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Highbridge
Neighborhood of the Bronx
Looking north from 161st Street pedestrian overpass at Major Deegan Expressway
Looking north from 161st Street pedestrian overpass at Major Deegan Expressway
Country  United States
State  New York
City New York City
Borough The Bronx
Community District The Bronx 4
Area
 • Total 1.57 km2 (0.605 sq mi)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 37,727
 • Density 24,077/km2 (62,360/sq mi)
Economics
 • Median income $27,041
ZIP Codes
10452
Area code 718, 347, 929, and 917

Highbridge is a lively neighborhood located in the central-west part of the Bronx, New York City. It's known for its hilly streets and historic buildings. The neighborhood gets its name from the famous High Bridge, which connects the Bronx to Manhattan over the Harlem River.

Highbridge is bordered by the Cross-Bronx Expressway to the north, Jerome Avenue to the east, the Macombs Dam Bridge to the south, and the Harlem River to the west. Ogden Avenue is a main street that runs through the area. The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 4 and uses the ZIP Code 10452. You can get around Highbridge using the New York City Subway lines, like the IND Concourse Line (B D trains) and the IRT Jerome Avenue Line (4 train).

A Look Back: Highbridge History

Highbridge has a rich history, starting long before European settlers arrived.

Early Days and the High Bridge

  • Native American Roots: Before European settlers, the southern Bronx was home to the Siwanoy tribe. They called the hill where Highbridge now stands "Nuasin," meaning "the land between." This name came from its location between the Harlem River and an old waterway near modern-day Jerome Avenue.
  • Building the High Bridge: The neighborhood gets its name from the High Bridge, which was built in 1848. Irish immigrants helped construct this important bridge. It was first used to carry water from the Croton Aqueduct across the Harlem River to Manhattan.
  • Bridge Changes: In 1864, a walkway was added to the High Bridge, allowing people to cross it. The bridge stopped carrying water in 1949. It was closed to walkers in the 1970s and fell into disrepair. However, after a big renovation project, the bridge reopened for pedestrians in 2015, connecting the Bronx and Manhattan once again!

From Estates to Urban Homes

  • Suburban Retreat: In the mid-to-late 1800s, Highbridge became a popular spot for wealthy families. They built large homes with great views of the Harlem River.
  • Family Names on Streets: Many streets in Highbridge are named after these early families and their estates. For example, Ogden Avenue and Boscobel Place are named after William B. Ogden. Merriam Avenue is named for Francis W. Merriam. Anderson Avenue and Woodycrest Avenue come from the Anderson family. Shakespeare Avenue is named after a Shakespeare Garden on the Marcher family's land.
  • Growing Neighborhood: Around the early 1900s, many of these large estates were divided into smaller plots for new homes and apartment buildings. Even so, you can still find some older houses from that time.
  • Changing Community: In the late 1960s, many people in Highbridge were of Irish, Italian, and Eastern European Jewish backgrounds. Over time, more people of Hispanic and African American descent moved to the area. Today, the neighborhood is a diverse mix of cultures.

Who Lives in Highbridge?

Highbridge is a diverse and growing community.

Population and Diversity

  • Growing Community: According to the 2010 United States Census, Highbridge had a population of 37,727 people. This was an increase of over 3,800 people since the year 2000, showing that the neighborhood is growing!
  • Diverse Backgrounds: Today, many residents in Highbridge are of Dominican, Puerto Rican, and African American descent. This mix of cultures makes Highbridge a vibrant place to live.

Highbridge's Landscape and Buildings

Highbridge is known for its unique look, with many apartment buildings and hilly streets.

Buildings and Architecture

  • Townhouses and Apartments: Highbridge mostly has townhouses and 5- or 6-story apartment buildings. Many of these buildings, especially the Art Deco ones, were built by a developer named Bernard J. Noonan and architects Horace Ginsberg and Marvin Fine.
  • Older Homes: You can still see some older, detached mansions on streets like Woodycrest Avenue and Ogden Avenue.
  • Hilly Terrain: The neighborhood is very hilly, which adds to its unique character.
  • Stair Streets: Because of the hills, Highbridge has special "stair streets" that connect different parts of the neighborhood at various elevations. One famous stair street between Shakespeare and Anderson Avenues became known as the "Joker Stairs" after the 2019 movie Joker was filmed there, attracting many visitors.

Important Landmarks

  • Woodycrest Children's Home: Located on Woodycrest Avenue, this beautiful building was once an orphanage. It was designed by William Tuthill, who also designed Carnegie Hall. Today, it's a center for long-term care.
  • Park Plaza Apartments: These Art Deco style apartments on Jerome Avenue are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
  • Noonan Plaza Apartments: Another impressive Art Deco building on West 168th Street.
  • Union Reformed Church of Highbridge: This church on Ogden Avenue has a unique Richardsonian Romanesque style and features stained glass windows by Tiffany and Company.
  • Public School 91 (PS 11): This building on Ogden Avenue has a cool Polychrome Gothic style.
  • H.W. Wilson Company "Lighthouse" Building: This distinctive building at Sedgewick and University Avenues has housed an educational publisher since 1917. Its "lighthouse" tower was added in 1929.

Parks and Green Spaces

Highbridge has several parks and community gardens where people can relax and enjoy nature.

  • High Bridge Park: The High Bridge itself ends in a park in the northwest part of the neighborhood. This park connects to Highbridge Park in Manhattan.
  • Merriam Playground: A great spot for kids to play.
  • Macombs Dam Park: Located to the south, this park is built where the original Yankee Stadium used to be.
  • Mullaly Park: This park borders the eastern side of Highbridge.
  • Nelson Playground: Another local playground.
  • Corporal Irwin Fischer Park: A neighborhood park for everyone to enjoy.

Community Gardens

Highbridge is home to many community gardens, which are green spaces created by local residents on empty lots. These gardens add beauty and a sense of community to the neighborhood. Some of them include:

  • Las Casitas Community Garden
  • La Isla Garden
  • Mosaic Success Garden
  • Taqwa Community Farm
  • Target Bronx Community Garden (renovated by the New York Restoration Project)
  • Woodycrest Community Garden

Public Housing

There are also a few public housing developments in Highbridge:

  • Highbridge Gardens: Six tall, 13-story buildings.
  • Highbridge Rehabs (Nelson Avenue): Three buildings that were once tenements and have been renovated.

Learning in Highbridge: Education

Highbridge offers various educational opportunities for its young residents.

Schools in the Neighborhood

Highbridge has several public and parochial schools:

  • Public Schools:
    • PS 11: High Bridge (Merriam and Ogden Avenues)
    • PS 73: Joseph Dellacava (West 165th Street and Anderson Avenue)
    • PS 114x: Luis Llorens Torres Schools (East 166th Street and Cromwell Avenue)
    • PS 126: Dr. Marjorie Dunbar (West 166th Street and University Avenue)
    • PS 199: William Shakespeare (West 172nd Street and Shakespeare Avenue)
    • PS/IS 218: Rafael Hernandez Dual Language Magnet School (East 167th Street and Gerard Avenue)
    • St Josephs of New York
    • IS 361: The Highbridge Green School (200 W. 167th Street)
    • Bronx School for Law Government and Justice
  • Parochial Schools:
    • Sacred Heart School (168th and Nelson Avenue)

Libraries for Learning

The New York Public Library (NYPL) has two branches close to Highbridge, offering books, computers, and programs for all ages:

  • Grand Concourse Branch: Located at 155 East 173rd Street, this two-story library opened in 1959.
  • High Bridge Branch: Found at 78 West 168th Street, this branch opened in the early 1900s and was updated in 2010.

Getting Around Highbridge: Transportation

Highbridge is well-connected by public transportation, making it easy to travel around the Bronx and to other parts of New York City.

Subway Stations

You can catch the subway at these stations in or near Highbridge:

  • 161st Street–Yankee Stadium (4 B and ​D trains)
  • 167th Street (4 train)

Bus Routes

Several MTA Regional Bus Operations bus routes serve Highbridge, helping people get to different parts of the city:

  • Bx11: Travels to Parkchester station (6 <6> trains) or the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal.
  • Bx13: Connects to Bronx Terminal Market, Boricua College, or the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal.
  • Bx18: A loop route that serves the 170th Street station (B and ​D train).
  • Bx35: Goes to Crotona Park East or the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal.

Commuter Rail

The Metro-North Railroad's Hudson Line also serves Highbridge at the Yankees–East 153rd Street station, which is great for longer trips.

Famous People from Highbridge

Many talented individuals have called Highbridge home, including:

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