Hudson Hill
Neighborhood of the Bronx
The former Anthony Campagna mansion on West 249th Street, now part of Yeshiva of Telshe Alumni
The former Anthony Campagna mansion on West 249th Street, now part of Yeshiva of Telshe Alumni
Location in New York City
Coordinates: 40°53′49″N 73°54′43″W / 40.897°N 73.912°W / 40.897; -73.912

Hudson Hill, also known as Riverdale Estates, is within the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx in New York City, bordered by the Henry Hudson Parkway on the east, the Hudson River on the west, West 246th Street on the south and West 254th Street on the north.

History

Hudson Hill rests on a natural slope beside the Hudson River, with successive streets west of the Henry Hudson Parkway rising parallel to one-another as they continue east of the water. Early suggestions for the area's name included "Hudson Hillside Estates" and "Hillside Estates". Realtor Robert E. Hill was the first to formally distinguish Riverdale's "Estate Area", a designation which led to higher property values.[1]

Hudson Hill mansions include Greyston (1864), Alderbrook (1880), Stonehurst (1861), and Oaklawn (1863).[1] Such a rich history led to a unanimous vote by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission to create the Riverdale Historic District, bound roughly by 252d and 254th Streets and Palisade and Independence Avenues. The October 1990 vote noted that many features commonly associated with the American romantic suburb of the mid-19th century are present in the area and throughout Hudson Hill, including a picturesque site, landscaping and architecture; ready access to the city; and a layout adapted to the topography.[2]

Hudson Hill is the location of the Wave Hill botanical gardens and historical center. Its Wave Hill House was home for a time to Mark Twain,[3] among others.

Across the street from Wave Hill lies an old estate (the former Anthony Campagna mansion at 640 West 249th Street)[4] that some believe to have been featured in the motion picture The Godfather.[5] Today, it is a dormitory for the Yeshiva of Telshe Alumni.

Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. settled his family in a stately twenty-room Georgian-style mansion at 5040 Independence Avenue from 1927 to 1929.[6] Across the street from the home lies the retirement estate of former New York City Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 Riverdale, New York - Estate Area at robertehill.com. 12 July 2011
  2. ↑ "Postings: Historic Designation; Recognizing Riverdale". The New York Times. 1990-10-21. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  3. ↑ Hu, Winnie (2013-06-19). "Historic Wave Hill House, Restored to Former Glory". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  4. ↑ Rothstein, Mervyn (1994-01-16). "Debating Limits on Landmark No. 1,003". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  5. ↑ Wisnieski, Adam. "Finding fertile ground for film". The Riverdale Press. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  6. ↑ O'Brien, Michael. John F. Kennedy: A Biography, Macmillan 2005, 29
  7. ↑ Bronx County Clerk's Office Archived 2009-10-20 at the Wayback Machine. 4 July 2008.
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