When Vanderveer Park Changed Everything

Victorian Flatbush” as we know it began in 1892 when John Vanderveer sold his farmland for development. Originally located between Ave C (now Clarendon) and Ave D, it extended 20 blocks, from Flatbush to Rogers. If the first photo is any indication, it expanded in the next couple of years, and a wooden sign was erected at Ave F (now Farragut). At the Brooklyn Historical Society Library there’s a magnificent pamphlet/map of the first plots for sale, which I’ve posted some photos of below.

This Vanderveer Park sign gives me major Bailey Park from It’s a Wonderful Life vibes....or more accurately, Bailey Park has major Vanderveer Park vibes! Could it have been the production designer’s inspiration? Photo: Columbia University Libraries.

First page of an advertisement for Vanderveer Park in a pamphlet I found at the Brooklyn Historical Society.

First page of an advertisement for Vanderveer Park in a pamphlet I found at the Brooklyn Historical Society. You’ll notice it says “restricted against nuisances” at the end. Pretty sure nuisances were considered anyone who didn’t have lily-white skin and worship that one particular God that was invented by Christians.

The location of Vanderveer Park, as shown