Othmar Ammann, 1964|

From John Paul Jones Park, cross Shore Road and walk along the entrance to the Belt Parkway for a good view of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. The bridge’s engineer designed seven other bridges around New York City, including the George Washington and Whitestone Bridges. The bridge was highly contested during the planning phase, as many homes had to be razed. Upon completion, it was the world’s longest suspension bridge and has become a symbol of Bay Ridge thanks to iconic views looking south down the neighborhood’s avenues.

9818 Fort Hamilton Parkway;
Church: 1890;
Rectory: 1910|

St. John’s Episcopal Church, originally Church of the Generals, was founded in 1834 and built by soldiers from Fort Hamilton. Numerous military leaders worshiped here, including Robert E. Lee, a vestryman from 1842 to 1844, and Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson, a parishioner from 1848 to 1850 after he fought in the Mexican War. This small country church has a frame structure with details painted red, white and gold, and features a rustic stone base and a slate roof.

9424 4th Avenue;
Lord & Hewlett, 1906|

The Fort Hamilton Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library began as a small book collection donated by Mrs. Gelston of Shore Road in the 1890s. Thanks to a gift from steel magnate Andrew Carnegie in 1901, the library was expanded and this modest building was constructed. Recently restored, the building is clad in red brick with horizontal black brick courses and features a dentilled cornice and limestone window sills and doorway surround.