This Vintage Postcard Shows What Gowanus Looked Like When There Was a Massive Pond There Around 1776

Freeke's Mills With Yellow Mills in the Distance, 1776
Freeke's Mills With Yellow Mills in the Distance, 1776

Long before the South Brooklyn neighborhood of Gowanus was known for its industrial makeup and canal, the area was full of meadowlands, farms, ponds and mills were quite peaceful and serene.

In this vintage drawing dug up by Hall of the Gowanus, check out what the neighborhood ponds looked like before Whole Foods and condo developers moved in, way back in 1776.

Originally published on June 14th, 2016

Matt Coneybeare

Matt Coneybeare

Editor in Chief

Matt enjoys exploring the City's with his partner and son. He is an avid marathon runner, and spends most of his time eating, running, and working on cool stuff.

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