Eymund Diegel map: Flattening Bergen Hill for Red Hook Fill, c. 1845
Bergen Hill once stood tall in Brooklyn, before developers had it carted away for fill to make the Atlantic Docks of Red Hook.
Looking at historic maps from 1775, 1837 and 2004 cartographer Eymund Diegel determined that the hill, which was in the area of 1st and Court Streets, was once around 120 feet above mean sea level and is now only 60. However the Bergen Hill volume would not have provided sufficient fill, so barged in material would have been used as well.
Connected to the excavation of Bergen Hill is the sad story of Mr. William Broderick, recently from Ireland.
