Brooklyn, New York is a unique place in so many ways and my research turned up some fun facts about this amazing place that this native New Yorker didn’t even know.
Let’s start by how it greets and says goodbye to its many visitors.
While most cities have highway signs that read “Welcome to” and Leaving…,” Brooklyn has to be different. As it should be. Because there is no other place like it in the world. Where else would you have EIGHT different “Welcome” signs greeting visitors and TWO different “Leaving ” signs.
We can thank former Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz who explained what inspired this signage in a Brooklyn Daily Eagle article: “I decided that the Brooklyn we all knew, as far as I’m concerned, was a separate city. I wanted to let everyone know coming into Brooklyn or leaving that they were in a special place or leaving a special place.” http://www.brooklyneagle.com
Brooklyn’s Welcome Signs include:
- Welcome to Brooklyn: Name It…We Got It!
- Welcome to Brooklyn: Where New York City Begins!
- Welcome to Brooklyn: Like No Other Place In The World
- Welcome to Brooklyn: Not Just A Borough, An Experience
- Welcome to Brooklyn: Believe the Hype!
- Welcome to Brooklyn: The Heart of America!
- Welcome to Brooklyn: How Sweet It Is!
- Welcome to Brooklyn: Home to Everyone From Everywhere
My personal favorite is “Welcome to Brooklyn: How Sweet It Is!
This is, of course, a reference to Jackie Gleason’s famous character, Ralph Cramden in the 1950’s nostalgic TV show “The Honeymooners.”
Brooklyn’s “Leaving” Signs include:
- Leaving Brooklyn:Fuhgeddaboudit!
- Leaving Brooklyn: Oy Vey!”
These two signs are also a tribute to “The Honeymooners” where the characters commonly used these phrases. Brooklyn accents are truly unmistakable.
Many New Yorkers, including yours truly, had their start here — their birth anyway. Brooklyn has also seen a rebirth in recent years. This Borough has witnessed an influx of families and celebrities snatching up the many beautiful brownstones that makes this place an architectural dream. Why? Because…
Brooklyn is the most diverse borough of New York.
Brooklyn is a cross cultural mix of race, religion and ethnic backgrounds all living within close proximity of each other. It is now considered the “cool” borough with its foodie and art scene and its mix of musical festivals.
And this borough has an amazing history. So if you’re a trivia nut or want to impress friends and family with your knowledge about this amazing borough, read on:
15 FUN FACTS ABOUT BROOKLYN
1. Brooklyn was settled by the Dutch in the 17th century.
Its name is derived from the original Dutch colonial name Breuckelen.
2. Brooklyn is actually located on Long Island.
Brooklyn may be considered part of Manhattan but it is geographically located on Long Island.
3. Brooklyn is larger than Manhattan.
Yep.. Brooklyn is larger than Manhattan, both in terms of land area and population. Actually, if it was a “city,” It would be the 4th largest city in the United States by population.
4. A Brooklyn Bridge Fun Fact.
When it’s super cold out, the Brooklyn Bridge rises approximately three inches. This is because the cables contract and expand. Whoa!!
5. Brooklyn has a historic brownstone that is not a house at all.
So true. Located at 58 Joralemon Street, this historic Brooklyn Heights brownstone isn’t actually a house at all. It’s a subway ventilator and a hidden emergency exit.
6. An Elvis fan?
Many Elvis fans know that the King served in the military. But did you know that the Brooklyn Army Terminal was his departure point.
7. Brooklyn is the birthplace of the hot dog.
Everyone loves hot dogs. So, of course, this popular dish had to be invented in Brooklyn. It Is believed that Charles Feltman invented it at Coney Island in 1867. Nathans was later opened by one of his employees.
8. Topps Co. dumped valuable baseball cards!
Can you imagine dumping 1952 Mickey Mantle cards into the ocean. Well, in 1960, Topps Co. did just that. To make room in its Brooklyn warehouse, they dumped boxes of these cards into the Atlantic. These cards, in mint condition, would sell on average for nearly $500,000 at auction today.
9. The Dodgers started where else — Brooklyn!
The Dodgers had their start here, of course. Originally they were the Brooklyn Grays, then the Brooklyn Bridegrooms and finally the Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers, shortened to the Dodgers.
The name is a reference to Brooklyn’s maze of streetcar lines. Pedestrians were forced to learn how to “dodge” these vehicles so not to go hit and killed.
10. Love roller coasters?
On June 16, 1884, America’s first rollerecoaster debuted in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Known as the Switchback Railway, it only traveled six miles per hour.
11. An elephant march across the Brooklyn Bridge?
In 1884, P.T. Barnum marched 21 elephants across the Brooklyn Bridge on foot to a circus showground at Tompkins and Fulton Avenues.
12. Move over Starbucks..
Brooklyn was once the coffee capital of the world.
Arbuckle Brothers coffee factory on John Street roasted about 25 million pounds of coffee a month in 1906. This was more than anywhere else in the world at the time.
13. Many celebrities had their start here.
Some notable ones include Barbara Streisand, Jay Z, Woody Allen, Larry David, Michael Jordan, Judge Judy, Eddie Murphy, Nas, Spike Lee, Al Capone and Adam Sandler.
14. Want to run fast?
In Brooklyn, you have a better chance of increasing your running speed. Why? Brooklyn’s terrain is mostly flat. NYC Marathon runners consider this to be the “fastest borough” iwith an average speed of 8:14 minutes per mile.
15. Brooklyn’s motto is Dutch.
“Een Draght Mackt Maght.” This translates from early Dutch to:
“Unity makes strength.”
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