Built in 1915 between Amsterdam and Convent Avenue and 136th and 138th Streets, it served as home field for CUNY’s sport teams and was also a concert venue featuring performers from George Gershwin to Pete Seeger.
It was demolished in 1973. There’s a big academic center on the site now, but the old campus buildings are still gorgeous and worth a subway ride to see them.
Tags: City College of New York, CUNY, CUNY campus, George Gershwin, hamilton heights, Lewisohn Stadium, Pete Seeger
January 13, 2010 at 9:30 pm |
wow! i never saw it, but google-images has a number of dramatic views.
January 14, 2010 at 12:51 am |
yes, the Lewisohn stadium site was the venue for many summers of musical events; Gershwin, Pete Seeger, but also regular appearances of the New York Philharmonic (who went by the name “Stadium Concerts Symphony Orchestra” for those dates).
Still a very lovely campus!
January 14, 2010 at 1:23 am |
It’s a truly beautiful campus, on a hillside near lovely old townhouses and brownstones. One of the city’s hidden gems.
January 19, 2010 at 1:43 am |
I was student at CCNY when the stadium was demolished. I remember seeing the wrecking ball swinging. Why didn’t I think to take photos?
April 7, 2011 at 9:48 pm |
I think this is the location used in Serpico where Al Pacino and Tony Roberts meet up at one point. That location was a decrepit looking stadium that resembles the postcard in the post.
May 16, 2012 at 5:12 pm |
I recall summer evening concerts by the Goldman Band in the stadium.
August 10, 2012 at 5:30 am |
My mother took me to the stadium just before demolition. We lived in Harlem then and I would have been in junior high school at the time. I recall her being quite sad about the loss of the stadium. I later went to CCNY for a semester before transferring to State University. I live in Vancouver BC now but whenever i’m in NY, I visit the campus.
September 29, 2012 at 1:43 am |
Now in my eighties and having grown up at the foot of the stadium (St Nicholas Ave 135th Street) I remember the stadium well. CCNY and High School of Music & Arts were the gems of the neighborhood. As an adult I attended many concerts in the safe open air setting. I am glad I grew up during that time. Recently visited NY and drove by CUNY. It is still a lovely campus, but seems crowded by all the glass buildings. Sometimes progress comes at a great cost.