5. Humphrey Bogart Trained at the Naval Training Base in Pelham Bay Park

According to the Friends of Pelham Bay Park website, the park was home to a Naval training base from 1917 to 1919. At its peak, there were 4777 sailors at the Rodman’s Neck base. One of the Naval trainees was famous actor, Humphrey Bogart, whose last name consequently means “orchard” like the park’s beach. As a young adult, Bogart joined the Navy and attended the Naval Reserve Training Station in Pelham Bay Park. After serving for a few years, Bogart was honorably discharged from active service on June 18, 1919 and subsequently went on to have a successful acting career.