Highbridge is a residential neighborhood geographically located in the central-west section of the Bronx, New York City. Its boundaries, starting from the north and moving clockwise are the Cross-Bronx Expressway to the north, Jerome Avenue to the east, East 161st Street to the south, and the Harlem River to the west. Ogden Avenue is the primary thoroughfare through Highbridge. ZIP codes include 10452.
Demographics
Based on data from the 2010 United States Census, the population of Highbridge was 37,727, an increase of 3,883 (11.5%) from the 33,844 counted in 2000. Covering an area of 373.14 acres (151.00 ha), the neighborhood had a population density of 101.1 inhabitants per acre (64,700/sq mi; 25,000/km2).
The racial makeup of the neighborhood was 32.9% (12,397) African American, 1.2% (462) White, 0.2% (69) Native American, 0.5% (176) Asian, 0.0% (2) Pacific Islander, 0.3% (103) from other races, and 0.7% (253) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 64.3% (24,265) of the population.
Prior to the 1960s, Highbridge was a predominately Irish American neighborhood. Today the vast majority of residents in the area are of Dominican, Puerto Rican and African American descent. Almost half of the population lives below the federal poverty line.
Land use and terrain
Highbridge is dominated by townhouses and 5 and 6-story apartment buildings. Many older detached mansions still remain on Woodycrest Avenue and Ogden Avenue. The total land area is roughly one square mile. The terrain is elevated and very hilly. Stair streets connect areas located at different elevations.
Landmarks
- The Woodycrest Children's Home on Woodycrest Avenue was built as an orphanage by the American Female Guardian Society and Home for the Friendless to rescue from degradation, physical and moral, the children of want, homelessness and sorrow. This grand Beaux Arts building was designed by William Tuthill, the architect of Carnegie Hall. Opening in 1902, it housed 120 children in five dormitories, and contained a chapel, a kindergarten, a hospital, a dining room and a quarantine ward for new arrivals. The building is now managed by the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center as the Highbridge-Woodycrest center, providing long-term geriatric and AIDS care.
- The "Lighthouse" building at Sedgewick Avenue and University Avenue has housed the H.W. Wilson Company, an educational publisher and index services provider, since 1917. The building's distinctive lighthouse was added in 1929. The company merged with EBSCO Publishing in June 2011.
Parks
- The eponymous High Bridge (New York City) pedestrian bridge terminates in a park in the northwest corner of the neighborhood. The High Bridge connects it to Highbridge Park in Manhattan.
- Merriam Playground
- Macombs Dam Park to the south is built in the footprint of the original Yankee Stadium.
- Mullaly Park bounds the eastern edge of the High Bridge neighborhood.
Community gardens
The neighborhood has dozens of community gardens occupying lots that were left vacant between the 1970s and 1990s, including:
- Las Casitas Community Garden
- Taqwa Community Farm
- Target Bronx Community Garden, renovated by the New York Restoration Project
Public housing projects
There are three NYCHA developments located in Highbridge:
- Highbridge Gardens; six, 13-story buildings.
- Highbridge Rehabs (Nelson Avenue); three, 5 and 6-story rehabilitated tenement buildings.
History
The neighborhood takes its name from the High Bridge built in 1848 by Irish immigrants to carry Croton Aqueduct water across the Harlem River.
In the late 1960s, the residents of Highbridge were predominantly of Irish, Italian and Eastern European Jewish descent. They have since been replaced by large numbers of Hispanics and African Americans.
Notable residents
- DJ Kool Herc (born 1955 as Hip Hop founder father),
- Powerful Pex New York City Breakers (born 1967 as Hip Hop artist),
- A Boogie wit da Hoodie (born 1995 as Artist J. Dubose), rapper and music producer
- Joy Bryant (born 1974), actress and model
- Cardi B (born 1992), rapper
- Carol Lynley (born 1942), actress and model
- Tracy Morgan (born 1968), actor and comedian
- William B. Ogden (1805-1877), railroad magnate and first mayor of Chicago
Education
Public
- PS 11: High Bridge (Merriam and Ogden Avenues)
- PS 73: Joseph Dellacava (West 165th Street and Anderson Avenue)
- PS 114x: Luis Llorens Torres Schools (West 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 128: Rafael Hernandez Dual Language Magnet School (West 167th Street and Gerard Avenue)
- IS 361: The Highbridge Green School (200 W. 167th Street), a 2014-2015 Chancellor's Showcase School
- Bronx School for Law Government and Justice
Parochial
- Sacred Heart School (168th and Nelson Av)
Politics
National
Highbridge is part of New York's 15th congressional district. The district is represented by Democrat José E. Serrano. In area, the 15th Congressional District is the smallest in the United States. Scoring a Cook Partisan Voting Index of D+43 in 2014, the 15th Congressional District is also the most Democratic district in the nation.
State
Highbridge is part of New York State Senate District 29, represented by José M. Serrano.
Highbridge is divided between two districts of the New York State Assembly. The 77th District is represented by Latoya Joyner. The 84th District is represented by Carmen E. Arroyo.
Local
Highbridge is part of New York City Council District 8. As of 2017, it is represented by Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 4.
Services
The area is patrolled by the 44th Precinct located at 2 East 169th Street. NYCHA property in the area is patrolled by P.S.A. 7 at 737 Melrose Avenue in the Melrose section of the Bronx.
Transportation
- Bx11: to Simpson Street station or George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal (via 170th St)
- Bx13: to George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal or Bronx Terminal Market (via Ogden Av)
- Bx35: to Simpson Street station or George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal (via 167th St)
References
External links
- Highbridge in Forgotten NY