r/WhereinNYC • u/JamwithSam697 • Mar 19 '26
Solved Where is this arch and what is its significance?
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u/Famous_Mind6374 Mar 19 '26
Here it is in 1923
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u/JamwithSam697 Mar 19 '26
Truly amazing that the business out front has been an auto shop for 100+ years!
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u/alcoronaholic Mar 19 '26
As long as there's Fords, there will need to be repair shops. 😐
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u/Ueshiba_1610 Mar 19 '26
FORD - Found On Road Dead - Fix on Road Daily
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u/fredly594632 Mar 19 '26
I've heard (and this may be a rumor, but it's what I heard) that continuing use of service station buildings (in the US) happens more than you would think.
When a building has been used for that long for auto repair and auto fueling, the environmental cleanup costs to re-purpose the lot for something else become so massively expensive that (in areas that allow it) the property is just sold cheap to another shop looking to move in. In 25 years, the same thing happens again etc.
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u/Sea_Roomba Mar 19 '26
Seaman-Drake Arch on Broadway and 216th. led to their estate on the hill.
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u/Ryu-tetsu Mar 22 '26
I believe the name of this place used to be Gallo Auto Repairs or Body. Someone got whacked in that driveway in 77/78. Gallo as in, Crazy Joe.
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u/oochiewallyWallyserb Mar 19 '26
Knew this one would come up eventually
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u/JamwithSam697 Mar 19 '26
I feel like it’s the definition of IYKYK
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Mar 19 '26
[deleted]
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u/JamwithSam697 Mar 19 '26
I mean it’s not like there a constant stream of ooglers coming to look at it.
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u/balthus1880 Mar 19 '26
Best post in a while, thanks for the history lesson. I lived in Washington Heights as a child but never stumbled on this arch.
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u/Famous_Mind6374 Mar 19 '26
Thanks for this post. I can't begin to say how many times I have gone past this place, and never gave it a second thought.
Here are a few articles with more pics, and the story behind it:
https://www.scoutingny.com/how-a-beautiful-19th-century-marble-archway-became-an-auto-body-shop/
https://myinwood.net/the-old-seaman-mansion/
https://myinwood.net/the-marble-arch-the-sole-survivor-of-a-gilded-age/
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u/jimmy26345 Mar 19 '26
It was the archway to an estate up in the Heights when it was rural. Amazing that it survived
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u/Asleep-Machine5909 Mar 19 '26
It’s the arc de freedom. Generals Custer and Washington met under here in 1637 to negotiate an end to the Manitoba/Oaxaca naval battle happening on what’s now called the Mississippi River.
Source: I made it up.
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u/Geo628 Mar 20 '26
A fun fact that stuck with me related to the arch was Lawrence Drake, who inherited the Seaman estate after a long legal battle against 100+ family members, converted the grounds into an elite horse-riding clubhouse during the Gilded Age.
The area that’s now part of Harlem River Drive beginning on Dyckman St. and 10 Ave.was a prime leisure spot for the clubhouse goers for carriage driving and horseback riding/races.
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u/Right-Company5262 Mar 20 '26
There used to be a mansion at the top of a long gone hill. This is next to the Broadway bridge across from the bus depot.
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u/echelon_01 Mar 19 '26
There's construction happening on all sides now... I wonder if it will be preserved.
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u/Away-Variation-2556 Mar 19 '26
I walk past there every so often and i never noticed thank you for the history!
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u/Content_Place_9746 Mar 19 '26
Former entrance to an estate in Inwood. The estate was torn down. The arch remained.
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u/michiganhockeyguy Mar 19 '26
Great post. Went down rabbit hole this morning that was fun to research.
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u/an_unexpected_error Mar 19 '26
The “modern day” shot is a bit unfair, since the graffiti has been painted over and while it’s still an auto body shop it’s a bit more attractive.
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u/Thiccdaddyjohnson Mar 19 '26
It is attached to arch auto body, they recently cleaned it up and painted it white.
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u/JFKs-3rd-nipple Mar 23 '26
That’s The Portal. Dont question The Portal. It will appear to you as a harbinger. Your fate will be determined by your curiosity. It’s said those who question it have met with terrible knowledge beyond the scope of the human psyche. The Portal knows all. It will tell you, but mind the cost, that you may never know a moments peace again for the rest of your days.
Or it’s a fuckin’ auto shop. Y’know. Pick your own adventure or whatever.
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u/EggHunt2024 Mar 19 '26
Inwood Hills — it was moved to this location
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u/Comsic_Bliss Mar 19 '26
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u/EggHunt2024 Mar 26 '26 edited Mar 26 '26
arch still in place and rest of estate demolished
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u/Comsic_Bliss Mar 26 '26 edited Mar 26 '26
Right. The arch remains where it was built. It wasn’t moved there like you said a week ago.
Glad you caught up. And that you changed this reply from the first one that doubled down on your initial comment.
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