Ørkenen Sur, Shantytown in Red Hook, Brooklyn, US
Ørkenen Sur was a settlement built on a railroad dump site in Red Hook, where residents constructed dwellings from oil barrels, tar paper, and salvaged materials. The camp housed up to 500 people in makeshift structures on a confined plot of land.
The settlement emerged between 1921 and 1934, primarily housing Norwegian sailors who lost their jobs during the Great Depression. Authorities closed the camp in 1934 and transformed the site into parks and recreational facilities.
The settlement maintained its own social structure with a mayor, barber, and pastor, reflecting Norwegian maritime traditions in the American context. This organization showed how residents preserved cultural practices despite hardship.
The site is now part of public green spaces in Red Hook and can be explored on foot. It helps to consult local museums or historical records before visiting to understand more about the specific history of the location.
Pastor Karl Holm named the settlement after the biblical desert wandering and visited the site approximately 300 times to support residents. This consistent presence offered comfort to many people during their hardest times.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
