Bay Ridge

by Matthew Scarpa

Overview

Bay Ridge, located on the southernmost western point of Long Island, was once a small rural community along the banks of the Lower New York Bay. When the Township of New Utrecht, which governed and included Bay Ridge, was annexed to the City of Brooklyn in 1894, its rural character changed dramatically, growing into a thriving urban center, both diverse and prosperous, complete with fine country day clubs for social and cultural refinement. A unique glimpse and intimate portrait of this rural part of Brooklyn is provided through the picture postcards of the early 20th century. These beautifully illustrated postal prints feature many of Bay Ridge's finest attractions, exploring the picturesque beauty of its country-style landscape, its back roads and stately homes, and its urban city-dwelling environment with mass transportation systems connecting it with Brooklyn and Greater New York.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781467120227
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	09/02/2013
Series:	Postcard History Series
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Historian Matthew Scarpa of the Bay Ridge Historical Society has compiled this fascinating volume of picture postcards from various historical resources and private collections to provide a glimpse into the allure and charm of the "Garden Spot of Brooklyn."

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 6

Introduction 7

1 Bay Ridge: A View of the Narrows 9

2 Homes and Estates: Residences, Streets, and Scenic Spaces 19

3 Along the Narrows Bay: "Beautiful Shore Road" 37

4 Places of Social and Cultural Refinement: The Crescent Club, Parks, and Bay Ridge Livelihood 51

5 Harbor Defenses: Fort Hamilton and Fort Lafayette 65

6 Places of Worship: Churches of Bay Ridge 83

7 Centers of Education and Learning: Libraries and Schools 95

8 Transportation: In and Around Bay Ridge 107

Bibliography 126

Index 127