Hoping to discover a hidden gem in Brooklyn? Let me tell you about Canarsie. Canarsie is a mostly residential neighborhood in southeastern Brooklyn. It is a place with a rich history that goes back centuries.
The name “Canarsie” comes from the Lenape language. It means “fenced area”. The area was first settled by the Canarsie Native Americans. After Europeans arrived, Canarsie became a fishing village. Later in the 19th and early 20th centuries, it transformed into a popular summer resort.
Imagine Canarsie in the late 1800s. It was a bustling seaside destination. People came to enjoy the beaches and recreational activities. Speakeasies and beer gardens added to the vibrant atmosphere. Vaudeville houses provided entertainment. The Golden City Amusement Park opened in 1907. It drew even more visitors to Canarsie.
Sadly in 1934, a fire destroyed Golden City. By 1939, the area was leveled to make way for the Belt Parkway. However, Canarsie Pier remained. It later became part of the Gateway National Recreation Area. This transformation was thanks to legislation passed by Congressman Frank Brasco. At the time, Gateway was the largest urban National Park in the nation.
Canarsie Pier is still a popular spot today. People enjoy recreational opportunities year-round. Nearby, you can find Canarsie Park. In 1895 and 1896, Brooklyn purchased land for Canarsie Park. The purchase included the Schenck House. Frank Squier was the Brooklyn Parks Commissioner at the time. Squier stated that the Schenck House would be preserved and be one of the park’s attractions.
However 57 years later, the house was dismantled. It was then preserved, removed from the park, relocated, and reassembled at the Brooklyn Museum. The Schenck House stands today as a living history of past generations and their pioneering efforts in building Canarsie.
Canarsie Park grew over the years. It expanded with land from the Department of Docks in 1934. Additional land parcels authorized by the Board of Estimate in 1938 and 1949. In the 1950s, Parks Commissioner Robert Moses requested land that had been used for temporary housing for returning veterans during World War II to expand Canarsie Park. With playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts, baseball diamonds, and a skate park, Canarsie Park became a regional park and provides much recreational space for the residents of Brooklyn.
In the 1950s, Canarsie saw a boom in residential development. One- and two-family homes were built. Also some mid-rise developments including Breukelen and Bayview Houses. New stores, facilities, religious institutions, and schools also sprang up in the community.
Canarsie has a fascinating story from its early days as a Native American settlement to its time as a bustling resort. Today Canarsie is mainly a residential area. It offers a unique glimpse into Brooklyn’s past. So next time you are looking for an interesting place to explore, remember Canarsie.