History of Brooklyn, New York, USA

1844 - December 3 - The Cobble Hill Tunnel in Brooklyn is completed
The Cobble Hill Tunnel was New York’s first subterranean rail tunnel but today it lies abandoned under the streets of Brooklyn.

The tunnel is also known as the Atlantic Avenue Tunnel and was part of the Long Island Railroad. It was 767 metres and is the oldest railway tunnel in North America. It was built as part of the Brooklyn and Jamaica Railway in 1844 and the line ran as far as the South Ferry on Atlantic Street. From there, the ferry would take people from Brooklyn to Manhattan.

Construction on the open cut began in May 1844 and was opened on 3 December 1844.

In 1861, the City of Brooklyn banned all railroad locomotives from within the city limits and both ends of the tunnel were sealed up.

worldabandoned.com

1854 - Brooklyn
Brooklyn, a city, seaport, and seat of justice of King's county, New York, at the western extremity of Long island, 146 miles S. from Albany, and 220 miles N. E. from Washington. Lat. of the navy-yard, 40° 41' 50" N. ; Lon. 73° 69' 30" W. A strait, called the East river, about three-fourths of a mile wide, separates it from New York city. This strait is crossed by several steam-ferries, the principal of which are the Fulton, South, Catharine, Jackson, and the Hamilton Avenue ferries. Of these the Fulton ferry is by far the greatest thoroughfare. Boats leave the opposite landings every few minutes during the day, and once in 80 minutes from 12 o'clock at night until morning. The crowd of passengers, both at the Fulton and South ferries, morning and evening, is immense: three boats at each are kept constantly plying, and occupy no more than 5 or 6 minutes in crossing. The site of Brooklyn is considerably elevated and very uneven, though much has been done in the way of grading and... Read MORE...

1859
BROOKLYN, the cap. of King's co., in the state of New York, U.S., 146 m. S of Albany, and 227 m. from Washington, in N lat. 40 41 50, W long 73 59 30. It is situated on the W end of Long Island, opposite New York, from which it is separated by the East river, a channel connecting the bay of New York with Long island sound, here from 731 to 1,300 yards wide, and across which four steam-ferries are established. It is a regularly built town, and is rapidly increasing. Pop. in 1810, 4,402; in 1830, 7,115; in 1840, 36,233. Part of the United States navy is stationed here. The government yard covers 40 acres, and contains extensive dock-houses, sheds, and store-houses. There is also a large naval hospital here.
A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859

1868 - Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, N. Y., has 1,700 members; the First Church of Oberlin, Ohio, has 1,400 members -
the two largest Congregational churches in the country.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
July 25, 1868

1869 - Laura Cresswell, a teacher in one of the Brooklyn public schools, was burned to death the other night, by the explosion of a kerosene lamp.


St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
July 3, 1869

1870 - January 3 - Construction begins on Brooklyn Bridge in New York; completed May 24, 1883
The Brooklyn Bridge is a historic suspension bridge located in New York City, connecting the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn. It spans the East River and is one of the iconic landmarks of the city. Designed by John A. Roebling and completed in 1883, it was initially the longest suspension bridge in the world. The bridge's distinctive Gothic-style towers and its unique architecture have made it a symbol of engineering and urban achievement. It has both vehicular and pedestrian lanes, allowing cars, bicycles, and pedestrians to cross the river. The Brooklyn Bridge offers stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
January 3, 1870

1876 - THE HOLOCAUST. The Story as it Stood at Two O'clock This Afternoon. AN UNPRECEDENTED HORROR. EVERY HOUR ADDING TO THE LIST OF THE DEAD. THE CALAMITY NOT YET MEASURED.
A Hundred Bodies Recovered from the Ruins and a Hundred More Visible.
GENERAL FEATURES OF THE DISASTER.

Every hour since the fire in the theatre was extinguished has brought fresh and saddening evidence of the extent of the horror.

At first it was believed that few, if any, lives had been lost. About 7 o'clock it was known that at least twenty persons had been burned to death or smothred. By 9 o'clock the list of deaths had risen to seventy. At 11 o'clock ninety victims were counted, and now, at 2 o'clock it is evident that not fewer that two hundred persons have perished.

Details from Our Extras of This Morning.

The work of identifying the dead will be difficult, for most of them are burned beyond recognition. The only mode of identifying them will be by personal property found attached to the bodies. Thus far it is only evident that the flames made common havoc with men, women and children.

It is known that a man named DONAH, a brother of one of the letter carriers... Read MORE...

1882 - KINGS COUNTY ASYLUM FIRE. TWO INMATES PERISH.
Flatbush, N. Y., Feb. 21. - The east wing of the Kings County Insane Asylum, at Flatbush, New York, was burned yesterday morning, and two of the inmates perished.

The Dead:
THOMAS HASSETT, 27, died either of fright or of suffocation.
ANDREW SCHOFIELD, 48, a paralytic, was burned to an unrecognizable mass on his bed.

The loss on the building is about $30,000. Uninsured.
Chester Times
Pennsylvania
February 22, 1882

1883 - Brooklyn Bridge opens May 24, 1883
The Brooklyn Bridge is opened to the public with great fanfare; it is the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time of completion.
guides.local.gov

1883 - May 30 - Rumor that the Brooklyn Bridge is going to collapse caused a stampede that kills 12
AGONIZING !!!!!
Details of the Disaster on the Bridge.
Men and Women Crushed and Trampled to Death in the Blockade at New York Anchorage.

THE DEAD, THE INJURED AND THE MISSING.

How the Panic was Aided by a Gang of Ruffians - Scenes of Horror and Heartrending Cries for Help.

The Stairway That Led To Death
What is Said by Eye Witnesses and the Statements Made by Superintendent Martin, Mayor Low and Trustee Stranahan.

The Suffering in the Hospitals
Grief and Sorrow in Many Brooklyn Homes

THE SAD NEWS IN THE CITY
The extra EAGLE of last night was the first paper to announce the facts of the terrible disaster which occurred upon the bridge - a calamity that has darkened many homes and which thrilled the entire community with a deep sense of horror. Following the Eagle's lead, other journals in New York City issued extras, and the avidity with which the copies were bought showed the deep anxiety upon the part of residents of both cities to learn the full truth.... Read MORE...

1884 - MEETING WITH A CRASH. PROBABLE FATAL COLLISION ON THE CONEY ISLAND RAILROAD.
Brooklyn, July 15. - A collision occurred on the Brooklyn Bath and Coney Island railroad, near Greenwood cemetery, yesterday afternoon, by which several people were severely injured, some probably fatally. The engineer of a coal train, in endeavoring to reach the switch just outside the city limits before the 2:30 train from Coney Island miscalculated the time and met the incoming train just after rounding a curve. The two trains came together with a crash. There was much confusion. A number of people were bruised. The engineer of the coal train having reversed his engine, it started backward towards the depot, and after running a short distance struck the 3 o'clock train from the depot, demolishing the engine and front passenger car of that train. It is remarkable that the loss of life is not very serious.

MR. FREDERICK ALSTON was severely injured about the head; JACOB BROWN, engineer of the 3 o'clock train, was fatally injured; HENRY C. BAVEN and JAMES LONGMORE received injuries... Read MORE...

1884 - A SHOCK OF EARTHQUAKE Felt Over a Large Region – A Vibratory Motion from Washington to Maine
...The policemen on the Brooklyn bridge report that the shock was distinctly felt there, and the great towers at either end oscillated visibly, while the bridge itself rocked as if struck by a hurricane. The shock was felt generally along the river fronts, and the piers were shaken as if by a heavily loaded truck passing over them. At the iron steamboat pier, which is built of solid masonry, the motion was so violent that the ticket-takers rushed from their offices to ascertain the cause of the commotion...

In Brooklyn the earthquake was felt very generally throughout the city. Along the river front and in the eastern district the chock appears to have been heavier and of longer duration. Everywhere people ran from their houses in terror. People in Greenpoint started on a run for the immense oil works which are located on the shore of Newton creek, thinking that an explosion had occurred there, while all the fire companies harnessed their horses in readiness to respond to an alarm... Read MORE...

1888 - America for Americans
BROOKLYN, N. Y., Nov. 24 - "Deacon" Richardson has given notice that hereafter only American citizens, native or naturalized, will be employed on his street car lines as conductors or drivers.
The Daily City News
New Castle, Pennsylvania
November 24, 1888

1895 - Brooklyn
Brooklyn, a city, seaport, and capital of Kings co, N.Y., at the W. and S.W. ends of Long Island, 146 miles S. of Albany, and 235 miles by rail N.E. from Washington. Lat. of the navy-yard, 40° 51' 30" N.; lon. 73° 59' 30" W. A strait called the East River, varying from one-half to one mile in width, and connecting Long Island Sound with the upper New York Bay, separates Brooklyn from New York City, while the navigable Newtown Creek separates it from Long Island City on the N. and N.E., The northern part of Brooklyn consists of the former city of Williamsburg and the town of Greenpoint, while recent additions (1894) in other directions have made the city coextensive with Kings county. In the west central part of the city is a debouchment of the East River known as Wallabout Bay, on the E. and S. shores of which is located the United States Navy Yard. The section known as "The Hill" extends from Myrtle Avenue, just S. of the Navy-Yard, to the confines of Prospect Park and Greenwood... Read MORE...

1897 - BRAVE POLICEMAN FARRELL Saves Lives of Passengers of a Brighton Beach Train at Risk of His Own. THWARTS TRAIN WRECKERS
Catches Five Boys Wedging Stones in an Opened Switch - Hampered by Two Prisoners, He Works as the Train Approached.

Policeman FARRELL of the Twenty-second Police Precinct, Brooklyn, working under great difficulties, saved the lives of many passengers of a Bright Beach Railroad train last night. He did this at the risk of his own life and the lives of the two boy prisoners, whom he had caught in an attempt to wreck the train.

Several times recently large stones have been found on the Brighton Beach track near Eastern Parkway, and the police of the Twenty-second Precinct were watching. Capt. LEVY yesterday detailed Policeman Farrell on the case, and the policeman, in citizen's clothes, arrived at the spot at about 6 o'clock in the afternoon. For some time he
lurked around the place without seeing anything suspicious, but at last five tough-looking boys, ranging from thirteen to sixteen years of age, cautiously approached the bridge at the Eastern Parkway. The policeman hastily... Read MORE...

1898 - January 1 - Brooklyn merges with NY to form present City of NY
In 1898, the independent city of Brooklyn, along with several other surrounding municipalities including Queens, Staten Island, The Bronx, and Manhattan, merged to form the Greater New York City. This consolidation was a significant event in the city's history, uniting these different areas under a single municipal government. The merger aimed to enhance efficiency in infrastructure development, public services, and economic growth. This consolidation led to the creation of the modern city of New York as we know it today, with its five boroughs and a unified administration.

1898 - The Greatest Suspension Bridge in the world
is the Brooklyn Bridge, which also leads the world in the number of its daily passengers. Its length, including approaches is 5989 feet, the distance between the towers 930 feet; the weight or the structure is 6480 tons; its cost was over $15,000,000. The bridge cars carry about 45,000,000 people every year.
Ladies' Home Journal
April 17, 1898

1903 - December 19 - Williamsburg suspension bridge opens between Brooklyn & Manhattan
The Williamsburg Bridge is a suspension bridge that connects the Lower East Side of Manhattan to the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City. It spans the East River and has been an essential transportation link since its completion in 1903. The bridge serves both pedestrian and vehicular traffic, providing a vital connection between the two boroughs.

1904 - DEATH IN ELEVATED WRECK
Three Fatalities and Many Injured in Brooklyn Collision.

Electric Train, Crowded with Passengers, Crashes Into Rear End of Stalled Locomotive and Cars.

Three were killed and many injured in a rear-end collision on the Kings County Eelevated [sic] Railroad in Brooklyn yesterday morning. The colliding cars caught fire, and others were hurt in the panic which ensued.

A four-car train of the Fulton Street Division drawn by a steam locomotive pulled out of the East New York yard at Alabama and Pitkins Avenues yesterday morning at 7:20, bound for Manhattan. A few moments after it had reached the main line of the elevated tracks the steam coupling apparatus between the locomotive and the first car became disarranged and the train stopped. Three minutes later, while repairs were being made, a five-car motor train of the City Line Division, carrying about 300 passengers bound for Manhattan, crashed into the rear car of the steam train, which carried no passengers.

The motor train... Read MORE...

1904 - IMPALED ON WAGON SHAFT.
James Jones of No. 76 Oakland street, Brooklyn, was impaled yesterday afternoon on the shaft of an express wagon while he was riding on the running board of a Third avenue trolley car in Brooklyn.

The car had reached Twenty-fifth street and was going at high speed when the horse attached to the wagon turned out into the street. Jones could not climb into the car because of its crowded condition and he was stuck in the side by the shaft.

The stick broke three ribs and penetrated his side, inflicting severe internal injuries. There was much excitement on the car, several women screaming.

At the Norwegian Hospital, where Jones was taken, it was said that his injuries were so serious that he might die.
Daily People
New York, New York
September 9, 1904

1904 - BOY CRUSHED UNDER CAR.
Pinioned under the forward truck of a trolley car in Wyckoff avenue, near Temple avenue, Brooklyn, last night, George Schroeder, eight years old of No. 406 Ralph street, pluckily directed the efforts of men who worked for nearly an hour to extricate him.

More than a score of men took hold of the car and lifted it from the tracks. The lad was badly cut and bruised and suffered from internal injuries. Dr. Tesiffer of the German Hospital, said his condition was precarious.
Daily People
New York, New York
September 9, 1904

1916
Brooklyn, a former city of Kings co., N.Y., since Jan. 1, 1898, a borough of the city of New York, situated at the W. end of Long Island. Lat. of the navy-yard, 40° 41' 30" N. j Lon. 73° 59' 30" W. The borough is coextensive with Kings county. A strait called the East River, in its narrowest part about a half mile in width and connecting Long Island Sound with the upper New York Bay, separates Brooklyn from Manhattan Island, while the navigable Newtown Creek separates it from Long Island City (now a part of Queens borough of the city of New York) on the N. and NE. The northern part of Brooklyn consists of the former city of Williamsburg and the town of Greenpoint. In the west central part of the city is a debouchment of the East River known as Wallabout Bay, on the E. and S. shores of which is located the United States navy-yard. Brooklyn covers an area of about 65 sq. m., the most distinctive topographic feature of which is constituted by the Brooklyn or Columbia Heights, which rise... Read MORE...

On October 16, 1916 Sanger opened a family planning and birth control clinic at 46 Amboy Street in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn, the first of its kind in the United States.
Margaret Sanger tests the validity of New York’s anti-contraception law by establishing a clinic in Brooklyn. The most well-known of birth control advocates, she is one of hundreds arrested over a 40-year period for working to establish women’s right to control their own bodies.

Nine days after the clinic opened, Sanger was arrested.
nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org
October 16, 1916

1918 - November 1 - 102 die in a NYC BMT subway derailment at Malbone Street Brooklyn
The 1918 NYC BMT subway derailment at Malbone Street in Brooklyn was a tragic incident that occurred on November 1, 1918. A Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) train, also known as the Brighton Beach Line, derailed in the Malbone Street Tunnel in Brooklyn. The train was operating at high speed and derailed on a sharp curve, causing several cars to overturn and collide with tunnel walls. The accident resulted in one of the deadliest subway disasters in New York City's history, with at least 93 people losing their lives and many more sustaining injuries. The tunnel and the subway cars suffered significant damage, and the incident led to increased safety measures and regulations for subway operations in the city. The exact cause of the derailment was attributed to excessive speed on the curved tracks and inadequate training of the motorman.
November 1, 1918

1922 - BROOKLYN FACTORY FIRE TRAPS SCORES.
ONE MAN KILLED AND MANY SUFFER INJURIES.
GIRLS LEAP FROM FLAMES.
WOMEN IN LOFT SECTION CAUGHT WITH OUT WARNING AS FLAMES SPREAD THROUGH BUILDING.

New York. - One man was killed and more than a dozen persons were injured when a five-story factory building on South Thirteenth Street, in Brooklyn, was destroyed by fire.

A report which could not be confirmed said that 15 girls were trapped in the upper floors of the building occupied by shirt factories.

A hasty search of the building by firemen failed to reveal any of the bodies of the 15 girls reported to have been trapped in the structure.

New York.

One man lost his life, two others and a girl may die and many were hurt in a factory fire in Brooklyn. Reports of many girls trapped on upper floors persisted hours afterward. The police had been unable to substantiate these reports, but firemen still were flooding the shell of the building hopint by daylight to be able to begin a search in the mass of glowing debris. In... Read MORE...

1944 - HURRICANE HITS NEW YORK AND NEW ENGLAND COASTS. HIGH WINDS LASH JERSEY, LONG ISLAND.
... In Brooklyn, JOSEPH LAUZON, 55, street car motorman, was electrocuted when he stepped from his car and onto a live wire pulled down by a tree that had fallen on the tracks...

The Troy Record
Troy, New York
September 15, 1944

1955 - Brooklyn Dodgers won World Series
On October 4, 1955, the Brooklyn Dodgers win the World Series at last, beating the New York Yankees 2-0. They'd lost the championship seven times already, and they'd lost five times just to the Yanks—in 1941, 1947, 1949, 1952 and 1953.
history.com

2023 - Whether you're a local or a visitor, there's always something exciting to do in Brooklyn. Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Brooklyn:
Brooklyn Bridge: Start your Brooklyn adventure by walking or biking across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. The views of the Manhattan skyline are breathtaking, especially during sunrise or sunset.

Brooklyn Bridge Park: Once you're in Brooklyn, explore the Brooklyn Bridge Park. It's a beautiful waterfront park with stunning views, picnic spots, playgrounds, and even a beach.

DUMBO: Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass (DUMBO) is a trendy neighborhood located beneath the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. It's known for its cobblestone streets, art galleries, boutiques, and excellent dining options.

Williamsburg: Williamsburg is another trendy neighborhood with a thriving arts scene. You can explore its street art, visit the Williamsburg Waterfront, or enjoy the many bars and restaurants. Be sure to check out Smorgasburg, a food market featuring a diverse range of culinary delights.

Prospect Park: Brooklyn's answer to Central Park, Prospect Park is a sprawling green oasis. You... Read MORE...