New York's Early Exploration

In the early 1500s, the area now known as New York was inhabited by the Lenape, a tribe of Native Americans. They were part of the larger Lenni Lenape nation, which occupied a vast territory stretching from the Penobscot to the Potomac, and from the Atlantic coast to the Mississippi River.

The first European exploration of the region occurred in 1524 when the Italian navigator Giovanni Verrazano, sailing under the patronage of King Francois I of France, ventured into the waters of New York Harbor aboard the caravel Dauphine. Verrazano's expedition marked the initial European contact with this particular area.

In 1598, Dutch explorers from the Greenland Company began visiting the region with the intention of establishing temporary settlements, primarily for the purpose of securing shelter during the winter months. They constructed forts to protect themselves against potential conflicts with the indigenous Lenape people.

The most significant European arrival came in 1609 when the English explorer Henry Hudson, sailing on behalf of the Dutch East India Company, navigated the waters of New York Harbor aboard the ship De Halve Maen. Hudson was in search of the Northwest Passage—a direct route to Asia—and his exploration of the harbor and Manhattan Island laid the groundwork for future European settlement.

Hudson's voyage prompted a response from Dutch merchants, who recognized the economic potential of the region, particularly in the fur trade. In 1610, Dutch traders initiated fur trading activities, capitalizing on the abundance of fur-bearing animals in the area.

By 1625, a permanent settlement known as New Amsterdam was established on the southern tip of Manhattan Island, marking the official founding of what would later become New York City. Under the auspices of the Dutch West India Company, New Amsterdam evolved from a trading post into a bustling seaport and center of commerce, attracting settlers from various European countries.

The establishment of New York City represented a significant transition from indigenous territory to European colonial settlement, shaping the course of the city's history and laying the foundations for its future growth and development. The early explorations and settlements played a crucial role in shaping the cultural, economic, and social landscape of New York City, leaving a lasting impact that is still felt today.
New York's Early Exploration

History of Bronx

On 1 Jan 1898, the Annexed district of New York City became the Borough of the Bronx. Paleo-Indian arrived in the area about 12,000 years ago. At the time of European contact, there were several settlements of Algonquin speaking bands in the area of what become Bronx.

The Bronx acquired its name only after the present borough became part of New York in 1895. Although technically named after the river, the name indirectly honors the first recorded European settler, Jonas Bronck.

In 1639 Jonas Bronck, a sea captain born in Sweden and rising in the Netherlands, was the first European settler, along with his Dutch, German and Danish. He arrived in New Netherland in 1639, farmed some six hundred acres in what is the Mott Haven section, and his tract was known as Bronck’s Land.

By 1846, population in the western Bronx had increased so much that the Town of West Farms was created. West Farms, originally a village on the Bronx River, had become an important manufacturing center due to its water-powered mills.
History of Bronx

Central Park New York

With the rapid expansion of New York’s population, the need for open space became obvious.

In 1853, the city was given the power to purchase 778 acres situated in the middle of Manhattan after the state – using the power of eminent domain – claimed the land form the more than five hundred proprietors who owned the site.

The overall design for the park was published in the first annual report of park commissioners, ostentatiously subtitled Adopted by the Commissioners, June 3rd 1856.

In 1858, the New York State legislature designated an area from 59th Street to 106th Street for creation of the park at cost $5,000,000 for the land alone.

The governing structure under which the park would actually be built was finally established on April 17, 1857.

Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won a design competition to improve and expand the park, transformed this swampy, rocky area into American’s first ‘people park’.

While the construction of Central Park would continue until 1873, the first section was open to the public in the summer of 1858.

In 1965 Central Park was designated a National Historic Landmark, and in 1998 the National Audubon Society designated it an Important Bird Are in New York State.
Central Park New York

History of New York City: First arrivals

During 1500 the inhabitant of the area were a tribe of Indians – an offshoot from the great nation of the Lenni Lenape, who inhabited the vast territory bounded by the Penobscot and Potomac, the Atlantic and Mississippi.

In 1524 the Italian navigator Giovanni Verrazano and his crew in the caravel Dauphine, cruising along the North America coast, turned into the outer reaches of New York Harbor, the section called the Lower Bay. 

They were the first European s to visit this particular region. Verrazano was employed by Francois I, the French monarch who was also Leonardo da Vinci’s patron.

In 1598, a few Hollanders in the employ of Greenland Company, were in the habit of resorting to New Netherlands with a design of effecting a settlement, but merely to secure a shelter during the winter months. 

They built two new forts, to protect themselves against the Indians.

The history of New York City began the arrival of Henry Hudson and his eighteen crew in De Halve Maen in September 2, 1609. He pushing on through the Narrows, sailed into the harbor. Hudson carefully tacked the De Halve Maen toward what was later called Manhattan.

Hudson had been sent out by the Dutch East India Company to look for the legendary ‘Northwest Passage’ to China and India. Like his Italian and Portuguese predecessors. Hudson was part of Europe’s quest for an all water route to the Far East.

Upon Hudson’s return to Amsterdam in 1610, a group of enterprising Dutch merchants sent a ship to the newly explored rover to establish a profitable fur trade.

In April 22, 1625, a settlement know as New Amsterdam had been established on the southern tip of Manhattan Island. Dutch New York was being created.

The settlement was founded by the Dutch West India Company developed from a trading post in the wilderness into an important seaport and center of commerce under English rule.
History of New York City: First arrivals