Beneath layers of time and development lies another Inwood. It is a place inhabited by Indians, Dutchmen, and Irish immigrants. Welcome to Inwood.
Inwood, New York is located in Nassau County. It sits 8 miles SW of Hempstead and 14 miles SE of New York. This area was first settled by Jamaica Bay fishermen in 1817. Back then it was known as North West Point. After the Civil War, it was called Westville.
The Inwood area saw its first post office open in 1889. That same year, the town was renamed Inwood. Today Inwood is one of the Five Towns within Hempstead.
Inwood’s history extends back before its official naming. The Lenape Native Americans called this area home. They relied on the Hudson and Harlem Rivers for food. Legend says the Lenape sold Manhattan to Peter Minuit in 1626. He acquired it for trinkets valued at 60 guilders. A plaque in Inwood Hill Park marks this historic moment.
Inwood played a role in the American Revolutionary War. Hessian troops occupied more than sixty huts here. These huts stretched from 201st to 204th Streets. Local archeologist Reginald Bolton discovered the camp in 1914. He found it after a series of digs.
Inwood remained rural until the late 19th century. The arrival of the 1 train in 1906 spurred development. Apartment buildings went up along Broadway’s east side. By the 1930s, the A train reached Dyckman and 207th Streets. This led to further development west of Broadway.
For much of the 20th century, Inwood was Irish and Jewish. However, in the 1980s, a Dominican population emerged. Now Inwood boasts the highest concentration of Dominican heritage in New York City.
Inwood offers several notable places to visit. The Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park is a popular cultural attraction. This branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art features Medieval art.
From Inwood Hill Park, you can see a large Columbia C. It’s painted on a rock across the Harlem River. Also, visit the Dyckman House. It is the oldest farmhouse in Manhattan. It stands on Broadway at 204th Street.
Inwood Hill Park is a flagship city park with extensive woods. It is known for its caves used by the Lenape. It also has the last salt marsh in Manhattan. Birdwatchers visit to see waterbirds and migratory birds.
Columbia University’s athletic fields have been in Inwood since the 1920s. They are known as the Baker Athletics Complex. The football stadium offers scenic views. You can see the Henry Hudson Bridge and the New Jersey Palisades.
Inwood is a neighborhood of layers. From Native American settlements to modern-day vibrancy, Inwood’s story continues. It is a story of transformation and resilience. As you wander its streets remember the many who shaped this unique corner of Manhattan.