History of Brooklyn Bridge Park
The park’s history dates back to 1642; at that time, the first ferry landed on land, which is now Empire Fulton Ferry Section. Soon, this became a thriving part of the US, which developed into a small town, referred to as “het Veer”, which means ferry. The area grew through the 17th and 18th centuries. During the American Revolution War, the then-small city was a strategic location for the Continental Army and George Washington.
The community grew throughout the 18th century, and at the start of the 19th century, it became part of a growing community near the waterfront, with docking points for the first steamboats. The steamboat landing was created by Robert Fulton, which became known as the Fulton Ferry Landing.
Soon, this area would be called Brooklyn Heights and, during the 19th century, a bustling residential neighborhood. It eventually became one of the largest American suburbs, with bridges and ramps built faster than most people thought possible back then.
The Brooklyn City Railroad lines were laid in the 1850s, and it was also during this period the number of brick warehouses started to spring up across the area. This soon became known as The Walled City. These were soon followed by the Empire Stores in the 1870s.
