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Friday, February 26, 2010

John Paul Jones Park, Brooklyn, NY

All photos in this post can be enlarged to see more detail by clicking on them

John Paul Jones Park is located between Shore Road, Fourth Avenue, 101st Street, and Fort Hamilton Parkway, in the borough of Brooklyn, NY.  In 1969 the park was named for American Patriot and Naval hero, John Paul Jones (1747-1792), who, through his victorious leadership in the American Revolution, became known as “the father of the Navy.”   This small park is adjacent to the US Army Fort Hamilton base, and is full of many interesting memorials.

This photo mosaic shows different views of the Civil War Memorial presented to the City of Mew York by the United States Military in 1900. The massive, black, 20” bore, Parrott cannon, founded in 1864, originally stood in Fort Pitt, Pennsylvania. It's massive cannon balls are on display around it.


The Dover Patrol Naval War Memorial was a gift from England after World War I. It was a tribute to the U.S. Naval Forces in Europe during World War 1.

Behind the memorial you can see a 70 foot tall flag pole that once belonged to a Navy destroyer. At the base lies a plaque, which reads “in honor of John Paul Jones, the father of the Navy.”

A closer look at the inscriptions on the Dover Patrol Naval War Memorial:

If you click on the photo to enlarge it you can read that there is a similar memorial in Dover, England, and Blanc Nez, France.
It is good to remember their sacrifice.

A Revolutionary War Memorial consists of a bronze tablet on a granite boulder that New York City received from the Long Island Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1916. The first resistance to British troops by the Continental Army took place in this vicinity during the American Revolutionary Battle of Brooklyn.


This monument located against the expansive backdrop of the Verrazano Bridge, at the southern end of John Paul Jones Park honors local activist John N. Lacorte (1910-1991).  Mr. Lacorte advocated for the recognition of contributions made by Italians and Italian-Americans. Thanks to LaCorte’s efforts, the adjacent bridge was named for Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazano. LaCorte was also the driving force behind the institution of Columbus Day as a national holiday. He also founded The Italian Historical Society of America in 1949.


The monument is inscribed with the words, "Inspiratio per Exemplum," or, "Inspiration through Example."


The bronze relief medallion of Verazzano incorporated into the LaCorte Monument was made by Albino Manca in 1964 to commemorate the dedication of the Verrazano Bridge, which can be seen  from the park in the photo below.


The Verranzano - Narrows Bridge was the largest suspension bridge in the world at the time of its completion in 1964, until it was surpassed by the Humber Bridge in the United Kingdom in 1981. It now has the eighth longest center span in the world, and is the largest suspension bridge in the United States.


The Verrazano Bridge marks the gateway to New York Harbor, and connects the borough of Brooklyn to the borough of Staten Island in New York City.  All cruise ships and most container ships arriving at the Port of New York and New Jersey must pass underneath the bridge and thus must be built to accommodate the clearance under the bridge. If you enlarge this photo you can see a large container ship from Korea passing under the bridge, possibly carrying new cars?


After passing under the bridge at the Narrows the ships continue on into New York Harbor as you can see by this photo I took of the shoreline, across the street from John Paul Jones Park. There is a
pedestrian and bike path along the shoreline at this part of Brooklyn that extends for miles, and is a pleasant walk in the warmer months.  You can see more of the beautiful walkway by clicking here, as well as more views of the surrounding neighborhood of Bay Ridge.

After this winter walk I was ready to head home for a cup of hot chocolate and to put my feet up and read a good book -- which is what I'll probably be doing again this weekend. as we are having another snow storm.  Old Man Winter is hanging on tight this year!





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37 comments:

  1. wow! you find the best places.
    I love the shot of the bridge too. Really excellent. & so pretty with the snow.

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  2. This is what I love about New York...the history! I love seeing the stuff on the wars from years ago. Knowing I had family that fought in each war always make me wonder if they once walked where you take your photos or saw the things that you share with us.

    Every time I see one of your posts my heart strings get tugged on. I so want to be back there!


    What book are you reading? Anything good? I need a good book.

    Hugs,
    Joanne

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  3. Another wonderful historic post. I love it when I can read all about Nnew York and its history. Beautiful

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  4. Pat,
    You took some beautiful photo shots.
    Ihat Bridge is beautiful and I didn't know those facts about Brooklyn. Very informative,
    Thanks for all that effort.I always enjoy your Post's they are interesting. I see some grass, come on Spring.
    yvonne

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  5. Hi

    I'd do the walk when it's warmer! I love the houses on Bay Ridge - especially that Lord of the Rings house - wonderful!

    Gorgeous shots of the Verazzano bridge (Yay for Mr Lacorte!!). I tend to think of New York as this great big sprawling city but I forget that it's on a bayfront surrounded by this vast body of water that is really the edge of America! Hence its links with the navy and the military protecting its borders. So interesting about the Dover Patrol Naval War memorial having near duplicates in Dover and France. I must look into that - there's history there!

    I like those great big cannons - and those huge cannon balls! They look so heavy. Imagine having to lift one of those..!

    Enjoy your hot chocolate and I hope you have a lovely weekend reading and relaxing safe from this never-ending winter!

    Take care
    x

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  6. Another beautiful post. I love the history behind the monuments in this park. And your shots of the bridge and the harbor are beautiful. I can't get over the size of those cannonballs, can you imagine having to be the poor guy who had to load that thing? Yikes! Hopefully this is your last winter storm :). Kathy

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  7. I learned some more new stuff today - about LaCorte and his influence.

    The cannonballs always floor me, even as a kid at West Point. They were so cutting edge at the time they were first used! Amazing.

    That last photo transports me to a beautiful place in the face of the snow that is blowing sideways out my window. Oy.

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  8. One of my favorite parks as a child. Dad would take me here and I would climb all over the cannon and cannon balls. Can you still do that or is everything now roped off? Your posts bring such joy to me as they are such reminders of my childhood. Blessings to you. Sea witch

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  9. You always, always take us to the best places, Pat... I learn so much each week visiting you here...just love all the history! LOVE that shot of the bridge! Happy Weekend, my friend ((HUGS)) Oh, incidentally, no I don't ice skate or do much of winter sports--and for living here I should--LOL!

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  10. Pat, you did it again! I shoed this to my husband and even he learned so much! I thought of you last night when I saw the forecast for NY- hope you're staying safe and warm
    xoxo Pattie

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  11. Love your bridge pictures....I used to pass underneath the Verrazano everyday when I worked in Brooklyn.

    You have a really nice blog.

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  12. Pat, This is all entirely new to me. Thank you for an interesting history lesson. If you taught history in high school I would have paid more attention...your pictures make it so much easier to understand and remember.
    ♥, Susan

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  13. I'm tellin' you Pat - You need to find an agent and publish a book.

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  14. You always have such a gift waiting for us, Pat! This was just an interesting post! Just wondering, how much do those cannon balls weigh? They look VERY big and heavy. I can't imagine how difficult it was for the guys who had to lift them into the cannons during the heat of a battle. I also can't imagine the actual noise/sounds of the cannons going off. Our forefathers were such brave and strong people. Your posts serve as a reminder to what it took for our country to emerge.

    Love the info about the bridge...and why it sets the building standards for the boats that must go beneath it.

    Stay warm and snug during your snowstorm. I'm happy to say that we are supposed to climb into the 40s by Monday....oh happy day! L, Dana

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  15. Do you know my father took me all over the east coast to battlefields and war memorials and never took me to Brooklyn? I will be checking on your niece's blog as I finally get some time to just sit with coffee.

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  16. Thank you for the tour! Your beautiful posts make me discover Brooklyn again and again.

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  17. Pat, I used to live om 95th and 4th Avenue, very close to Shore Road, and I remember this place, of course it was over 30 years ago, but it is a beautiful historical park, thanks again for the memories!

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  18. Your blog is just so interesting to me right now because I am reading about the Revolutionary war! I mentioned you in my post today! I love your blog! ♥

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  19. Hi Pat, Thanks for the tour...That park looks fascinating. My mother was a member of the DAR---and I could have been, but wasn't interested at the time. And I'm definitely too busy now!!!

    Love seeing the bridge also... AND--that biking/walking path would be fabulous. You live in such a neat place!!!!

    We've had a wonderful week in Arkansas --with some good weather for a change... Lots of pictures!!!! ha

    Hugs,
    Betsly

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  20. I love that you found these war memorial places. My eleven-year-old son is a huge war buff. When we visit NYC, I should take him to one of these places. The pictures are great!

    Thank you for visiting and leaving a nice comment at my humble #14 at Miss Snark's First Victim.

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  21. I love seeing all the sights of NY. This looks like a great park. I've been on that bridge before :)

    Enjoy your weekend, Pat.

    Hugs,
    Donna

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  22. always love visting here...

    enjoyed all of it...as always

    me too...love all the history..

    thanks for sharing it, Pat

    kary
    xxx

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  23. Hi Pat:

    Ah, the view of the Verrazano from the Belt! I had a cousin who was a bridge repair worker who, in the 1950s, fell off the bridge into the water below and died as a result Sorry--that's not the nicest news! Your pics are beautiful! I also have a cousin who lives on the Bay streets nearby! (better news!)

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  24. That river looks very cold! Our evening news is full of the bad weather over your way - it looks serious.
    I enjoyed the visit around New York.

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  25. It's good that the ultimate sacrifice of so many men world wide is recognised.

    I've dwarf irises out now and primula so hopefully Spring will arrive with you soon and you can be wandering around taking us on tours without freezing. :-)

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  26. Every time you post, I learn something new and fascinating. It's amazing to discover New York through your pictures and words. Your blog ought to be a mandatory class in schools.

    Stay warm this weekend during your latest snowfall.

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  27. I enjoy the history you share with us as much as the photos...thank you Pat!

    I wonder if the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce or tourism board know of your blog and your accumulation of historical facts with photos...they may love having access to it...

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  28. Such a beautiful memorial park and I thoroughly enjoyed every one of your pictures. Any time I see cannons and cannon balls, it boggles my mind at the weight of them and how they were transported during the wars. That bridge is also quite a sight to see. You're really making me want to come to New York:-) xoxo

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  29. just several long minutes...wandering through your post here and the previous one...

    so many memories...
    your photography is just like being on the travel channel!

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  30. Very interesting post, as usual! Love the bridge and the history behind the park.

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  31. Hi Pat, these past two posts are awesome history to read. The park is such a wonderful tribute to John Paul Jones. Your photos are very interesting and they help tell the history so well. The Verrazano Bridge is amazing. There is so much history in NY. and I love reading it in your posts. Pat, you are so knowledgeable when it comes to NY. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

    I love your quotes and photos on your sidebar about your pets and grand pets. We love our little CC so much. Your grandson is so cute. Lucky you. Our grands are all teens but one now. I miss the babies.

    Have a wonderful Sunday.
    Hugs, Jeanne

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  32. oh pat...keep ME in your thoughts...lol...I think my brain is scrambled on today's word game...
    LOL LOL

    ah the joy of blogland :)
    (hugs)

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  33. I was at Blanc Nez in France some time ago and I saw it (bside the stunning view from the top of the hill).

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  34. I enjoyed this tour, Pat. My uncle was in the Navy during WWII and after. He was an officer on a destroyer. I have a great love for our Navy, and I love having a base not that far from St. Augustine. Thanks for sharing this with us.

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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