|
January 22, 2004 23:38:01
|
History of Canarsie
So called from the French word, canard, meaning duck, the symbol of the Indian tribe that lived on the edge of Jamaica Bay, where ducks were plentiful. The area was originally a part of the town of Flatlands, where fishing and farming prevailed. In the 1870s the influx of immigrants that came to the area turned their attentions to mining the oyster beds and fishing the fertile waters of Jamaica Bay. Canarsie soon became a fashionable seaside resort and amusement area, drawing throngs to its vaudeville theaters and speakeasies. But, by the 1930s, the effects of the Depression, added to the pollution of Jamaica Bay, forced many to move on. Soon after, the amusement area burned to the ground. In 1939 the entire area was razed to make way for the Belt Parkway, a major highway. The end of World War II brought new immigrants to the area, many occupying one and two family homes. Rowhouses and duplexes rose, establishing a more urban area.
Served by Community District 18
Zip Code: 11236
Claims to Fame:
The Canarsie Reformed Church (82 Conklin Avenue) was built in 1877.
The Canarsie pier was built in the 1920s in an effort to attract commercial development to Jamaica Bay. The six acre pier offers the ideal location for fishing, picnicking and summer concerts. Also located on the pier is a first class Italian restaurant, offering splendid food and a splendid view.
The Canarsie Beach Park, 136 acres along Seaview Avenue, is home to the sport of cricket.
|
