Flatlands was originally known as Nieuw Amersfoort, which was named after the Dutch city of Amersfoort. The area was a farming community dating back to 1636 when Dutch settlers purchased around 15,000 acres of land.

The neighborhood is named after Egbert Benson, whose children and grandchildren sold his land to James D. Lynch, a New York real estate developer. Lynch purchased the old farmlands from the Benson family in the mid-1880s and began selling private lots in Bensonhurst-by-the-Sea, now known as Bath Beach.

Sheepshead Bay refers to both the neighborhood in Brooklyn as well as the bay itself, being named after the fish found in the water. Learn more about the diverse neighborhood.

Discover the rich history and development of the Brooklyn Borough, from Dutch settlers to modern day residents.