Ever wonder how a humble road in the Bronx transformed into the bustling Jerome Avenue? This isn’t just any street. Jerome Avenue stretches over five miles. It runs from the Major Deegan Expressway near Yankee Stadium to 233rd Street in Woodlawn.
Jerome Avenue was once Central Avenue. It led to the Central Bridge, now Macombs Dam Bridge. Follow Jerome Avenue south. You’ll see it aligns with Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. It splits the Bronx into east and west just like Fifth Avenue.
The name Jerome Avenue honors financier Leonard W. Jerome. He was Winston Churchill’s grandfather. Jerome founded Jerome Park Racetrack in 1865. The first Belmont Stakes occurred there. The racetrack closed to make way for the Jerome Park Reservoir.
City officials didn’t initially choose the name Jerome Avenue. Leonard Jerome’s wife, Kate Hall Jerome, intervened. She funded the creation of bronze signs reading “Jerome Avenue”. She had them installed on every corner. The city officials let the name stick because of her work.
The IRT Jerome Avenue Line runs above much of Jerome Avenue. The 4 train serves this elevated line. The 161st Street–Yankee Stadium station is the first on the line. Most of the elevated stations are directly above Jerome Avenue.
In 2018, the New York City Council approved rezoning along Jerome Avenue. The rezoning aimed to construct 4,600 housing units. This included 1,500 affordable units. This area was known for small businesses and auto-parts shops.
The Anderson–Jerome Avenues station once connected to the IRT Ninth Avenue Line. It served baseball fans going to the Polo Grounds. Though closed in 1958, remnants remain. You can still spot graffiti and trees growing where tracks once were.
Jerome Avenue continues to evolve. It remains a vital artery in the Bronx. Its history echoes through the streets. The story reflects the changes the Bronx has experienced. Take a moment to appreciate Jerome Avenue. It is more than just a road. It represents the spirit and evolution of the Bronx.