The history of Brooklyn spans more than 350 years and begins when the Dutch settled the area (calling it “Breuckelen”) in the 17th century. The borough played an important role in the Revolutionary War and then began its path to urbanization soon after. Towns popped up within the borough all throughout the 1800s. It wasn’t until 1898 that Brooklyn was consolidated with Manhattan, the beginnings of the current-day, five-borough New York City.
While New York City is a place of constant flux, Brooklyn still retains some of its historical past. Here are five historic sites that still stand in the borough, despite the incredible amount of changes Brooklyn has seen since it was better known as Breuckelen.
The Brooklyn Borough Hall, opened in 1851, was originally used as the City Hall of the former City of Brooklyn — this is before Brooklyn merged with the city of Manhattan. It is now one of the few standing remnants that reminds us of when Brooklyn was its own city. In 1898, when Brooklyn was consolidated into New York City, this impressive Greek Revival structure became known as Borough Hall. It still houses the offices of the Borough President today and is protected as a New York City landmark.
Photo courtesy of Wally Gobetz via Flickr.