The Jacob Herrlich & Sons Building - 332 East 86th Street

photo by Ted Leather

Early in 1885, developer Gotthold Haug completed construction of three "four-story stone front flats," as described by the Real Estate Record & Guide, at 332 through 336 East 86th Street.   Their openings sat within pronounced architrave neo-Grec-style frames and bracketed cornices with paneled friezes crowned their facades.

On November 15, 1898, Jacob and Christine Ruth Herrlich purchased 332 East 86th Street for $16,150 (about $630,000 in 2025 terms).  The following month, on December 31, The New York Times reported that Herrlich had contracted architect Charles Stegmayer to make renovations.  

The alterations converted the ground floor to a commercial space.  It was originally home to the Yorkville Court (or headquarters) of the I.O.F. (the Independent Order of Foresters).  But by 1905, the Jacob Herrlich & Bros'. Funeral Parlors occupied the space.

Jacob Herrlich had opened his funeral operation in 1875.  Living above the funeral home with Jacob and Christina were sons August Jacob and Philip C.  August was made a commissioner of deeds in 1906, a civil service position similar to a notary public.

Other tenants in the building at the time were William Wheeler, a tile-layer, and his mother; and Caroline A. Wieler who, like August Jacob Herrlich, applied for a civil service job in 1909.  But her application for Typewriter Accountant was denied.  The minutes of the Municipal Civil Service Commission of July 14, 1909, said, "It appeared that the candidate had been disqualified for placing the examination number on her papers."  Caroline appealed, submitting a statement that "the error was unintentional and made with no thought of revealing her identity."  Upon consideration, the commission granted her papers for examination.

Jacob Herrlich died in 1907 and by 1910, the business was renamed Jacob Herrlich's Sons.  Philip and August Herrlich made renovations to the building in 1923, resulting in the funeral parlor on the ground and second floors, and one apartment each on the third and fourth.  The Herrlich brothers and their families were now the only occupants of the building.

Jacob Herrlich & Sons was the scene of notable funerals over the decades.  Annie White Strathern's funeral was held here in October 1920.  Never married, she devoted her life to social work and was a teacher and social worker for 55 years, 43 of those working with the Children's Aid Society.  She spent every summer vacation at the fresh air branches of that society.  In 1908 she organized the Mothers' Helpers' Association, which trained young girls in domestic science.

Another notable funeral was that of Police Sergeant Herman R. Blohm, held here on August 23, 1922.  Blohm had taken his family on vacation to Highland Lake.  The previous summer his family "were annoyed by rattlesnakes," according to The Evening World, so this year Blohm left his service pistol home "and bought a vest pocket automatic," to deal with the reptiles.

On August 20, Blohm and his wife headed to the lake.  He saw and killed a rattle snake on the way.  Uncustomed to the new weapon, he forgot to adjust the safety catch.  The Evening World said, "The trigger caught on his trousers and the weapon was discharged."  His funeral here was crowded with police.

A Nazi parade marched past the Jacob Herrlich & Sons building on October 30, 1937.  A prominent blade sign identifies the funeral home.  from the collection of the Library of Congress.

Perhaps none of the funerals attracted more public attention than that of Krao Farini, known as the "bearded lady," the "missing link," and the "ape-woman" of Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus.  

Born in Laos in 1876, Krao was afflicted with what today is known as hypertrichosis--an abnormal amount of hair growth.  She and her parents were captured by explorer Carl Bock during an expedition in 1881.  Bock put her on exhibition in 1882 as an example of the missing link between apes and humans.  By the 1920s, she lived in Brooklyn and when not on exhibition with Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey, she wore a heavy veil in public.

Krao Farini, cabinet card by Obermuller & Son, around 1890.

Krao died from influenza on April 16, 1926.  Her funeral was held here on April 18.  The New York Times reported on the service, spattering the article with callous descriptions of the mourners.  It described Carrie Holt as "the fat lady," and said Jim Tarver, the "Texas Giant" had "to bring his own chair."  The article said, "Victoria Anderson, 'leopard girl' with the spotted hair and skin, cried a bit as she looked at Krao for the last time."  Krao Farini had requested that her body be cremated to preclude her corpse becoming a post-mortem freak attraction.

Philip C. Herrlich died in his apartment on April 8, 1926 at the age of 53.  In reporting his death, The Casket and Sunnyside called him "one of the most widely known members of the profession in Greater New York, and a power in the State and local associations."

A coat of white paint covered the brownstone in 1941.  image via the NYC Dept of Records & Information Services.

August Jacob Herrlich continued the family business.  At mid-century, the firm merged with Frank E. Campbell Funeral Church, and after occupying the space for half a century, left East 86th Street.  By 1954, it was home to the office of attorney Richard E. Bauman.

In the summer of 1968, the seafood restaurant Brigadoon opened here.  Food critic Craig Claiborne of The New York Times said on August 30, "As to the decor and table service, there isn't a lot to praise in this recently opened fish and seafood house."  He deemed the fish, however, "impressive."

The venture was short lived.  It was replaced by Alda's Ristorante in 1970.  The restaurant offered "heartwarming Italian cuisine," according to its advertisement in Gourmet magazine that year.  The end of Alda's Risatorante came 15 years later when the owners were caught selling heroin in addition to pasta.

The former funeral home space continued to see a turn-over of occupants.  Christine Polish Restaurant was here in 1987, replaced by Pasta Vicci in 1989, and the following year The Well Bred Pedigree, a pet shop, was here.  Most recently, a hair-removal clinic occupies the space.

At some point the white paint was carefully removed from the brownstone facade, returning the upper floors to its 1895 appearance.

many thanks to reader Ted Leather for suggesting this post.