1903 Williamsburg Bridge opens, providing more access to the outer boroughs.

1904 1,000 Germans, mostly women and children, are killed in The General Slocum Disaster. This event becomes the largest loss of life due to a disaster prior to September 11, 2001. As a result, most of the remaining German population migrates uptown.

After most of the Germans migrate uptown, Eastern European Jews come to reside in the neighborhood. 

1909 Manhattan Bridge opens, bringing displacement of people and their homes due to large-scale development.

1914-1918 World War I.