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East Harlem was originally inhabited by the Manhattan Indians who called the area “Muscoota” or “flat land.” The Canarsie Indians used Manhattan as hunting and fishing grounds, but lived in Long Island. When Dutch explorers sailed the Hudson River, they purchased the island for the equivalent of $24 from the Manhattan tribe, though the Native Americans did not believe in the concept of land ownership.
The Dutch settled the southern end of Manhattan island. As the population grew, the colony expanded northward, soon reaching East Harlem. The Irish were the first group to settle in East Harlem, but were eventually replaced by newer immigrant groups, such as the Italians and Jews.
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