History of New York City (prehistory–1664)

The history of New York City began long ago, shaped by big changes in the land 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 region. Then, in 1624, the Dutch started a settlement they named New Amsterdam. Later, in 1664, the British took control and changed the name to "New York." This early history set the stage for the city we know today.

Lenape settlement

Further information: Lenapehoking

People first lived in the area around New York City about 9,000 years ago. They left and maybe came back later when new people arrived about 3,000 years ago. These people left behind tools like bows and arrows, and we have found about 8,000 places where they lived.

When Europeans first arrived, the Lenape people lived there. They grew plants by clearing land and letting it grow again, and they caught lots of fish and shellfish from the water. This helped them have bigger families than groups of people who moved around looking for food. Experts think there were around 15,000 Lenape people in about 80 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 set up a trading spot 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, bringing people from many different backgrounds to live there.

Many place names in New York City still remind us of 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 capture 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 the most important place in the colony of New York.