I used to live in "The Bronx," so I guess that qualifies me to answer your question. One of the original settlers of that area was named Jonas Bronck. He owned the land that covers a large portion of what is now the Bronx. When people would describe his land, they often referred to it as "going to visit the Bronck's," in much the same way that if I was going to your house I might tell someone that I could be found at the Wilson's house. The name stuck and became "The Bronx."
By the way, that area was formerly a part of Westchester County. (In fact, the Village of Westchester and Westchester Bay, which gave the county its name, are now within the Bronx. The Village of Westchester is now the Westchester Square area.) Over a 50-year period in the 19th century various parts of what was then Westchester were annexed by New York City, and it was decided to create a separate county known as Bronx county. That is when the historical name of "The Bronx" was revived.
Bryan M. Carson, J.D., M.I.L.S.
Reference/Computer Services Librarian
Hamline University Law Library
1536 Hewitt Avenue
St Paul, Minnesota 55104
Phone: 612-523-2063
Fax: 612-523-2435 / 2236
bcarson@gw.hamline.edu
http://www.hamline.edu/~bmcarson
*********************************************************************
"Library Science is the key to all science, just as
mathematics is its language--and civilization will
rise or fall, depending on how well librarians do
their jobs."
--Robert A. Heinlein
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All opinions expressed are my own and not my employer's.
All original content (c) 1998 Bryan M. Carson. All rights
reserved.
>>> Myra Wilson <myramay@clark.net> 1/19/98 7:10:21 AM >>>
A trivia question to celebrate the holiday...does anyone know why all the
boroughs of NYC havse one-word names except "The Bronx"? TIA
Myra Wilson
Skadden Arps,DC
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