Architectural paintings of Historic Brooklyn, NY

Some of the first of my Brooklyn Home Portrait Watercolor Series

Over the years I have spent a lot of time in New York City and there is nothing more enjoyable than strolling through beautiful Brooklyn.  It’s tree-lined streets are steeped in history and  interesting architectural treasures can be found around every corner.   Hicks Street is a favorite of mine.  I thought it was time to share some of my Brooklyn home paintings with you.

Hicks Street, Brooklyn, New York
Pure architectural elegance on the corner of Grace Court and Hicks Street, Brooklyn, New York
Fourth Street Brooklyn NY (419x550)
Fourth Street, Brooklyn
Class Row House on Hicks Street, Brooklyn
Classic row house on Hicks Street, Brooklyn with a Carriage House to the right .
Argle Rd, Brooklyn
Argle Rd, Brooklyn

You can see other historic homes, including city row-houses built around the same time period,  in my Historic Homes Gallery.

Back to Brooklyn.  It has a fascinating past.  It has been a borough of New York City for more than a century, however Brooklyn had a long history as an independent city until 1890, the last census before it was annexed. Up until that time, Brooklyn ranked as the fourth largest city in the United States.

The first settlement in what is now Brooklyn was formed in 1636, when a group of Dutch farmers established themselves along the shore of Gowanus Bay. Flatlands, on Jamaica Bay, and Wallabout were established at about the same time. In 1642, a ferry to Manhattan was established at what is now the foot of Fulton Street, and the community that grew up there became known as The Ferry. In 1645, a settlement was established near the site of the present borough hall and was designated Breuckelen, perhaps after a town in Holland. The spelling varied for more than a century before being settled as “Brooklyn.”

During the Revolutionary War, Brooklyn was the site of the important Battle of Long Island. Fort Putnam, erected by General Nathanael Green in 1776, protected General Washington’s retreat after the battle. On the same site, Americans built an earthworks fort to protect themselves against a British attack during the War of 1812. They named it Fort Greene, after General Greene.

The editor of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle in 1846 was Walt Whitman, later to become one of America’s most famous poets. At Whitman’s urging, Brooklyn set aside land, including the site of Fort Greene, that in 1847 became Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn’s first park. Construction on Prospect Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, began in 1866. The famous conductor and composer, Leonard Bernstein, was born in Brooklyn, as well as the actress and comedienne, Mae West.

During the 19th century, Brooklyn gradually absorbed neighboring districts, including incorporated towns like Williamsburg, until it extended to every corner of Kings County. In 1898, it surrendered its independent existence and became a borough of New York City.

Brooklyn was connected to Manhattan in 1883 by the Brooklyn Bridge, considered one of the engineering marvels of the age. The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge connects Brooklyn with Staten Island. The longest suspension bridge in the world at the time, it remains the longest in the United States.

This information about the history of Brooklyn is from the United States History website which provides you with many more links and information about Brooklyn and surrounding areas of New York City and State.

I hope you have enjoyed learning a little more about Brooklyn architecture!

Leisa

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