Scarpa - Old Bay Ridge and Ovington Village: A History

Published by The History Press

Charleston, SC 29403

www.historypress.net

Copyright 2015 by Matthew Scarpa

All rights reserved

First published 2015

e-book edition 2015

ISBN 978.1.62585.214.4

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014955127

print edition ISBN 978.1.62619.681.0

Notice: The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. It is offered without guarantee on the part of the author or The History Press. The author and The History Press disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever without prior written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

For my godson Colt. Here is a brief history of your home away from home.

CONTENTS

PREFACE

A story develops over time. History unfolds over generations, one story and event succeeding, preceding and interweaving itself with the next. Contrary to the popular, linear understanding of history transpiring in a seemingly successive procession of chronologic order, history, for me, is the culmination of multiple factors, people and events blending themselves together over the course of time through their influence, direct or not. As a result of this culmination, a story emerges, impossible to grasp or reproduce in whole. Therefore, to write a complete history of any event, place or time seemed to be an impossible undertaking, and I believed it to be unfair in comparison when justifying Bay Ridges already rich and long history.

Writing a history of a place I have lived my whole life was rather intimidating at first. Over the course of two years, my research and writing developed in various stages, and this work transpired over many months of planning and preparation. I learned Bay Ridge has a storya historytoo deep in length, intrigue and substance to be told simply in a few hundred pages of book, and the thought comforted me. To condense or write a complete history on the area seemed too daunting a task and was never my intention. However, I set out with the general goal and purpose of offering something new, something differenta historical narrative on Bay Ridge that avoided the all-too-popular approach of its then and now. I intended to delve further than other publications on the area, and I wanted to narrow in on and include Ovington Villages importance to Bay Ridges development in the late nineteenth century. I decided to write about the key individuals, places and events that made Bay Ridge what it was at that time and what sets it apart from other neighborhoods in Brooklyn.

Research and investigation brought to light so many interesting individuals, events and places around old Bay Ridge, and this work reflects my desire to share and write of those interesting discoveries with fellow Bay Ridgeites. What has not been included in this work has not been omitted because I felt it was irrelevant to Bay Ridges past, nor was it excluded due to space and time. I leave what has not been explored, observed or brought to the attention to the reader in this work for others to penfor our neighborhoods youth to exploreand I encourage others to continue and chronicle our neighborhoods past, to seek it and discover it.

This work is the result of various events and influences converging over the last couple years of my life. With a bit of good luck and good fortune, the words here were rendered possible. I was given the distinct honor of digitizing a significant collection of glass lantern slide photographs captured by Samuel Winter Thomas, a prominent individual, local historian and artist of old Bay Ridge. The Samuel Winter Thomas Collection is under the custodianship of the Bay Ridge Historical Society. Many of the images in the Thomas Collection have been reproduced in this work for the very first time from their original state. I began digitizing this collection of 313 surviving/known glass lantern slides in the spring of 2013 in preparation to write this book. All photographs credited to the Bay Ridge Historical Society in this book are part of the Samuel Winter Thomas Collection. The collection highlights precisely what I wanted to convey about Bay Ridge in this work. The slides illustrate Bay Ridges rural beauty and capture the areas development and progress between the years 1850 and 1915. Their use in collaboration with this work was thus a fitting contribution and a special complement as well.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This book could not have been made possible without the generous and tenacious support from the various individuals and organizations listed below. It brings the author great pleasure and gratitude to acknowledge the following for their help and encouragement during this process:

First and most importantly, a most sincere and humble appreciation is extended to Jack La Torre for entrusting the author with the honor and privilege of digitizing the Bay Ridge Historical Societys Samuel Winter Thomas Collection. The majority of the imagery included in this book is all part of a rare and invaluable piece and collection of Bay Ridges history. These original photographs are a fitting tribute to Bay Ridges past. La Torres support and recognition is most appreciated.

A thank-you goes to the Bay Ridge Historical Society, its members and officers for their support, as well as to the librarians and staff of the Othmer Library at the Brooklyn Historical Society for their assistance. Much appreciation is also extended for the Brooklyn Public Librarys Brooklyn Daily Eagle digital archive, an invaluable primary source regarding the history and events of old Brooklyn.

A thank-you is also extended to Susan Pulaski for historical notes and records pertaining to Ovington Avenue and its place on the National Register of Historic Places.

In addition, a special gratitude is extended to Angela Sarro, whose fine collection of imagery has once again helped the author compile a great collection of photographs for publication.

The author also wishes to acknowledge a great appreciation for Matthew McDaniel and the staff at Childs Gallery in Boston, Massachusetts, for their help and contributions toward imagery included in this book.

A most deserving acknowledgment is also extended to Whitney Landis and to all at The History Press for all their help, suggestions and ideas. Working with The History Press was truly an enjoyable experience, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to produce such a work with such a fine publisher. Whitney had many fine suggestions that really helped steer this narrative in the right direction. A most sincere thank you!

Finally, it brings the author great pleasure to acknowledge those who have supported me at every turn. I would wholeheartedly like to express my sincerest and deepest appreciation and thanks to my family and friendsold and newfor their love, support and encouragement. It has made all the difference.

INTRODUCTION

It is a matter of great pride to those who live here, to believe that in all the changes from a Dutch colony to a cosmopolitan city, Bay Ridge is still homeand that, although the sounds and sights of the country have passed, the old spirit of friendliness and neighborly cooperation remains.

Old Bay Ridge: History, Tradition, Recollection

We take pride in our past. Our history is provoking. Whether youre a newcomer or a lifelong resident of Bay Ridge, we are all Bay Ridgeites, with a history diverse in both culture and custom. As noted by another author on Bay Ridge, both cosmopolitan and growth best describe Bay Ridge, and it is said with great merit.