The Wonder City Web Comic: The Great Whale of Coney Island, Chapter 3-Installment #2

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Last week Velma combed through the Tovernboak and found something interesting about the bearer of the Parelzaad which made her think Owen was exactly the guy she’d be looking for. Now, to confirm her suspicions she goes to the head of the Light Keepers, Jack Rapalje.

For those of you familiar with early New York history, you may recognize the Rapalje name. Joris and Catalina Trico Rapalje were among the first group of Huegonots to settle New Amsterdam back in 1625. They gave birth to a daughter Sarah who was thought to be the first European born child in New York (she’ll pop up a litter later on in the story). The Rapajle’s owned property on Pearl Street but spent most of their time farming in the village of Breukelen where a small street called Rapeleye Street near the entrance to the Hugh L. Carey (Brooklyn Battery) Tunnel is one of the only reminders of this pioneering family.

Jack’s home in our comic is actually 2 Pierrepont Place in Brooklyn Heights which was recently on the market for $40 million. Nice work, Jack!