5. In its early days, Stuyvesant Cove area was Next to an Area Called the Dry Dock District

The Stuyvesant Town/Peter Cooper Village area has become a well-developed neighborhood, but the waterfront in its early days it was the Dry Dock District, a central location for New York shipbuilding and the land itself was known as the Gas House District. The first “marine railway” was created there, which helped funnel heavy ships in and out of the water.

The Transit-Mix Cement Company was run by William J. McCormack. McCormack, also known as “Mr. Big,” was involved in dubious interactions with unions and the mob. He even inspired the “Mr. Upstairs” character in the 1954 movie On the Waterfront with Marlon Brando.