Bronx History

Bronx County, New York was established in 1914.  It's parent county is New York County, which encompasses Manhattan.  However, prior to its annexation in 1875, the area now known as Bronx County was actually part of Westchester County.  Bronx County is the only one of the four counties (or borough's) encompassing New York City which is part of the mainland.  It is bordered by the East River, the Harlem River, Long Island Sound and Westchester County.

There are, apparently, two stories on the name of the county.  The two may or may not be related.  One story has it that the county is named for a Swedish sea captain, John (or Jonas) Bronck, who settled in the area in 1639 and established a farm.  The other story has it that the area that encompasses Bronx County was a farm owned by the Bronck family.  Many of the wealthy of Manhattan would come to visit their friends who owned the farm, and would simply say that they were going to the Broncks'.  If that is true, then the name most certainly stuck.

The first bridge from the area to Manhattan was built in 1693 by Frederick Philipse.  The Battle of Pell's Point would be fought on present-day Bronx County.  This battle would be a decisive battle, as it allowed Washington's army an opportunity to retreat to White Plains, New York and would save the Revolution.

Up until the 1890's, the area known as Bronx County was a rural farming community.  However, in the 1890's, trolley lines fed into the area and life changed.

Bronx County has long been home to immigrants, Irish, Italian, German, Jewish.

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