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Ocean Hill - Brooklyn - NYC

I’ve only just begun my explorations of Ocean Hill. 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!

Ocean Hill is a northern subsection of Brownsville, tucked between Crown Heights to the west and Bedford-Stuyvesant to the north.

Ocean Hill slideshow:

The Neighborhood

Ocean Hill is a legacy residential neighborhood that transitions between the larger neighborhoods of Brownsville, Crown Heights, and Bedford-Stuyvesant.

Ocean Hill is predominantly residential, with housing varying from brownstones and townhouses to modern apartment buildings. Ocean Hill has a rich history rooted in African American and Puerto Rican culture, and it played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement. Today, the community is known for its vibrant art scene and numerous community initiatives, such as the Ocean Hill-Brownsville Coalition of Young Professionals, that strive to uplift and support the residents of the area.

Ocean Hill is located in the northern portion of Brooklyn, New York. The neighborhood is believed to have gotten its name from its proximity to the East New York Waterfront. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this area was an important shipping center, and many ocean-bound vessels passed through it. The hills to the north of this shipping area soon came to be known as Ocean Hill, and the name stuck for the neighborhood as a whole. Ocean Hill is home to a diverse community of residents and features numerous cultural landmarks, historical sites, and recreational outlets.

Ocean Hill is a historic neighborhood located in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. Originally part of Dutch colonial farmland, the neighborhood developed during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when large amounts of immigrants from Italy, Ireland, and Germany moved to the area. During the 1950s and 1960s, however, Ocean Hill underwent a significant demographic shift, as African American and Caribbean Americans began to move into the area. These new residents faced significant racial tensions with the neighborhood's white residents, leading to a series of protests and clashes that became known as the Ocean Hill-Brownsville school boycotts. Despite these challenges, Ocean Hill continued to thrive, and today it is a vibrant and diverse community, with a rich cultural history and a strong sense of community pride.

Ocean Hill is a vibrant and historic neighborhood in Brooklyn known for its cultural diversity, rich history, and the many landmarks that make it a popular destination for visitors and residents alike. Major landmarks in the neighborhood include the Ocean Hill-Brownsville public library, the Brownsville Heritage House, and the Thomas Boyland Playground. Other notable landmarks include the Pitkin Theatre Building, the Hamilton - Metz Field, and the City Hospital Center at Elmhurst Hospital. These iconic landmarks are a testament to the rich history and culture of the Ocean Hill neighborhood, and they play an essential role in preserving the community's unique identity and character.

Ocean Hill, Brooklyn has been home to a number of notable individuals throughout its history. Perhaps most well-known is rapper Busta Rhymes, who grew up in the neighborhood and attended George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School. Another famous musician from Ocean Hill is Max Roach, a renowned jazz drummer and composer. Other notable residents of the neighborhood include filmmaker Jim Jarmusch, actress Rosie Perez, and civil rights activist and politician Shirley Chisholm, who was the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress. These famous individuals are a testament to the rich cultural and historical significance of Ocean Hill, Brooklyn.

Highlight Gallery:

BROOKLYN NEIGHBORHOODS

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All photography provided by Samuel Walters