Photos by Jushin Gonzalez Journal Square is the diverse transit hub of Jersey City smack dab in the middle of an ever-changing skyline. Before the major commercial and business district was titled Journal Square (in 1923 after the Jersey Journal), it was laden with farmhouses and manors from the original Bergen settlers of the 1660s. […]
Let’s Explore: The Geography of Jersey City
A few weeks ago, the Embankment Preservation Coalition organized a presentation about the geography of Jersey City at Grace Van Vorst church, headed by Luke Schray, an urban planner and board member of the coalition. When his home was flooded in Hurricane Sandy, his interest was piqued into the geography of Jersey City. But “to […]
Let’s Explore: The Powerhouse Arts District
Let’s Explore: The Powerhouse Arts District The Powerhouse Arts District (or “PAD”) is one of the smallest neighborhoods in Jersey City, but it packs a helluva punch. Primarily comprised of manufacturing buildings erected in the 1800s, turned into artist live/work spaces in the later 1990s and early 2000s (and living among the new high rises dotting Jersey City’s […]
Old School JC: Larry Mullane “A Detective Story”
Larry Mullane’s stories about growing up and working in Jersey City – in the motorcycle and anti-robbery squads and later as a homicide detective for all of Hudson County – have become the stuff of legends for family and friends. His stories have also inspired screenwriters and novelists and led to a second career as […]
Let’s Explore: Greenville
Greenville is one of those neighborhoods in Jersey City that a lot of people don’t know of off the bat. Its south of a lot of the action and development that JC is seeing and like a few other neighborhoods in the area, the 1970s hit it hard. But the Hudson County History Advocates partnered […]
Let’s Explore: The Heights
Continuing on our journey of Jersey City neighborhoods, let’s visit The Heights! I sat down with Roger Heitmann, Treasurer for the Riverview Neighborhood Association who was born in the Heights and has lived here for most of his life. His family lineage in the Heights goes back to 1891 and he’s a bit of a […]
Let’s Explore: Paulus Hook
I’ve set out on a journey to learn a little more about each neighborhood in Jersey City; its history, architectural details, landmarks and any other interesting anecdotes I come across. Let’s start with Paulus Hook, shall we? When I started asking around for a good resource on the neighborhood, all signs pointed to Diane Kaese, […]
The Battle of Paulus Hook
History came alive last night at the Battle of Paulus Hook commemoration as a fife and drummer reenactment group led flag-waving celebrators, young and old, from the corner of Washington and Dudley to Paulus Hook Park, proving that the past is not dead. The march, now in its 10th year and put on by the […]
The Colgate Clock Styles
A few months ago I teamed up with local artist Pat Massett to bring you all a little slice of Jersey City History combined with fashion! As part of my journey of discovering Jersey City, learning it’s history has become an integral part of this discovery process! So far we’ve covered Pershing Field, The Arch […]
Ann Harwood
About a year ago, on a random Jersey City stroll (pre-ChicpeaJC) we walked into Smith and Chang to look around for “tchotkes”. I spotted a photograph; a picture of two latin men dressed in 70’s gear and in the background the twin towers. This picture drew me in, it told a story, I couldn’t stop […]
Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal Styles
As part of my journey of discovering the wonders of Jersey City, I’ve enlisted local artist Pat Massett to be my official ChicpeaJC historian! Pat is a Jersey City enthusiast and history buff and with his help I brought you the background on Pershing Field, The arch and the Powerhouse. For this months edition we […]
The Retro Powerhouse Shirt
Yesterday I revealed the winner of the ChicpeaJC and Damaged wear design contest; artist Pat Massett. Who is also my official historian! His winning design incorporated retro Jersey City with a stunning image of the Powerhouse. I went to the Powerhouse and wore my new Damaged Wear shirt with friend and photog Chris Capaci to […]
Pat Massett
When Dennis from Damaged Wear and I decided to get together and work on a shirt line we thought it would be cool to have a design contest and involve local talented designers. The requirements were for the design to be retro Jersey City and to incorporate the Kiss icon I use in my logo […]
Pershing Field Styles
A few weeks ago I teamed up with artist and Jersey City aficionado Pat Massett (post coming soon!) to bring you the first edition of our Jersey City History and Fashion blog collaboration; The arch in Pershing field. After this post I was curious to find out more about the rest of the park; I […]
Pershing Field Arch
Writing ChicpeaJC has been quite the journey! I learn something new about my home on a daily basis; Hearing people’s stories, finding new neighborhoods to explore, trying new foods has been so incredibly fun. I moved here about 5 years ago and was not fully aware of all of its “awesomeness” until I started this […]