Saturday, August 7, 2010

Photo of Day - Old German Coal Chute Geo. Focht Sons

Here is a photo that I initially thought was a sewer cap that appears to be Jewish in origin or just a pattern of a snowflake. Further research indicates that it is a cap to a coal chute originally made by Germans George Focht (1823-1898) Sons Iron Works who were once at First and Adams Street. This cap is on Garden Street between 6th and 7th on Garden Street if my memory serves me correct.

To read more about the Focht family and their Hoboken business go to this link:
http://www.waltergrutchfield.net/focht.htm

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Posted by Hoboken Resistance at 8:53 AM

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Mattaccino's avatar

Mattaccino · 762 weeks ago

Great photo. Focht was probably not Jewish because a star of David is comprised of two equilateral triangles. This one is made up of diamonds or "lozenges", a common Bavarian symbol - he even sprinkles them around the edges. The six pointed star pre-dates Judaism as a mystical symbol but it's more likely that Focht was from Bavaria (or eastern PA) and possibly a Freemason.
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Hoboken4G's avatar

Hoboken4G · 761 weeks ago

Great photo...it has been published in the Hoboken Historical Museum's magazine in the past. It is in front of my home at 629 Garden St. When we renovated the place we just felt it would be a crime to remove the coal shute cap. We restored it with the help of Hufnagel landscaping in 2001. I do not know the exact history of George Focht & Sons but I can agree that this family was likely proud of their Bavarian origins for reasons stated by Mattaccino. Many of the German immigrants to Hoboken in the mid to late 1800's had strong ties to Germany long after they moved here.
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Gardiner4Hoboken's avatar - Go to profile

Gardiner4Hoboken 90p · 761 weeks ago

Thanks Hoboken 4G, for the smart decision to preserve a little bit of Hoboken History. Check out the link I provided in the article that gives a more in depth perspective of the Focht family. The photo I can assure you is mine I took it several weeks ago although I am sure the Hoboken Historical Museum has many great photos in addition to the one I took.
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Carol Henry's avatar

Carol Henry · 251 weeks ago

Hi I know this is an old post but just wanted to share with you that I am a descendant of George Focht so happy to see thank you for preserving a part of local history and family history for me Carol
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Carolyn Adams's avatar

Carolyn Adams · 130 weeks ago

George Focht was my great-great-great grandfather on my father's mother's side so am very interested in any and all history and related artifacts. Thank you for these images; one day I hope to travel to Hoboken and see for myself!

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