News

A Little France in West Harlem, Anyone?
by Eric Washington

Posted June 5, 2013

Most New Yorkers have heard of Little Italy and Chinatown. Maybe a few Gothamites have even heard of Klein Deutschland ("Little Germany") and various 19th-century enclaves of African-Americans that were ascribed Little Africa. But Little France?

The French have long been well-dispersed throughout New York City's historical fabric, yet have rarely been associated with a pinpoint on the map. Not that no one thought of the idea.

Louis-Napoleonic urban plan

In 1871, when much of upper Manhattan was still wooded and rural, the notion of a French colony surfaced as enticingly as an ile flottante confection

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Eric K. Washington, NY Local History ExaminerEric K. Washington is the author of Manhattanville: Old Heart of West Harlem, and contributed to the recent MTA-licensed guide book New York City by Bus and Subway, edited by Rod Kennedy. His writing on local New York City history has appeared in numerous print publications. He is also a licensed...