Emerson Hill, Staten Island

Some of the roads on Emerson Hill are private, and several gates were previously found at approaches to the enclave.

Removal of trees on private property in the area typically requires approval from the Department of Buildings to ensure compliance with the zoning protocols.

The hill is named for Judge William Emerson — oldest brother of Ralph Waldo Emerson — who lived with his wife, Susan, and children William, Haven and Charles in a long, brown shingle house known as The Snuggery.

Willie and Haven were tutored in 1843 by Henry David Thoreau, who lived with the Emersons from May through October.

[1] In 1971, two large mock Tudor homes at the end of Longfellow Avenue served as Casa Corleone for the filming of Francis Ford Coppola's classic movie The Godfather.