History of Midwood Park

Midwood Park, like other similar neighborhoods in Brooklyn, was built as a suburban development in the first decade of the century on what was formerly farmland. When the neighborhood was being developed, the names of "Midwood" and "Newkirk" were suggested for it, but "Midwood Park" subsequently prevailed – describing the park-like tranquility of its landscaped malls. On Foster Avenue, the ornamental columns that grace the entrance of each block are the remnants of a gated community.

The primary builder of the homes which were constructed between 1905 and 1910 was John R. Corbin, a native Brooklynite who started life as a carpenter and then studied architecture. The homes were originally built for the privileged classes selling at the time for $2,800 to $13,500. Corbin was a pioneer in the quick construction of "assembly line" houses. These incorporated details into a limited number of floor plans that the home buyer could select from a catalog of options. The result is a group of large, comfortable houses, seemingly unique, but most are variations on only about half a dozen basic types.

The houses of Midwood Park include decorative fire-places, ornamental wood columns, beamed ceilings, paneling, mantels and elaborate staircases. Midwood Park is indeed park-like in the spring; its long blocks are arched with majestic old sycamore trees.