There Is Now an Adam Yauch Park: And the Stories Behind the Names of 10 Other Brooklyn Places.
Howard Malls
There are a lot of Brooklyn parks and playgrounds and bridges and streets named after people involved in the Revolutionary War, but Howard Malls is interesting for the fact that the man who it is named for—while he was an American patriot—helped contribute to the British victory in the Battle of Brooklyn. Oops! William Howard (1725-1777) was the owner of the Rising Sun tavern here in Brooklyn, which “had two bars, segregated so its Dutch patrons would not have to endure the perceived indignity of drinking with their slaves.” Oh, history. You’re so embarrassing. Anyway, prior to the Battle of Brooklyn, British General William Howe forced Howard to show him where the American troops were stationed. Howe was able to stage a surprise attack on a minimally guarded American garrison, and deliver a resounding victory for the British. Geroge Washington managed to escape New York though and, well, we all know how this story ultimately ends. But, yeah, that’s William Howard.
Howard Malls; Blake Ave., Tapscott St., Howard Ave., Brownsville