John Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson House | |
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| Location | 5224 Tilden Ave.,Brooklyn, New York |
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| Coordinates | 40°38′53″N73°55′38″W / 40.6481557°N 73.9272715°W /40.6481557; -73.9272715 |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | c. 1912-1916 |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001226 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | May 11, 1976[1] |
| Designated NHL | May 11, 1976[2] |
TheJackie Robinson House is a historic house at 5224 Tilden Avenue in theNew York City borough ofBrooklyn. Built c. 1912-1916, it is prominent as the home of baseball greatJackie Robinson from 1947, when he was awardedRookie of the Year, through 1949, when he was votedMost Valuable Player. It was declared aNational Historic Landmark in 1976.[2][3][4]
The Jackie Robinson House is located in Brooklyn'sEast Flatbush neighborhood, at the southwest corner of Tilden Avenue and East 53nd Street. It is a modest two-story brick duplex, with the units set side-by-side. Each is two bays wide, with the entrance set in the right-hand bay. 5224 is the left (east) unit, which has a band of three sash windows in the left bay, topped by a porch with a wooden railing and metal awning supported by decorative metal supports.[3]
The house was built sometime between 1912 and 1916. From 1947 to 1949 it was home to baseball playerJackie Robinson, the first African-American to play in the major leagues. Robinson had been signed to a contract in 1945 byBranch Rickey, owner of theBrooklyn Dodgers, and he was called up to the major league team after spending 1946 with minor leagueMontreal Royals. When he was called up, he and his wifeRachel had difficulty finding housing in Brooklyn due to racism; this was secured as a rental by a friend.[3]
Another house, at 112-40 177th Street in theAddisleigh Park neighborhood of Queens, was the Robinsons' home from 1949 to 1955. "Locals had recently canceled arestrictive covenant that forbade blacks from living in the area, so African-American stars such as jazz greatCount Basie and Herbert Mills of theMills Brothers quartet moved in."[5]
