Bay Ridge

Brooklyn, one building at a time.

Name: Bennett-Farrell-Feldmann House
Address: 119 95th Street
Cross Streets: Shore Road and Marine Avenue
Neighborhood: Bay Ridge
Year Built: 1847, moved 1913
Architectural Style: Greek Revival
Architect: Unknown, but restored in 2000, by Anita Bartholin Brandt Architect, P.C
Landmarked: Yes, Individual landmark (1999)

The story: Bay Ridge is an old town, settled by the Dutch as part of the larger town of New Utrecht, in the mid-1600’s. It used to be called “Yellow RidgeHook” due to the color of the clay, but in 1853, after a series of horrific yellow fever epidemics, the town changed its name to Bay Ridge, celebrating the neighborhood’s pride and joy – that incredible view of the Narrows and New York Bay. Nearby, the town of Fort Hamilton grew up around the Fort, an important defensive battlement built on the Narrows headlands, between 1815 and 1831. By the mid-1800’s, Fort Hamilton was a wealthy summer suburb, with large villas built along the meandering and scenic Shore Road that connected the two towns. In 1847, Joseph Bennett had this villa built on land he had inherited from his grandparents; a nice piece of land on the beautiful Shore Road.

Bennett’s grandfather was the first European to settle in the Gowanus area, and his grandmother was the daughter of New Utrecht’s largest landowner. The family was quite wealthy, and the Bennett house was one of the finest villas on the Shore Road, set back from the road, surrounded by a stand of trees and a generous lawn. Joseph Bennett lived here with his wife and four children, as well as three or four Irish servants. Around him were several other members of the extended Bennett family, all on their extensive family land. (more…)