On this date, back in 1639, a Danish farmer named Jonas Bronck purchased 50 acres of land just north of Manhattan.
Describing his new home Bronck wrote: “The invisible hand of the Almighty Father, surely guided me to this beautiful country, a land covered with virgin forest and unlimited opportunities. It is a veritable paradise and needs but the industrious hand of man to make it the finest and most beautiful region in all the world.” – Jonas Bronck
Not all was bliss. Following his settlement tensions with the native people rose. Agreements were reached that ensured Jonas his continued existence in the territory until his death in 1643.
A stream of water that ran through Bronck’s farm became known as the Bronx River. Later in time when the territory was annexed to the the City and County of New York in 1874 the borough was named after the river. That is the reason why the borough is referred to as “The” Bronx.
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