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Updated 03/22/2008
Early Canarsie was primarily a farming and fishing village. As the population grew at a rapid pace in Canarsie so did its buildings. Many churches were erected either in the 1800's or right at the turn of the century. There were farm houses and local businesses scattered throughout Canarsie's land. Canarsie’s first bank, The Canarsie State Bank was built on the corner of Flatlands Avenue and East 93 Street right after the First World War. New stores were built along East 92 Street from Flatlands Avenue to Conklin Avenue. There was an A&P supermarket, a bakery, photo studio, piano store and many other types of businesses. In the early 1920’s, a large building was erected on Rockaway Parkway with approximately 9 stores on the first floor and a ladies wear factory on the second story. The building was named “The Jerry Building” after its builder and still stands today. A lumber yard belonging to the Canarsie Lumber Co. was located right next to the building. A city parking now stands on that site. As the years progressed, more business and homes were built along Rockaway Parkway. Canarsie had three fire houses in the 1800's. Flatlands Engine 1 was organized in 1859 and located on Rockaway Parkway. Flatlands Hook and Ladder 1 was organized on May 14,1890 and located on East 95 Street and Conklin Avenue. The last company organized was Canarsie Hose Company 1 on October 14, 1891 and located the south side of Avenue L between East 94 Street and East 95 Street. The three Companies combined on June 24,1892 to create the Flatlands Fire Department. Brooklyn replaced all three companies with Engine 57 and was housed at Engine 1's old house. On October 1, 1889, Engine 57 became Engine 157 and then renumbered again for the last time to Engine 257. A new firehouse was built and opened on February 1, 1908 on Rockaway Parkway and Farragut Road which is still the present location for the F.D.N.Y. On October 18,1929 Ladder 170 was organized and houses with Engine 257. On October 11,1927, Canarsie Theatre opened it's doors and showed the movie "The Blood Ship". In 1920, with many veterans coming home from the war, the American Legion Post 573 was built in 1920. It was then expanded into today's building in 1928. In the years between 1910 and 1920, new row houses (4 or 5 houses built in a row together) and bungalows were being erected. People could purchase a home for $2,500. All you needed was $100 for a down payment and then the rest was mortgaged for $25 a month. Becker Aniline & Dye Works resided on a large area of land what is now known as Ditmas Avenue. When the plant closed down, a few years later the Brooklyn Union Gas Co. took over the property. Most of the area was used by Canarsie farmers. During the building boom, many new homes, factories and gas stations were built. On a large portion of the land, a very large building was built. It belonged to the Key Food chain stores. In 1940, the rest of the land on Foster Avenue was purchased by the City of New York and the Brooklyn Terminal Market was built. As the population grew so did the building boom in Canarsie. As the City filled up the creeks with sand, there was more land to develop and many new homes were erected over the years to come. Many of the original houses and businesses still stand today in Canarsie.
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