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

A map showing the Van Nest area in 1868

Van Nest is a friendly neighborhood in the East Bronx section of the Bronx, New York City. It's known for being a place where many families live and work. Its borders are Bronxdale Avenue to the northeast, the Amtrak train tracks to the southeast, and Bronx Park to the west. Van Nest is actually older than its neighbor, Morris Park, by about 20 years. The main streets for shopping and businesses are Morris Park Avenue and White Plains Road.

This neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 11. Its ZIP Codes are 10460 and 10462. The New York City Police Department's 49th Precinct helps keep the area safe.

Exploring Van Nest's Past

The Van Nest family plot in Woodlawn Cemetery

Van Nest got its name from a train station that used to be here. This station was named after the father of Abraham R. Van Nest, who was a director for the railroad company. A special train track was built from the Van Nest station. It led to the nearby Morris Park Racecourse, where exciting horse races took place from 1889 to 1904.

Between 1892 and 1896, a company called the Van Nest Land & Improvement Company divided farmland into building lots. Before the city paved the streets in 1895, the area was quite flat. Rainwater would collect in low spots, earning it the nickname "Mud West." Today, many long-time residents still call the intersection of Van Nest Avenue, Unionport Road, and Victor Street the "Five Corners."

In August 2024, the New York City Council made an important decision. They voted to change the zoning rules for 46 city blocks in Van Nest, Parkchester, and Morris Park. This was part of the Penn Station Access project, which aims to improve train service. The city government also promised to spend $500 million to upgrade the area around the new train stations. These changes were made to encourage new buildings, and up to 7,000 new homes could be built in these three neighborhoods.

Who Lives in Van Nest?

Van Nest has a population of almost 14,000 people. It's a diverse neighborhood with many different cultures. You'll find many Puerto Rican families here, along with a good number of African American residents. There are also smaller, long-standing Italian and Albanian communities, especially east of White Plains Road near Morris Park. Most people in Van Nest rent their homes.

The median household income in Community District 11, which includes Van Nest, was about $48,018 in 2017. This means that many families in the area are doing well.

Local Government and Representation

Van Nest is part of New York's 14th congressional district. This district is represented by Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The neighborhood is also part of the 33rd and 34th State Senate districts. These are represented by Democrats Gustavo Rivera and Alessandra Biaggi. For the State Assembly, Van Nest is in the 80th and 87th districts, represented by Democrats Nathalia Fernandez and Karines Reyes. Finally, in the New York City Council, Van Nest is in the 13th and 15th districts, represented by Democrats Mark Gjonaj and Ritchie Torres.

Homes and Buildings in Van Nest

Memorial Square, a special place in Van Nest

Van Nest is mostly filled with single-family homes, meaning houses where one family lives. You can also find some apartment buildings. The neighborhood covers about one square mile. The buildings in Van Nest show many different styles, like Italianate, Queen Anne, Art Deco, and modern brick designs. This variety comes from the neighborhood starting as a residential area in 1893.

The Con Edison Van Nest Service Center is located north of the Amtrak train tracks. It sits between Unionport Road and Bronxdale Avenue. This center used to be the maintenance shops for the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. Con Edison bought the property in September 1959. The former train yards, built in 1907, now make up the large Con Edison Service Center.

Van Nest Park: A Place to Play and Remember

Van Nest Park is a lovely green space in the neighborhood. It is bordered by White Plains Road to the east, Unionport Road to the west, and Van Nest Avenue to the north. Mead Street divides Van Nest Park from Van Nest Memorial Square. This square holds a special war memorial.

New York City acquired Van Nest Park in August 1913. The land was put under the Parks Department's care in April 1922. The monument, which stands in the center of the original park, was built in April 1926. It was created by the Van Nest Citizens' Patriotic League. The monument is made of Deere Isle granite and was designed by architect Arthur G. Waldreaon. The park, like the neighborhood, was named after Reynier Van Nest, who was a saddle maker.

Three of the monument's granite panels list the names of soldiers who bravely served in World War I, Korea, and Vietnam. The main panel honors soldiers from World War II. By 1938, the park grew to include playground equipment. The monument was rededicated in October 1973 by the Italian-American War Veterans' Bronx County Post #39. Memorial and Veterans' Day services are held to honor those who served our country. The monument area was redesigned and upgraded starting in Spring 2018, and a flagpole was added to complete the renovation.

In 1997, Mayor Rudy Giuliani helped fund a $30,000 renovation for the park, replacing old playground equipment. More renovations were planned, and by May 2011, $950,000 was set aside for playground upgrades. Construction began in March 2014 and finished a year later. The newly renovated park has a fun railroad theme, celebrating the neighborhood's history with the Van Nest train station. Security cameras were also installed to help keep the park safe at night. Van Nest Park officially reopened to the public in May 2015.

Fire Safety in Van Nest

The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) helps keep Van Nest safe. 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 moved to White Plains Road in May 1910 and became a paid company.

In May 2010, Engine Co. 90/Ladder Co. 41 celebrated its 100th anniversary! The street around the firehouse was closed for a big party. Many former firefighters, the FDNY Fire Commissioner, and other guests attended. A special plaque was unveiled to remember 100 years of dedicated service.

Staying Healthy in Van Nest

Residents in Van Nest and Allerton have good access to healthcare. The nearest large hospitals are Calvary Hospital, Montefiore Medical Center's Jack D. Weiler Hospital, and NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi in Morris Park. The Albert Einstein College of Medicine campus is also located nearby in Morris Park.

Mail and ZIP Codes

Van Nest uses two ZIP Codes: 10460 for the area west of Unionport Road and 10462 for the area east of Unionport Road. The United States Postal Service has a post office called Parkway Station at 2100 White Plains Road.

Learning and Schools

The New York Public Library, Pelham Parkway Van Nest branch

Many adults in Van Nest and Allerton have a high school education or some college experience. About 32% of residents aged 25 and older have a college degree or higher. Students in Van Nest and Allerton have shown good progress in math, with achievement rising from 32% in 2000 to 48% in 2011. Reading achievement stayed steady at 37% during the same time.

Sometimes, elementary school students in Van Nest and Allerton miss more school days than the city average. About 23% of elementary students missed twenty or more days per school year. However, high school students in Van Nest and Allerton graduate on time at a rate of 74%, which is similar to the citywide average.

Schools in the Neighborhood

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 changes. Its building was empty until September 2010, when the Bronx Charter School of Excellence annex opened there for grades five and six. The School of Excellence renovated the building and plans to expand to more grades.

In January 2011, the New York Archdiocese announced that St. Dominic's would also close by June of that year. St. Dominic's, founded in 1952, had about 200 students. A farewell Mass was held to celebrate the school's 59-year history. As of September 2015, the former St. Dominic's Catholic elementary school reopened as Public School 481, serving grades K–5.

The Van Nest Library Branch

The New York Public Library (NYPL) has a branch called Pelham Parkway-Van Nest at 2147 Barnes Avenue. This library first opened in 1912 as a "Travelling Library." It moved to several permanent locations before settling in its current building in 1968.

Places of Worship

Our Lady of Solace Roman Catholic Church

Catholic Churches

St. Dominic's Church at 1739 Unionport Road began construction in 1925 and was finished in May 1927. Msgr. Domenico Fiorentino was very important in building the church. Cardinal Hayes led the dedication mass on May 8, 1927. A procession from Van Nest Memorial Square to the church was part of the celebration. Our Lady of Solace Church is located 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 Community

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Van Nest had a notable Jewish population. A synagogue was built at 1712 Garfield Street in 1905. The B'nai Jacob First Van Nest Hebrew Congregation started in 1895. By the early 1920s, it had over 50 families and a religious school. Services were held in Hebrew, Yiddish, and English. In January 1979, the 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: travels to Westchester Square or Third Avenue–138th Street subway stations.
• Bx22: goes to Bronx High School of Science or Castle Hill.
• Bx39: connects to Wakefield – 241st Street subway station or Clason's Point.
• Bx40/Bx42: local service to Morris Heights or Throgs Neck.
• BxM10: an express bus to Midtown Manhattan.

Subway and Train Lines

The East 180th Street subway station

The New York City Subway's IRT White Plains Road Line (2 5 trains) runs along Birchall Avenue and stops at the Bronx Park East station. The IRT Dyre Avenue Line (5 train) uses the old tracks of the New York, Westchester and Boston Railway.

The East 180th Street station on the IRT White Plains Road Line was built in 1912. It was once the main building for the New York, Westchester and Boston Railway. The station has a unique design and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. From 2010 to 2013, the station received a big renovation. The NYPD's Transit District #12 is located across the street from this station.

White Plains Road Bridge in the foreground; Unionport Road Bridge in the background.

The Amtrak Northeast Corridor train line passes through Van Nest. These trains travel to and from Penn Station using the Hell Gate Bridge. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has been working on the Penn Station Access project. This project is bringing Metro-North Railroad's New Haven service along the Hell Gate Line. New stations are planned, including one at Parkchester-Van Nest, which may be built where the old Van Nest station once stood.

Special Places in Van Nest

Conti's Pastry Shoppe opened on Victor Street in 1921 and moved to 786 Morris Park Avenue in 1928. In 2003, Sal Paljevic bought the shop from the original owners. In 2007, it underwent a four-week renovation to restore its beautiful tin ceiling and wood panel walls. The shop also has old marble countertops, black-and-white photos, and vintage advertisements. In 2005, the outside of the bakery was updated with an old-fashioned awning and traditional display windows. Conti's Bakery is famous for its delicious Boston cream pie. In October 2021, Conti's Pastry Shoppe celebrated its 100th anniversary!

Riviera Ravioli was located at 643 Morris Park Avenue. It started as a deli in 1946 and moved to its final location in 1976. Riviera offered many types of pasta, including special filled raviolis like lobster, crab, and walnut. Other pastas included tortellini, cavatelli, manicotti, and fettuccine. According to its owner, Joseph Giordano, the name Riviera Ravioli came from the Italian Riviera, where his family was from. Riviera Ravioli closed in August 2014.

The Morris Park Boxing Club at 644 Morris Park Avenue was started in 1978 by Joe DeGuardia Sr. His son, Joe DeGuardia, now owns the club. Dex Pejcinovic, a former club member, helps manage the daily activities. In December 2009, an electrical fire caused a temporary setback for the club. Many famous boxers have trained at the Morris Park Boxing Club, including WBA world champions Aaron Davis and Lou Del Valle.

Famous People from Van Nest

• Stokely Carmichael (1941–1998), a well-known civil rights activist, moved to Van Nest from Harlem in 1952 when he was 11 years old.
• General James F. Collins (1905–1989), a four-star general, moved to Van Nest in 1909. He attended local schools and later the United States Military Academy at West Point.
• General William Fiorentino (born 1935) grew up in Van Nest. He graduated from P.S. 34 and Cardinal Hayes High School, then studied physics at Fordham University.
• Kenneth E. Gazzola, who lived on Matthews Avenue, is an expert in aviation. He is the President and CEO of FlightLogix and serves on the board of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum.
• Carl Paul Jennewein (1890–1978), a talented artist and sculptor, had his studio on Van Nest Avenue from 1928 until his death. In 2011, a section of Van Nest Avenue was renamed Carl Paul Jennewein Place in his honor.
• Roland La Starza (1927–2009), a boxer, was born in Van Nest in 1927 and lived on Van Nest Avenue.
• Cardinal Edwin F. O'Brien was born in Van Nest. He is a high-ranking religious leader and the pope's representative to Catholics in the Holy Land.
• Eugene D. Orza went to St. Dominic's elementary school and was once the general counsel for the Major League Baseball Players' Association.
• Regis Philbin (1931–2020), a famous television personality, attended Our Lady of Solace School in Van Nest. A block of Cruger Avenue, where he lived, was renamed in his honor.
• Nick Sandow, an actor known for his role as Joe Caputo in Orange is the New Black, grew up on Van Nest Avenue.
• Michael Sardo, a Hollywood writer and executive producer for TV shows like Caroline in the City and Wings, grew up in Van Nest.
• John Patrick Shanley (born 1950), a playwright and screenwriter, grew up in Van Nest. He wrote the film Five Corners, which was set in the East Bronx and named after an intersection in Van Nest.