Pelham Bay

Who could imagine a bay playing a starring role in a Hollywood blockbuster? Pelham Bay, nestled in the northeast Bronx, achieved just that. Pelham Bay served as the namesake and pivotal location in the iconic 1974 thriller, “The Taking of Pelham One Two Three.” The film’s suspenseful plot centers around the hijacking of a subway train departing from the Pelham Bay Park station at 1:23 pm. Pelham Bay Park itself, New York City’s largest park at over three times the size of Central Park, borders this charming neighborhood. This sprawling natural expanse offers a diverse array of geographical features, including peninsulas like Rodman’s Neck and Tallapoosa Point, plus the now land-connected Hunter and Twin Islands. A serene lagoon meanders through the heart of Pelham Bay Park, while Eastchester Bay carves a distinctive line between the park’s southwest corner and the rest. Established in 1888, Pelham Bay Park was once a battleground during the Revolutionary War. The Battle of Pell’s Point saw Massachusetts militia, cleverly concealed behind stone walls, thwarting a British advance. These very walls still stand today, a silent testament to the area’s rich history, discoverable on one of the park’s two golf courses. Pelham Bay, the neighborhood, is more than just a namesake; it is a vibrant community steeped in history and boasting close proximity to an urban oasis. Actor Lillo Brancato, charged in a 2005 murder case, has a connection to the area. A street in Pelham Bay, where the incident occurred, was renamed Daniel Enchautegui Way in honor of the slain off-duty police officer.