Get to Know Dumbo, Brooklyn - History, Culture, & Much More
With an ideal location between the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges, Dumbo serves as the perfect place to gaze at the Manhattan skyline. In fact, as early as just before sunrise, visitors start flocking to Dumbo, hoping to catch a glimpse of the rising sun set against the expansive city backdrop.
But while much of the attraction may be due to these iconic photos, there is much more to this neighborhood than meets the eye. We walk you through the history that shaped this neighborhood over the years.
Short Intro to Dumbo
Dumbo was not always a residential neighborhood. If anything, it started as a manufacturing and warehousing hub, seeing as it was right by the water and thus served as the perfect location for industrial activities. Years on, it is now known as the go-to neighborhood for anyone who wants to take a great photo, stop by a unique art gallery, shop for the latest unique clothes, or find antiques. Admittedly, that is quite the change in scenery. But what sparked it all?
Name Origin
When people hear of Dumbo, they cannot help but wonder who named this neighborhood. After all, of all names, why would anyone choose Dumbo? Well, it turns out that there is quite a good story behind this. Back in the 1970s, the face of New York was changing fast, as developers were busy tearing down old buildings and constructing modern ones in their place. At this time, many artists had moved to Dumbo and were afraid that their neighborhood would fall into the hands of these investors. But with their homes at such an ideal location by the water, how could they keep the investors out? They decided that their best bet lay in naming the neighborhood Dumbo, which was short for "Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass."
In their minds, the artists thought that such a name was enough to make the investors think that Dumbo was not a great location. But over time, the plan started working against them. The more that people heard of Dumbo, the more interested they were in finding out more about it, and eventually, the same investors they wanted to keep away came a-knocking. Two decades into the 21st Century, this now ranks as one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Brooklyn, showing just how powerful a name can be.
Industrial Past to Creative Hub Transformation
The move from an industrial hub to a popular residential neighborhood was gradual and featured various stages, as follows:
The Industrial Era
Dumbo started off as a ferry landing that connected Brooklyn and Manhattan. Of course, at that time, it went by various names, including ‘Fulton Landing.’ The more that Brooklyn’s industries grew, the more that manufacturers realized just how strategic a location Dumbo was. It was right by the water and had access to the bridges, which equated to easy transportation. Slowly, manufacturers started setting up shop in the area, and soon enough, it was home to all sorts of factories and warehouses. At some point, Robert Gair had put up so many warehouses for his cardboard boxes in the area that people referred to the region as Gairville. With time, more manufacturers moved in and also made a name for themselves, cementing the idea that this was now an industrial location.
The Deindustrialization Phase
While manufacturing was highly profitable in the 18th century and for a good part of the 19th century, things started changing after the Second World War. More manufacturers started going out of business, and before long, many of the warehouses in Dumbo sat empty for years on end. But this was not to be for long. Artists soon realized that they could have these spaces at much more affordable prices than they had been paying for studios in other parts of New York. What’s more, these spaces were huge.
But as the artists settled, they were aware that this neighborhood was at risk of being torn down and turned into a modern neighborhood. After all, they had experienced similar changes in other neighborhoods and were unwilling to see it happen again, hence the name Dumbo.
The Two Trees Effect
When David and Jane Walentas started buying the abandoned industrial buildings, they had two goals. The first was to transform Dumbo into a residential and commercial community. The second was to preserve the history of the region. As such, they focused more on renovating and converting the existing buildings into residential and commercial spaces. This way, the buildings still had their historical charm but also served modern-day functionalities. You can see this in many homes and shops in the area, what with their high ceilings, large windows, and exposed brick.
The Walentas also understood the need to cater to the growing artist community. They did this by offering free and affordable spaces to them where they could create and share their art. They also worked on several public projects, including the parks, which were a core aspect of the neighborhood. Slowly, they were able to marry the old with the new.
The Rise of Dumbo
As more businesses took up space in the renovated and converted buildings, Dumbo’s face changed to one of diversity. On one hand, it had its vibrant creative community, which was busy making and sharing its art with the world. On the other hand, it had a wide range of businesses taking root in the area, especially startups that relied on the creative workforce to make headway in their fields. Most importantly, it held on to what made it unique, from its historic buildings to its parks. These aspects remain to date, and it is safe to say that this neighborhood serves as proof that change does not always have to be a bad thing and that the new can exist with the old.
Cultural Highlights and Vibe of the Neighborhood
The creative community in Dumbo has grown even more over the years. Walk down its streets today and you will come across various art galleries and studios, many of which are in converted warehouses. Here, you can interact with the artists and purchase art. But it’s not just the galleries that are spilling with innovative ideas. You will find artworks in public events, murals on the walls, and even in live shows. In any of these cases, you get to have a front-row seat to the work of emerging as well as famous artists.
But what about the neighborhood vibe? It’s just fascinating as it blends a bit of this and that at every turn. Take the old streets and railroad tracks as an example. These give off the charm of an industrial era. Walk through the iconic spots in the neighborhood, and here, you will find excited locals and tourists taking shots of the Manhattan view as some buy souvenirs. Move further along and walk into a local café. As you enjoy a freshly baked dessert and piping hot coffee, you will have the treat of watching as people take their dogs on walks, head into the parks, or go shopping in the boutiques. And if you decide to keep strolling and wind up at an event, you will find yet more people here, enjoying the music as they engage in hearty conversations. Simply put, Dumbo feels like home, not just for the artists, but for all who are lucky to set foot in it. And all it took was a passionate community to set the ball rolling for a lifetime of memories.