Happy National Trivia Day

In honor of National Trivia Day on Friday, Jan. 4, here are a few fun facts and points of interest about our convivial cluster of South Brooklyn neighborhoods to share at future social gatherings:

Carroll Gardens - According to Brooklyn By Name by Leonard Bernardo and Jennifer Weiss, Carroll Gardens was "named after Charles Carroll, a Revolutionary War veteran who was also the only Roman-Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence." The thriving neighborhood has provided the setting for both Al Capone's wedding (St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church) and an original Carnegie library (Carroll Gardens Public Library).

Cobble Hill - While the words "Cobble Hill" may roll off the tongue, this tiny neighborhood originally went by the name Ponkiesbergh, given to it by the Dutch farmers who settled the area in the 1600's. Cobble Hill is also the birthplace of Winston Churchill's mother, Jenny Jerome, who was born at 197 Amity Street.

Boerum Hill - In the middle of the 20th century, this neighborhood saw a large influx of Mohawk families, "who moved from a Quebec reservation in the 1920s to take jobs building New York's new skyscrapers," documents the blog Lost City, which points out that 75 Nevins St. used to be a watering hole called Wigwam, a dimly lit bar favored by the Mohawk workers. "Over the door was the slogan 'The Greatest Iron Workers in the World Pass Thru These Doors.'"

Gowanus - The Carroll Street Bridge in Gowanus was built in 1889 and is the oldest of four remaining retractable bridges in the country. The neighborhood was also home to a frequent haunt of Frank Sinatra, who liked to spend time at Monte's.

Red Hook - According to historian John Burkard, Red Hook played a pivotal role in the Battle of Brooklyn on August 27-29, 1776. When the American army found themselves outnumbered three to one in the hills of Gowanus and Prospect Heights, British Admiral Howe decided to send an armada of seven ships through the East River to attack Washington's troops. But as the ships were sailing past Red Hook Point, they came under fire from Fort Defiance—ultimately forcing them to turn back.

Have a piece of neighborhood trivia you'd like to share? Feel free in the comments below.