National Register of Historic Places listings in Brooklyn facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The National Register of Historic Places is a special list of places in the United States that are important to history. These places can be buildings, neighborhoods, or even parks. When a place is on this list, it means it's worth protecting and learning about. Brooklyn, which is also known as Kings County, New York, has many amazing places on this list!

Location of Brooklyn in New York

Famous Landmarks in Brooklyn
Historic Buildings and Districts
Other Notable Places
Images for kids
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Famous Landmarks in Brooklyn

Brooklyn is home to some truly iconic spots that are recognized for their history.

The Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in the world. It connects Brooklyn to Manhattan across the East River. This amazing bridge was finished in 1883 and was a huge achievement in engineering at the time. It's not just a way to get across the river; it's a symbol of New York City's history and growth.

Coney Island's Fun History

Coney Island is a famous amusement area in Brooklyn. It has several historic attractions on the National Register.

The Cyclone Roller Coaster

The Coney Island Cyclone is a classic wooden roller coaster that opened in 1927. It's known for its thrilling drops and turns. Even today, it gives riders an exciting experience, just like it did almost a hundred years ago!

The B&B Carousell

The B&B Carousell is a beautiful carousel that dates back to 1906. It's the only original carousel left in Coney Island. Riding it feels like stepping back in time to the early days of amusement parks.

The Parachute Jump

The Parachute Jump is a tall tower that looks like a giant erector set. It was built for the 1939 New York World's Fair and later moved to Coney Island. Riders would sit in seats attached to parachutes and be lifted up, then dropped down. While it doesn't operate anymore, it's still a very recognizable landmark.

Prospect Park: A Green Oasis

Prospect Park is a large park designed by the same people who created Central Park in Manhattan. It's a wonderful place for people to relax and play.

The Boathouse on the Lullwater

Inside Prospect Park, you'll find the Boathouse. This beautiful building is located by the lake and adds to the park's charm. It's a great example of classic park architecture.

The Grecian Shelter

Another lovely spot in Prospect Park is the Grecian Shelter. This open-air structure has a classic Greek design. It's a peaceful place where visitors can find shade and enjoy the park's beauty.

Litchfield Villa

The Litchfield Villa is a historic mansion located on the western edge of Prospect Park. It was built in the 1850s and is a stunning example of Italianate architecture. Today, it serves as the headquarters for the Prospect Park Alliance.

Historic Buildings and Districts

Many individual buildings and entire neighborhoods in Brooklyn are recognized for their historical importance.

Important Public Buildings

Brooklyn has several public buildings that tell a story about the borough's past.

Brooklyn Borough Hall

Brooklyn Borough Hall is the historic seat of government for Brooklyn. This grand building, completed in 1848, was once the city hall for the independent City of Brooklyn before it became part of New York City. It's a symbol of Brooklyn's long history.

Brooklyn Museum

The Brooklyn Museum is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States. Its grand building, opened in 1897, is a landmark itself. It holds millions of artworks from around the world, making it a treasure for art lovers.

Brooklyn Public Library - Central Building

The Central Library of the Brooklyn Public Library system is a magnificent building at Grand Army Plaza. It opened in 1941 and is known for its impressive architecture and the important role it plays in the community as a center for learning.

Old Brooklyn Fire Headquarters

The Old Brooklyn Fire Headquarters is a historic building that once served as the main fire station for Brooklyn. Built in 1892, it's a great example of the architecture from that time and shows the importance of fire services in the city's history.

Federal Building and Post Office

The Federal Building and Post Office in Downtown Brooklyn is a significant government building. It was completed in 1891 and showcases impressive architectural details, reflecting the importance of federal services in the borough.

Historic Neighborhoods and Homes

Many of Brooklyn's neighborhoods have been preserved because of their unique history and architecture.

Brooklyn Heights Historic District

Brooklyn Heights Historic District was one of the first neighborhoods in the United States to be designated as a historic district. It's famous for its beautiful brownstone homes, tree-lined streets, and stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. Walking through Brooklyn Heights feels like stepping into a different era.

Carroll Gardens Historic District

The Carroll Gardens Historic District is known for its charming homes with large front gardens, which are unusual for New York City. This district shows how neighborhoods developed in the 19th century.

Clinton Hill Historic District

Clinton Hill Historic District features a mix of grand mansions and elegant row houses. It was once a fashionable neighborhood for wealthy families in the late 1800s.

Crown Heights North Historic District

The Crown Heights North Historic District is a large area with over 1,500 well-preserved buildings. It shows how the neighborhood grew from the 1870s to the 1930s. This district also includes properties connected to Shirley Chisholm, who was the first African-American woman elected to Congress.

Ditmas Park Historic District

Ditmas Park Historic District is unique because it features many large, freestanding Victorian-style homes, which are rare in New York City. It feels more like a suburban neighborhood than part of a bustling city.

DUMBO Industrial District

The DUMBO Industrial District (which stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) was once a busy industrial area with factories and warehouses. Today, many of these old buildings have been turned into homes and businesses, but they still keep their historic look.

Fort Greene Historic District

The Fort Greene Historic District is known for its beautiful brownstones and historic buildings. It's also home to Fort Greene Park, which has a monument dedicated to prisoners of war from the American Revolution.

Greenpoint Historic District

Greenpoint Historic District is a neighborhood with a rich industrial and maritime history. It has many historic buildings that reflect its past as a shipbuilding and manufacturing center.

Park Slope Historic District

Park Slope Historic District is famous for its beautiful Victorian brownstone homes and its close proximity to Prospect Park. It's a very popular and well-preserved neighborhood.

Prospect Park South Historic District

Similar to Ditmas Park, Prospect Park South Historic District is another area known for its large, detached homes with spacious yards, giving it a suburban feel within Brooklyn.

Stuyvesant Heights Historic District

The Stuyvesant Heights Historic District is a beautiful area in Bedford-Stuyvesant known for its elegant brownstone and limestone row houses. It shows the architectural styles popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Wallabout Historic District

The Wallabout Historic District contains some of the oldest surviving wooden frame houses in Brooklyn, dating back to the 17th century. It's one of the borough's earliest settled areas.

Houses of Worship

Many churches and synagogues in Brooklyn are recognized for their historical and architectural significance.

Beth El Jewish Center of Flatbush

The Beth El Jewish Center of Flatbush is a synagogue in Flatbush. It's an important center for the Jewish community in the area.

East Midwood Jewish Center

The East Midwood Jewish Center is another significant synagogue in Brooklyn. It serves as a community hub in the Midwood neighborhood.

Flatbush Dutch Reformed Church Complex

The Flatbush Dutch Reformed Church Complex includes a historic church and cemetery. The church dates back to the 17th century, making it one of the oldest religious sites in Brooklyn.

New Utrecht Reformed Church

The New Utrecht Reformed Church and its buildings are also very old, with parts dating back to the 17th century. It's a key historical site in the New Utrecht area.

Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Transfiguration of Our Lord

The Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Transfiguration of Our Lord in Greenpoint is known for its unique Russian Revival architecture with onion domes. It's a beautiful and distinctive landmark.

Shaari Zedek Synagogue

The Shaari Zedek Synagogue in Bedford-Stuyvesant is a historic place of worship. It reflects the growth of Jewish communities in Brooklyn during the early 20th century.

Other Notable Places

Brooklyn has many other interesting places on the National Register.

Brooklyn Navy Yard

The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a very important shipyard where naval vessels were built and repaired for many years, from the American Revolution all the way through World War II. It played a huge role in American history.

Quarters A, Brooklyn Navy Yard

Within the Navy Yard, Quarters A is a historic building that served as the home for the commandant, or commanding officer, of the naval facility.

Floyd Bennett Field

Floyd Bennett Field was New York City's first municipal airport. It was a very important place for aviation history, with many famous flights taking off from there. Today, it's part of the Gateway National Recreation Area.

The Old Stone House of Brooklyn

The Old Stone House is a reconstructed Dutch farmhouse. It played a role in the Battle of Long Island during the American Revolutionary War. It's a reminder of Brooklyn's early history.

Jackie Robinson House

The Jackie Robinson House in East Flatbush was the home of Jackie Robinson, the legendary baseball player who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. It's a significant site for civil rights history.

Historic Transportation Hubs

Several subway stations and related structures are on the National Register, recognized for their design and role in New York City's transportation system. These include stations like the Atlantic Avenue Subway Station and the Borough Hall Subway Station.

Old Cemeteries

Several cemeteries in Brooklyn are listed, not just as burial grounds, but as historic landscapes with beautiful art and architecture.

Green-Wood Cemetery

Green-Wood Cemetery is a large, historic cemetery that opened in 1838. It's known for its beautiful landscaping, impressive monuments, and being the final resting place for many famous New Yorkers. It's also a National Historic Landmark.

Beth Olam Cemetery

Beth Olam Cemetery was started in 1851 by three Jewish congregations. It's a rural cemetery with many examples of interesting architecture and funerary art.

Cypress Hills National Cemetery

Cypress Hills National Cemetery is a national cemetery established during the American Civil War. It's a place of honor for military veterans.

Historic Roadways

Two important roadways in Brooklyn are also on the National Register.

Eastern Parkway

Eastern Parkway was built in the 1870s and is considered to be the first "parkway" in the world. It was designed to be a beautiful, tree-lined road connecting parks and neighborhoods.

Ocean Parkway

Ocean Parkway, also built in the 1870s, was the second parkway planned in the United States. It connects Prospect Park to Coney Island, offering a scenic route to the beach.