Sea Gate

Sea Gate

The Lou and Dave Orans purchased the house at 4715 Surf Avenue, Sea Gate, Brooklyn, N. Y. in the 1920's. Initially, it was home to the families of Lou and Dave. Ed and Alfred shared the round room in the "turret." Somewhat later, Moe Orans settled his family at 4905 Surf Avenue, just three houses away.

"Babushka" Clara lived at the "Nelson House" two houses down from 4715. She moved to an apartment on Beach 46th Street after a few years. Regina's sister Liza came to America, married Herman Minton. They made their home with in Sea Gate with their son Victor. Ury (Dave Junior) married France Wechsler, "the girl next door." They made their home in Frances' home next door to 4715 Surf Avenue with their daughter Barbara.

Regina's sister, Bela, came for a visit in the summer of 1939. With the German invasion of Poland and the start of the Second World War, she was unable to return home. She lived with Dave and Regina for the rest of her life. When Lou died in 1941, his wife Sonia remained in Lou's part of the house, but left in the late 1940's. Clara died in 1941. By 1942, the family at 4715 included Dave, Regina, Bela and Sonia. Moe and Liza's families also lived "inside the Gate."

Dave, Regina and Bela left "the Gate" in the mid-1950's. They moved to Great Neck, N. Y. Ury (Dave, Jr.) and Fran moved over from next door. Over the years, their daughter Barbara and her family would live there. Regina came to live with her children in the mid-1970's. She stayed until her death in 1978. After Barbara, Ury and Fran died, Barbara's daughters, the three Tannen Sisters inherited the home. Billie Tannen Nielson, one of Barbara's daughters lives there today with her husband Bob.

Some Interesting Views of Sea Gate

NASA Photographic Imagery. The East Coast near Long Island.
Coney Island is located at the West end of the Southern shore of Long Island.

Topographic key map of the entry to New York Bay.
Sea Gate is at the western end of Coney Island, just about
half-way up the center of the map.

Closer scale topographic map of Sea Gate and Coney Island Beach.
The Coney Island Lighthouse is identified just south of Norton's Point.

Soviet Satellite Imagery-Sea Gate at the tip of Coney Island
and entrance to New York Bay.

Soviet Satellite Imagery-Close scale. Surf Avenue is readily identifiable,
With some knowledge and care, you can spot the house at 4715 Surf Avenue.

Soviet Satellite Imagery-Another close scale view of Surf Avenue and the houses in
vicinity of Beach 47th-49th Streets. One can assume, the most serious satellite
imagery can resolve these pictures down to the front yard, at least.

U. S. Coast Guard aerial photo of the Coney Island Lighthouse.
4715 Surf Avenue is highlighted in a red square above.


		Orans Family Index

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Please write to: Lewis P. Orans