Riverdale, Bronx

Riverdale (population 47,850, according to the 2000 U.S. Census) is a residential neighborhood in the northwest portion of the Bronx in New York City. Riverdale contains the northernmost point in New York City.

Riverdale's ZIP codes are 10463 and 10471. While 10471 is entirely in Riverdale, 10463 also covers the adjacent neighborhoods of Kingsbridge and Marble Hill.

History
Riverdale was a nineteenth century estate district where many of Manhattan's nineteenth century moguls built their country estates. At the turn of the century, the new popularity of rail commuting meant that wealthy businessmen made Riverdale their year-round residence. The Fieldston neighborhood, because it is owned by a private association, is a particularly intact example of a turn-of-the century upper class suburb. The Hudson Hill neighborhood retains many of its historic mansions. Riverdale's elite private schools and historic churches also reflect this past.

As the twentieth century progressed, apartment buildings and smaller houses were added to the neighborhood, although Riverdale continues to maintain its character as a relatively affluent enclave in the city of New York.

Celebrated orchestra conductor Arturo Toscanini made his permanent U.S. residence in Riverdale, after being forced to flee Italy because of Mussolini's hatred of him.

The rich history of Riverdale has led to the creation of the Riverdale Historic District. The exact area is bound roughly by 252nd and 254th Streets and Palisade and Independence Avenues. Leland Weintraub, the commissioner who moved for the district's creation, noted that "most of the features commonly associated with the American romantic suburb of the mid-19th century," including "a picturesque site, landscaping and architecture; connection to the city by accessible transportation and a layout adapted to the topography" are present in the area.

In May 2009, the FBI ran a sting operation to prevent a bombing plot in which two Riverdale synagogues were the suggested targets. This followed the 1989 firebombing of the Riverdale Press.

On July 26, 2010, the National Weather Service confirmed that an EF1 tornado hit Riverdale the day before. There were no fatalities, but 7 people were injured.

Cityscape
Housing in Riverdale ranges from multi-story apartment buildings dating from the 1950s and 60s, such as The Century Building, 3333 Henry Hudson Parkway, and 555 Kappock Street to large, architecturally distinguished houses built in the early 20th century, mostly in Georgian- and Tudor-revival styles. It is also home to the modernist landmark Saul Victor house, designed by Ferdinand Gottlieb in 1967. Other famous mansions in the Hudson Hill neighborhood include: Greyston (1864), Alderbrook (1880), Stonehurst (1861) and Oaklawn (1863). Since 2005, Central Riverdale has experienced a building boom with the addition of many mid- and high-rise condominium buildings.

In August 2008, Columbia University purchased an almost-completed apartment building by Henry Hudson Parkway for use as faculty housing.

Riverdale is in a sense the closest northern suburb of New York City although it is not its own municipality. Administratively, Riverdale is part of Community Board 8. Wave Hill, a combination botanical garden and outdoor art gallery, is located in the so-called Estate Area overlooking the Hudson River.

Two weekly newspapers, the Riverdale Press and the Riverdale Review, focus on news of interest to residents of the neighborhood.

Gaelic Park, the headquarters of the New York GAA, is where Gaelic football and hurling are played in the New York metropolitan area. It is located at West 240th Street.

Education
Riverdale is home to three prominent private schools (Horace Mann, Riverdale Country, and Fieldston), and two Roman Catholic colleges, (The College of Mount Saint Vincent and Manhattan College) and The Academy for Jewish Religion is one of two similarly-named transdenominational rabbinical schools, the other located in Los Angeles, California.

The public elementary schools are the Spuyten Duyvil School (P.S. 24) and the Robert J. Christen School (P.S. 81). The public middle school and high school is M.S./H.S 141, the Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy. Nearby high schools that also serve the community include the Bronx High School of Science and John F. Kennedy High School.

Two important institutions of higher education are located in Riverdale. Manhattan College a co-educational Catholic College with education in the Lasalian tradition and the College of Mount Saint Vincent's in North Riverdale.

The late twentieth century increase in the Jewish population of the neighborhood has meant that Riverdale is now home to top-ranked Jewish day schools, the SAR Academy, a elementary school, and the SAR High School,  as well as the Yeshiva of Telshe Alumni and Yeshiva Ohavei Torah of Riverdale. Kinneret Day School is a private Jewish day school in Spuyten Duyvil, serving grades K through 8 in addition to pre-school. Catholic elementary schools in the area are St. Gabriel's School and St. Margaret of Cortona School.

Also in the area are several pre-schools including the Riverdale Temple Nursery School, Spuyten Duyvil Preschool, Kinneret Day School, SAR Academy (Early Learning Center) Riverdale Nursery School and Family Center, and the Riverdale Presbyterian Church Nursery School.

Museums

 * The Derfner Judaica Museum is a museum of Jewish art.
 * Wave Hill is a botanical garden featuring two preserved historic mansions. It has exhibit spaces with a rotating series of art exhibitions, and performance spaces with a noted series of concerts.

Demographics
As of the 2000 census, there were 47,850 people residing in Riverdale. The population density was 19,997 per square mile (7,724/km²). The racial makeup of the neighborhood was 78.74% White (71.89% White Non-Hispanic), 5.36% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 7.66% Black, 0.16% Native American, 4.85% from other races, and 3.18% from two or more races. Of those, 13.38% of the population were Hispanic of any race. Fully 24.15% of the population was foreign born; of this, 51.76% came from Europe, 22.92% from Latin America, 21.71% from Asia and 3.61% from other parts of the world.

In 1974, a large residential compound and school was established in North Riverdale by the Permanent Mission of the USSR to the United Nations (now the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the UN) to house diplomats and their families. The 20-story building was constructed from the top down, with the upper floors built first.

Riverdale is a somewhat eclectic neighborhood. Much of its area, particularly along the Hudson west of Riverdale Avenue and north of 239th Street, consists of low density estates; these areas are generally considered upper-class. However, the bulk of the population lives in middle-class high-density subsections such as Spuyten Duyvil.

Geography
Riverdale is about three square miles in area. It is bordered on the north by the city of Yonkers, Westchester County, New York; to the east by Van Cortlandt Park and the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx; to the west by the Hudson River; and to the south by the Harlem River.

The subsections of Riverdale are:
 * Spuyten Duyvil / South Riverdale (Riverdale below West 232nd Street)
 * Central Riverdale (The "downtown" of Riverdale - from Manhattan College Parkway to West 232nd Street and from the Henry Hudson Parkway to Riverdale Avenue and Waldo Avenue)
 * Fieldston (Riverdale south and east of the Henry Hudson Parkway, north of Manhattan College Parkway and west of Tibbett Avenue)
 * North Riverdale (Riverdale above West 254th Street)

The leafy, scenic enclave of Fieldston, a private community, was designated as an historic district by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in 2006.

Fire department
The Riverdale section of the Bronx is protected by the FDNY Fire Station # 52 or Engine 52/Ladder 52, located at 4550 Henry Hudson Parkway East in Central Riverdale. Engine 52/Ladder 52 is the only firehouse in the Riverdale Section and the most northern fire station in the FDNY. Also, the companies of Engine and Ladder 52 are the second of two fire companies where the engine company and the ladder company each have the same number, the other being Engine and Ladder 10 on Liberty Street in Lower Manhattan. Engine Company 52 currently operates a 2003 Seagrave Commander II Custom 1000/500 Pumper Engine and Ladder Company 52 currently operates a 2006 Seagrave Commander II Custom 100' Rear-Mount Aerial Ladder Truck. Both companies use Seagrave Fire Apparatus, the main manufacturer of fire apparatus for the FDNY.

Churches and synagogues

 * Chabad Lubavitch of Riverdale
 * Church of the Visitation
 * Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale
 * Hebrew Institute of Riverdale
 * Congregation Tehillah
 * Riverdale Jewish Center
 * Young Israel of Riverdale (Fieldston)
 * Young Israel Ohab Tzedek (North Riverdale)
 * Riverdale Temple
 * Riverdale Presbyterian Church
 * St. Gabriel's Roman Catholic Church
 * Christ Church Riverdale (Episcopal)
 * Saint Margaret of Cortona

2009 Riverdale Bombing Plot

 * Main Article 2009 New York terrorism plot

In May 2009, two local synagogues were threatened, but no actual damage was done since the bombs turned out to be blanks

Community organizations

 * Bronx Community Board 8 : A group of community members working under the mandate of the City Charter to monitor the delivery of city services, establish budget priorities, and influence land-use decisions.
 * Riverdale Hatzalah Volunteer Ambulance Corp. : A local Volunteer EMS Corp., supported by community donations, that offers fast, reliable medical treatment and transport free of charge.
 * Riverdale YM-YWHA : A community center for youth, adult and senior activities.

Arts & Culture

 * Elisa Contemporary Art: Representing world-class artists from emerging through late career. Art consulting services - helping you find art you love to live with.
 * Derfner Museum: The Derfner Judaica Museum maintains a collection of approximately 1,400 objects used in traditional Jewish ceremonies and rituals as well as Jewish Art.

Kids' After-School Activities

 * Music Together North Riverdale YM-YWHA; Riverdale Jewish Center (RJC); The Atria; Riverdale Neighborhood House: music classes for babies/toddlers/preschoolers
 * ---Central Riverdale---
 * Riverdale Kenshikai Karate, 3607 Fieldston Road: karate
 * Sophia's Fitness & Dance Studio, 3501 Riverdale: dance classes
 * Astral Fitness: Tae kwon do.
 * NY Public Library: books, videos
 * The Spa at The Whitehall: swimming
 * Gymboree at the Whitehall: kids gymnastics, 718 796 2100
 * Michele Compa Dance & Exercise Center, 3590 Netherland Avenue: dance and gymnastics
 * Michele Compa Dance & Exercise Center, 3590 Netherland Avenue: dance and gymnastics


 * ---South Riverdale---
 * Aquabilities With Jennifer: Located in The Whitehall Building, Year-round Swimming Lessons, Swim Team, Aquatic Therapy
 * TCR-The Club of Riverdale: tennis, swimming, basketball, indoor gym sports


 *  ---North Riverdale---
 * Riverdale YM-YWHA: wide array of activities. Riverdale Y has an official afterschool program with bus transportation from all the schools in Riverdale.
 * Wave Hill: tours, art classes, beautiful garden
 * Elisa Contemporary Art: Representing world-class artists from emerging through late career. Art consulting services - helping you find art you love to live with.

Literature and movies
The exteriors of many of Riverdale's locations have been used in movies.

Elia Kazan's 1961 classic "Splendor in the Grass" starring Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty included several scenes shot at the elite Horace Mann School

In 1938's "Bringing Up Baby", Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant's characters visit a Riverdale estate owned by the fictional "Peabody" family

In 2005's "Good Night, and Good Luck", George Clooney's character Fred Friendly states that he is relocating to a nice house in Riverdale

In J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye", Holden Caulfied takes the IRT Broadway – Seventh Avenue Line subway to the 242nd St./Van Cortlandt Park stop in Riverdale

Archie Andrews and his friends live in Riverdale. Its exact geographical location is not mentioned, although it is a coastal city and receives snowfall in the winter.

In the film, 25th Hour, when Monty asks Naturelle whether or not she is on a scholarship, she replies, "What, I can't be from Riverdale?"

Dorney and Malone's Tavern on Broadway was filmed in the 2007 romantic comedy The Accidental Husband, starring Uma Thurman. In one scene in Mean Streets, two teenagers from Riverdale are swindled when they attempt to purchase illegal firecrackers.

Frank Sinatra shot a few scenes of his movie "Contract on Cherry Street" on Fairfield Ave. in the late 70s.

"Law and Order" regularly shoots throughout Riverdale

In Scorsese's classic 1973 film "Mean Streets", characters Tony & Michael scam $20 off some kids from Riverdale who are trying to buy fireworks.

Transportation
The northern terminal station of the IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line of the New York City Subway is located at the intersection of 242nd Street and Broadway. The tracks and stations are elevated along Broadway in Kingsbridge. Riverdale is accessible from Kingsbridge and from Inwood by city bus lines that run throughout the Riverdale area. Metro-North commuter railroad service is available at the Spuyten Duyvil station, located underneath the Henry Hudson Parkway and alongside the shore of the Harlem River at Edsall Avenue. Metro-North service is also available at the Riverdale station, located between West 254th Street and West 255th Street. The 242nd Street elevated subway station is served by the, while the Spuyten Duyvil and Riverdale railroad stations are served by the Hudson Line. Metro-North commuting time from the Spuyten Duyvil station to Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Manhattan is around 22 minutes.

Manhattan can also be reached by MTA Bus Company's (formerly Liberty Lines) express routes. By car, Riverdale is commonly reached by the Henry Hudson Parkway (Route 9A), which bisects much of the neighborhood. This major thoroughfare connects it to Manhattan over the Henry Hudson Bridge to the south. One can also drive between Manhattan and Riverdale via the Broadway Bridge, which is on Broadway, by the Harlem River.

Notable natives and residents

 * Robert Alfano (1941) physicist, inventor, discovered supercontinuum
 * Sean Altman (1961) musician, songwriter and founder of Rockapella.
 * William Henry Appleton (1814–1899), publisher, lived at Wave Hill.
 * Hannelore Baron (1926–1987), collage and assemblage artist.
 * Ray Barretto, bandleader and conga player, the "godfather of Latin jazz," lived at 2390 Palisades Ave.
 * Béla Bartók (1881–1945), composer and pianist, lived at 3242 Cambridge Avenue.
 * Justin Fornal, film director.
 * Rudolf Bing (1902–1997), former General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera. lived at the Hebrew Home for the Aged from 1989 until his death.
 * Jonathan Brewster Bingham (1914–1986), member of the House of Representatives for Riverdale and other sections of the Bronx from 1965 to 1983, for whom a segment of Independence Avenue north of 5000 Independence Avenue, his home with June Rossbach Bingham (later June Bingham Birge,) has been named.
 * Brian Curtin Patterson, (born 1977) entrepreneur and founder of Java Ads, lives at Fieldston Plaza
 * June Bingham Birge (1919–2007), author and playwright.
 * Ron Blomberg (born 1948), first DH in baseball history, former NY Yankee, lived at the Whitehall (3333 Henry Hudson Parkway).
 * [Ted Brown (radio)|Ted Brown] (1924–2005), charismatic radio personality, worked at several stations in New York City including WMGM, WNEW and WNBC.
 * Chris Chambliss (born 1948), former Yankee first baseman and hitting coach.
 * Yvonne De Carlo (1922–2007), movie and television actress, lived at the Whitehall.
 * Joey Donovan, (1967-, birth name Joey Reynolds), founder and president of Ad Astra Radio; nationally broadcast radio talk show host, lived at 2800-2810 Bailey Avenue from 1967-75.
 * Bill Evans, jazz pianist, played with Miles Davis and led a famous trio with Scott LaFaro (bass) and Paul Motian (drums).
 * Seth Farber, rabbi and historian.
 * Fernando Ferrer (born 1950), former Bronx Borough President.
 * Ella Fitzgerald (1917–1996), jazz singer, lived at the Colored Orphan Asylum in Riverdale.
 * Julio Franco (born 1958), former New York Mets first basemen, lived in the Century.
 * Sidney Frey (1920–1968), Audio Fidelity Records, producer of the first stereo record, lived at Highpoint.
 * Fred W. Friendly (1915–1998), former president of CBS News, lived at 4614 Fieldston Road.
 * Lou Gehrig (1903–1941), New York Yankees baseball star, lived at 5204 Delafield Avenue.
 * Jordan Gelber, actor who inaugurated the role of "Brian" in the Broadway production of Avenue Q.
 * Blu Greenberg (born 1936), writer specializing in Modern Orthodox Judaism and women's issues.
 * Irving Greenberg (born 1933), Modern Orthodox rabbi Jewish-American scholar and author.
 * Desmond Harrington (born 1976), actor.
 * Nat Holman (1896–1995), innovative basketball player and CCNY coach; lived at the Hebrew Home for the Aged.
 * Charles Evans Hughes, III(1915–1985), architect.
 * H. Stuart Hughes (1916–1999), professor and activist.
 * Richard Joel (born 1950), President of Yeshiva University.
 * Laura Kam (born 1958), Israel advocate, Senior Adviser at the Israel Project.
 * Eric Kandel (born 1929), Columbia University neuroscientist, winner of the Nobel Prize for his work on learning and memory.
 * Joan Bennett Kennedy (born 1936), spouse of Senator Ted Kennedy.
 * John F. Kennedy (1917–1963), U.S. President, lived at 5040 Independence Avenue, across the street from Wave Hill.
 * Bernard Kerik (born 1955), former New York City Police Commissioner.
 * Theodore Kheel, labor lawyer.
 * G. Oliver Koppell (born 1940), former New York State Attorney General and current member of the New York City Council..
 * Fiorello H. La Guardia (1882–1947), Mayor of New York City during the 1930s and 1940s. He lived at 5020 Goodridge Avenue.
 * John L. Lahey (born 1946), president of Quinnipiac University.
 * Christopher Lehmann-Haupt (born 1934), journalist, critic and novelist.
 * Timothy "Speed" Levitch (born 1970), tour guide and voice actor.
 * Jacob "Jack" J. Lew, (born 1955) former Director of the U.S. OMB, and now [designate for] U.S. Deputy Secretary of State
 * Sal Maglie (1917–1992), pitcher who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants, and New York Yankees during his career.
 * Willie Mays (born 1931), baseball star, lives at The Whitehall.
 * Sean Murray Tyndall legend and former street soldier loyal to the infamous Don Cuddles (El Padrino) Currently treasurer for the Riverdale chapter of Red Neck Golf USA
 * Tim Morehouse, Olympic fencer.
 * Tracy Morgan (born 1968), starred on Saturday Night Live and appears in 30 Rock.
 * Elie Nadelman (1882–1946), Polish/American sculptor lived at the Alderbrook Estate on Independence Avenue near Wave Hill.
 * Philip Nadelman (born 1955), accomplished songwriter and artist lives on Johnson Avenue, he is the grandson of Elie Nadelman the artist.
 * George Walbridge Perkins (1862–1920), first president of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission.
 * Jennifer Raab, president of Hunter College.
 * Ed Rendell (born 1944), Governor of Pennsylvania.
 * Sugar Ray Robinson (1921–1989), said to be "pound for pound the best" boxer in history.
 * Theodore Roosevelt, Sr. (1831–1878), banker and father of the U.S. President.
 * Jonathan Rosenblatt, Rabbi of the Riverdale Jewish Center
 * David Shapiro (born 1947), poet and literary critic.
 * Carly Simon (born 1945), singer/songwriter, lived in Fieldston.
 * Joanna Simon (born 1940), Mezzo-soprano.
 * Lucy Simon (born 1943), composer.
 * Richard L. Simon (1899–1960), co-founder of Simon & Schuster.
 * Eliot Spitzer (born 1959), Former Governor of New York, was born in Riverdale.
 * Ed Sullivan (1901–1974), television personality, lived at the Whitehall.
 * U Thant (1909–1974), former United Nations Secretary-General.
 * Kool Keith Thornton (born 1964), prolific hip-hop artist and founding member of the Ultramagnetic MCs.
 * Richard Tofel, president and CEO of the International Freedom Center.
 * Arturo Toscanini (1867–1957), Conductor, lived at Wave Hill.
 * Mark Twain (1835–1910), author, lived at Wave Hill from 1901 to 1903.
 * Steven Tyler (born 1948), American musician and songwriter (Aerosmith), lived in Netherland Gardens.
 * Abe Vigoda (born 1921), movie and television actor.
 * Alexander S. Webb (1835–1911), Union Army general who was awarded the Medal of Honor.
 * Joseph H. H. Weiler (born 1951), Joseph Straus Professor of Law and European Union Jean Monnet Chair at New York University School of Law.
 * Avi Weiss (born 1944), activist Modern Orthodox Rabbi.
 * Rosalyn Sussman Yalow (born 1921), Nobel Laureate.