Van Nest, Bronx
Encyclopedia
Van Nest is a working class
neighborhood geographically located in the east Bronx
borough of New York City
in the United States
. The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 11
. Its boundaries, starting clockwise are as follows: Bronxdale Avenue to the northeast, the Amtrak
tracks and part of East 180th street to the southeast, and the train yard at East 180th Street to the west. Van Nest predated Morris Park by 20 years and is considered the older brother to Morris Park. Morris Park Avenue and White Plains Road are the primary commercial thoroughfare
s through Van Nest. ZIP codes include 10460 and 10462. The area is patrolled by the 49th Precinct located at 2121 Eastchester Road in Morris Park.
, which was named after the father of Abraham R. Van Nest, a director of the railroad. A short railroad spur was constructed off the main line from the Van Nest station to serve the adjacent Morris Park Racecourse
, which was the site of thoroughbred horse racing
from 1889 to 1904. Between 1892 and 1896, lots were subdivided from farmland by the Van Nest Land & Improvement Company. Before the city graded the streets in 1895, the flat terrain and accumulation of rainwater in low-lying areas resulted in this area being nicknamed "Mud West". The multi-legged intersection of Van Nest Avenue, Unionport Road, and Victor Street is still known as the "Five Corners" by many old timers and locals.
and contemporary brick and mortar are all found. Con Edison
's Van Nest Service Center is located north of the Amtrak Northeast Corridor
line between Unionport Road and Bronxdale Avenue, occupying the former maintenance shops of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. The Con Edison plant was purchased in September 1959 from the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad for $3 million. The former Van Nest Yards were built in 1907 and the Yards, now Con Edison Plant consists of 940000 square feet (87,328.9 m²).
and also contains a significant African American
population. A small longstanding Italian
and Albanian population exist east of White Plains Road near Morris Park. The majority of residents rent. Almost 20% of the population lives below the poverty line.
The New York Archdiocese announced in January 2011 that St. Dominic's along with four other Bronx grammar schools will be closing by the end of the school year in June. St. Dominic's grammar school, founded in 1952 has approximately 200 students who will need to transfer to other schools in the area. Some of the staff members especially the nuns will be transferring to St. Raymond's school which is loacted in Parkchester. Prior to its closing in the end of June, a farewell Mass was held to commemorate the school's 59 year history.
In May of 2010, Engine 90 and Hook and Ladder 41 celebrated its 100th anniversary. The area around White Plains Road where the firehouse is located was blocked off for the celebration. In attendance were 147 alumni from the firehouse, FDNY Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano
and an additional 153 guests. The final part of the ceremony was the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the 100 years of dedicated service in addition to an existing plaque that was originally placed inside the firehouse in 1910 when it opened.
, Korea, and Vietnam. The main facing panel has a tribute to fallen soldiers from World War II
. By 1938, the park expanded to include not only a monument but playground equipment. The monument was rededicated by the Italian-American War Veterans' Bronx County Post #39 in October, 1973.
In 1997, Mayor Rudy Giuliani
funded a $30,000 renovation of the park replacing the old playground equipment. The park like the neighborhood was named after Reynier Van Nest, a saddle maker. As of May 2011, $950,000 has been allocated for renovations to the playground and construction is expected to start by Spring 2013. Additionally, security cameras were installed through a contribution from Cross-County Federal Bank to monitor night time activity in the park. State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein was instrumental in securing the proper permits for the cameras.
at 1739 Unionport Road was started in 1925 and was completed in May, 1927. Msgr. Domenico Fiorentino was instrumental in the construction of the church. At the dedication mass on May 8, 1927, Cardinal Hayes officiated and was a guest of honor at the dinner held after the services. Preceding the dedication mass a procession moved from Van Nest Memorial Square to the church and was attended by many local organizations one in particular the Van Nest Recreation Club, which is still in existence today.
Lutheran, St.Luke's is located at 1722 Adams Street.
Pentecostal, Van Nest Assembly of God is located at 755 Rhinelander Avenue.
located at 1712 Garfield Street was built in 1905. The B'nai Jacob First Van Nest Hebrew Congregation was established in 1895 and by the early 1920s had upwards of 50 families, a religious school within the synagogue to accommodate 80 pupils, and services in Hebrew, Yiddish, and English. By January 1979, the First Van Nest Hebrew Congregation had disbanded and sold the property and building to the Mission Christiana Rehoboth church.
and Parkchester. With this relocation many of the social problems commonly associated with those communities have come to Van Nest. Drug trafficking, teen pregnancy, domestic violence
and violent crime
s, including gang activity, are common. Van Nest, being roughly one square mile, is one neighborhood within the larger 49th Precinct.
In January 2010, a community organization known as the Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance (VNNA) was created, which meets monthly. Their agenda is to work jointly with the 49th Precinct to ensure that any reported crimes are handled quickly and follow up conducted thoroughly. Additionally, aside from merely reporting and following up with crimes, both the 49th Precinct and the VNNA are trying to direct the youth into precinct sponsored programs such as kids and cops basketball and Explorers. The rise in youth-related crimes is a genuine concern for the VNNA and precinct captain Kevin Nicholson.
subway operates along Birchall Avenue and has a stop at the Bronx Park East
station . The IRT Dyre Avenue Line
occupies the old right of way of the New York, Westchester and Boston Railway
, which stopped running in 1938.
trains traveling to and from Penn Station
via the Hell Gate Bridge
and connects with Metro-North
's New Haven Line in New Rochelle
. However, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is performing a Federal Environmental Assessment which could possibly bring Metro-North's New Haven service along the Hell Gate Line. This assessment will be completed by 2013. Four possible new stations include Hunts Point, Parkchester, Morris Park, and Co-Op City. The cost of the project is estimated at $350 million with the state of Connecticut funding $100 million and the state of New York funding the remaining $250 million. The Parkchester station would possibly be occupying the footprints of the former Van Nest station.
Working class
Working class is a term used in the social sciences and in ordinary conversation to describe those employed in lower tier jobs , often extending to those in unemployment or otherwise possessing below-average incomes...
neighborhood geographically located in the east Bronx
The Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
borough of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 11
Bronx Community Board 11
Bronx Community Board 11 is a local government unit of the City of New York , which encompasses the neighborhoods of Allerton, Bronx Park East, Indian Village, Morris Park, Olinville, Pelham Gardens, Pelham Parkway, Van Nest and Westchester Heights in the borough of the Bronx...
. Its boundaries, starting clockwise are as follows: Bronxdale Avenue to the northeast, the Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
tracks and part of East 180th street to the southeast, and the train yard at East 180th Street to the west. Van Nest predated Morris Park by 20 years and is considered the older brother to Morris Park. Morris Park Avenue and White Plains Road are the primary commercial thoroughfare
Thoroughfare
A thoroughfare is a place of transportation intended to connect one location to another. Highways, roads, and trails are examples of thoroughfares used by a variety of general traffic. On land a thoroughfare may refer to anything from a rough trail to multi-lane highway with grade separated...
s through Van Nest. ZIP codes include 10460 and 10462. The area is patrolled by the 49th Precinct located at 2121 Eastchester Road in Morris Park.
History
The neighborhood got its name from the former Van Nest station on the New York, New Haven and Hartford RailroadNew York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad , was a railroad that operated in the northeast United States from 1872 to 1968 which served the states of Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts...
, which was named after the father of Abraham R. Van Nest, a director of the railroad. A short railroad spur was constructed off the main line from the Van Nest station to serve the adjacent Morris Park Racecourse
Morris Park Racecourse
Morris Park Racecourse was an American thoroughbred horse racing facility from 1889 until 1904. It was located in a part of Westchester County, New York that was annexed into the Bronx in 1895 and later became known as Morris Park...
, which was the site of thoroughbred horse racing
Thoroughbred horse race
Thoroughbred horse racing is a worldwide sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport: Flat racing and National Hunt racing...
from 1889 to 1904. Between 1892 and 1896, lots were subdivided from farmland by the Van Nest Land & Improvement Company. Before the city graded the streets in 1895, the flat terrain and accumulation of rainwater in low-lying areas resulted in this area being nicknamed "Mud West". The multi-legged intersection of Van Nest Avenue, Unionport Road, and Victor Street is still known as the "Five Corners" by many old timers and locals.
Land use and architecture
Van Nest is dominated by single family homes of various types. There are also some tenements scattered across the neighborhood. The total land area is roughly one square mile. Architectural styles are diverse in Van Nest, which was started as a residential community in 1893. Italianate, Queen Anne, Art DecoArt Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
and contemporary brick and mortar are all found. Con Edison
Consolidated Edison
Consolidated Edison, Inc. is one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the United States, with approximately $14 billion in annual revenues and $36 billion in assets...
's Van Nest Service Center is located north of the Amtrak Northeast Corridor
Northeast Corridor
The Northeast Corridor is a fully electrified railway line owned primarily by Amtrak serving the Northeast megalopolis of the United States from Boston in the north, via New York to Washington, D.C. in the south, with branches serving other cities...
line between Unionport Road and Bronxdale Avenue, occupying the former maintenance shops of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. The Con Edison plant was purchased in September 1959 from the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad for $3 million. The former Van Nest Yards were built in 1907 and the Yards, now Con Edison Plant consists of 940000 square feet (87,328.9 m²).
Demographics
Van Nest has a population under 15,000. The neighborhood has a concentration of Puerto RicansPuerto Rican people
A Puerto Rican is a person who was born in Puerto Rico.Puerto Ricans born and raised in the continental United States are also sometimes referred to as Puerto Ricans, although they were not born in Puerto Rico...
and also contains a significant African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
population. A small longstanding Italian
Italian American
An Italian American , is an American of Italian ancestry. The designation may also refer to someone possessing Italian and American dual citizenship...
and Albanian population exist east of White Plains Road near Morris Park. The majority of residents rent. Almost 20% of the population lives below the poverty line.
Education
Van Nest had at one time two Catholic grammar schools, St. Dominic's located at 1684 White Plains Road and Our Lady of Solace located at the intersection of Holland and Morris Park Avenues. Both schools held classes from Kindergarten through eighth grade. However, by 2006 Our Lady of Solace had closed its doors due to budget cuts within the New York Catholic Archdiocese. Our Lady of Solace school building remained vacant until September 2010 when the Bronx Charter School of Excellence opened. The Bronx Charter School of Excellence has its main location at Benedict Avenue while the Holland Avenue site serves as only an annex for grades five and six. The School of Excellence began leasing the Solace building in August 2010. They have made $400,000 worth of renovations from electric wiring, plumbing, and exterior masonry work. The School of Excellence plans to expand to grades fifth through eighth within the next two years.The New York Archdiocese announced in January 2011 that St. Dominic's along with four other Bronx grammar schools will be closing by the end of the school year in June. St. Dominic's grammar school, founded in 1952 has approximately 200 students who will need to transfer to other schools in the area. Some of the staff members especially the nuns will be transferring to St. Raymond's school which is loacted in Parkchester. Prior to its closing in the end of June, a farewell Mass was held to commemorate the school's 59 year history.
Fire department
Engine 90, known as the Van Nest Hose Company and Hook and Ladder 41, the Morris Park Company are both housed in the same building at 1841 White Plains Road. The Van Nest Hose Company originally started out as volunteer company and was known as Van Nest Hose Co. No. 1. They were originally located at 1703 Unionport Road and were organized in 1906. Additionally, Van Nest Hose Co. No. 2 was located at East Tremont and Rosedale Avenues and disbanded in 1910, the same year as Hose Co. No. 1. When the Van Nest Hose Co. No.1 made the move to White Plains Road in May of 1910 they became a paid company.In May of 2010, Engine 90 and Hook and Ladder 41 celebrated its 100th anniversary. The area around White Plains Road where the firehouse is located was blocked off for the celebration. In attendance were 147 alumni from the firehouse, FDNY Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano
Salvatore Cassano
Salvatore Joseph "Sal" Cassano is the New York City Fire Commissioner. His appointment by New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg to succeed Nicholas Scoppetta was announced on 21 December 2009 and became effective on 1 January 2010...
and an additional 153 guests. The final part of the ceremony was the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the 100 years of dedicated service in addition to an existing plaque that was originally placed inside the firehouse in 1910 when it opened.
Van Nest Park
Van Nest Park is bound by White Plains road to the east, Unionport Road to the west and Van Nest Avenue to the north. Mead Street bisects Van Nest Park from Van Nest Memorial Square, which houses the war memorial. Van Nest Park was acquired by New York City in August 1913, the present location of Van Nest Memorial Square. In April 1922, the land was placed under Parks' jurisdiction. The granite monument which stands at the center of the original park was erected in April 1926 by the Van Nest Citizens' Patriotic League who were at one time located at 1800 Hunt Avenue. The monument is made of Deere Isle granite by architect Arthur G. Waldreaon. Three of the four granite panels have the names of fallen soldiers from World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Korea, and Vietnam. The main facing panel has a tribute to fallen soldiers from World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. By 1938, the park expanded to include not only a monument but playground equipment. The monument was rededicated by the Italian-American War Veterans' Bronx County Post #39 in October, 1973.
In 1997, Mayor Rudy Giuliani
Rudy Giuliani
Rudolph William Louis "Rudy" Giuliani KBE is an American lawyer, businessman, and politician from New York. He served as Mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001....
funded a $30,000 renovation of the park replacing the old playground equipment. The park like the neighborhood was named after Reynier Van Nest, a saddle maker. As of May 2011, $950,000 has been allocated for renovations to the playground and construction is expected to start by Spring 2013. Additionally, security cameras were installed through a contribution from Cross-County Federal Bank to monitor night time activity in the park. State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein was instrumental in securing the proper permits for the cameras.
Catholic
The present location of St. Dominic's Church (Bronx, New York)St. Dominic's Church (Bronx, New York)
The Church of St. Dominic is a Roman Catholic parish church under the authority of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, located at 1739 Unionport Road, Van Nest, Bronx, New York City. The parish was established in 1927. The Romanesque Revival was built 1925 to the designs of Bronx-native...
at 1739 Unionport Road was started in 1925 and was completed in May, 1927. Msgr. Domenico Fiorentino was instrumental in the construction of the church. At the dedication mass on May 8, 1927, Cardinal Hayes officiated and was a guest of honor at the dinner held after the services. Preceding the dedication mass a procession moved from Van Nest Memorial Square to the church and was attended by many local organizations one in particular the Van Nest Recreation Club, which is still in existence today.
Christian denominations
Episcopalian, St. Martha's is located at 1858 Hunt Avenue.Lutheran, St.Luke's is located at 1722 Adams Street.
Pentecostal, Van Nest Assembly of God is located at 755 Rhinelander Avenue.
Jewish
There was as well a significant Jewish population in the later part of the 19th and early part of the 20th century in Van Nest. The synagogueSynagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
located at 1712 Garfield Street was built in 1905. The B'nai Jacob First Van Nest Hebrew Congregation was established in 1895 and by the early 1920s had upwards of 50 families, a religious school within the synagogue to accommodate 80 pupils, and services in Hebrew, Yiddish, and English. By January 1979, the First Van Nest Hebrew Congregation had disbanded and sold the property and building to the Mission Christiana Rehoboth church.
Social issues
Van Nest contains one of the highest concentrations of poverty in Bronx Community District 11. It is believed many of the newest residents are from higher poverty sections of the Bronx such as neighboring West FarmsWest Farms, Bronx
West Farms is a residential neighborhood in a west central part of The Bronx, New York City, also known as the northeast corner of the South Bronx. The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 6...
and Parkchester. With this relocation many of the social problems commonly associated with those communities have come to Van Nest. Drug trafficking, teen pregnancy, domestic violence
Domestic violence
Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation...
and violent crime
Violent crime
A violent crime or crime of violence is a crime in which the offender uses or threatens to use violent force upon the victim. This entails both crimes in which the violent act is the objective, such as murder, as well as crimes in which violence is the means to an end, such as robbery. Violent...
s, including gang activity, are common. Van Nest, being roughly one square mile, is one neighborhood within the larger 49th Precinct.
In January 2010, a community organization known as the Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance (VNNA) was created, which meets monthly. Their agenda is to work jointly with the 49th Precinct to ensure that any reported crimes are handled quickly and follow up conducted thoroughly. Additionally, aside from merely reporting and following up with crimes, both the 49th Precinct and the VNNA are trying to direct the youth into precinct sponsored programs such as kids and cops basketball and Explorers. The rise in youth-related crimes is a genuine concern for the VNNA and precinct captain Kevin Nicholson.
Bus
Bus service is provided by the following routes:- Bx21: local service to Westchester Square subway station or Third Avenue–138th Street subway station (via Boston Road/Morris Park Avenue)
- Bx22: local service to Bronx High School of ScienceBronx High School of ScienceThe Bronx High School of Science is a specialized New York City public high school often considered the premier science magnet school in the United States. Founded in 1938, it is now located in the Bedford Park section of the Bronx...
or Castle HillCastle Hill, BronxCastle Hill is primarily a residential neighborhood geographically located in the South Central section of the borough of The Bronx in New York City. The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 9...
(via Fordham RoadFordham RoadFordham Road is a major street in The Bronx borough of New York City. It runs east-west from the Harlem River to Bronx Park.This street runs through the neighborhood of University Heights, divides Fordham from Fordham-Bedford and finally runs along the northern border of Belmont...
/Castle Hill Avenue) - Bx39: local service to Wakefield-241st StreetWakefield-241st Street (IRT White Plains Road Line)Wakefield – 241st Street is a terminal station on the IRT White Plains Road Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of 241st Street and White Plains Road in the Wakefield neighborhood of the Bronx, it is served by the 2 train at all times and the only station on the 2 that is...
subway station or Clason's Point (via White Plains Road) - BxM10: express service to Midtown ManhattanMidtown ManhattanMidtown Manhattan, or simply Midtown, is an area of Manhattan, New York City home to world-famous commercial zones such as Rockefeller Center, Broadway, and Times Square...
(via Bruckner ExpresswayBruckner ExpresswayThe Bruckner Expressway is a freeway in The Bronx. It carries Interstate 278 and Interstate 95 from the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge to the south end of the New England Thruway at the Pelham Parkway interchange....
/RFK Bridge)
Subway
The IRT White Plains Road LineIRT White Plains Road Line
The White Plains Road Line is a rapid transit line of the IRT division of the New York City Subway, serving the central Bronx. It is mostly elevated, and served both subway and elevated trains until 1952...
subway operates along Birchall Avenue and has a stop at the Bronx Park East
Bronx Park East (IRT White Plains Road Line)
Bronx Park East is a local station on the IRT White Plains Road Line of the New York City Subway. Located in the Bronx on White Plains Road at Bronx Park East, it is served by the 2 train at all times, and the 5 train during rush hours in the peak direction...
station . The IRT Dyre Avenue Line
IRT Dyre Avenue Line
The IRT Dyre Avenue Line is a New York City Subway rapid transit line as part of the A Division . It is a branch of the IRT White Plains Road Line serving passengers in the northeastern section of the Bronx...
occupies the old right of way of the New York, Westchester and Boston Railway
New York, Westchester and Boston Railway
The New York, Westchester and Boston Railway Company , known to its riders as "the Westchester" and colloquially as the "Boston-Westchester", operated as an electric commuter railroad in the Bronx and Westchester County, New York from 1912 to 1937...
, which stopped running in 1938.
Commuter rail
The Amtrak line is only used by Northeast CorridorNortheast Corridor
The Northeast Corridor is a fully electrified railway line owned primarily by Amtrak serving the Northeast megalopolis of the United States from Boston in the north, via New York to Washington, D.C. in the south, with branches serving other cities...
trains traveling to and from Penn Station
Pennsylvania Station (New York City)
Pennsylvania Station—commonly known as Penn Station—is the major intercity train station and a major commuter rail hub in New York City. It is one of the busiest rail stations in the world, and a hub for inbound and outbound railroad traffic in New York City. The New York City Subway system also...
via the Hell Gate Bridge
Hell Gate Bridge
The Hell Gate Bridge or Hell's Gate Bridge is a steel through arch railroad bridge between Astoria in the borough of Queens and Randall's and Wards Islands in New York City, over a portion of the East River known...
and connects with Metro-North
Metro-North Railroad
The Metro-North Commuter Railroad , trading as MTA Metro-North Railroad, or, more commonly, Metro-North, is a suburban commuter rail service that is run and managed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority , an authority of New York State. It is the busiest commuter railroad in the United...
's New Haven Line in New Rochelle
New Rochelle (Metro-North station)
The New Rochelle station serves New Rochelle, New York, via the New Haven Line. Amtrak's Northeast Regional also stops at the station en route to Boston and Washington, DC, serving riders from northern New York City and Southern Westchester who use New Rochelle as a closer alternative to Penn...
. However, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is performing a Federal Environmental Assessment which could possibly bring Metro-North's New Haven service along the Hell Gate Line. This assessment will be completed by 2013. Four possible new stations include Hunts Point, Parkchester, Morris Park, and Co-Op City. The cost of the project is estimated at $350 million with the state of Connecticut funding $100 million and the state of New York funding the remaining $250 million. The Parkchester station would possibly be occupying the footprints of the former Van Nest station.
Notable natives
- General James F. CollinsJames F. CollinsGeneral James Francis Collins commanded the U.S. Army, Pacific from April 1961 until his retirement in 1964, and was President of the American Red Cross from 1964 until 1970....
was born on September 5, 1905 and lived at 1820 Unionport Road when his family moved from Manhattan in 1909. He attended P.S. 34 from 1911 to 1919 and then Regis High SchoolRegis High School (New York City)Regis High School is a private Jesuit university-preparatory school for academically gifted Roman Catholic young men located on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Annual class enrollment is limited to approximately 135 male students from the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut tri-state area...
and was appointed to the United States Military AcademyUnited States Military AcademyThe United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
at West Point, New York. He spent 37 years as an officer and retired as a four star general. Collins died on January 22, 1989. - Artist and sculptor Carl Paul Jennewein had his studio at 538 Van Nest Avenue for fifty years from 1928 until the time of his death in 1978. On June 2, 2011 through a bill sponsored by Councilmember Joel Rivera and with the approval of Community Board #11 and the encouragement of the East Bronx History Forum, Van Nest Avenue between Melville Street and Van Buren Street was renamed Carl Paul Jennewein Place in honor of the sculptor's body of work.
- Boxer Roland La StarzaRoland La StarzaRoland La Starza was a retired American boxer and actor. Originally from the Van Nest section of the Bronx, La Starza fought 66 professional bouts from July 7, 1947 to May 8, 1961...
, born May 12, 1927 lived on Van Nest Avenue near Van Buren Street. He attended Colombus High School and later City College when his boxing career took off. When his final boxing match was fought against Monroe Ratliff, he accumulated 56 wins and only nine loses. In a brief movie and television career, he starred in the 1967 movie Point Blank and the 1973 movie The Outfit. He also had small parts in the television show Perry Mason. - Television personality Regis PhilbinRegis PhilbinRegis Francis Xavier Philbin is an American media personality, actor and singer, known for hosting talk and game shows since the 1960s. Philbin is often called "the hardest working man in show business" and holds the Guinness World Record for the most time spent in front of a television camera...
attended Our Lady of Solace School on Morris Park and Holland Avenues. The block on which he lived Cruger Avenue, has been renamed in his honor. By 2010, his boyhood home at 1990 Cruger Avenue was demolished in late January. - Hollywood writer and executive producer Michael Sardo grew up in Van Nest. He has written for many television series such as Caroline in the City, Wings and most recently Fairly Legal which premiered on USA network in January 2011.
- Playwright and screenwriter John Patrick ShanleyJohn Patrick ShanleyJohn Patrick Shanley is an American playwright, screenwriter, and director. He also contributed articles on the performing arts to The New York Times among other publications.-Life and career:...
grew up in Van Nest. He wrote the script for the 1987 film Five Corners, which was set in the east Bronx and took its name from an intersection in Van Nest.
Landmarks and institutions
- The East 180th Street (IRT White Plains Road Line)East 180th Street (IRT White Plains Road Line)For the previous 180th Street station on the IRT White Plains Road Line, see 180th Street – Bronx Park .East 180th Street is an express station on the IRT White Plains Road Line of the New York City Subway...
train station of the New York City Transit Authority was at one time the Administration Building for the New York, Westchester, and Boston Railroad. Located at 481 Morris Park Avenue at the intersection of East 180th Street, it is a current stop for the IRT #2 and #5 trains which was built in 1912. The station was designed by Stem, Allen H., Fellheimer & Long. Its design is reminiscent of late 19th and early 20th century rivivals. It was placed on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic PlacesThe National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on April 23, 1980. Since March 2010, the station has been undergoing a $43 million rehabilitation through the architectural efforts of Lee Harris Pomeroy. The expected date for completion is November 2011. Some of the improvements include fixing up the entrance and forecourt; replacing parts of the canopy roof, track beds, platforms and platform edges; adding new elevator access to improve circulation; and repairing electrical, mechanical, plumbing, lighting and communication equipment. Robert Ruggiero of the Morris Park Alliance hopes to see the addition of businesses inside the station such as a barber shop, shoe repair, and dry cleaners which existed at one time many decades ago.
- Although more of a social landmark, Conti's Bakery was established in 1921 and is located at 786 Morris Park Avenue. Purchased in 2003 by Sal Paljevic from the original owners, it went through a four week renovation in February 2007 to restore its tin ceiling and wood panel walls. Other antique features include an original marble countertop, collection of black-and-white photographs and vintage tin advertisements. In the summer of 2005, the exterior of the bakery was renovated to include a rectractable, old-fashioned awning and traditional display windows. Conti's Bakery is known for its legendary Boston cream pieBoston cream pieA Boston cream pie is a round cake that is split and filled with a custard or cream filling and frosted with chocolate. Although it is called a Boston cream pie, it is in fact a cake, and not a pie....
.
- Riviera Ravioli, another famous Van Nest institution is located at 643 Morris Park Avenue. It started out as a deli back in 1946 and eventually moved to its present location in 1976. Riviera features a wide variety of not only ravioli but specialty filled raviolis such as lobster, crab and walnut. Other types of pastaPastaPasta is a staple food of traditional Italian cuisine, now of worldwide renown. It takes the form of unleavened dough, made in Italy, mostly of durum wheat , water and sometimes eggs. Pasta comes in a variety of different shapes that serve for both decoration and to act as a carrier for the...
include: tortellini, cavatelli, manicotti, and fettuccini. According to its owner, Joseph Giordano the name Riviera Ravioli has its origins from the Italian Riviera which is located in the northwest portion of ItalyItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. Giordano's descendents are from that area specifically.
- The Morris Park Boxing Club located at 644 Morris Park Avenue was started back in 1978 by the DeGuardia family. Joe DeGuardia, the founder's son presently owns the club. Dex Pejcinovic, a former club member and fighter oversees the daily operations. The club had a setback in December 2009 with an electrical fire which displaced members of the club and residents living in the apartments above the club. Some notable fighters to come out of the Morris Park Boxing Club include WBA world champions welterweight Aaron DavisAaron DavisAaron Davis was a professional boxer in the welterweight division.- Professional career :...
and light heavyweight Lou Del ValleLou Del ValleLouis Del Valle is an American boxer and the formner WBA light heavyweight title holder. He received some of his training at the Morris Park Boxing Club in the Van Nest section of the Bronx...
.
Businesses
- Al Jampol Paint and Hardware
- The Chocolate Place
- Conti's Pastry
- Cross County Federal Bank
- Flowers and Bridal Boutique
- Maestro's Caterers
- Pine Restaurant
- Riviera Ravioli
- F. Ruggiero & Sons Inc.
- Van Nest Auto Parts
- Van Nest True Value Hardware
Community
- 49th Precinct
- Community Board #11
- East Bronx History Forum
- Morris Park Alliance
- Morris Park Boxing Club