City Island, Bronx

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City Island is a small island approximately 1.5 mi (2.4 km) long by 0.5 mi (1 km) wide. It is part of the New York City borough of the Bronx. As of the 2000 census the island had a population of 4,520.[1] Its land area is 1.023 km² (0.395 sq mi, or 252.835 acres). City Island is located at the extreme western end of Long Island Sound, south of Pelham Bay and east of Eastchester Bay. The body of water between City Island and the even smaller (and uninhabited) Hart Island to the east is known as City Island Harbor. The small island adjacent to the northeast is High Island. Stepping Stones Lighthouse, marking the main shipping channel into New York, is off the southern tip of the island, near the Long Island shore.

Geology

City Island was created by glacial deposits at the end of the last ice age. There is a layer of bedrock and then a thick layer of red clay topped with sand, with topsoil above that. The southern end has deposits of rare blue clay. The area is strewn with glacial erratic boulders. Local bedrock is Manhattan schist with glacial striations. *Bronx Bedrock Map

Indigenous wildlife

City Island is an urbanized area, with a suburban feel. The forms of animal life on the island are typical of such an environment: raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, occasional deer and skunk, as well as a large population of stray cats. Coyotes have also been sighted.

The real diversity of wildlife on and around City Island are birds, especially aquatic species. There are many varieties of duck; buffleheads, goldeneyes, mallards, and cormorants. Canada geese are common, as are mute swans, great blue herons, great white egrets, and several types of gull. A small protected wetlands area on west Ditmars Street is home to many of these species. Of course, no list of urban wildlife would be complete without New York's ubiquitous feral pigeon.

Surprisingly, bright green parrots (monk parakeets), originally imported from South America as pets, have adapted to the climate and breed in the wild in New York. They are a common sight on City Island and in nearby Pelham Bay Park. Flocks of wild turkeys are also often seen in the park. A herd of five or more deer live in Pelham Bay Park but one deer made a couple of short visits to City Island by crossing the bridge.

Another surprising resident of the island is the brown or dekay's snake. This small serpent has adapted superbly to live amongst the island's growing community. Natives often tell stories of encounters with this snake while gardening. The island is home to many, and a quick search around vacant lots and parks can yield dozens. They are often found in basements and garages while hibernating for the winter.

The New York State Department of Health has declared that the eating of all shellfish from the waters of City Island forbidden due to pollution (including PCBs and dioxin) and diseases. Thus all seafood sold at City Island restaurants must by law come from elsewhere.

History

Originally inhabited by the Siwanoy band of Lenape Indians, City Island was later settled by Europeans as part of property and estate bought by English nobleman, Thomas Pell, in 1654. Prior to that, English settlers led by Anne Hutchinson (seeking religious freedom) settled in an area nearby on the river (now known as the Hutchinson River) in 1642.

After changing hands several times, in 1761 the Island (at that time known as Minefer's Island), was bought by Benjamin Palmer of New York. Up to this point the island had been inhabited by only a few homes and farms. It had a population of about 1000 people, who tended farms and livestock. Palmer had the vision of developing the island into a port, which could rival that of New York. He knew that ships heading north and south passed City Island using Long Island Sound as a safe inshore waterway. He envisioned shipyards, and stores that could cater to the ships. He went as far as to have the island mapped out in different plots designated as shipyards, docks, business, farms, homes, schools, and houses of worship, along with streets, paths, and access routes. Benjamin Palmer appealed to the British Crown and received a patent that covered the ownership of waterfront properties 400' out from the high tide mark under water, around the perimeter of the Island. This patent, known as the "Palmer Grant" is unique to City Island; it has been contested in courts since, but has always held up.

Palmer is also responsible for changing the name from Minefer's Island to City Island in anticipation of things to come. However, Palmer's vision never fully materialized as the timing just before the American Revolution halted all progress, and the war depleted the capital of Palmer and his investors. It would be another sixty years before the island again started to be developed when oystermen, Hell-Gate pilots, and eventually shipbuilders arrived and introduced these industries.

The history of the island has been chronicled in Tales Of The Clamdiggers by Alice Payne (ISBN 0-9747823-1-9) and City Island and Orchard Beach (Images Of America) by Catherine A Scott (ISBN 0-7385-3546-X)

Description

The island has the look and feel of a small New England fishing village, with no spot more than a few minutes walking distance to the water. Most businesses are clustered along centrally-located City Island Avenue. There are two small supermarkets, a gas station, a pharmacy, and a bank, and a variety of other small shops. The island is most famous for its numerous seafood restaurants and antique stores which line both sides of the avenue.

Government services include the City Island Station post office (10464) and a FDNY firehouse (Engine 70, Ladder 53). The New York City Police Department presence (mostly traffic control on summer weekends) is provided by the 45th Precinct, located in the mainland Bronx. The City Island Branch is possibly the smallest of the New York Public Library system, even after the recent expansion which doubled the size of the building.

Houses of worship are Saint Mary Star of the Sea Holy Roman Catholic Church, Trinity United Methodist Church, Grace Episcopal Church, and Temple Beth El.

A local paper, The Island Current is printed 10 times a year, and chronicles mostly community issues and local news.

Education

City Island is within the New York City Department of Education

P.S. 175 City Island School, located on City Island Avenue, serves grades K-8 for the island.

There is no high school zoning on this island, as all New York City high schoolers must apply to schools; nearby high schools include Christopher Columbus High School on Astor Avenue, Harry S. Truman High School on Baychester Avenue and its small satellite high schools.

The School of Mary Star of the Sea is a Catholic grade school on City Island.

Bridges and transportation

Starting in 1760, a small ferry powered by a rope between Rodman's Neck and City Island was used to transport people and supplies between the mainland and City Island. It was not until 1873 that a bridge was built by a syndicate of City Island businessman including G.W. Horton, Ben Hedgeman, and David Carll. Then, in 1901, City Island became connected to the mainland by a new, steel three-lane City Island Bridge. There is another small, private bridge on the northeastern end of City Island which connects it to High Island, site of the radio transmitter for New York AM stations WFAN (660) and WCBS (880); a security gate prevents access to High Island.

Bus transportation consists of the Bx29 local bus to Bay Plaza via the Pelham Bay Park subway station and the BxM7B express bus to Manhattan, both run by the MTA. There is also the City Island Seaside Trolley run by the Bronx Tourism Council. Although the island was not displayed on previous prints of the Bronx Subway Map, it's clearly placed on recent prints of the Subway Map.[2]

A ferry dock at the end of the east side of Fordham Street is operated by the New York City Department of Correction. The ferry is used to transport prisoners (and the deceased) to Hart Island, and is not open to the public.

Local businesses and attractions

The island is famous for its restaurants, with seafood dining, especially lobster, being a common specialty. Over 30 eating establishments compete for business, ranging from fast food (Johnny's Reef) to The Lobster Box to a French bed & breakfast and a popular spot, The Black Whale, famous for its desserts. The 'Snug' is a popular local Irish pub. While a few of the restaurants close during the winter months, most are open year round.

Local shops include Focal Point Gallery a gallery of photography, Starving Artist Cafe & Gallery featuring musical talents, Exotiqa International Arts featuring art objects, gift items and jewelry from around the world, Early Ruth's Antiques, Midtown Antiques, My Dolls And Things, and many more.

The City Island Nautical Museum displays maritime artifacts and antiques. It is located at 190 Fordham Street and is open only on Sunday afternoons (other times by appointment). Admission is free, and there is a small gift shop.

The Island has several landmarks like Samuel Pell Mansion on City Island Avenue near St. Mary Star of the Sea Church. It was where Arsenic and Old Lace starring Fred Gwynne was filmed for TV; there are a number of old Victorian mansions throughout City Island, mostly on the Sound side, complete with tall pointy spires and gables with gazebos, such as Delmours Point on Tier Street.

Boating

City Island as seen from Orchard Beach in the winter of 2007.

The island has four yacht clubs, all situated on the Eastchester Bay side of the island. They are, from north to south, the Harlem Yacht Club, Stuyvesant Yacht Club, City Island Yacht Club, and Morris Yacht and Beach Club. The Touring Kayak Club is on the west side of the island. There are two active sail lofts (Ulmer-Kolius and Doyle). The island also has several commercial marinas. The island has what are called "special anchorages" where boats of all sizes are freely moored or anchored, and there are many docks with boat slips for mooring boats in a secure and restricted way. There are also many large piers around the island that can receive large ships.

In the novel Bluebeard, by Kurt Vonnegut, the character Dan Gregory states that his 80-foot yacht, the Ararat, was dry-docked on City Island.

Many of the boats which competed and won in the America's Cup in years past were built in The Minneford Boat Yard on City Island. The Eastchester Bay Yacht Racing Association is the major organizer for sailboat races in the area.

A small fleet of head boats (The Island Current, the RipTide III, and the North Star III) take paying passengers on fishing trips to Long Island Sound. One can also rent smaller boats by the day. The sail and power boating industry has been declining in recent years as boatyards are being sold and being turned into condominiums.

In March, 2006, a fire destroyed the Morris Yacht Club mansion house, a historical building of the Bronx.

Community issues

  • As of July 2007, half the island's water mains and sewer mains have to been dug up and replaced, due to old age. This project has been partially completed, many pipes must still be moved first. All of City Island Avenue is to be repaved. A movement now exists in the community to have all electric power, cable TV, and telephone wires put underground, because the utility poles are overwired and unsightly, and can fall over, interrupting service, in high winds or heavy rain conditions. Many of the poles are leaning heavily; some have already fallen over. Con Edison is resisting this improvement, saying it is too expensive and underground flooding may short out service.
  • Many of the dead-end side streets terminate in small beaches, and many of these have locked gates, limiting access only to local residents or members of small beach clubs and block associations. The ownership of these beaches is unclear, and many people believe that the locked gates are illegal.
  • High Island is the site of two large radio towers, used by WCBS AM and WFAN. The proximity of the transmitters cause radio interference problems with telephones and electronic equipment. There is also concern about the health effects of the high-power transmissions.
  • Concerns have also been raised for years about toxins coming off of the landfill that adjoins City Island.
  • There is now a movement on the island to preserve the City Island Marsh and the remains of the City Island Freshwater Creek on west Ditmars Street. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation has granted a permit allowing the marsh owner to build five two-family houses in the adjacent wetlands over objections of local residents.

"Cinema Island"

City Island has earned the nickname "Cinema Island" for the numerous films, television shows, and commercials that have been shot there. Films include BUtterfield 8 [2] starring Elizabeth Taylor, Long Day's Journey Into Night [3] (Katharine Hepburn), Awakenings [4] (Robert De Niro and Robin Williams), Love Is All There Is [5] (Lainie Kazan and Angelina Jolie), and A Bronx Tale [6] (Robert De Niro and Chazz Palminteri), which featured the City Island Bridge and one scene which was filmed in the parking lot of Johnny's Reef Restaurant, which is located at 2 City Island Avenue, at the southernmost tip of the island. Michael Douglas filmed Don't Say a Word at the Hart Island Ferry and Hart Island. City Island was also the setting for the 2006 film The Groomsmen which was directed by Edward Burns; filming took place at many locations on City Island. [7]

A very early film shot in a City Island studio was Richard III, made in 1912.[8]

Television series that were filmed on the island include the classic Coronet Blue,[citation needed] Naked City,[citation needed] Car 54, Where Are You? [9] and, more recently, an episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent called "Sound Bodies" which was based on a real-life story of several local teenagers who drowned in Long Island Sound near City Island.

Since 2002, the film production company Harrington Talents has had its offices and studio located on City Island. Notable celebrities who have worked on their productions include rapper/actor Ice-T, professional wrestler Bruno Sammartino and the rock band Letterkills.

Notable residents

Notable residents of the island include actor Vincent Pastore of the TV series The Sopranos and Adolfo Carrión Jr., Bronx Borough President.

Former residents include Oliver Sacks who wrote the book Awakenings, which was filmed at a house similar to his own but on a different street on the island. The first cowboy actor, Harry Carey, was born and raised on City Island and got his first roles in silent films set in Pelham Bay Park as he rode horses owned by his father, who used them to operate the local streetcar line. Early silent American actor Bruce McRae also lived on the island until his death in 1927.

See also

References

  1. ^ [1], United States Census Bureau
  2. ^ BUtterfield 8 filming locations
  3. ^ Long Day's Journey Into Night filming locations
  4. ^ Awakenings filming locations
  5. ^ Love Is All There Is filming locations
  6. ^ A Bronx Tale filming locations
  7. ^ The Groomsmen filming locations
  8. ^ Richard III filming location
  9. ^ Car 54, Where Are You? (tv show) filming locations

External links

Maps and charts

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Americana

Literature

  • City Island & Orchard Beach (ISBN 0-7385-3546-X)
  • The Other Islands Of New York City (ISBN 0-88150-502-1)
  • East Bronx, East Of The Bronx River (ISBN 0-7385-0301-0)
  • Tales of the Clamdiggers (ISBN 0-9747823-1-9)
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