Sea Gate, Brooklyn facts for kids
Sea Gate is a special, private neighborhood located at the very western end of Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York City. It's a "gated community," which means it has its own security and is separate from the rest of Coney Island. Most of the homes here are single-family houses, and some are right on the water, next to Gravesend Bay.
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History of Sea Gate
The area we now call Sea Gate was once known as Norton's Point. This name came from a man named Norton, who owned a casino there. This casino was located right where the Coney Island Light (a lighthouse) stands today. Before it became a quiet neighborhood, this spot was known for gambling.
How Sea Gate Was Built
Sea Gate started to become a full neighborhood in 1892. A developer named Alrick Man helped build it. By 1899, some very well-known families, like the Morgan and Vanderbilt families, owned property in Sea Gate. Famous people, including Governor Al Smith, often visited the Atlantic Yacht Club here. Its clubhouse was designed by a famous architect named Stanford White.
Sea Gate is surrounded by water on three sides and has its own private beaches. In 1995, the United States Army Corps of Engineers worked to make the Coney Island beaches better and built new jetties (structures that protect the coastline), including a long one at the edge of Sea Gate.
Hurricane Sandy's Impact
In October 2012, a very powerful storm called Hurricane Sandy hit the neighborhood hard. Ocean water flooded the area, and strong winds caused a lot of damage. Many houses were destroyed. A sea wall, also known as the "Lindy Park" bulkhead, was ruined. This left Sea Gate and nearby Coney Island more open to rough seas in the future.
About Sea Gate Today
Sea Gate is a gated community on the western part of the Coney Island peninsula. People who live there often call it "the gate." When they leave Sea Gate to go into Coney Island, they say they are going "out the gate." There are no stores inside the neighborhood itself.
Homes and Services
Sea Gate has about 850 single-family houses. They come in many different styles, like Queen Anne Style and Mediterranean.
Residents pay for their own private security, called the Sea Gate Public Safety Department. They also pay for other services like sewer systems, beach maintenance, lifeguards, street lights, and street cleaning.
Important Places in Sea Gate
There are two interesting landmarks in Sea Gate:
- The Coney Island Light: This lighthouse is about 75 feet (23 meters) tall and was built in 1890. It was built before many people lived in the area. The lighthouse was once home to Frank Schubert, who was the last civilian lighthouse keeper in the United States. He passed away in 2003.
- The Sea Gate Chapel: This historic building was built in 1901 and used to be a church. Today, it's used for social events, yoga classes, and as a place where people can vote during elections. The Chapel has beautiful stained-glass windows and is the first building you see when you enter through the main security gate.
Parks and Beaches
Besides its large private beaches, Sea Gate also has two parks:
- A playground: This park has a basketball court and a jungle gym for children. It's located next to the Sea Gate Community Center on Surf Avenue.
- Beach Reservation: This area is near the Coney Island Light. It's a sandy and grassy spot with great views of the Lower New York Harbor and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. People sometimes call it "Lindy Park" to remember Charles Lindbergh, a famous pilot.
People of Sea Gate
Sea Gate is mostly home to families living in single- or two-family houses. About 54 percent of the homes are rented. In 2000, the average age of residents was about 38.6 years old.
Residents pay yearly dues and charges to the Sea Gate Association, which have been around $3,000 per year.
Community Diversity
In 1960, almost all of Sea Gate's residents were white. By 2010, about 83 percent of the residents were white. The community became mostly Jewish by the 1930s. Today, many Hasidic Jews and people of Russian background live in Sea Gate. There are also some middle-class Black families.
Sometimes, there have been disagreements between Sea Gate and the rest of Coney Island, which has a larger Black and Latino population. The Sea Gate homeowners association and its public safety department have faced accusations of unfair treatment and have been involved in lawsuits.
Notable Residents
Many interesting people have lived in Sea Gate over the years. Some of them include:
- Austin Basis (born 1976), an actor.
- Jack Foley (1891–1967), who invented many movie sound effects techniques.
- Moss Hart (1904–1961), a famous playwright and theater director.
- Frank Schubert (1915–2003), the last civilian lighthouse keeper in the United States.
- Beverly Sills (1929–2007), a world-famous opera singer.
- Isaac Bashevis Singer (1902–1991), a Yiddish author who won the Nobel Prize.
- Jake Steinfeld (born 1958), an actor and fitness expert.
See also
- In Spanish: Sea Gate (Brooklyn) para niños
