A Little History

Image via Wikipedia

How much do you know about Harlem, one of the Nuggets in the Hood I will be featuring? Harlem is known as the Black Mecca of the World but did you know that Harlem has been home to many different ethnic groups? It was originally settled by the Dutch in 1658. Back then, over 200 years ago, Harlem was mostly farmland and undeveloped territory. Harlem has been home to the Irish, Germans, Italians and Jewish immigrants.

Black people began to move into Harlem especially after the Lenox Avenue IRT subway train was completed in 1904. They came from the southern part of America, the Caribbean islands as well as lower Manhattan. They were in search of employment opportunities made available during the First World War in 1915.

Harlem is rich in history and cultural expression. More will be explored when we look at the Harlem Renaissance next.