Todt Hill

Todt Hill is a 401-foot-tall hill on Staten Island, New York, made from special serpentine rock. It is the highest natural point in all five boroughs of New York City and the highest spot along the Atlantic coastal plain from Florida to Cape Cod.

The top of Todt Hill is mostly covered with woodlands and is part of the Staten Island Greenbelt. However, the areas around it have many homes and buildings. Because of its high price and quiet location, Todt Hill is one of the most expensive and exclusive places to live on Staten Island.

History

The name Todt Hill comes from a German word meaning "death." One reason for this name could be the nearby cemetery called the Moravian Cemetery, which has been used since colonial days. Another idea is that early Dutch settlers named it because the hilltop has rocky areas without trees, due to the special soil of the Staten Island Serpentinite area.

In the early 1900s, many beautiful houses were built there by an architect named Ernest Flagg. Today, a big part of Todt Hill is protected within the Staten Island Greenbelt.

Geography

Todt Hill is often used to talk about the fancy houses along the eastern side of the ridge. Many experts say these are part of the neighborhood called Dongan Hills.

Todt Hill has two small, natural ponds and a Roman Catholic priory near the top. A private school, Staten Island Academy, moved to Todt Hill in the 1960s. There is a golf course next to the Moravian Cemetery, and each has a man-made pond. The rest of the hill is either parkland or private homes. There is no public transportation on Todt Hill, and most streets, including Todt Hill Road, the main street, do not have sidewalks.

The highest point is near where Todt Hill Road meets Merrick Avenue.

Demographics

Todt Hill is part of a bigger neighborhood area called Todt Hill-Emerson Hill-Lighthouse Hill-Manor Heights. According to the 2020 United States Census, this neighborhood had 32,822 people living there.

The neighborhood has many different groups of people. Most people, about 62.8%, are White (Non-Hispanic). There are also many Asian and Hispanic or Latino residents, as well as people from other backgrounds. Some of the largest cultural groups include people who identify as Puerto Rican, German, Irish, Italian, Indian, and Chinese.

Most of the people living here are between 55 and 74 years old. Many households have families, and about one-third of the homes are rented by the people living there.

Notable residents

Todt Hill has been home to many well-known people. Paul Castellano, who led a large group, once lived there in a house that looked like the White House. Another famous person, Drita D’Avanzo from the TV show Mob Wives, grew up in Todt Hill. John Franco, a former baseball player for the New York Mets, lives there now. Some movies were also filmed there, including a famous scene from The Godfather. Frank Matthews, a well-known figure from the 1970s, also lived on Todt Hill.

Transportation

Todt Hill has several bus routes that travel along Richmond Road. These include the S74, S76, S84, and S86 local buses, as well as the SIM15 express bus.