New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-02
TLATBUSH md FLATB USH-AVE
IF FLATBUsH BEG MES THE TWENTY SEVENTH
WARD IT is PROPOSED TO ALTER THE
NAME OLE TIE OXIDE sTEELT.


In connection with the project of wipng out the
name of Flatbush by annexng the town bearing 1t to
brooklyn and making it the Twenty seventh Ward.
there is proposition TO change the name Of Flatbush
ave. the main thOrOughfare from the city to and
through the town. which likewise extends through
the town Of Flatlands to the shore of Jamaica Bay
II Is Justly asserted that beautiful village Is burdcncd
with the name Of FlTtbush, which conveys wholly
unjust impression by the ideas naturally associated
with il by those who hear ii for the first time. an i'm
preston which only acquaintance with the place can
remove. There Is also the idea conveyed by the name
Flatbush in The minds Of many residents OF Brooklyn
the fact that it designates the Kings County Aims
house, Charity Hospital and Insane Asylum, and that
going to Flatbush' with many people means going to
OF these institutions paupcr In this way the
prospects of the place have been hurt.
Repeated efforts have been made 10 change the
Flatbush 10 a enphonous and expressive one, and
at one time there a strong sentiment in favor OF
adopting the old name OF WILDWOOD. Ia place Of the
FlaLush which suppsated IL in the Dutch designation
Of the region when covered with forests Wildwood or
McdwoOd afcrward Angliclzed into Wildwood meaning
Middle Woods. the term applied by the early Dutch
ocrs or farmers who passed through the dense forest
from the hills of rcuckcyn to the level plains OF
lew -Amersfort. now Fatlaids where they laid out
their first bOucIics or farms 80 years ago tho
western end OF Long Island. then called By the alb
original Canarsce indians seawanhacky, or the place
Of shells. As the Dutchmcn looked down from the
Mis- in wha mow rs sp s% the tree
termed il 1T vlaackcbos," meaning the wooded
plain From this The term FIatbush IS said by the
best authorities have come. The road running to
Il from BrOoltyn ferry came 20 be called the Flat
bush road and when laid out In straight line from
ru0n-st to the city limits and paved in 1853 II
named Flabush-avc.
In Flatbush Village, however the street was known
for 200 years As the Main Road and still IS thus
termed by many OF the old residents, although much
changed from what 1t before IL was widcned and
straightforward and extended from the town line directly
through flailands IL Is thought that 1t would be
wise get rid Of the Of Flatbsh entirely II the
town becomes part Of the city and some OF the active
promoters OF that project urged also the change OF
The name Of Flathnsllavc. Among the substitutes
proposed Prospect ParKave.. LincolDavc., Mid
woOd-ave. and Kings County-ave.
Major G. a. Jain, ore OF the leading residents OF
Flatbush who is actively promoting the interests OF
annexation and represents the town In the Kings
County Republican GcUeral Committee said TO a
Tribune reporter: :" hope that the name
Fatbush is gotten rid Of for the town By annexation,
steps will be taken to change the name of Flatbnsh
ave. that may begin orr part Of the
city under entirely designations think
Lincoln ave would be an admirable name for the
street, which will BE OF the longest in the city
when Brooklyn stretches TO tidcwater In the south
There are excellent reasons for the change. I believe
fnat the annexation will be carried through this year
and that the new ward WIFI be created All the best
sentiment In the town favors annexation. and the only
opposition comes from ofllceholdcrs and their CON
st..iients. The Tweaty seventh Ward will be the
finest part OF the CITY snvis uLne"