one for the city

Landesman, Alter F. A History of New Lots, Brooklyn to 1887 including the villages of East New York, Cypress Hills, and Brownsville. New York: Port Washington,

1977.

“A history of new lots” takes into account the settlement of this village and its’ surrounding towns. More importantly it tells of the development of the fertile land and how certain figures contributed to the start of the area. The story begins in 1835 with a wealthy business man, John R. Pitkin, who in order to have his goal accomplished decides to buy the farmland off Dutch and English settlers. This would become an area of transportation and urban community able to compete with that of New York City. First he used what he had learned in life to create business and opportunity for the immigrating persons from all over the world, all the while avoiding an economic scare of 1837. Building factories and industrial workshops Pitkin was the catalyst of what the towns of New Lots, Cypress Hills, and East New York are today. Following this explosion of prosperity was the German settlements and its addition to an already expanding village. Fleeing an over populating Germany they brought their culture and skills they’ve gained from home. Hotels were built, toy factories constructed, and breweries assembled. These two events furthermore increased development and opportunity, bringing wealth and differentiation in business.