This post, which describes the history of the Brooklyn neighborhood Red Hook, has been provided by the Red Hook workers’ comp lawyers at The Disability Guys.
Red Hook or Roode Hoek?
The Lenape, who inhabited all of New York prior to the arrival of the Europeans. They called the marshland area by the waterfront “Sassian”.
The Lenape, which divides groups into clans, moved regularly throughout the Northeast, building temporary villages and living off of the land until it was determined that the local area had been “exhausted”. Then the village would be moved to a new location.
In 1636, the Dutch arrived and started calling this area “Roode Hoek” because of the rich red color of the soil. The name stuck and when the English took control of the land, the name transitioned to Red Hook.
Farms populated the local area and thanks to the nearby waterways, mills were built.
During the American Revolution, the fort at Red Hook played a prominent role in the Battle of Long Island. Ultimately, the British remained in control of all of New York City until the end of the war, but several battles took place in the area as Washington and his troops tried to force the British out.
Following the American Revolution, all of Brooklyn, including Red Hook, continued to grow. Streets were built, shipyards and dry docks were built, and manufacturing business sprung up along the waterfront. This brought thousands of immigrants to the area as jobs were plentiful.
Red Hook Today
Today this Brooklyn neighborhood is home to nearly 39,000 residents. Locals are served by several charter and community schools, several local library branches, two firehouses, and a nearby water ferry to Manhattan. There is a 58-acre park in the southern portion of Red Hook with handball courts, softball fields, soccer fields, basketball courts, and trails. Crime rates continue to fall.
Our Red Hook workers’ comp legal team hopes that you have enjoyed this post about this fun and exciting Brooklyn neighborhood. For additional information, read our post on local resources in Red Hook.
