Harbor Hill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harbor Hill |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 348 ft (106 m) |
| Prominence | 348.0 ft (106.1 m) |
| Listing | New York County High Points 58th |
| Geography | |
 Harbor Hill
Location in New York
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| Location | Roslyn, New York, United States |
| Topo map | USGS Sea Cliff |
Harbor Hill is the highest point in Nassau County, New York. It stands 348 feet (about 106 meters) tall. This spot was once home to a huge mansion also called Harbor Hill. The mansion was built between 1899 and 1902. It was located in Roslyn, New York, on Long Island. A wealthy man named Clarence Mackay had it built. The famous architects McKim, Mead & White designed the mansion. Stanford White oversaw the entire project. It was the biggest house he ever designed.
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The Grand Mansion of Harbor Hill
Clarence Mackay (1874–1938) was a very rich man. He was the son of John William Mackay, who made a fortune from mining. When his father passed away in 1902, Clarence inherited a huge amount of money.
The main architect, Stanford White, worked closely with Clarence's wife, Katharine Duer Mackay. Together, they decided on the mansion's look. They based the front of Harbor Hill on a famous French castle. This castle was the Château de Maisons, built in 1642. They also added other design ideas to make the mansion unique.
Building a Dream Home
Building Harbor Hill was very expensive. It was filled with fancy decorations and furniture. Several different design companies helped furnish the house. The estate originally covered 688 acres (about 2.78 square kilometers). From the mansion, you could see beautiful views across Roslyn Harbor to Long Island Sound. Famous landscape architect Guy Lowell designed the formal terraces and gardens.
Famous Guests at Harbor Hill
The mansion was a popular place for big parties. In 1924, a grand party was held for the Prince of Wales. He later became King Edward VIII of England.
Another famous guest was Charles Lindbergh. On June 13, 1927, he was honored at a banquet and dance. This party happened the night after his big parade in New York City. Lindbergh was joined by his mother and the Mayor of New York.
What Happened to the Mansion?
The Harbor Hill mansion was taken down in 1947. It was destroyed using dynamite. After the mansion was gone, a beautiful fountain was moved. This fountain had four statues of horses. It was designed by Henri-Léon Gréber. Today, you can see this fountain in Kansas City, Missouri. It is on public display next to the Country Club Plaza.
Harbor Hill: The Highest Point
Harbor Hill is the highest point in Nassau County, New York. It stands 348 feet tall. For a long time, people debated which was higher. Some thought Harbor Hill was the highest point on Long Island. Others thought it was Jayne's Hill, which is 401 feet tall. Jayne's Hill is located further east.
Remaining Parts of the Estate
Most of the original Harbor Hill estate is now covered by houses. A modern neighborhood was built where the mansion once stood. However, some buildings from the estate still exist.
In 1991, three of these buildings were recognized as important. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places. These buildings are the Mackay Estate Dairyman's Cottage, the Mackay Estate Gate Lodge, and the Mackay Estate Water Tower.
Images for kids
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Mackay Estate Gate Lodge
