The Purpose of this book is to tell the story of the wonderful rise and development of the Borough of The Bronx. It is a story of heroic endeavor, individual self-denial, slow progress and final triumph. The hardy pioneers who sacrificed their comforts and lives to wrest the wilderness from its savage lords, and who blazed the path for progress and civilization, builded better than they knew.
The teeming Borough today is a noble monument to the greatness of the men who brought it into being. As long as it endures their achievements will be told in song and story.
Here will be found a record of the extraordinary growth of this great Borough. It is not the purpose of this work, however, to give a detailed description of the early history of The Bronx, but rather a brief summary of the most memorable events in its historical, commercial and municipal development.
It has been the aim of this book to indicate the modern development and future prospects of the Borough as well as to create associations of Colonial and Revolutionary memories with which almost every inch of ground in the Borough is hallowed.
In compiling a work of this kind, the author has had much assistance in gathering material and making it accurate and authentic. He is especially indebted to Mr. Nathan J. Kaplan for assistance rendered, suggestions made and material furnished; also to Mr. James L. Wells, Mr. Louis F. Haffen, Mr. Walter G. Scott, Mr. Lindsay M'Kenna, and Mr. Randall Comfort, who furnished many of the photographs illustrating this book - all of whom have rendered valuable service and made possible the publishing of this book.
Where facts could not be obtained from local residents, the author consulted early histories and documents for his data.
Chief among the books consulted were Bolton's "History of Westchester County"; Scharf's "History of Westchester County"; Comfort's "History of the Borough of the Bronx"; Kelly's "Historic Guide to New York"; and Jenkins' "The Story of The Bronx." The last mentioned work has been recently issued and contains a mine of historic information relative to the Borough. Besides these, a host of minor books, encyclopedias, newspapers and magazines were drawn upon.
