Todt Hill
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Todt Hill (pronounced Tote Hill) [elevation 410 ft (125 m)] is a hill formed of serpentine rock on Staten Island, New York. It is the highest natural point in the five boroughs of New York City and the highest elevation on the entire Atlantic Coastal Plain from Florida to Cape Cod.,[1] The summit of the ridge is largely covered in woodlands as part of the Staten Island Greenbelt, although much of the surrounding area is developed and residential.[2]
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[edit] Name
The name Todt comes from the German language word for "dead" and refers to the cemetery (the present Moravian Cemetery) on the southwestern foot of the ridge near the town of New Dorp that has been in use since colonial days.
[edit] Geography
The 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 of Dongan Hills.
Two small, natural ponds are found on Todt Hill, and a Roman Catholic priory is 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 neighborhoods main thoroughfare, lack sidewalks.
[edit] Demographics
Todt Hill consists of the two census tracts 177 and 181 (though census tract 177 incorporates part of Emerson Hill). According to the 2010 census (http://projects.nytimes.com/census/2010/map?hp), the demographics of Todt Hill were 80% Nonhispanic 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.
[edit] Notable residents
Residents on Todt Hill are among the wealthiest on Staten Island and even in New York.
- The late Gambino crime family boss Paul Castellano lived there, in a house noted for its intended resemblance to the White House. His family lived on Todt Hill as well, but moved in 2005.
- Mob Wives reality television star, Drita D’avanzo, grew up in the Todt Hill Houses.[3]
- Former New York Mets relief pitcher John Franco currently lives on the hill.
[edit] References
- ^ Sanderson, Eric (2009). Mannahatta A Natural History of New York City. Harry N. Abrams. pp. 83–84.
- ^ www.library.csi.cuny.edu
- ^ Andrea Boyarsky (April 8, 2011). "New television show 'Mob Wives' follows four Staten Island women and their lifestyles". SILive.com. Staten Island Advance. http://www.silive.com/entertainment/tvfilm/index.ssf/2011/04/new_television_show_mob_wives.html. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
Coordinates: 40°36′08″N 74°06′44″W / 40.60222°N 74.11222°W
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