Seconds to Go would like to thank guest author, Brian Skewes, for sharing his adventures in historic Brooklyn.
Historic Brooklyn has a long – and sometimes strange – history. The borough started out as farmland and has come a long way since then. It is now a major center of fashion, art, commerce, and even industry. And, as Brooklynites love to tell visitors to their city, if Brooklyn was its own city, it would be the third largest in the country (after Los Angeles and New York itself).
And yet, in many ways, Brooklyn remains overlooked as a tourist destination. Tourists to New York City are more likely to be distracted by the Empire State Building and the New York Stock Exchange. And those of us who have spent time in the northeast are more likely to visit the many unusual sights of New York state (such as our recent trip to some iron works out in the forest).
Historic Brooklyn is not just for fashionistas, hipsters, and artists, though. As we’ll explore, there are parts of Brooklyn that are historic, cultural, and – dare we say it – even picturesque.
Getting Around Historic Brooklyn
First, a word about exploring historic Brooklyn. Most visitors will come in from Manhattan, from where you can take the 2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, N, or Q trains to Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center. This metro stop is one of the busiest in New York city and is the hub of the Brooklyn subway system. If you’re exploring Brooklyn for more than a few hours, you’ll find yourself back here more than once!
At Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center, you have a range of options when it comes to getting around. You can continue on the subway, jump on the bus, get a cab, or hire a bike or scooter. Locals will be surprisingly amenable to offer directions if (or when) you get lost.
With that out of the way, let’s run through the historic sights of Brooklyn.
1. Brooklyn Borough Hall
Brooklyn Borough Hall was always going to come in at number one on this list, if only because it is Brooklyn’s oldest public building, having been built way back in 1848. It was originally designed by architects Calvin Pollard and Gamaliel King and has been used for a variety of purposes alongside it’s municipal role. Recently, it’s appeared in many films, from which you might recognize its imposing exterior.
2. Brooklyn Heights
A short walk from Brooklyn Borough Hall is the neighborhood of Brooklyn Heights. This is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Brooklyn and is as famous for its architecture as for the many famous residents who have lived there over the years. You’ll see buildings in the Victorian Gothic, Italiante, Classical Revival, and late Federal architectural styles, some of which were built before the Civil War.
Another great reason to visit Brooklyn Heights is that it’s right next to the East River. A brand new park now runs along much of the shoreline here, and it’s a great place to grab a snack or a meal while taking in the stunning view of downtown Manhattan.
3. The Brooklyn Bridge
And then, of course, we have the eponymous bridge. The historic Brooklyn Bridge was the first to be built over the East River, was designed by John Augustus Roebling, and was constructed between 1869 and 1883. It’s certainly an impressive project, at 6,016 feet long, and 272 feet high.
There are some great things about the bridge – the view is amazing, and if you appreciate heavy engineering there are few more impressive sites in the city. However, be warned that the bridge is popular, and on holidays it is generally too crowded to be genuinely enjoyable.
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4. The NY Transit Musuem
New Yorkers are proud of their transit system, which has become as recognizable a brand as the city itself. A stop at the NY Transit Museum in downtown Brooklyn is a great way to explore the history of the system, especially on a cold or rainy day when being outside is not all that pleasant.
5. DUMBO
If you manage to talk to an old-time resident of Brooklyn – and if you get the opportunity, you definitely should – they’ll tell you that DUMBO used to be quite different. This neighborhood was originally made up of warehouses and cobbled streets huddled under the Manhattan Bridge: a place for dockers, sailors, and the less reputable sort of bar.
In recent years, the area has been revitalized, and has gone up market in the most emphatic way. It’s been given a new name, just like the more fancy neighborhoods in Manhattan – DUMBO stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass – and is now full of trendy restaurants, bars, and plenty of local history.
6. Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch in Historic Brooklyn
A trip to Prospect Park is recommended for everyone visiting historic Brooklyn – the park is massive, and has something for everyone, from jerk chicken stalls on the Crown Heights side to the boating lake at the south end of the park.
History buffs will also enjoy a visit, though, thanks to the huge monumental arch that spans the main entrance to the park. The Soldier’s And Sailors’ Arch was built between 1889 and 1892, steps away from the Grand Army Plaza stop off the two and X line. The monument was dedicated “To the Defenders of The Union, 1861-1865.”
Traveling Beyond Brooklyn
Of course, if you are coming to New York from another part of the country, we’d very much recommend getting out of the city. Brooklyn is great, but as we explain in our guide to New England travel, the history of New England is just as fascinating, and a little less gritty than the urban history of New York city.
About the Author
Brian Skewes is a technologist into deconstruction. Over two decades of self-employment, he has accumulated a wealth of inadvertent real-world lessons related to building, running, and preserving a small company. You can find Brian on LinkedIn.
