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Bensonhurst - Brooklyn - NYC

I’ve only just begun my explorations of Bensonhurst. I will be returning in the near future for a dedicated tour of the neighborhood, so please keep checking the Updates page and my YouTube channel!

Bensonhurst is located in southwest Brooklyn. Its southern neighbor is Bath Beach, while Dyker Heights resides to the west. To the north is Borough Park. To the east are the neighborhoods of Midwood and Gravesend.

A YouTube Short About Bensonhurst:

Bensonhurst slideshow (Coming Soon):

The Neighborhood

Bensonhurst, Brooklyn

Bensonhurst is a vibrant residential neighborhood located in the southwestern part of Brooklyn. The neighborhood is home to many Italian-American families and is well-known for its excellent Italian cuisine and vibrant community. With a mix of row houses, mid-rise apartment buildings, and small businesses, Bensonhurst attracts a diverse and close-knit community. Some of the neighborhood's notable landmarks include the New Utrecht Reformed Church, the Bensonhurst Park, and the famous 18th Avenue shopping district, also known as the Brooklyn Chinatown. Additionally, Bensonhurst is well-connected to other parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan via subway lines, making it a convenient and accessible place to live.

Bensonhurst is a large residential neighborhood, located within striking distance of Brooklyn’s western and southern shorelines. It sees the confluence of Bay Ridge Parkway and Kings Highway, both providing easy access to the west and east of Brooklyn.

Bensonhurst was originally settled by Dutch farmers in the 17th century, and the land was eventually purchased by a developer named James D. Lynch in the 1880s. Lynch named the neighborhood after Arthur Benson, an executive with the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company, which owned and operated many of the streetcar lines that served the area. Benson was a prominent figure in Brooklyn's transportation industry, and Lynch believed that naming the neighborhood after him would help attract commuters and residents. Bensonhurst soon became known for its diverse population and thriving commercial district, and today it remains one of Brooklyn's most vibrant neighborhoods.

Bensonhurst was established in the late 19th century and was originally a farming community. The neighborhood quickly grew in the early 20th century, becoming a predominantly Italian-American enclave in the 1930s. During this time, Bensonhurst became known for its lively social scene and Italian cultural traditions, as well as its local mob activity. In the 1980s and 1990s, Bensonhurst experienced demographic changes as other ethnic groups, including Chinese, Russian, and Jewish, moved into the area. Despite these changes, Bensonhurst remains a vibrant neighborhood, known for its strong sense of community, delicious food, and unique cultural identity.

The neighborhood of Bedford in Brooklyn is home to numerous landmarks and attractions that make it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. One of the most iconic landmarks in Bedford is the Brooklyn Academy of Music, a cultural institution that hosts a wide range of performances throughout the year. Another major attraction is the Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, a community development organization that offers a variety of programs and events to promote economic growth and cultural enrichment. Other notable landmarks in the neighborhood include the Weeksville Heritage Center, which celebrates the legacy of Brooklyn's historic Weeksville community, and the Herbert Von King Park, a green space that offers a range of recreational activities for visitors. Overall, Bedford is a vibrant and diverse neighborhood with a rich history and an abundance of attractions to explore.

Bensonhurst, a neighborhood situated in the southwestern part of Brooklyn, has been home to several famous personalities over the years. One of the most notable figures is Buddy Valastro, a cake designer, and television personality known for his show "Cake Boss." Another famous personality from the area is Michael Imperioli, an actor known for his role as Christopher Moltisanti in the TV series "The Sopranos." Both of these prominent individuals have proud roots in Bensonhurst and have contributed to making the area more famous in their respective fields. Additionally, Bensonhurst is also known for producing talented baseball players such as Mike Piazza, a former New York Mets catcher, and Steve Lombardozzi, a former infielder for the Minnesota Twins. American astronomer and cosmologist Carl Sagan, writer and host of the landmark 1980s PBS television series “Cosmos,” also hails from Bensonhurst. These famous figures have brought great pride and recognition to the Bensonhurst neighborhood and continue to inspire young aspiring stars in the area.

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All photography provided by Samuel Walters