subject: A History Buff's Guide To Historical Brooklyn [print this page] Manhattan may get all the attention, but when it comes to New York City history, much of it took place in the citys most populous borough Brooklyn. Situated on the westernmost end of Long Island, Brooklyn was first settled by the Dutch in the 1630s, and much of their influence can still be seen today in the neighborhood names and historic churches. It was also New York States first true municipality. Unlike today, finding accommodation in Brooklyn wasnt as easy since much of the borough was farm and marshland.
So, where should a history buff start? After settling into your accommodations, Brooklyn offers a number of choices, from exploring on your own to guided and ghost tours. But here are a few must-see highlights:
The 300-acre Brooklyn Navy Yard served in three wars, delivering the Civil Wars ill-fated USS Maine to post- WWIIs first angled-deck aircraft carrier, the USS Antietam.
Some of New Yorks most famous residents are interred at Brooklyns Green-Wood Cemetery, including Leonard Bernstein, Samuel Morse, Edward R. Murrow, and F.A.O. Schwarz.
Coney Island, once a beachside destination for the citys rich, may not have the elegant Brooklyn accommodations it once did, but the beloved Brooklyn neighborhood eventually became home to Nathans Hot Dogs, the world-famous Cyclone roller coaster, and more recently, the minor league Brooklyn Cyclones baseball team.
For a look at the countrys oldest suspension bridge, look no further than the Brooklyn Bridge itself, completed in 1883.
For more information on historic places and tours during your stay, ask the concierge at your Brooklyn accommodation.
