Named after the many tide mills set up in the area. Situated along Jamaica Bay, Mill Basin was called equandito (broken land) by the local Canarsee Indians, who sold the land to developers in 1664. It became part of Flatlands, and remained a rural area until 1890, when a lead-smelting plant was built. The main industry remained fishing for the crabs, oysters and clams that lived in Jamaica Bay, until 1909 when the ill effects of heavy industry resulted in the filling of the marsh land. After World War II, development companies bought up the land and residential development began. Today, Mill Basin is an exclusive neighborhood with posh homes, private boat basins and docks connected to many of the properties.