Van Nest, Bronx facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Van Nest
|
|
|---|---|
|
Neighborhood of the Bronx
|
|
Overlooking Van Nest towards the northeast
|
|
| Country |  United States |
| State |  New York |
| City | New York City |
| Borough | The Bronx |
| Community District | Bronx 11 |
| Named for | Reynier Van Nest |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.10 km2 (0.424 sq mi) |
| Population
(2011)
|
|
| • Total | 13,909 (estimated) |
| Economics | |
| • Median income | $47,952 |
| ZIP Codes |
10460, 10462
|
| Area code | 718, 347, 929, and 917 |
Van Nest is a neighborhood in the East Bronx part of New York City. It is known as a working-class area. Its borders are Bronxdale Avenue to the northeast, the Amtrak train tracks to the southeast, and Bronx Park to the west. Van Nest is older than the nearby Morris Park community. The main streets for shops and businesses are Morris Park Avenue and White Plains Road.
This neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 11. Its postal codes are 10460 and 10462. The local police station is the 49th Precinct of the New York City Police Department.
Contents
History of Van Nest
The neighborhood got its name from the old Van Nest train station. This station was on the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. It was named after the father of Abraham R. Van Nest, who was a director of the railroad.
A short train track was built from the Van Nest station. It led to the nearby Morris Park Racecourse. This was a place for horse racing from 1889 to 1904. Between 1892 and 1896, land was divided into lots by the Van Nest Land & Improvement Company. Before the city paved the streets in 1895, the area was flat and often had puddles. Because of this, people sometimes called it "Mud West." The busy intersection where Van Nest Avenue, Unionport Road, and Victor Street meet is still called the "Five Corners" by many local people.
Who Lives in Van Nest?
Van Nest has a population of less than 15,000 people. Many Puerto Ricans live here, along with a good number of African American residents. There are also smaller groups of Italian and Albanian people, especially near White Plains Road. Most people in Van Nest rent their homes. About 20% of the people live below the poverty line.
The New York City government groups Van Nest with Morris Park and Westchester Square for census information. In 2010, this larger area had 29,250 people. This was an increase from 2000. The area is about 830 acres. The people living here are from many different backgrounds. About 48% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.
Most people in Community District 11, which includes Van Nest, are young or middle-aged adults. About 22% are under 18, 30% are between 25 and 44, and 24% are between 45 and 64. The average life expectancy in this area is about 79.9 years.
Buildings and Parks in Van Nest
Van Nest mainly has single-family homes. You can also find some older apartment buildings called tenements. The neighborhood covers about one square mile. The buildings show different styles, like Italianate and Queen Anne.
The Con Edison Van Nest Service Center is located north of the Amtrak train line. It used to be the maintenance shops for the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. Con Edison bought it in 1959.
Van Nest Parks and Memorials
Van Nest Park is located between White Plains Road and Unionport Road. Mead Street divides Van Nest Park from Van Nest Memorial Square. This square has a special war memorial. New York City got the land for Van Nest Park in 1913. The monument was built in 1926 by the Van Nest Citizens' Patriotic League. It is made of granite and was designed by Arthur G. Waldreaon. The park and neighborhood are named after Reynier Van Nest.
The monument has names of soldiers who died in World War I, Korea, and Vietnam. The main part honors soldiers from World War II. By 1938, the park also had playground equipment. The monument was rededicated in 1973. Services are held there on Memorial and Veterans' Day to honor those who served.
In 1997, Mayor Rudy Giuliani helped fund a $30,000 update for the park's playground. More renovations happened from 2014 to 2015. The updated park has a train theme, showing the neighborhood's connection to the old Van Nest train station. Security cameras were also added to the park.
Fire Safety in Van Nest
Van Nest is protected by the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). Engine Co. 90/Ladder Co. 41 is located at 1843 White Plains Road. Ladder Co. 41, also known as the Van Nest Hose Company, started as a volunteer group in 1906. They became a paid company in 1910.
In May 2010, Engine Co. 90/Ladder Co. 41 celebrated its 100th anniversary. Many people attended, including past members and the FDNY Fire Commissioner. A plaque was put up to remember 100 years of service.
Post Office and ZIP Codes
Van Nest uses ZIP Codes 10460 (west of Unionport Road) and 10462 (east of Unionport Road). The United States Postal Service has a post office called Parkway Station at 2100 White Plains Road.
Education in Van Nest
Compared to the rest of New York City, Van Nest has fewer residents with college degrees. About 32% of adults have a college education or higher. However, 74% of high school students in Van Nest graduate on time, which is similar to the city average.
Schools in Van Nest
Van Nest once had two Catholic elementary schools: St. Dominic's and Our Lady of Solace. Both schools taught grades K-8. Our Lady of Solace closed in 2006 due to budget cuts. In 2010, the Bronx Charter School of Excellence opened an annex in the old Our Lady of Solace building.
St. Dominic's grammar school also closed in June 2011 after 59 years. About 200 students had to move to other schools. In September 2015, the former St. Dominic's building became Public School 481, a school for grades K-5.
Van Nest Library
The New York Public Library has a branch called Pelham Parkway-Van Nest. It is located at 2147 Barnes Avenue. The library first opened in 1912 as a "Travelling Library." It moved to its current building in 1968.
Places of Worship
Catholic Churches
St. Dominic's Church at 1739 Unionport Road was built between 1925 and 1927. Cardinal Hayes helped dedicate the church in May 1927. Our Lady of Solace Church is at 731 Morris Park Avenue.
Protestant Churches
- 7th Day Adventist Church is at 800 Morris Park Avenue.
- Episcopalian, St. Martha's is at 1858 Hunt Avenue.
- Lutheran, St.Luke's is at 1722 Adams Street.
- Pentecostal, Van Nest Assembly of God is at 755 Rhinelander Avenue.
Jewish Synagogues
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, many Jewish people lived in Van Nest. A synagogue was built at 1712 Garfield Street in 1905. The B'nai Jacob First Van Nest Hebrew Congregation started in 1895. By the 1920s, it had about 50 families. The synagogue also had a religious school. In 1979, this congregation closed and sold the building to the Mission Christiana Rehoboth church.
Getting Around Van Nest
Bus Routes
Several MTA Regional Bus Operations bus routes serve Van Nest:
- Bx21: Goes to Westchester Square or Third Avenue–138th Street subway stations.
- Bx22: Travels to Bronx High School of Science or Castle Hill.
- Bx39: Connects to Wakefield – 241st Street subway station or Clason's Point.
- Bx40/Bx42: Provides local service to Morris Heights or Throgs Neck.
- BxM10: An express bus service to Midtown Manhattan.
Subway Stations
The New York City Subway's IRT White Plains Road Line (2 5 trains) runs along Birchall Avenue. It has a stop at the Bronx Park East station. The IRT Dyre Avenue Line (5 train) uses the old path of the New York, Westchester and Boston Railway.
The East 180th Street station was built in 1912. It used to be the main office building for the New York, Westchester and Boston Railway. This station is a historic landmark. It was updated between 2010 and 2013. The NYPD's Transit District #12 is across the street from this station.
Amtrak's Northeast Corridor train line passes through Van Nest. These trains go to Penn Station. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is planning to add new Metro-North Railroad stations along this line. One possible new station could be called Parkchester-Van Nest. It might be built where the old Van Nest station used to be.
Famous Places in Van Nest
- Conti's Pastry Shoppe: This bakery opened in 1921. It moved to 786 Morris Park Avenue in 1928. It is known for its Boston cream pie. The bakery celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2021.
- Riviera Ravioli: This store was at 643 Morris Park Avenue. It started as a deli in 1946 and moved to its final spot in 1976. It sold many types of pasta, including special raviolis. Riviera Ravioli closed in August 2014.
- Morris Park Boxing Club: This boxing club at 644 Morris Park Avenue started in 1978. Famous boxers like Aaron Davis and Lou Del Valle trained here. In 2009, a fire caused damage to the club.
Notable People from Van Nest
Many interesting people have lived in Van Nest:
- Stokely Carmichael (1941–1998): A civil rights activist from the 1960s. He moved to Van Nest when he was 11 years old in 1952.
- General James F. Collins (1905–1989): A four-star general. He lived on Unionport Road and went to P.S. 34. He later attended the United States Military Academy at West Point.
- General William Fiorentino (born 1935): He grew up on Hunt Avenue. He graduated from P.S. 34 and Cardinal Hayes High School.
- Kenneth E. Gazzola: An aviation expert who lived on Matthews Avenue. He is a board member of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum.
- Carl Paul Jennewein (1890–1978): A famous artist and sculptor. His studio was on Van Nest Avenue. A part of Van Nest Avenue was renamed Carl Paul Jennewein Place in his honor in 2011.
- Roland La Starza (1927–2009): A boxer born in Van Nest. He lived on Van Nest Avenue.
- Cardinal Edwin F. O'Brien: Born in Van Nest. He is an important leader in the Catholic Church. He helps raise money to protect holy sites.
- Eugene D. Orza: Went to St. Dominic's elementary school. He was once a lawyer for the Major League Baseball Players' Association.
- Regis Philbin (1931–2020): A well-known television personality. He went to Our Lady of Solace School. A street where he lived was renamed in his honor.
- Nick Sandow: An actor who grew up on Van Nest Avenue. He is known for his role in Orange is the New Black.
- Michael Sardo: A Hollywood writer and producer. He grew up in Van Nest and has written for many TV shows.
- John Patrick Shanley (born 1950): A playwright and screenwriter. He grew up in Van Nest. He wrote the movie Five Corners, which was set in the Bronx and named after a spot in Van Nest.
