Garden Place

ORIGINALLY GARDEN PLACE WAS A WALK IN THE FORMAL GARDENS BEHIND THE MANSION OF PHILIP LIVINGSTON, DELEGATE FROM NEW YORK AND SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IN 1776. THE LIVINGSTON MANSION WAS USED BY GENERAL WASHINGTON AND HIS OFFICERS DURING THE BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND. FOR SEVERAL YEARS AFTER THE BATTLE THE BRITISH NAVY USED THE HOUSE FOR A HOSPITAL AND CAREFULLY TENDED THE GARDEN. IN 1803 THE LAND WAS SOLD TO TEUNIS JORALEMON AND IN 1842 THE JORALEMON ESTATE WAS PARTITIONED AND "GARDEN STREET" WAS LAID OUT IN THE GARDEN. THE NAME WAS CHANGED TO GARDEN PLACE IN 1870. THE ORIGINAL RETAINING WALL BETWEEN THE GARDEN AND TERRACED ORCHARD OF THE LIVINGSTON ESTATE EXISTS BEHIND NOS. 29-41. LONDON PLANE TREES LINING THE STREET WERE ORIGINALLY PLANTED IN THE 1930'S BY THE GARDEN PLACE ASSOCIATION (THE FIRST SUCH ORGANIZATION IN BROOKLYN HEIGHTS) AND THE LANGSTAFF FAMILY, RESIDENTS AT NO. 39 (1923-1982).

 

Submitted by @lampbane