In 1639, a man named Jonas Bronck was the first European settler to an area that we now call the Bronx. He settled along the Harlem River, which is today known as the Mott Haven section of the Bronx. During Bronck's early settlement, the area was originally part of Westchester County, which was mainly farmland. The area was quiet and neighborhoods were mainly suburban.

Much of the area didn't begin to industrialize until 1841 when railroad services on the Harlem and New York lines ran on a regular basis between the Bronx and Manhattan.

In 1895, the area became part of New York City. Towards the early years of the 1900's, factories were growing and urban neighborhoods became prominent. Most of the people who lived in the area worked in educational facilities, factories and racetracks. It wasn't until 1914, that the area became known as Bronx County, the 62nd and last county of the state of New York.

In that same year, the main boulevard of the Bronx was born. The birth of the Grand Concourse, extending 4 1/2 miles, gave new meaning to the idea of road access. It was inspired by the famous boulevard in Paris called, The Champs Elysees.

As the Bronx moved into the 1920's, neighborhoods were enhanced with art design and drew much attention. The Fordham Road and Grand Concourse areas were intersections of trees, fancy homes and apartments. These areas were developed and designed in the latest art deco styles.