Established as a town in 1662, New Utrecht includes today's communities of Bay Ridge, Fort Hamilton, Dyker Heights, Borough Park, Bath Beach and most of Bensonhurst. In 1853, Bay Ridge was named for its two main features: upper New York Bay and the glacial ridge running along Ridge Boulevard. With its high ground overlooking the Narrows and Gravesend Bay, this land became very valuable for early developers.

After the consolidation with the City Of Brooklyn in 1894 and Greater New York in 1898, the wealthy rushed to these golden shores to build extravagant homes and summer mansions. Members of elite society gathered at the Crescent Athletic Club (now Ft. Hamilton High School), many arriving by boat from Manhattan.

With the arrival of the Fourth Avenue subway line in 1915, many mansions were destroyed (except for Fontbone Hall Academy at 9901 Shore Road-now a private girl's school) and replaced by high-rise apartment buildings. A few still remain between 80th and 83th Streets on the crest of the Ridge. The Gingerbread House at 82nd Street and Narrows Avenue still boasts the unique style of yore, with its Black Forest Art Nouveau architecture and simulated thatch roof.

The majority of the residential styles are one- and - two family brick, brownstone or limestone frame houses. The Bay Ridge Special Zoning District was established in 1978 to maintain housing construction at three stories or less on residential streets, and no greater than eight stories on the avenues.

During the nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries, many Norwegian and Danish sailors emigrated to Brooklyn. Nordic heritage is still apparent in some sections of Bay Ridge. Bay Ridge High School was the only New York City public school to offer Norwegian as a second language. The area also publishes a Norwegian weekly Nordisk Tidence, and many churches still hold services in Norwegian. Annually, the Constitution Day Parade features thousands of people in folk dress who parade along Fifth Avenues, ending in Leif Ericson Park where "Miss Norway" is crowned at the statue of Ericson donated by the Prince of Norway in 1939.

The community has since expanded to include newer Irish, Greek, Asian and Middle Eastern residents. This variety engenders a host eating opportunities for both local residents and visitors. In addition, the residents have joined together to form the Bay Ridge Community Council that includes PTAs, civic, trade, and block associations working together to maintain a strong neighborhood feeling.

Dyker Heights, near Fort Hamilton Parkway, has attracted several generations of Italian immigrants to its one and two family houses. This area now includes popular Dyker Park with athletic fields and tennis courts, and the city-owned Dyker Beach Golf Course.

Fort Hamilton, home to the only active Army post, in the metropolitan area, houses an officers' club and the 1829 fort "caponier," which is fully restored and serves as the Harbor Defense Museum. Nearby is St John's Episcopal Church at 99th Street and Fort Hamilton Parkway. The country church is called the "Church of Generals" since it attracted many military leaders, including Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson.

The imposing Verrazano Narrows Bridge that joins Staten Island and Brooklyn was opened in 1964 as a memorial to Giovanni de Verrazano, who explored the entrance to New York Harbor in 1524. At its completion, the Bridge was the world's longest suspension bridge.

Third Avenue is a vibrant commercial strip, and also the site of the annual Ragamuffin Parade and Third Avenue Festival in the fall. The Third Avenue Merchants Association of Bay Ridge is one of the oldest merchants association in New York.

Supplementing Leif Ericson Park is Owl's Head Park, a perfect picnic spot overlooking the harbor, and Shore Road Park, a two-and-a-half mile park running between the Belt Parkway and the Narrows, from the Verrazano Bridge to the 69th Street Pier. This is a favorite spot for runners, bikers and strollers who want to get a breathtaking view of New York Harbor.

copied from TheBayRidgeDirectory.com