Crown Heights North Historic District

Crown Heights North Historic District is a protected area in Brooklyn with roughly 1,000 buildings spread across a large residential neighborhood. The buildings range from rowhouses and apartment complexes to churches and other public structures.

The area was originally farmland until 1854 when the Lefferts family offered land for sale, marking the start of the settlement called Bedford. This triggered the gradual transformation that shaped the neighborhood into what it is today.

The neighborhood shows many different building styles as you walk through, from classical facades to elaborate Victorian details on the storefronts and window frames. This mix of styles reflects how the area developed over time with different waves of construction and settlement.

The area stretches between Atlantic Avenue and Eastern Parkway and is easy to explore on foot since most historic buildings are visible from public sidewalks. Plan time for a slow walk so you can observe the details of individual buildings.

The neighborhood is connected to the history of Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress. Her former home and other places linked to her life were included when the protected area was expanded in 2016.

Location: Brooklyn

Inception: 1942

GPS coordinates: 40.67667,-73.94528

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:01