Did you know Throggs Neck has a quirky spelling history? It is a neighborhood with a story as winding as the East River. Throggs Neck is a peninsula in the southeastern Bronx. It marks the meeting of the East River and Long Island Sound.
The area was first called Vriedelandt. This Dutch name means Land of Peace. It was named for the area’s natural beauty. Later, it became known as Throckmorton’s Neck. This name comes from John Throckmorton. He was an English immigrant who settled here in 1642.
Throckmorton arrived with 35 others. The Dutch allowed them to settle near New Amsterdam. At the time, the peninsula was also called Maxson’s Point. The Maxson family lived there. Sadly, an uprising by Native Americans in 1643 led to violence. Many settlers were killed. Throckmorton returned to Rhode Island.
Over time, the name Throckmorton evolved. It was sometimes spelled Throggmorton or Throgmorton. The double “g” version became more common. But the spelling of Throggs Neck has always been a bit uncertain. Even today, both spellings are accepted.
There’s an interesting story about the Throgs Neck Bridge. When it was built, Robert Moses decided to use only one “g” in the name. He thought it would save money on paint for the signs. So, the bridge is spelled with one “g,” while the neighborhood often uses two.
In 1776, George Washington mentioned “Frog’s Neck” in his journal. British maps from the American Revolution also referred to it as Frog’s Neck. They saw the name Throggs Neck and assumed it meant Frog.
In the 19th century, Throggs Neck transformed. Large farms became estates. The Morris family built mansions and cottages. Later, Collis P Huntington owned a large piece of land. His mansion is now Preston High School.
Throggs Neck Park opened in 1836. The construction of Fort Schuyler brought many Irish immigrants to the area. By the late 19th century, it was a popular summer resort. People from Yorkville would arrive by steamboat.
After 1898, the Bronx became part of New York City. Transit lines extended to Throggs Neck. Italian farmers and merchants moved in. In the 1920s, large estates were replaced with smaller homes.
Fort Schuyler became the State University of New York Maritime College in 1932. The Throgs Neck Bridge was completed in 1961. This ended the neighborhood’s isolation.
Throggs Neck avoided the urban decay that affected other parts of the Bronx in the 1970s. Today, Throggs Neck is a diverse community. It has middle-class homes and waterfront condos.
Throggs Neck has been a filming location for movies and TV shows. These include Awakenings, Summer of Sam, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Notable people from Throggs Neck include musicians from the band Anthrax. Sports broadcaster Michael Kay and football coach Doug Marrone also hail from here.
So, as you explore Throggs Neck, remember its rich history. From its peaceful Dutch beginnings to its modern-day vibrancy, Throggs Neck offers a unique slice of New York City. Whether it is spelled with one g or two, it is a place with a story to tell.