Riverdale Silk

[ndembowski]

In the 1930s, as Imperial Japan was conquering many of their neighbors, there was something odd happening in this lovely Victorian house, which stood on Riverdale Avenue near the intersection with W. 261st Street.

This was the home of John Ousta, whose ambition was to make the U.S. independent of foreign silk, which was largely sourced from Japan.  Using Riverdale’s mulberry trees as feed, he raised silk worms right here across from the College of Mount St. Vincent.

May 1939 issue of Popular Science

His story made national and international news.  This is a feature from the Madera Tribune:

 

[Thomas Casey]

An interesting story –  I wonder if any of these flags are available to view.

[Thomas Casey]

Now Riverdale Funeral Home 6110 Riverdale Ave BX NY

[Thomas Casey]

Now Riverdale Funeral Home 6110 Riverdale Ave BX NY

[Thomas Casey]

[ATekirian]

This was an interesting article along with the photos.  Thank you Nick and Thomas.

 

Andrea

[Author]

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