Driver doubles as history teacher

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Seniors at Atria Riverdale are now getting a mobile history lesson on the neighborhood and the rest of the Bronx thanks to the curiosity of one driver. 

Edwin Salgado is one of Atria’s two drivers who transport residents on trips anywhere from the doctor’s office to Empire State Casino. He recently decided to offer new sojourns to residents allowing them to learn about the culture and history of their community. 

“The Bronx for years has had a bad reputation,” he said. “One day I was on the Appalachian Trail and me and my buddies were talking to some girls. We had a good conversation until we got to the topic of where we were from. As soon as we told them we were from the Bronx, they got up and ran. So I tried to learn something about the Bronx, and there’s a lot to learn.”

Mr. Salgado said about a month ago, he decided to research the history of the recently re-opened High Bridge. From there, the 60-year-old driver’s curiosity mushroomed. He is continuing to fill a notebook with research he gathers from the web whenever his curiosity is piqued.

On Monday morning, a tour showed the fruit of his labors.

Stops included 5040 Independence Ave., where John F. Kennedy briefly resided during his childhood, Fiorello LaGuardia’s home at 5020 Goodridge Ave. and the house at 5204 Delafield Ave., where Lou Gehrig died. Mr. Salgado also discussed the history of the Riverdale Monument’s Spanish bell, one of the spoils brought back from the Mexican War by Gen. Winfield Scott.

Passengers seemed to revel at the lessons.

“It was beautiful to see these places I’d never seen before,” said Atria resident Shirley Pearlstein. 

Mr. Salgado took a moment to discuss the effort by Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed Central Park and Prospect Park, not to corrupt the rural integrity of the Riverdale area when plotting some of the community’s neighborhoods.

“I’d never gotten to the Fieldston section. It was nice to see how well-maintained it was and that it has history,” said passenger Sister Anne. “I’m glad I now have an idea of what the area is really like.”

Atria Riverdale, Edwin Salgado, Bronx history, Will Speros
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