Vitagraph Smokestack - Atlas Obscura
Places near me Random place

AO Edited

Vitagraph Smokestack

Brooklyn, New York

The remnants of what was once the largest film studio on the East Coast are hiding in plain sight. 

View all photos
It's no Hollywood sign. YeleFit (Atlas Obscura User)
It's no Hollywood sign. YeleFit (Atlas Obscura User)
The old Vitagraph Smokestack is a piece of cinematic history. YeleFit (Atlas Obscura User)
Thousands of train passengers go by the smokestack daily. YeleFit (Atlas Obscura User)
A local newspaper in 1916 talks about the building plans. Public Domain
6
23
Top Places in Brooklyn
Atlantic Avenue Tunnel
Brooklyn, New York
Admiral's Row
Brooklyn, New York
Monk Parakeets of Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, New York
 See All

By 1916, Vitagraph Studios occupied two acres of land in Brooklyn. It became famous for his comedies starring John a Bunny, the most popular comedian in the US before Carly Chaplin. In 1911, Vitagraph published the first motion picture magazine, Motion Picture Story Magazine. He has produced such stars as Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Drew, Norma and Constance Talmadge, Anita Stewart, Clara Kimball Young, Flora Finch, Maurice Costello, and Mabel Normand.

The oldest building was demolished in 2015. But the smokestack remains. So this chimney, on which the black brick letters “Vitagraph” are still clearly visible, is the only surviving hint of the storied past of this place.

Know Before You Go

The Vitagraph Smokestack can be seen from a distance. Note that not all parts of the surrounding complexes are open to the public.

movies cinema film
Community Contributors
Y
Added by
YeleFit
w
k
Edited by
wherearewedude, keslar
Published
August 18, 2024
Edit this listing
Make an Edit Add Photos
Nearby
Avenue H Station House
0.77 miles
'3M' Mile Marker on Ocean Parkway
0.80 miles
Monk Parakeets of Brooklyn College
1.00 miles
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
Near This Place
Avenue H Station House.
Brooklyn, New York

Avenue H Station House

This unusual subway stop was originally a real estate office.
A white stone with "3M" carved into it along a bike path
Brooklyn, New York

'3M' Mile Marker on Ocean Parkway

The last remaining 19th-century mile marker along the historic Ocean Parkway.
Some of the birds' Green-Wood relatives
Brooklyn, New York

Monk Parakeets of Brooklyn College

Con Edison’s exotic and heat-loving pests.
Brooklyn, New York

Newkirk Plaza Mural and Mosaic

A mosaic made of materials gathered from this Brooklyn community adorns the walls of this tunnel.
Related Places
Penistone, England

Penistone Paramount Cinema

This century-old, single-screen cinema still puts a 1937 Compton organ to good use.
London, England

Umit & Son

A vintage media store and safe haven for cinema buffs who love 16mm films shown on vintage projectors.
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

Oz Plaza

Life-size statues of characters from 'The Wizard of Oz' stand at the one of the early screening sites for the 1939 movie.
Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Communist Film Depot

Several rooms flooded with 35mm film reel.
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

From Around the Web