List of New York State Historic Markers in Bronx County, New York Facts for Kids

New York State Historic Markers are special signs that tell us about important places and events in history. This article lists the historic markers you can find in Bronx County, New York. These markers help us learn about the past and understand how the Bronx became the place it is today.

Historic Markers in The Bronx

Important Places and Stories

Bronx River

The Bronx River is a famous waterway. During the American Revolution, the British army was told to go up the Bronx River to attack American soldiers hiding nearby. This shows how important the river was for travel and strategy back then.

City Island

City Island was once called the "Pearl Of The Sound." People thought it would become even bigger than New York City! It was also one of the first places where people started farming oysters.

Drake Park

Drake Park is home to the grave of Joseph Rodman Drake. He was a famous poet who wrote "The Culprit Fay" and "Ode To The American Flag." He even wrote a poem called "Bronx" about the area.

Featherbed Lane

This lane got its name from an interesting story from 1776. During the Revolution, American soldiers were trying to escape the British. Farmers' wives supposedly helped them by spreading soft featherbeds on the lane to muffle their footsteps.

Fording Place

This spot was an early place to cross the Bronx River. Nearby was a place called Bear Swamp, where bears used to live! It was also the site of a Sewanoe Native American village until 1689.

Fort Independence

Fort Independence was one of several forts built by Americans in 1776. These forts were meant to control the valley below and protect the area during the Revolution. General Richard Montgomery, a famous American general, had a farm nearby in 1772.

Fort Number Four

This was another important fort built by Americans in 1776. It helped control the Harlem River valley. Later, the British army took over and used this fort.

Glover's Rock

Glover's Rock is a significant spot from the Battle of Pell's Point. Colonel Glover and his 550 soldiers bravely held off the British army. This gave George Washington's army enough time to escape to White Plains.

Hunter's Island

Hunter's Island has a rich history. It contains the old Hunter-Iselin Mansion and the Ogden Mansion on Twin Island. The Native American name for this place was "Laapawachking," which means "Place Of Stringing Beads."

Jonas Bronck

Jonas Bronck was the very first European settler in the Bronx, arriving in 1639. He built his house east of Pulaski Park. In 1642, an important peace treaty was signed there between the Dutch settlers and the Weckquaeskeek Indians.

Lydig's Mill

Lydig's Mill was a mill built in the 1700s on the Bronx River. North of the mill was Johnson's Tavern, a popular stop for stagecoaches traveling from New York to Boston. They would change horses there.

Macombs Dam

Macombs Dam was a dam that created a pond in the Harlem River. However, it caused problems, so citizens tore it down in 1840. Today, Macombs Dam Park is located on this historic site.

Old Indian Path

This path, located between Pelham Bay Park and Pelham Manor, was an ancient trail used by Native Americans. It later became known as the Split Rock Road.

Parade Ground

The Parade Ground in Van Cortlandt Park was once the farm of Adrian Van Der Donck. He bought the land from Native Americans and received a grant from Governor Kieft in 1650.

Pell Estate

The Pell Estate in Pelham Bay Park is where Thomas Pell bought Pelham Manor. He made this important purchase from the Native American leaders, called sachems, Annhoock and Maminepoe, under a tree known as the Treaty Oak.

Poe Cottage

The famous writer Edgar Allan Poe lived in Poe Cottage from 1846 to 1849. He wrote many of his well-known poems here, including "Annabel Lee" and "Ulalume. Sadly, his wife, Virginia, also passed away in this cottage.

Screven's Point

The Sewanoe Indians had a "castle" or fortified village at Screven's Point. Explorer Adrian Block saw it during his voyage in 1614. Later, during the Revolution, some Loyalist clergymen (church leaders who supported the British) hid in a farmhouse here.

Site Of West Chester Town

This marker notes the site of an old town. Here, Prescott Bryant fought back against the British at a causeway over West Chester Creek, in an event sometimes called "Westchester Lexington."

Split Rock

Near Split Rock in Pelham Bay Park was the home of Anne Hutchinson. She settled here in 1642 but was tragically killed with her family during a Native American uprising in 1662.

St. Ann's Shrine

St. Ann's Shrine is a burial place for important historical figures. It is where Lewis Morris, who signed the Declaration of Independence, rests. Also buried here are Gouverneur Morris, who helped write the U.S. Constitution, and Judge R.H. Morris, a former Mayor of New York.

Throgg's Neck

Throgg's Neck is named after Throckmorton, who settled here in 1642. One of his companions was Roger Williams, who later founded the state of Rhode Island.

Van Cortlandt Mansion

The Van Cortlandt Mansion was built in 1748 by Frederick Van Cortlandt. During the Revolution, it was used as a headquarters by Hessian soldiers (German soldiers fighting for the British). Both George Washington and French General Rochambeau visited this historic house.

Van Cortlandt Mill

This site was home to the grist mill (for grinding grain) and saw mill (for cutting wood) of the Van Cortlandt family. It was used for over 200 years before burning down in 1901. You can still see one of the original millstones west of the mansion.

Van Der Donck

This area was the first settlement of Adrian Van Der Donck in 1650. He built a house here, which was later burned by Native Americans. This was the original site of what would become the Van Cortlandt House.

Vault Hill

Vault Hill is the burial vault for the Van Cortlandt family. During the Revolution, Augustus Van Cortlandt, who was the City Clerk, bravely hid important New York records here to keep them safe from the British.

Images for kids

Glover's Rock in Pelham Bay Park, a site of Revolutionary War history.

List of New York State Historic Markers in Bronx County, New York facts for kids

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