The article traces the historical importance of Brooklyn Heights, illustrating how its views of Manhattan attracted early settlers like the Lenape people and later colonists who valued its strategic geography. Despite initial perceptions that the lowlands were more valuable for commerce, the highlands proved crucial during the American Revolution for defense. Hezekiah Beers Pierrepont, a prominent figure who arrived in Brooklyn in 1801, fundamentally changed the area by investing in a ferry project and repurposing the Livingston estate, setting the stage for Brooklyn Heights' growth and development into a pivotal location connecting to Manhattan.
The view of Manhattan from Brooklyn Heights has always been impressive, even in the centuries before the Promenade, the skyscrapers, and the densely populated streets of the city.
When the Dutch began colonizing New Amsterdam, the highlands that would become residential Brooklyn Heights were not seen as particularly valuable land, but the lowlands were - perfect for commerce and industry.
Hezekiah Beers Pierrepont arrived in Brooklyn from New Haven, Connecticut in 1801, coming from a prominent family, and became a significant real estate figure in Brooklyn Heights.
Before the age of 30, Pierrepont made and lost a fortune, but his investment in Robert Fulton’s ferry project recognized the potential of a rapid commute between Manhattan and Brooklyn.
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