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A Peek into Williamsburg: A Story of Immigration and Gentrification
Williamsburg was incorporated into Bushwick as the "Village of Williamsburgh" within the Town of Bushwick in 1827. After two years, it had a population of over 1,000, a fire department, and a post office. Its prime location on the East River encouraged industrialists to build shipyards around Williamsburg. As such, it became a hub of industry.
In 1840, Williamsburg separated from the Town of Bushwick and became the Town of Williamsburg. Edmund Smith Driggs, a Williamsburg resident, was elected the first president of the Village in 1850. Driggs Avenue is named after him. It became the City of Williamsburg (then discarding the 'h' in 1855 and was organized into three wards. Finally, in 1898 Brooklyn became one of the high boroughs within NYC and so Williamsburg became part of the City of Greater New York. The Williamsburg Bridge was opened shortly after.
Williamsburg Bridge
The Williamsburg Bridge was opened in 1903. It was the first suspension bridge to feature all-steel towers. The bridge opened up the community to thousands of mobile immigrants and second-gen Americans fleeing the over-crowded tenements of Manhattan's Lower East Side.
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Williamsburg Bridge
Williamsburg Bridge in 2021. View from Domino Park. Today, the bridge sits across from a mass of new, luxury condos, a clear symbol of what the neighborhood has transformed into. In the Williamsburg zip code of 11211, the median income for men is $80k a year, and for the women, $70k a year. 17% of the population makes over $200k a year, and 62% make over $50k a year.
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Williamsburg Bridge
Williamsburg Bridge in 2021.
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Williamsburg Bridge Plaza
The Williamsburg Bridge Plaza was once a trolley terminal. Today it serves as a bus terminal.
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Williamsburg Bridge Plaza
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Continental Army Plaza
This bronze statue, titled "George Washington at Valley Forge," was placed in the Continental Army Plaza since 1906.
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Continental Army Plaza
Built in order to commemorate the leadership of George Washington from December 1777 to June 1778, when the continental army was encamped at Valley Forge, the statue now, like many other memorials, is often overlooked for what it is meant to honor. Though the statue is less prominent in the public's mind, the plaza still serves as a nice park space for the public.
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Williamsburgh Savings Bank
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Williamsburgh Savings Bank
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Domino Sugar Refinery
The Domino Sugar Refinery was built in 1882, and at the time, was the largest sugar refinery in the world. The refinery represents the boom of industry and factories in Williamsburg at the end of the 19th and begining of the 20th century.
In 1917, while producing sugar for the Allies in WWI, an explosion destroyed part of the plant and killed several workers. A large crowd, of more than 15,000 people, gathered to watch the plant burn.
Refining operations stopped in 2004. As of 2012, the property is slated to be used for multi-use development. Several of the buildings in the complex were given landmark status. The current 1.5 Billion development project is the work of TWO TREES developers.
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Domino Sugar Refinery
The sugar refinery has been a landmark in Brooklyn that has watched it transform greatly. When it was in use as a sugar refinery, the factory was a blend of Polish, Italian, and Caribbean Immigrants and African American migrants. Today, the surrounding neighborhood is 78% filled with US natives and 52% NY natives. 22% of the residents in the 11211 zip code are foreign-born, a third of those being from Europe and another third from Latin America. In addition, 54% of the residents speak a language other than English at home. 29% an Indo-European language and 20% Spanish.
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Domino Sugar Refinery
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Bedford Avenue and North 7th Street
This photo was taken on Bedford Avenue more than 100 years ago. Today, Bedford Avenue is arguably the most popular street in Williamsburg, packed with shops, restaurants, and people.
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Jonathan Williams Houses
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Jonathan Williams Houses
The Jonathan Williams Houses are public housing that offer just under 600 units. These are the perfect example of the two sides of Williamsburg. While 17% of Williamsburg is making over $200k a year, 16% of the population have less than a HS diploma. In addition, 43% of children under 18 are below the poverty line and 25% of all people in the 11211 are living in poverty.
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322 UNION AVENUE
UNION DOCS! Where Clara and Leila currently reside.
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335 UNION AVENUE
Where Leila (but sadly not Clara) likes to grab one of Brooklyn's best cupcakes every once in a while.
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