On Saturday, November 2, The Zolan Rossiter Team hosted a memorable walking tour through two of Brooklyn’s lesser-known historic neighborhoods, Vinegar Hill and the Brooklyn Navy Yard. With guidance from Bowery Boys Walks, they were joined by a fantastic group of clients and community members, eager to discover Brooklyn’s hidden stories and iconic streets.
The tour began in Vinegar Hill, a neighborhood once known as “Irishtown.” The guide took them through Vinegar Hill’s distinctive Belgian block streets, often mistaken for cobblestone.Did you know these smooth, rectangular stones add character to only a handful of neighborhoods in New York City, including DUMBO, Red Hook, South Street Seaport, and Tribeca. In contrast, true cobblestone streets, with their rounded stones, are even rarer, found in just a few historic pockets like SoHo, in Manhattan. As the group explored Vinegar Hill, they learned that the brown street signs are unique markers indicating a designated historic district, something many locals aren’t aware of. The brown or brick color was chosen to match the brownstone buildings in these areas. The signs also have a black border with the name of the historic district.
From Vinegar Hill, the tour continued to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, a site steeped in American industrial history. Originally a naval shipyard active from the early 1800s until the 1960s, the Navy Yard has since transformed into a dynamic commercial space, now home to over 500 businesses across 300 acres. The tour wrapped up with a look at Wallabout Bay, another nearby historic district with its own unique contribution to Brooklyn’s past. Thank you to everyone who joined and made this event such a success!
Be sure to register here to stay updated on future walking tours and events. Let us know what neighborhoods you would like to learn more about? Looking Ahead to the Holidays! In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we wanted to share one of Debbie’s family holiday recipes with you. This cornbread stuffing is adored by Debbie’s family and has been in her family for generations. If you’re craving a truly classic pie and don’t want/have time to bake, don’t miss the Miss American Pie pop-up shop, it’s one of our favorite spots for homemade treats!
Looking Ahead to the Holidays! In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we wanted to share one of Debbie’s family holiday recipes with you. This cornbread stuffing is adored by Debbie’s family and has been in her family for generations. If you’re craving a truly classic pie and don’t want/have time to bake, don’t miss the Miss American Pie pop-up shop, it’s one of our favorite spots for homemade treats!
