Dutch settlers acquired portions of Sunset Park from the Canarsee in the 1640s and began farming along the waterfront.

Irish immigrants became the first wave of new settlers to the area in the 1840s when they were fleeing the potato famine. They were joined by Polish, Norwegian and Finnish immigrants in the late 1800s when nearly all of the neighborhood’s residential construction occurred.

Sunset Park was changed forever when Irving T. Bush purchased oceanfront property and opened Bush Terminal, nicknamed “Bush’s Folly,” because few thought it could compete with Manhattan’s ports.

Bush’s initial warehouse, single pier, tugboat and old railroad engine paved the way for what became the largely successful 200-acre complex of piers, warehouses, display rooms and factory lofts.

Italian dock

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