Glance at many of the 19th and early 20th century buildings lining city streets, and you might see a man’s name inscribed on top—like on this 1881 structure at 630 and 632 Hudson Street in the West Village. It’s named for Hugh King, a produce merchant.
On Sixth Avenue in Chelsea is the former Bazaar Francais, a French housewares store operated by Charles R. Ruegger.
Who was Geo F. Driscoll, whose name graces this building in Carroll Gardens? It’s a mystery.
James H. Dykeman’s box factory occupied this building on Union Street in Carroll Gardens. Dykeman “was a carpenter by trade who established himself in the box business in 1877,” according to The Disston Crucible, a Magazine for Millmen.
“Two large buildings occupy the whole block at Union, Nevins, and Sackett Streets, the fourth side of the property facing the canal, making it possible to bring lumber to the mill very economically,” the article states.
Tags: Bazaar Francais, Charles R. Ruegger, Geo F. Driscoll, Gowanus Canal, Hugh King and Co., James H. Dykeman, National Packing Box Factory
Ephemeral New York 
January 15, 2009 at 7:24 pm |
I am trying to find some information concerning a box factory that my grandfather’s family owned under or very near the Brooklyn Bridge. My grandfather’s name was Thomas Moore. He had at least 6 brothers, Lon, Al, Gil, Doug, Ken and a younger brother whose name looks like Naya. They were all young men in 1918. My grandfather eloped with his secretary, moved to NH and to my knowledge never went back to NY. If you have any idea where I can get more information, please email me.
January 28, 2009 at 10:46 pm |
[…] Ephemeral NY: The small business owners of old New York – wildnewyork […]
January 29, 2009 at 12:00 am |
[…] Ephemeral NY: The small business owners of old New York – wildnewyork […]
June 13, 2009 at 5:00 am |
Geo F. Driscoll is (possibly) a mystery no longer. In an article regarding the building of the Bronx House of Detention ( http://www.correctionhistory.org/html/chronicl/bronxhouse/bxhodhabsp3.html ):
“The contract for the jail’s construction was awarded to the Brooklyn-based George F. Driscoll Company…”
August 8, 2010 at 9:52 am |
Correct – my family’s company, 3 generations as NYC general contractor operated until 1973
July 20, 2015 at 6:00 pm
My Grandfather was George F. Driscoll, brother of Fred. My name is George F. Driscoll and am a Building Contractor in Fl. I was really excited to see this article, and know that I am a Fourth generation Driscoll Building!!
July 22, 2015 at 9:45 am
My grandfather was John J. Driscoll , son of George F. Driscoll, brother of Fred Driscoll and I’m the son of Ellen Driscoll
June 13, 2009 at 5:32 am |
Very cool, thanks for sending the link!
June 27, 2009 at 2:30 am |
I am trying to find copperware that I purchased through Bazaar Francaise forty years ago. I like the copperware. Where can I purchase something similar to what I had.? I have one piece left only because the tin wore out inside the pan. Can you help me? thanks!
June 27, 2009 at 2:31 am |
Thanks! Sandy Crow
February 23, 2012 at 12:11 pm |
[…] “National Packing Box Factory” and “James H. Dykeman.” Via the excellent Ephemeral New York, we learn that Dykeman “‘was a carpenter by trade who established himself in the box […]
March 3, 2012 at 5:02 pm |
George F. Driscoll was my great grandfather and according to my mother, the building with his name was his first office.
May 31, 2012 at 8:09 pm |
Matt, I thought the same thing when I saw the George F. Driscoll on the building. He was a general contractor, the office was originally in Brooklyn. He is also my great grandfather.
July 10, 2014 at 12:39 am
Hello… as I’ve just noted to Matt (above)… I’ve recently bought a very cool bronze plaque that noted George F Driscoll as one of two builders of the Transatlantic Terminals, Pier 92 in midtown Manhattan. Thought you’d be interested to know that as those piers are very historic part of NYC. If you’d like any more info on this, contact me…
March 27, 2015 at 11:55 pm
George F Driscoll was my grandfather George Jr my father
March 29, 2015 at 11:49 am
Hi Gerard,
Wow the world is small? Do you ever hear from any of your Father’s siblings children? I actually have scanned a copy of a stock certificate my Mom has from the company I can send you.
The Driscoll side of my family consisted of my mom, my uncle Kevin and my uncle John who died before I was born but thanks to the internet, questions became answers .
I wanted to document the legacy of my great grandfather better or at least meet the part of my family that contact was severed with
March 29, 2015 at 11:27 pm
Hi D,
How were you related to George F. Driscoll? Im related via his son John J. (Jack) Driscoll who was my grandfather
M
July 10, 2014 at 12:35 am |
Hello Matt… I’m researching a very cool and large bronze plaque that I bought recently that lists George F Driscoll Co. as one of two builders of the Transatlantic Terminal, Pier 92 in midtown Manhattan. The plaque notes the year as 1935 and the Mayor at the time Fiorello H La Guardia. If you’d like any more info on this, contact me…
November 23, 2014 at 10:27 pm
Hi Greg,
Just happened to see your reply. I don’t know a lot about all the buildings my great grandfather built but it is always interesting to hear about them.
Matt DeGeorge
July 20, 2015 at 6:08 pm
Would love to have all the information I could get about George F Driscoll Company. George F. Driscoll Jr. was my Grandfather. I am named after him! My Father Gerard Driscoll son of George F. Driscoll Jr. and I have been building together for over 33yrs, he before that!! Thats all he and I have ever done!
August 31, 2012 at 11:42 pm |
[…] the excellent Ephemeral New York, we learn that Dykeman “‘was a carpenter by trade who established himself in the box business […]
October 6, 2012 at 9:32 pm |
Hi there. A descendant of this company owner recently left a comment on my blog with some details about the family, and also a query regarding The Disston Crucible, a Magazine for Millmen mentioned above. Do you have any information for her about that magazine mention?
October 6, 2012 at 9:40 pm |
Sure Visualingual, here’s the link I got my info from. Hope it helps…
http://books.google.com/books?id=pPxDAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA89&lpg=PA89&dq=the+disston+crucible+dykeman&source=bl&ots=tQBYPEj1Sd&sig=qBrxa2HdroLnuO98ZRWvIl4LWQI&hl=en&sa=X&ei=4KRwUOXjBNGt0AHm1oCQDA&ved=0CB0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=the%20disston%20crucible%20dykeman&f=false
May 6, 2013 at 11:51 pm |
pretty cool. i’m researching my wife’s genealogy, and her grandfather lists “George F. Driscoll Company, 548-550 Union, Brooklyn” as his employer on his social security app. Great backgrounder…
March 27, 2015 at 11:50 pm |
Hi Guess we all have the same family tree George F Driscoll Sr. was my grandfather George Jr my father and his brothers Fred, Dave and Jack George and Fred worked for the company till it closed I have two sons who have continued in the family Business George And George a homebuilder Brian commercial construction. Yes the building on Union Street in Brooklyn was the original office
March 29, 2015 at 11:52 am |
My mom was Ellen Driscoll and her brothers John and Kevin. Their father was John (Jack) Driscoll who died around 1942-43
Matt DeGeorge
May 6, 2015 at 1:17 am |
George F. Driscoll was my great-grandfather, Fred J. Driscoll my grandfather, John Driscoll my father; D. Cella Gallagher my first cousin. John Driscoll of Darien, CT has published a genealogy of the Driscoll – Prendergast clan in http://mgs.darien.org/driscoll.pdf
September 10, 2015 at 7:48 pm |
There is a plaque dated 1947 at the Brownsville Housing Development with Goeorge F. Driscoll listed as one of the contractors.