FOUNDED 1928
Dyker Heights Civic Assocation, Inc.
Dyker Heights History
On December 22, 2014, historian Christian J. Zaino, MD and filmmaker Angelo Bonsignore released the lost history of our neighborhood in an hour-long YouTube documentary. Please check out the film, The History of Dyker Heights, as it is almost everything you want to know and full of fascinating surprises!
Street Renaming Proposal.
The NYC Parks Dept. has APPROVED the application to rename the circular drive in Dyker Beach Golf Course after General De Russy. "De Russy Drive" was offically celebrated on July 1, 2009.
Community Board 10 has APPROVED the renaming of the corner of 82nd Street and 11th Avenue after the Developer of Dyker Heights, Mr. Walter L. Johnson! Mayor Bloomberg signed the bill into law on December 28, 2009. On May 15, 2010, the street renaming ceremony took place for "Walter L. Johnson Corner."
Learn more about General De Russy and Mr. Walter L. Johnson here.
The NYC Parks Dept. has APPROVED the application to rename the circular drive in Dyker Beach Golf Course after General De Russy. "De Russy Drive" was offically celebrated on July 1, 2009.
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Community Board 10 has APPROVED the renaming of the corner of 82nd Street and 11th Avenue after the Developer of Dyker Heights, Mr. Walter L. Johnson! Mayor Bloomberg signed the bill into law on December 28, 2009. On May 15, 2010, the street renaming ceremony took place for "Walter L. Johnson Corner."
"Historian Seeks to Honor Dyker's Founding Fathers", Brooklyn Spectator, Apr. 25-May 1, 2009
"Street Name Change?", The Brooklyn Spectator, May 9-15, 2009
"De Russy Drive’ Debuts", Bay Ridge Courier, July 9, 2009
"Path Through Park Given Name of 1800s General De Russy", Bay Ridge Eagle, July 9, 2009
"De Russy Drive Make its Official Debuts", Bay Ridge Courier, July 16, 2009
"Dyker Beach Golf and Catering Hall Ribbon Cutting Ceremony", Bay Ridge Courier, July 16, 2009
"Council Passes Five Local Street Renamings”, Bay Ridge Courier, Thursday, December 31, 2009
"Dyker Heights Founder to Be Honored With Street Corner Name", Brooklyn Eagle, January 18, 2010 (on-line)
"Gentile Hosts Ceremony Renaming Street in Honor of Dyker Heights Founder", Brooklyn Eagle, May 20, 2010 (on-line)
Holding the plaque is Christian Zaino DHCA Historian and President of the Dyker Heights Historical Society. At left is Dawn Marie Gallagher (New York City Events Manager at the Dyker Beach Golf Course Catering Hall) , wtih Fran VellaMarrone at right (President of the Dyker Heights Civic Association). Photo Credit: John Calabrese, July 1, 2009.
City Councilman Vincent J. Gentile (center left) and State Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny (center right), along with Matt Silver Regional Director of Catering for American Golf (left), and 68th Precinct Deputy Inspector Eric Rodriguez (right) unveil the plaque of General De Russy. Photo Credit: John Calabrese, July 1, 2009.
Christian Zaino (left) and Fran VellaMarrone (middle) help Adrian Benepe Commissioner, New York City Department of Parks & Recreation unveil the plaque of "De Russy Drive". Photo Credit: John Calabrese, July 1, 2009.
Ribbon Cutting for the new Dyker Beach Golf Course Catering Hall and De Russy Drive. Photo Credit: John Calabrese, July 1, 2009.
Christian Zaino (left) and Fran Vella-Marrone (middle) and Adrian Benepe Commissioner, New York City Department of Parks & Recreation stand next to the plaque of "De Russy Drive." Photo Credit: Steve Solomonson, July 1, 2009.
The Honorable Mayor Michael R Bloomberg (left), Fran Vella-Marrone (middle), and Christian Zaino (right) celebrate the signing of the bill for Walter L. Johnson Corner. Photo Credit: NYC Mayor’s Office, December 28, 2009.
DHCA Historian & Dyker Heights Historical Society Founder Dr. Christian J. Zaino, MD (left), DHCA President Fran Vella-Marrone, Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny (middle), State Senator Martin Golden, and Councilman Vincent Gentile (right) celebrate the renaming of 82nd Street and 11th Avenue "Walter L. Johnson Corner." Photo Credit: Councilman Vincent Gentile's Office, May 15, 2010.
A crowd of Dyker Heights residents listen to City Councilman Vincent J. Gentile deliver a speech at the newly renamed Walter L. Johnson Corner at 82nd Street and 11th Avenue on the afternoon of May 15, 2010. Seated are: Congressman Michael McMahon's proxy Melissa Batha, State Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny, DHCA Historian Dr. Christian J. Zaino, DHCA President Fran VellaMarrone, and State Senator Martin J. Golden. Photo Credit: Joseph A. Cavalcante Jr., May 15, 2010.
Goria House, 1925
"Old Dyker" - a photo album which contains many "then-and-now" photos of Dyker Heights, created by Historian Christian Zaino
OLD DYKER PHOTO ALBUM
(Click link to view album)
Saitta House, 1901
History of The Saitta House:
This 67-page report, created by Christian Zaino, placed the Saitta House on the State and National Registers of Historic Places:
Walter L. Johnson, 1907
Contact Me
Direct any questions, comments and suggestions you may have regarding Dyker History or this webpage to me, the historian, Christian J. Zaino, by e-mailing
13th Avenue between 83rd and 82nd Streets, as featured in The New York Times Real Estate Section, July 13, 2008
Dyker Beach Golf Course, as featured in The New York Times Real Estate Section, July 13, 2008
New sign for Junior Golf Center at Dyker Beach Golf Course, as featured in The New York Times Real Estate Section, July 13, 2008
A "Dyker Lights" home at Christmas time, as featured in The New York Times Real Estate Section, July 13, 2008