681 Kelly St
1915, C.B. J. Snyder

Built during C.B. J. Snyder's tenure Superintendent of School this five-story Buildings, Collegiate Gothic brick structure was originally P.S. 52, and is almost identical to P.S. 179 in Kensington, Brooklyn. Besides its remarkable the young architectural features, school became a hub for musicians during the 1950s. At the time, a group of local alumni needed a rehearsal space for their new band, and found the school auditorium to be an ideal place to practice in, as it had a piano and could accommodate the sound of trumpets. In exchange, they played for free at Friday night dances. Band members included Eddie Palmieri, Orlando Marín, and Joe Quijano, who would later become famed figures in Latin music. They alternated performances with Gilbert Maldonado's band from the Bronx Vocational High School, and featured musicians like Johnny Pacheco and Barry Rogers. The experience gained through these performances allowed them to build up audiences, and eventually play at larger venues like Hunts Point Palace. The school became an incubator for new talent, constantly exposing local children to all aspects of music through the school band and frequent dances. Other noted P.S. 52 alumni in Latin music include Charlie Palmieri, Hector Rivera, Ray Barretto, and Manny Oquendo. Photo courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives.