The constructions in the Red Hook area are influenced by the broader historical trends in trade and technology. The warehouses and piers emerged because of the trade of bulk goods in the Port of New York starting in 1840. During this time, bulk products were shipped and stored at small terminals, which consisted of narrow finger piers and warehouses. Even though many of these finger piers have disappeared, a number of warehouses still remain on Red Hook’s waterfront, which serves as a reminder of the maritime trade which brought upon the growth of Brooklyn and New York.

Most of Red Hooks grain warehouses were built between 1850 and 1860. These warehouses were typically flat roofed structures, four to six stories high, 150- to 200 feet long and 50 to 80 feet wide. They were built from timber with timber floors and brick exteriors. The most intact grain warehouse is The Merchant’s or Governor’s Stores on Pier 41 at the foot of Van Dyke Street.

The Beard Street Stores

The Merchant’s or Governor’s Stores

The Red Hook Grain Terminal was completed in 1922 with the main goal to re-direct the Port’s grain traffic to Red Hook. It had improved waterway, which was designed for diesel-powered barges and followed routes that would maximize the use of natural water. This was entirely different from older canals because they were entirely artificial channels designed for boats pulled by mules. Even though the terminal was never an economic success, it was a great engineering achievement.

Red Hook Grain Terminal

Red Hook hosts one of the largest public housing projects in New York City as well as in the country. They were initially built by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as a Federal Works Program initiative. Red Hook has for a long time been divided between the white population which lives near the waterfront and the black and Latino population which lives in these housing projects. In 1990, these houses were home to 11,000 residents, of which over a third were under 18. Unemployment was high, as well as drug use and violence. This led Life Magazine to rank Red Hook as one of the ten worst neighborhoods in the US, calling it “the crack capital of America.” Today, the houses are home to over 8,000 of Red Hook’s 11,000 residents. Crimes have dropped dramatically; for example between 1993 and 2003, robberies were down 55 percent and felony assaults were down 68 percent. This definitely shows progress in Red Hook becoming a safer and more respected area

Red Hook Public Housing