Richmond Hill
Well as any girl growing up in any town I was never interested in my neighborhoods history. Until I decided to find out a little bit more about this place I've grown to love so much. We all go through a period in our life when we wonder how a certain place, or in my case, town, came to be. This period in my life occurred when I was at Smokey Oval Park, and suddenly an idea came to me.... it was just a simple thought of how had Richmond Hill got it's name.
After some research I had learned that the formation of Richmond Hill came about as a result of the 1869 purchase of the Lefferts and Welling farms by one Albon Platt Man, a prominent New York attorney.
After some research I had learned that the formation of Richmond Hill came about as a result of the 1869 purchase of the Lefferts and Welling farms by one Albon Platt Man, a prominent New York attorney.
The town name 'Richmond Hill' is either from a town in England or it might be inspired by an architect of the time named Edward Richmond. Incidentally, Richmond Hill was the name given to the 138 foot hill which stands north of Metropolitan Ave. on 116th Street where a water tank now stands. It was part of the terminal morain, a huge mass of dirt and boulders pushed up by the last glacier, which covered four million square miles of North America and finally terminated on the middle of Long Island about 10,000 years ago.
The town's first dwelling, said to have been the Kessler house erected in 1869, was quickly joined by homes on Myrtle and Central Avenues (now 85th Ave.), Elm St. (now 114th St.) and Oak Street (now 115th St.) A few of these houses can still be seen today; most have been remodeled, but they retain several distinguishing characteristics such as mansard roofs and wraparound porches belonging in that style known as Queen Anne Victorian.
Title.
1864 The Triangle Hofbrau- This restaurant was at one time the oldest running restaurant in Queens (1893-1999). This building originally housed the Post Office and was also a hotel named Doyle's Hotel. The first eatery opened its doors in 1893 under the name Wheelman's Restaurant. It was later named The Triangle Hofbrau and was said to have been the favorite eating spot of such celebrities as Babe Ruth, Mae West, Lefty Gomez, Robert Wagner Sr., Earl Sande and Ernest Ball. Recently the Hofbrau had changed owners and was called Little Europe Restaurant, reflecting the change to a recent Russian immigration influx to Richmond Hill. Unfortunately, the restaurant falling under hard times sold the property to a medical facilty which promises not to alter the building structure.
Richmond Hill's rich history is definitely something I am proud of. I wanted to know the views of someone else about my neighborhood. So I asked a local resident that has been here over 30 years for some of her opinions.
Interview with a resident from Richmond Hill
Me: Hello Mrs. Seepersaud, can you tell me please how was it for you moving here? And why did you choose Richmond Hill over every other neighborhood?
Mrs. Seepersaud: Well I originally came here from Trinidad. My family and I decided to move here because we had thought that there were going to be more opportunities available for us here. The crime rates were increasing in Trinidad, and we didn’t feel safe anymore. Also, some of our family was here in America. Once we got here, we moved in with my sister, Indrani Seepersaud, until we were settled. Indrani lived in Richmond Hill. I soon found a job as a home attendant, and I had to go to south Richmond hill to work. While going there everyday, I couldn’t help but notice the beautiful houses that were built in the area. Afterward I was determined to buy a house there. Moving here was a little tough, with all the packing and the usual things. But everyone was so friendly and helpful when it came to me finding places to eat, or nice spots for the family. It was also very safe and the schools were nearby, no more than a drive away.
Mrs. Seepersaud: Well I originally came here from Trinidad. My family and I decided to move here because we had thought that there were going to be more opportunities available for us here. The crime rates were increasing in Trinidad, and we didn’t feel safe anymore. Also, some of our family was here in America. Once we got here, we moved in with my sister, Indrani Seepersaud, until we were settled. Indrani lived in Richmond Hill. I soon found a job as a home attendant, and I had to go to south Richmond hill to work. While going there everyday, I couldn’t help but notice the beautiful houses that were built in the area. Afterward I was determined to buy a house there. Moving here was a little tough, with all the packing and the usual things. But everyone was so friendly and helpful when it came to me finding places to eat, or nice spots for the family. It was also very safe and the schools were nearby, no more than a drive away.
