|
You must login to create a new post or thread.
Click here to login
Crown Heights
|
January 28, 2004 23:29:04
|
History of Crown Heights
Once home to Ebbet's Field, home of the beloved (and, to some Brooklynites, reviled) Brooklyn Dodgers from 1912 through 1957, this area, which lies on the glacial ridge, was formerly called Crow Hill, and was the site of a prison. It was a quiet, sparsely populated settlement in the original Dutch town of Breukelen. The 1800s saw its development as an upper middle class suburb. In the early twentieth century, its name was changed , perhaps intending to elevate its status. Today, it is bordered by Atlantic, Ralph and Flatbush Avenues and Empire Boulevard and is home to a diverse mix of residents.
Served by Community District 8 - 11213, Community District 9
Zip Code: 11213
Claims to Fame:
The Brooklyn Children's Museum (145 Brooklyn Avenus at St. Mark's Aves), since 1899, is the oldest children's museum in the nation, and recognized as one of the most innovative, offering hands-on exhibits that encourage learning about nature and the social sciences.
Eastern Parkway was the first highway in the nation, designed in 1866. It was originally built for use as a promenade, with equestrian paths and carriageways, as was its sibling boulevard, Ocean Parkway. Pedestrians ambled along the walkway, resting upon benches, observing the passing parade of buggies and Model T Fords. Today it the area's major thoroughfare. The colorful West Indian Day Parade is held here each September.
Some of the areas most magnificent 19th century homes, can be seen along the stretch of President Street known as "Doctor's Row."
St. Bartholomew's Church (1227 Pacific St) is a Romanesque Revival church built in 1890, where today's gospel is read in many languages.
The Truslow House, at 96 Brooklyn Avenue, was designated as a New York City landmark in September, 1997. This Queen Anne mansion, built between 1887 and 1888 of red brick with granite and sandstone trim, is amazingly well preserved, displaying many of its original exterior features.
The Weeksville Society was named for James Weeks, a settler to the area.This society was instrumental in the preservation and restoration of the historical treasures of the former neighborhood of Weeksville, a community rich in black history within the Crown Heights area.
The history of Ebbet's Field, though demolished after the departure of the Brooklyn Dodgers in the late 1950s, is a tale that bears telling. The Borough of Brooklyn, with its expanse of vacant land, was instrumental in popularizing the sport of baseball. By the late 1800s there were several ball parks in the borough and the Dodgers were one of seventy competing baseball teams.
In 1890 they won the National League Pennant. Having been known by a variety of names, the team was named the Trolley Dodgers by Brooklyn fans. It seems Brooklynites were known for their ability to hustle in an effort to avoid being hit by the many busy trolleys that traveled the avenues and streets of the borough. The hustling fans, identifying with the hustling ball team, decidedly dubbed them The Brooklyn Dodgers. In 1912 Charles Ebbets built a 35,000-seat stadium on what was once a dumping grounds. The Dodgers, capturing the hearts of Brooklynites, affectionately came to be known as "Dem Bums". They played at Ebbet's Field for 68 seasons and after 21 years of losses the team won the National Pennant in 1941. The parade was grand, attended by over two million people. From 1947 to 1956 the team went on to win six more National Pennants.
Then in the late 1950s the flight of many Brooklynites to the suburbs resulted in the decline of the area. This prompted the Dodgers' move to Los Angeles, dealing a heavy blow to the borough, from which some tried and true Dodger fans still have not recovered.
Stephanie Mills, singer and actress, is a native of Crown Heights. Performing since she was a toddler, at age 12 she achieved the distinction of winning the Apollo's Amateur Hour six times. At 16 she starred in The Wiz and continues to perform today.
|
|
