Flatbush began in the 1600s as one of Brooklyn’s original Dutch towns, built around a small village that eventually grew into a dense and diverse neighborhood. Its early history is still visible in traces like the Dutch Reformed Church and the old street grid that survived modernization. Over time, Victorian-era developers transformed its farmland into broad avenues and residential districts, giving Flatbush its signature mix of historic houses, tree-lined blocks, and bustling commercial stretches.

By the early 20th century, Flatbush had become a thriving center of culture and everyday life, shaped by waves of Caribbean, Jewish, and immigrant communities who each left their imprint on the area. Landmarks like the Kings Theatre, Erasmus Hall, and the vibrant retail corridors turned the neighborhood into a lively hub where different cultures met, worked, and built traditions. This period strengthened Flatbush’s identity as a place defined not by a single story, but by the constant layering of many.

Today, Flatbush continues to be one of Brooklyn’s most diverse neighborhoods, with communities from across the Caribbean and beyond shaping its food scene, music, festivals, and street life. Its historic architecture blends with new development, while long-standing institutions and independent businesses anchor the neighborhood’s sense of continuity. The result is a place where cultural energy, deep-rooted history, and evolving identity coexist—making Flatbush feel both grounded in its past and confidently moving forward.