After the merger of New York City and lower Westchester in 1874, there was a heightened interest in extending rapid transit lines across the Harlem River into this new section of the city. The newly acquired land was a mixture of hamlets, towns, villages, and farms on the fringes of urban development. There was great potential for economic growth. But it wasnt until 1882 when the first company was formed to provide transit service to what was to become the Borough of the Bronx. Continuation of elevated lines from Manhattan provided a suitable and adequate method of traveling to and from the city. This stimulated construction plans and many residential and commercial buildings arose dramatically along the routes. Here was material for a thrilling drama! Suddenly, rapid transit transformed dozens of sleepy, rural, unrelated communities into vibrant, cohesive, growing neighborhoods, itching for investment and economic development. Here is a history replete with flashes of genius as well a sordid spirit of greed. There were battles, schemes, and high ambitions, but in the end, great things were achieved. Our present generation can pay tribute to that remote past which gave us the city we know today.
Gregory Christiano, freelance writer, researcher and retired cartographer, is a published author of short stories, poetry, articles and essays, as well a two plays. He has contributed to numerous anthologies, magazines, journals and newspapers. Awards include: VSA Arts of New Jersey, Prose-n-Poetry, the Bronx County Historical Society among others. His eight chapter novella, Invisible Universe, appeared in a popular Chinese SciFi magazine in 2007. The novella can be accessed online. Born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx, he currently resides with his wife of 38 years in New Jersey. They have a son and met the challenges of raising two developmentally disabled daughters who are currently in residential programs. Gregory is writing a series of historical works covering the Bronx. He is also researching the origins, development and spread of 19th Century baseball in the New York City area.
