Kings County, New York

Early Norwegian Neighborhoods in Brooklyn

Beach Place at Hamilton Ferry and Eighteenth Street in South Brooklyn formed what was the oldest Norwegian neighborhood in Brooklyn. During the 1860s, East New York and Market Slip were also associated with the Norwegian population. Norwegian immigration to Brooklyn increased considerably during the 1870s. Martin Carlsen was among the early Norwegians at Greenpoint, while Widnes was associated with Williamsburg.

A growing number of Norwegian seafarers also settled in the area between Erie Basin, Gowanus, and Atlantic Avenue. From about 1880 onward, this became one of the principal centers of Norwegian settlement in Greater New York. As might be expected in a major port, many of the earliest Norwegian settlers were seafarers. They found comparatively well-paid employment and, according to Nordiske Blade, some later became prominent members of the local community.

Sources:

[Ulvestad, Martin. Nordmændene i Amerika. Utg. History Book Company's Forlag. Minneapolis, Minn. 1907.]