Powell Playground

Sackman To Powell Sts bet. Glenmore and Pit

Brooklyn

This text is part of Parks’ Historical Signs Project and can be found posted within the park.

This playground honors former Brooklyn mayor, Samuel S. Powell (1815-1879). Born on Long Island, Powell left home at age 13 to make his way in the world. Settling in Brooklyn, he eventually worked his way up the corporate ladder, becoming director of first the Nassau Life Insurance Company and later the Lafayette Life Insurance Company. Powell also went on to direct the Citizen’s Gas Light Company, Brooklyn Life Insurance Company, and the Central Bank before he became involved in local politics. He served as mayor from 1857-1861 and again from 1872-1873. During the Civil War (1861-1865), Mayor Powell organized 1,000 police officers to assist Captain Andrew Foote (1806-1863) in defending the Brooklyn Navy Yard from Confederate sympathizers. Six years after his tenure as mayor ended, Samuel S. Powell died at age 63.