Historical Overview
A colonial-era map of the Bronx. The area denoted “Valentine” would later become Norwood, Bronx.
Compared with modern day map of the same area.
The neighborhood of Norwood is a triangular shaped wedge bordered by Woodlawn Cemetery to the North, Moshulu (formerly Middlebrook) Parkway to the South, and the New York Botanical Garden to the East. In the nineteenth century, it was considered Westchester County farmland on the border of Yonkers and Woodlawn. Norwood was added to Bronx County of New York City in 1873 as a part of West Bronx. It was mainly used as dairy farmland for the Varian family. Other prominent landowners include the Valentine and Bussian families. A main early developer of Norwood who faciliated its transition from a rural to suburban neighborhood was entrepreneur Josiah Briggs, who laid out the first paved streets, still in use today, between Middlebrook (now Moshulu) Parkway and Woodlawn Cemetery.
The Valentine Varian House in 1905, in a state of disrepair. Note the lack of structures around the area, indicating Norwood’s still semi-rural character at the time.
The house, in 1934. Note the buildings now around the same area, indicating the rapid development the area has gone through.
The building of the New York and Harlem railroads in the late nineteenth century led to a great migration of Eastern European immigrants affluent enough to leave their ethnic enclaves in lower Manhattan, and spurred development of the area into a suburban community. A company known as the Moshulu Parkway Realty Corporation was formed just for the purpose of converting former farmland and forestry into houses and community centers.
The center of the neighborhood was, and still remains, the Williamsbridge Reservoir, which today is more popularly known as the Williamsbridge Oval. During its stint as a former reservoir, it provided the water for the community. When it was no longer needed in 1934, it was filled in and turned into a public park and community center, still in use today. The house that was built for the former reservoir keeper is now a designated historical landmark.
Williamsbridge Reservoir, early 1900s
Williamsbridge Oval Park today
The irregular, triangular shape of the community, as well as the centering of the community at the Williamsbridge Oval, caused the streets grids to converge at irregular angles, leading to quirky shaped buildings reminiscent of the Flatiron.
Triangular shaped buildings with rounded corners, shaped so due to the irregular angles of the streets.
During the 1940s, a large wave of Puerto Ricans came to the area, beginning an era of increasing Hispanic dominance furthered by mass Dominican and Mexican settlement after the 1960s immigration law reform. Today, almost half of the residents in the neighborhood are Hispanic. There is also a small but vibrantly growing Southeast Asian population of Bengalis and other Muslims. There are almost no traces of the once predominant Jewish and Eastern European population in the area. Some Italian pizzerias, still operate on the main commercial avenue, however, they also serve Hispanic snacks, reflecting the main population in the community today.
A small but vibrant Bengali population is growing. These stores along the main commercial avenue proudly advertise Bengali groceries, in the Bengali language.
Grocery clearing catering to Hispanic shoppers, especially Mexicans.
A store selling only “halal” grocery goods-catering to a small but increasing population of Muslims in the area.
A Spanish restaurant I went into that served Hispanic foods (Mexican, Caribbean, South American, etc). The waitress spoke very poor English, reflecting the predominantly Hispanic character of the neighborhood, where speaking English is not required to make a living.
In the 1970s, a sudden wave of Irish immigrants (mostly illegal) came to the area to escape political and economic troubles in Ireland. For twenty years, their strong presence made the neighborhood acquire the nickname of “Little Belfast”, after an Irish town most residents came from, or Bainbridge, after a particularly Irish sounding street name in the area. their presence did not leave a distinct mark. It rivaled the strong Irish neighborhood further north, up in Woodlawn. Pubs and eateries lined the small crowded commercial avenue, 204th Street. However, the Irish started to leave in the 1990s, some going back to Ireland to take advantage of the improving “Celtic Tiger” economy and stabilized political structure. Others moved further up north, to Woodlawn and Yonkers, where they bought houses and contributed to the vibrant Irish communities there. Today, there is little left to remind us of their former dominance, except for the one lone Irish pub and some fading signs advertising long gone businesses.
A faded painted sign that reads “Tierney’s Auto Repair.” Shamrocks were drawn in on the sides, indicating the owner was Irish, or wanted to attract Irish customers. No other signs of the business exists.
The last Irish pub in Norwood.
Sources:
Adely, Hannan. “Norwood News/News.” Norwood News. Bronx Mall, 17 May 2001. Web. 10 May 2014.
“New York History Walks.” New York History Walks. Web. 10 May 2014.
Pietri. “Norwood, Bronx.” Forgotten New York. N.p., 2006. Web. 10 May. 2014.
Rahman, Habibur. “Bangladeshi Hub Grows in North Bronx | Voices of NY.” Voices of NY. N.p., 13 Dec. 2012. Web. 09 May. 2014.
