Street Named for 1st NYC Immigrant, Back in 1613

NEW YORK (AP) —
An illustration of Juan Rodriguez (wearing hat) trading goods and animals with Native Americans on Manhattan Island in 1613. (AP Photo/New York Public Library)
An illustration of Juan Rodriguez (wearing hat) trading goods and animals with Native Americans on Manhattan Island in 1613. (AP Photo/New York Public Library)

A section of Broadway has been named after the man city officials say was the first immigrant to settle in New York City.

The stretch of Broadway between 159th and 218th streets in Upper Manhattan was designated Juan Rodriguez Way last Wednesday.

Rodriguez, a native of what’s now the Dominican Republic, traveled with Dutch traders in 1613 to what’s now New York City, disembarked and established a trading post with Native Americans. The traders later returned to the Netherlands.

The new Juan Rodriguez Way runs through heavily Dominican-American neighborhoods. Residents and officials spoke proudly about Rodriguez at a ceremony Wednesday.

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