DLL

I was invited to Bethel in the fall of 1971. I arrived on a rainy Sunday, October 10 and unloaded right in front of 107. I had never been east of Milwaukee WI; grew up in rural areas of southeastern Minnesota, so needless to say this was quite an experience for a 20 year old kid. Right away I was so impressed with the beautiful gardens. I recall in November there were still roses in bloom - a great contrast to the frozen wastelands of the north where I grew up. The gardens were a real oasis to us. I was assigned to live in room 750 in 107 with another brother who had served almost 4 years. This was a corner room on the corner of Columbia Heights and Orange Street that was high enough to look out into the harbor and see Manhattan, etc. He left Bethel and I went to the Towers Hotel for a few months where lots of new boys lived - the Society was only leasing 3 or 4 floors there at the time. Then my overseer in the factory invited me to room with him back in 107 - this time room 950. I remember meeting Maxwell and Irma Friend in the 107 elevator. They were very gracious. Brother Friend said in his heavy accent "We work so hard at Bethel and have so much to do that we also sleep 60 miles per hour at night." The commissary was in the basement of 107 and I loved all the tunnels especially when the weather was bad. The Monday night WT study was held in the 107 Kingdom Hall and broadcast on TV in various dining rooms. I still remember going early and meeting older single brothers of the anointed who were often there early as well and loved to visit and tell their stories of decades past.

Working on a study project about 124 Columbia Heights. In 1911 an addition was built to the rear of 124 that extended down to Furman Street. Publications state that this was 9 stories high. The top portion can be seen in a few photos that show 1911 124 Building. I attached one of those here too. Around 1948 when the BQE was constructed much of what was on Furman Street was razed and we were left with only about the top 4 floors of this 1911 building that remain until today. I have searched for hours online to find a picture of Old Furman Street, but only found a couple looking down Furman from quite a distance. I attached one so you get an idea of what I'm looking for. I think our building may be in the general vicinity of the tall building to the left that has a watertower on or near it. Does anyone have a photo that shows this addition from 157 - 159 Furman?