Bay Ridge welcomed Irish, Italian, and Scandinavian immigrants in the early 20th century. The inspiration for the new name was the beautiful view of New York Bay in Bay Ridge.
However, after several outbreaks of Yellow Fever hurt New York City in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, residents renamed their neighborhood Bay Ridge. This war occurred from 1643 to 1645.Īs colonists continued to settle into Bay Ridge, they called the area Yellow Hook because of the shape and color of the soil. However, Kieft’s War, initiated by New Amsterdam director Willem Kieft ended with the deaths of many Canarsee Native Americans.
As colonists moved to New York City, the Canarsee left, fleeing the growing chaos and lack of space. Hunting and gathering was their main source of nourishment. Part of the broader Lenape tribe, this community specialized in fur trading and fishing. Before Bay Ridge became the residential neighborhood it is today, the Canarsee Native Americans occupied the land.
