New York, NY - Urban Archive

South of Union Square

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The History of Metropolitan Avenue

Now lined with trendy restaurants, fun bars, and interesting stores, its easy to imagine that Metropolitan Avenue is part of a new New York, but its history stretches back much further. Metropolitan Avenue was laid in 1813 following an American Indian Trail. It runs nearly eight miles between Brooklyn and Queens, connecting the East River with Jamaica Avenue.

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Urban Archive

1

Metropolitan Avenue, North 7th Street, and Union Avenue

Metropolitan Avenue, North 7th Street, and Union Avenue

Metropolitan Avenue was constructed over an American Indian trail. Many roads in Brooklyn and Queens find their lineage in American Indian roads, which were often the most efficient route between two locations.

2

Metropolitan Avenue and Lorimer Street

Metropolitan Avenue and Lorimer Street

The road was laid by settlers as the Williamsburgh-Jamaica Turnpike in 1813. It connected the town of Williamsburgh to the town of Jamaica, two bustling cities of trade just across the water from Manhattan.

3

Sackett & Wilhelms Lithographing and Publishing Company

Sackett & Wilhelms Lithographing and Publishing Company

The Williamsburgh-Jamaica Turnpike was crucial for farmers in Williamsburg, Bushwick, Jamaica, and further out on Long Island. It connected their land with ferries that transported their goods to markets for sale on Grand Street and at the Catherine Street Market.

4

Metropolitan Avenue Bridge

Metropolitan Avenue Bridge

Stephen and Samuel Masters, who funded the construction of the road, initially charged a toll for use of the Turnpike.

5

10 Woodward Avenue

10 Woodward Avenue

Neighborhoods along Metropolitan Avenue were once all villages, which were later incorporated into Brooklyn and Queens. "Middle Village" was supposedly named for the fact that it was in the middle of the lengthy thoroughfare.

6

5602 Metropolitan Avenue

5602 Metropolitan Avenue

In 1867, steel tracks were installed for horse-drawn trolleys to operate along the road on the western half of the road, between 80th Street and the Grand Street Ferry.

7

Metropolitan Avenue and Fresh Pond Road

Metropolitan Avenue and Fresh Pond Road

Metropolitan Avenue received the name that we know it by today sometime in the 1850s. The City of Brooklyn acquired the road in 1872, and the toll was lifted in 1885.

8

Union Turnpike and Metropolitan Avenue

Union Turnpike and Metropolitan Avenue

The eastern portion of the road carried many names before it became a part of Metropolitan Avenue. It was previously known as Bushwick Street, Woodhull Street, and North Second Street.

9

Metropolitan Avenue and Jamaica Avenue

Metropolitan Avenue and Jamaica Avenue

In Brooklyn, Metropolitan Avenue runs through Williamsburg and East Williamsburg. In Queens, Metropolitan goes through Ridgewood, Maspeth, Middle Village, Glendale, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Richmond Hill, and Jamaica.

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