Brooklyn Heights

With the heat of summer behind us, we had of day between the frequent and record rainfalls and the on-coming hurricane to take another stay-cation. This time to Brooklyn Heights, one of the borough's oldest neighborhoods. Even though the area is small, we only walked through the northwestern part between Joralemon Street and the East River.

Brooklyn Bridge

Subway kiosk

Borough Hall

This porticoed Greek Revival structure was completed in 1851 and is the oldest government building in Brooklyn. Originally built as Brooklyn City Hall, it became Borough Hall when Brooklyn became part of NYC at the end of the 19th century. The cupola was added at that time.

If you exit the back door and cross the street, you will be at the Municipal Building where governmental affairs are administered.

Brooklyn Municipal Building

Fountain on Cadman Plaza.

Supreme Court - State of New York - Kings County

US District Court is also on Cadman Plaza, but it is currently wrapped in plastic for renovations as is the old post main office; not good for photos. The County Clerks office is covered with scaffolding, most likely for renovations.

On the northern end of Cadman Plaza is
Brooklyn's memorial to the servicemen and women of WW II.

Manhattan as seen from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade.
(The masted ships (center) are berthed at the South Street Seaport Museum.)
(The World Trade Center is noted by its absence)

Between the government center and the East River is the community known as Brooklyn Heights. It was from here that General George Washington abandoned Long Island to the British and escaped to Valley Forge, PA via Manhattan (pictured above) and New Jersey.

The Battle of Long Island (Battle of Brooklyn or Battle of Brooklyn Heights) was the first major battle of the American Revolution (8/27/1776). The nascent country lost New York.

One can still cross to Manhattan by water via the Water Taxi at the Fulton Ferry wharf.

The Fulton Ferry Building, formerly the Marine Fireboat Station, is now an ice cream shop for Brooklyn-made ice cream. Although the vanilla is rated in the top three in NYC, we had the chocolate and peach (separate flavors).

Ferry coming in.

Homes from the early 19th century are nestled between more modern structures. Assorted Brooklyn Heights structures are pictured below. Some former homes are now multi-family dwellings.

Plymouth Church
(1849)

Under Rev. Henry Ward Beecher (Harriet's brother), its first minister, Plymouth Church (Congregational) was a stop on the Underground Railroad. They claim that President Abraham Lincoln worshiped here twice in 1860, but, in reality, the most they can say is that Lincoln attended services.

They have a piece of Plymouth Rock.

Time for dinner and our trip home.

The up-scale ($100 prix-fixe) River Cafe...

...or my scale

Rated best cheese cake in NY.
The hamburgers are pretty good, too. Try the 'E' (steakburger, fries & onion rings.) Under 12 bucks.