Emerson Hill, Staten Island facts for kids
Emerson Hill is a beautiful hilly area and a neighborhood located on Staten Island, New York. Staten Island is one of the five main parts, called boroughs, that make up New York City in the United States. It's known for its peaceful, green surroundings.
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Exploring Emerson Hill
Emerson Hill has some special features that make it unique. Many of the roads here are private. This means they are not public streets maintained by the city.
Private Roads and Access
Even though some roads are private, Emerson Hill is not a gated community. A gated community usually has gates and security guards. Emerson Hill does not have these. Signs at places like Douglas Road and Emerson Drive tell trucks (except for local deliveries) and through traffic to stay out. This helps keep the neighborhood quiet and safe for residents.
Neighbors and Nature
Emerson Hill is close to other neighborhoods on Staten Island. To the north, you'll find Grymes Hill, which is just across the Staten Island Expressway. To the south, it borders Todt Hill, another area that also has private roads.
The neighborhood is mainly for homes. It's also part of a "Special Natural Area District." This means the area has unique natural features, like many trees and plants. Because of this, if someone wants to change their property, like removing trees, they often need permission from the New York City Department of Buildings. This rule helps protect the natural beauty of Emerson Hill.
The Story Behind the Name
Emerson Hill is named after a very interesting person: Judge William Emerson. He was the older brother of the famous writer Ralph Waldo Emerson.
A Famous Visitor
Judge William Emerson lived on the hill with his wife, Susan, and their children, William, Haven, and Charles. Their home was a long, brown house called "The Snuggery." In 1843, a well-known writer and naturalist named Henry David Thoreau actually lived with the Emerson family. He tutored Willie and Haven for several months. This was the only time in his adult life that Thoreau lived anywhere other than his hometown of Concord, Massachusetts.
Emerson Hill in Movies
Emerson Hill has even been featured in a famous movie!
A Classic Film Location
In 1971, two large homes on Longfellow Avenue were used as a filming location for the classic movie The Godfather. These homes became known as "Casa Corleone" in the film. It's pretty cool to think that a part of this quiet neighborhood played a role in such a big movie!
