3501 Foster Avenue - November 2008

[astonio]

Ok. Finally did it! Following, you will see where the DeFeo family lived prior to 112 and prior to John. Interesting note, the neighborhood today in that section of Brooklyn is a heavily Haitian community. By comparative standards of other communities in NYC, it is relatively nice. Churches within walking distance, some shops, drug stores, KFCs, etc. It was actually a little tricky locating the actual 3501 as it appears the entrance is the rear of the building. Also, it really would have been a small apartment with a tight fit for a family of 6 at that time.

Hope you enjoy!!

[Dan the Damned]

Wow. What a change going from that to Amityville. I wonder what the neighborhood was like in the early 60s...

[astonio]

Traces of what was is still somewhat evident today. Looks like your standard NYC Italian/Jewish community. I saw parochial schools peppered in the neighborhood. A few churches.

[Chichibcc]

Thanks! Great job!

[astonio]

Hey, no problem guys!! Look for more "today" pics of 'other' sites in the weeks to come...!

[OrangeNblack]

"Thanks" so much for posting the pics.
Very interesting!

[OrangeNblack]

I wonder if any of the DeFeo's friends and neighbors from 3501 Foster spoke about them to the police or appeared in court in their defense?
It had to be so heartbreaking to the DeFeo neighbors fom this apartment building to see on the news and hear of the awful murders of their former neighbors.
Especially in shock that the son murdered them.
I'm sure they were thinking, "Gee, and to think that young man passed me everyday coming and going from his apt."

[astonio]

Well, it was more than 9 yrs since they lived there. I'm sure they had friends the parents did keep in some contact with, although not too sure just to what extent.

[zzvampy]

Fantastic Sto, thanks for sharing!

And please pardon me, as I certainly mean no disrespect whatsoever, but for some reason I thought the building would be a bit more, well, astute.

Of course time does indeed take it's toll on all things.

These pics. gave me more chills than some of the 112/108 photos.

Thanks again Sto.

[astonio]

I'm glad you can appreciate them, Krizzy.

I'm also glad you mentioned that vibe. The feeling I got was that while it is urban, it really is a modest building. When I walked the blocks, I saw older buildings that kept their face, so to speak, and looked astute. In the 60s, the buildings were named somethng else, I can't remember (Max?). My point is, the buildings were probably prettier then. On the other hand, the way the entrance is situated to the buildings, it looked " project-like" today. The entrance appeared to be the rear and can be easily missed unless you're walking. The building the DeFeos lived in sits on the corner of Foster and New York Avenues.

[msmart112]

In the 60s, the buildings were named somethng else, I can't remember (Max?). My point is, the buildings were probably prettier then.

They used to be called the Vanderveer Estates, and they were built in the late forties. Here's an ad from 1949...

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e210/ ... erveer.jpg

[astonio]

I figured you'd know it!

Interesting, don't be mislead by the ad where it states 2-5 room apartments. These are NOT bedrooms...these would be the actual 'rooms' per apartment. They still advertise like this today in the city.

Another consideration, the DeFeos apartment could have been bought and simply passed on through the family line (Brigante or DeFeo). That's common in apartment buildings communities.

[Chichibcc]

In the 60s, the buildings were named somethng else, I can't remember (Max?). My point is, the buildings were probably prettier then.

They used to be called the Vanderveer Estates, and they were built in the late forties. Here's an ad from 1949...

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e210/ ... erveer.jpg

Thanks! Great find!

[OrangeNblack]

Like ZZ, when I scrolled down to see the pics, I got a chill/uneasy feeling.
I studied each picture, and kept thinking that place is creepy, and the feeling I get is uneasy...the best way for me to describe it is, I work for Wallgreen's part time in the photo dept. When I have to develope pictures of someone in a casket, I get the creeps.

[astonio]

You know, I can understand feeling a vibe. Going there made Mr. and Mrs. DeFeo more "Brooklyn" for me. Hard to explain. However, although I mentioned it in the appropriate thread, I got that similarly described feeling when I went into the tire center. That felt like something. I had but a little time to assume a "shopper's" role before the service guy asked if he could be of assistance. Anyway, I scanned the area and to think, possibly, the office I was looking into could have been owned by Mr. DeFeo, service mgr, in '74. Now that gave me the willies!! Almost as if that would be as close as I could get to the man villified as an abuser of women and children and possibly the catalyst behind the murders.

[LongLiveQuarterMoon]

OK is it just me or is Phil Spector's wig getting bigger and bigger?

[sherbetbizarre]

I noticed that too.

Thanks for posting all these pics, Astonio

[Dan the Damned]

When it stops raining, his hair should slowly die out.

[astonio]

OK is it just me or is Phil Spector's wig getting bigger and bigger?

LMAO!!!

[TigresMeow]

Why do I think Chia Pet when I look at your avatar, Sto???

[Dan the Damned]

Phil Spector does this for safety reasons -- he can now fall over backwards without causing brain damage.