Was it really evil spirits? Or just a very deep lake? We are standing at Claremont Park. This 38-acre park in the Morrisania section of the Bronx has a unique history.
Claremont Park became a municipal park in 1884. This was part of the New Parks Act. Before that, this land was part of the Morris family estate. Later, it became the site of the Zborowski Mansion. The name Claremont started here.
In 1859, Elliott and Anna Zborowski de Montsaulain built Claremont Mansion. It established the name Claremont for this area. The New Parks Act led to the creation of six major parks in the Bronx. Claremont Park was one of them. The Parks Department used the Zborowski mansion as their Bronx headquarters. Later, they moved it to the Ranaqua section of Bronx Park.
Claremont Park nearly hosted a World’s Fair. In 1889, it was considered for the 1892 International Columbian Exposition. They wanted to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus finding the New World. Ultimately, Chicago was chosen.
Now think about this. In 1904, someone complained about electrical wiring in the park. It brought power to the Claremont Mansion. They also complained about noise from sporting events and concerts.
The New York Central Railroad had a station nearby. It was originally called Central Morrisania. In 1891, it was renamed Claremont Park Station. Sadly, it closed in 1960.
Claremont Park had a geological oddity. It was a small but deep lake called the Black Swamp. People said it swallowed livestock. Native Americans believed evil spirits lived there. Early settlers built a fence to keep cattle away. In 1904, workers dumped fill into the lake to extend Morris Avenue. A horse and cart sank during the project. It took over 60,000 cubic yards of fill to finish the job.
Imagine a scary scene. In 1909, a porch collapsed at the mansion. About 100 people sought shelter there during a rainstorm. The porch fell, dropping them 15 feet into a cellar. Twenty-six people were injured.
Today, Claremont Park offers many things. There are handball and basketball courts. Baseball fields and playgrounds invite activity. Barbecue areas offer social gathering spots. Two outdoor pools provide refreshment. A gazebo stands where the Claremont Mansion once did. It was built in 1938, when the mansion was torn down. One block east is Little Claremont Playground. It is also known as Claremont Community Park.
From meadows to farmland, woods and a swamp, Claremont Park became what it is today. A place for the people of the Bronx. It has evolved over the years to become a vital part of this community.