The area, and the park of the same name, were named in honor of Nathaniel Greene, American General in the Revolutionary War. To mark the tomb containing the remains of thousands of colonial prisoners who had been captured and confined aboard rotted hulking vessels and left to die by the British, The Prison Shop Martyrs' Monument proudly stands. This area is rich in history and culture, exhibiting many forms of architecture. Today, Fort Greene continues as an area rich in culture and diversity, with a growing population of artists and musicians.

"We always had a lot of artists and musicians in Fort Greene," says Suzanne DeBrango, resident and realtor. "Now we have investment bankers in the mix." Since 1997, the neighborhood has skyrocketed in popularity, as well as in value. Where tree-lined DeKalb Avenue and Fulton Street were once decaying and the only stores were corner bodegas, now boutiques, bookstores, and cafés flourish. DeKalb and Fulton overflow nightly with jazz sessions, gallery openings, and readings at coffeehouses and bars. Touted for its rawness and cultural diversity, Fort Greene now has prices comparable to Manhattan's, but you get more space. Say hello, Brooklyn, to the new Park Slope.

Boundaries: Vanderbilt Avenue to the east, Atlantic Avenue to the south, Park Avenue to the north, and Flatbush Avenue to the west

Notable Happenings: In the summer, a series of free concerts is held in Fort Greene Park, and the park conservancy hosts its annual Swing Dance on August 10. Its Halloween Festival brought out 2500 people last year. Atlantic Antics, featuring a bazaar, food, and festivities along Atlantic Avenue, takes place every September.

Cultural Institutions: The Brooklyn Academy of Music, at 30 Lafayette, is one of the top cultural venues in the country. It has been at its present spot since its opening performance in 1908 starring Enrico Caruso. During the summer, BAM holds free r&b concerts. In the fall, there's the multimedia Next Wave Festival. Its Spring Festival celebrates the classics. Across the street, the Mark Morris Dance Group holds regular classes in the choreographer's own studio.

Landmarks: Fort Greene Park, originally known as Washington Park, was Brooklyn's first. It came into being in 1847 after prompting by Walt Whitman, who insisted that Brooklyn needed it as a "lung." In 1864, it was redesigned by Frederick Olmsted and Calvert Vaux after their success with Central Park and before they designed Prospect Park. Poet Marianne Moore and novelist Richard Wright were both inspired by the haven (habitués insist that the grass does better here than in Manhattan parks). Much of Fort Greene is encompassed in the New York State and National Register Historic District. Between 1776 and 1782, 11,500 people died while held captive by the British on ships anchored in Wallabout Bay, the present site of the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Their remains are entombed in the Prison Ship Martyr's Monument, which rests under a tall Doric column in the Fort Greene Park.

Famous Names: Spike Lee grew up in Fort Greene, Richard Wright lived here while he was writing Native Son, and jazz matriarch Betty Carter lived here. Today Chris Rock, Cecil Taylor, Wynton Marsalis, and Rosie Perez call Fort Greene home.