History of New York City (prehistory–1664)

The history of New York City began long ago, when big changes in the land happened during the last glacial period. Over time, the area now called New York City became home to the Lenape people. In the 1600s, Europeans began exploring the area. Then, in 1624, the Dutch started a settlement they called New Amsterdam. In 1664, the British took control and changed the name to "New York." This early history helped shape the city we know today.

Lenape settlement

Further information: Lenapehoking

People lived in the area around New York City about 9,000 years ago. Later, new people arrived about 3,000 years ago. They left tools like bows and arrows. We have found many places where they lived.

When Europeans first arrived, the Lenape people lived there. They grew plants and caught fish and shellfish. This helped them have bigger families. Experts think there were about 15,000 Lenape people in many places around New York City.

In 1524, Lenape people met Giovanni da Verrazzano, the first European explorer to come into New York Harbor. He named the area New Angoulême for his king, Francis I of France.

Dutch colonization

Main article: New Amsterdam

In 1613, the Dutch made a trading place on the western side of Manhattan Island. Juan Rodrigues was the first person from another place to live there.

In 1624, the Dutch built a small fort called Fort Amsterdam and a tiny town named New Amsterdam grew around it. This place became a busy spot for trading, and people from many places came to live there.

Many place names in New York City still remember the Dutch, like Coney Island, Bowery, Brooklyn, Harlem, Greenwich Village, Flushing, and Staten Island.

English conquest

Main article: Conquest of New Netherland

In 1664, British ships arrived in Gravesend Bay in modern Brooklyn. Soldiers moved to take the ferry across the East River to the city. The leader at that time, Peter Stuyvesant, was not liked by many people, so there was little fighting. On September 8, 1664, the British took control, and the Dutch left the area. The British renamed the place "New York" after the king's brother, James, Duke of York. They chose Thomas Willett as the first mayor of New York in 1665. The city grew and became very important in the colony of New York.