Todt Hill(/ˈtoʊt/TOHT)[1]is a 401-foot-tall (122 m)hillformed ofserpentine rockonStaten Island,New York.It is the highest natural point in the fiveboroughsofNew York Cityand the highest elevation on the entireAtlantic coastal plainfromFloridatoCape Cod.[2]The summit of the ridge is largely covered in woodlands as part of theStaten Island Greenbelt,although much of the surrounding area is developed and residential.[3]It is considered one of the most exclusive and most expensive areas of Staten Island.[4]
| Todt Hill | |
|---|---|
 Todt Hill view | |
| Highest point | |
| Coordinates | 40°36′08″N74°06′44″W/ 40.60222°N 74.11222°W |
| Geography | |
  Location of Todt Hill on Staten Island  Todt Hill (New York) | |
History
editThe name Todt comes from theGermanword "Tod" for "death" and may refer to the cemetery (the presentMoravian Cemetery,opened in 1740 and now the island's largest cemetery[5]) on the southwestern foot of the ridge near the town ofNew Dorpthat has been in use since colonial days. An alternate explanation is that the name was given by early Dutch settlers because of treeless rocky exposures on the hilltop,[6]caused by the soil of theStaten Island Serpentinitelocality.
At the beginning of the 20th century, many houses designed by the architectErnest Flaggwere built in the area. A significant part of Todt Hill is now included in theStaten Island Greenbelt.
Geography
editThe term Todt Hill is now often used to include the upscale developments in the hills along the eastern side of the ridge, which most island geographers classify as part of the neighborhood ofDongan Hills.
Two small, natural ponds are found on Todt Hill, and aRoman Catholicprioryis located near the summit.Staten Island Academy,a private school, moved its campus to Todt Hill in the 1960s. There is a golf course adjoining the Moravian Cemetery, each of which has a man-made pond. Otherwise the hill is either parkland or private homes. There is no public transit available on Todt Hill, and most of the streets, including Todt Hill Road, the neighborhood's main thoroughfare, lack sidewalks.
The point of highest elevation is the unmarked rise in the street level at the intersection of Dalemere Road and Chapin Avenue.[7]
Demographics
editTodt Hill consists of the two census tracts 177 and 181, although census tract 177 incorporates part of Emerson Hill. According to the 2010 census,[8]the demographics of Todt Hill were 80% non Hispanic White, 1% Black, 11% Asian, and 1% Multiracial. Hispanics of any race made up 7% of the population. The median household income of the area is roughly $120,000. Todt Hill is one of Staten Island's most affluent areas.
As of 2011, the district houses about 11,000 inhabitants. The population density was approximately 1,400 people per square kilometer.[9]
Based on latest information, the population density according to one neighborhood guide has increased to 3,000 people per square mile(about 1,158 people per square kilometer).[10]These discrepancies may arise from varying methodologies in calculating population density or differing definitions of the neighborhood's boundaries.
Notable residents
edit- TheGambino crime familyBossPaul Castellanolived there, in a house noted for its intended resemblance to theWhite House.[11]His family continued to live on Todt Hill after his death, but moved in 2000.
- Mob Wivesreality television star Drita D’avanzo grew up in the Todt Hill Houses.[12]
- FormerNew York Metsrelief pitcherJohn Francocurrently lives on the hill.
- TheCorleone familycompound fromThe Godfatherwas filmed on Todt Hill.[13]
- Frank Matthews,a notorious drug kingpin in the 1970s, lived on Todt Hill.
- Frank Cali,acting Boss of theGambino crime family,was killed outside his home in Todt Hill on March 13, 2019.[14][15]
Transportation
editTodt Hill is served by multiple bus routes on Richmond Road, including theS74,S76,S84andS86local buses, and theSIM15express bus.[16]
References
edit- ^Flegenheimer, Matt (5 September 2011)."Todt Hill in Staten Island Offers a Different New York".The New York Times.Retrieved6 April2018– via NYTimes.
- ^Sanderson, Eric (2009).Mannahatta A Natural History of New York City.Harry N. Abrams. pp. 83–84.
- ^"History library.csi.cuny.edu".cuny.edu.Retrieved6 April2018.
- ^"Top 3 Most Expensive Staten Island Homes Sold in 2011".statenislandlifestyle.10 January 2012.Retrieved6 April2018.
- ^Douglas Keister (2011).Stories in Stone New York: A Field Guide to New York City Area Cemeteries and Their Residents.Gibbs Smith. pp. 177, 256.ISBN978-1423621027.
- ^Frank, Dave."Geology of National Parks".3dparks.wr.usgs.gov.Retrieved6 April2018.
- ^"Todt Hill - Staten Island, New York".Atlas Obscura.2022.Retrieved3 February2022.
- ^"Mapping America: Every City, Every Block".The New York Times.13 December 2010.Retrieved6 April2018– via NYTimes.
- ^"Todt Hill neighborhood in Staten Island, New York".city- data.Retrieved29 December2014.
- ^DeFalco, Robert (15 October 2024)."Todt Hill, Staten Island: A Comprehensive Neighborhood Guide".Robert DeFalco Realty.
- ^Raab, Selwyn (2005).Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America's Most Powerful Mafia Empires(1st ed.). New York: Thomas Dunne Books.ISBN0-312-30094-8.
neo-Federal.
- ^Andrea Boyarsky (April 8, 2011)."New television show 'Mob Wives' follows four Staten Island women and their lifestyles".SILive.Staten Island Advance.RetrievedJune 8,2011.
- ^Victor, Daniel (March 14, 2019)."Todt Hill on Staten Island: Frank Cali's Neighborhood Is Known for Mob Ties".The New York Times.RetrievedAugust 7,2021.
- ^Wilson, Michael; Weiser, Benjamin (March 14, 2019)."Frank Cali, the Slain Gambino Boss, Was a 'Ghost' Who Avoided the Limelight".The New York Times.RetrievedAugust 7,2021.
- ^"Frank Cali of Gambino Crime Family Murdered In New York At Age 53".Def Pen.RetrievedMarch 14,2019.
- ^"Staten Island Bus Map"(PDF).Metropolitan Transportation Authority.January 2020.RetrievedDecember 1,2020.
- Jackson, Kenneth T.,ed. (2010).The Encyclopedia of New York City(2nd ed.). New Haven:Yale University Press.ISBN978-0-300-11465-2.