Naming Gotham : The Villains, Rogues & Heroes Behind New York's Place Names.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bratspies, Rebecca.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Names, Geographical--New York (State)--New York.

Names, Geographical.

New York (N.Y.)--History.

New York (N.Y.).

New York (State)--Biography.

New York (State).

New York (State)--New York.

Genre:

History.

Informational works.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (195 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Chicago : Arcadia Publishing Inc., 2023.

Summary:

The Van Wyck, the Major Deegan, the Jackie Robinson, the Hutch, the Merritt, FDR Drive, or the Henry Hudson...you might drive them regularly, without really noticing that those road names are, well, names. But, who were these people? New York City's many roads, bridges, neighborhoods and institutions bear the names of a colorful assortment of people from key periods in the city's history. Learning about the people iconic Gotham landmarks are named for is a unique window into the history of the greatest city in the world. Author Rebecca Bratspies takes readers on a place-based, intimate, historical journey on a human scale.

Contents:

Intro

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Contents

Introduction

Acknowledgements

I. Roads and Their Namesakes

1. Major Deegan: The Loyal Sidekick

2. Anne Hutchinson: The Radical Prophet

3. Jackie Robinson: The Barrier Breaker

4. Henry Bruckner: The Sodapop King

5. Arthur V. Sheridan: The Professional Engineer

6. Robert Van Wyck: The Corrupt Mayor

7. Adam Clayton Powell Jr.: Mr. Civil Rights

II. Bridges and Tunnels

1. George Goethals: The Hero of the Canal

2. Tadeusz Kościuszko: The Purest Son of Liberty

3. Casimir Pulaski: The Noble Revolutionary

4. Eugenius Outerbridge: The Business Mogul

5. The Macombs: Speculators (Alexander), Soldiers (General Alexander Jr.) and Grifters (Robert)

6. Clifford Holland: The Head Mole

III. Parks and Recreation

1. William Cullen Bryant: The Author of America

2. Shirley Chisholm: Unbought and Unbossed

3. Billie Jean King: Champion of the Courts

4. William Shea: The Man in the Room

5. Loula Lasker: Socialist at the Pierre Hotel

IV. Neighborhoods

1. John Jacob Astor: America's First Multimillionaire

2. Gowanus: The (Maybe) Sachem

3. Adriaen van der Donck: The Young Sir (Yonkers)

4. John Jackson: The Gentleman Farmer

5. The Lenoxes: The Ardent Federalist (Robert) and the Book Collector (James)

6. Peter Stuyvesant: The Last Dutch Director-General

7. Charles A. Willets: Accidental Fame

V. Institutions and Landmarks

1. Gertrude Whitney: The Rebel Heiress

2. The Rikers: The Yankee Privateer (Andrew) and the Kidnapping Club Member (Richard)

3. Peter Cooper: The Inveterate Tinkerer

4. Herbert Lehman: FDR's Good Right Hand

5. Archibald Gracie: The Shipping Magnate

6. Fiorello LaGuardia: Hizzoner the Mayor

Notes

About the Author.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Other Format:

Print version: Bratspies, Rebecca Naming Gotham

ISBN:

9781439676813

OCLC:

1369647092