Farragut is a neighborhood located in the borough of Brooklyn, New York. It is part of Brooklyn Community Board 17. The neighborhood is surrounded by Cortelyou Avenue and Holy Cross Cemetery to the north, Kings Highway to the east, Brooklyn Avenue on the west and the Long Island Rail Road to the south. Admiral David Glasgow Farragut is best remembered for the capture of New Orleans in 1862 and Mobile Bay two years later. In recent time, the people of New York celebrate his spirit on Farragut road through their dynamic endeavor and unconquerable optimism. The area has an admirable mix of individual enterprise and sustained group activity. Such combination promotes the best values of personal freedom and help for people in need.
As of 2010 census, there were 25,652 people residing in the area. The median income for a household in the village is $58,729.
In the early 19th century, the area was largely populated by Jews and Italians. In the 1980s, there were African Americans moved to the area, with many from Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and other Caribbean islands reaching a majority by the 1990s. The neighborhood got its named from American Civil War Admiral David Farragut. He was the first Admiral of the U.S. Navy and the most famous Hispanic on the Union Forces during the war. David Farragut is remembered in popular culture for his possibly apocryphal order at the Battle of Mobile Bay. When one of his lead ships struck a torpedo and sank and his ships were reluctant to proceed, he rallied his men to victory, shouting: “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead”.
St. Alban’s Episcopal Church is a historical attraction in town. It is associated with the Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center to provide priceless community health services. The focus is on promoting awareness through talks, fairs and free health screening. The Church is also exceptionally active in other social matters such as food collection and distribution, apart from regular religious services. Scouts, Girl Guides, Seniors, Fitness enthusiasts join residents in meeting in the Church premises for regular meetings and for special occasions and receptions as well. Overall, the Church sets a fine example for its peers to follow. There is also a St. Lucia Association on Farragut road and a branch of Young Israel. The Abe Stark Senior Center has a full agenda of support activities and a focal point of services for older people in the Farragut road area of Brooklyn.
Paerdegat Park is a charming and relaxing stretch of green at the junction of Farragut road and Albany Avenue. PS 198 of the Community School Board 22 is a significant contribution to the general education effort on Farragut road. It has over 800 students in Pre-kindergarten and in Grades 1 to 5. Farragut road has also a Day Care Center and a Metro Card vendor amongst other outlets and services. It is a place for city planners and social scientists to study, in an attempt to understand how neighborhoods can be urbanized in useful manner with active participation in decision making by local residents.
