Family History Snapshot: Prospect Park On Horseback More Than 100 Years Ago

Family History Snapshot: Prospect Park On Horseback More Than 100 Years Ago
Provided by Jeff Darrell
Photo provided by Jeff Darrell

Prospect Park is fun for a lot of reasons, including family activities and environmental projects for the whole neighborhood to take part in.

But long before the Prospect Park Alliance came around to offer these programs, the park’s biggest activities were horseback and carriage rides. In these photos, taken between 1905 and 1907, Prospect Park is showcased in a time before selfies and Snapchats.

Provided by Jeff Darrell
Provided by Jeff Darrell

The photos, sent in by local resident Jeff Darrell, were taken by his grandfather, Frank Darrell, and his two sisters, Viola and Mary. At the time, they were living with their parents Ernest and Mary Darrell at 266 Prospect Place. Below, Viola and Mary can be seen having a carriage ride through the park.

Photos Provided by Jeff Darrell
Mary (left) and Viola (right) Darrell take a carriage ride through Prospect Park (provided by Jeff Darrell)

“I know the family spent a lot of time in Prospect Park,” Darrell said. “They loved the park and did a lot of horseback riding and carriage riding there.”

Provided by Jeff Darrell
Provided by Jeff Darrell

The Darrells immigrated from Turks & Caicos to Brooklyn in the late 1880s. The family was involved in the sponge import and export business, which they continued to run from Brooklyn as well as Key West, Florida.

After a recent carriage ride through the park, Darrell said, “It was wonderful to see how much is being done in the park and how many people love and enjoy it today!”