Photo: Jackson Pond, Forest Park - 1960.
Courtesy
Frank Loeber Collection.
This photo shows how Jackson Pond was at one time in Richmond Hill before
it was filled-in. Almost lake-like, "The Pond" served as a "watering-hole"
for everyone to enjoy the calm of the water, and to sail one's boat across
the great sea during the spring and summer months.
Under the shade of the weeping willow trees, one could truly feel that
this was Richmond Hill's oasis. During the winter months, the pond would
freeze over. Many would enjoy ice skating on the pond. Unfortunately,
rumor has it, this may have what caused the pond to be filled-in over
the years. Due to safety concerns for the children, it was deemed safer
to drain the pond, fill it in, and extend the parkland.
According to the NYC Parks Dept., the pond and the playground across the
street is named for Jarvis Jackson, former Park Superintendent
of Forest Park. This was also the site of the Forest Park Lodge, a mansion
once owned by Mayor Abram Hewitt (1822-1903) and dry goods merchant Alexander
Field, which once sat on the hill north of what is now Myrtle Avenue and
108th Street. The City of Brooklyn acquired the parcel sometime between
1895 and 1898, and the City of New York acquired it on January 1, 1898,
after the consolidation of the five boroughs. Jackson and other park officials
then occupied the mansion until 1941, when the mansion was torn down to
make way for a playground.
Archive Museum The
Society has its own Archival Museum
where written and photographic history about the Richmond Hill community
is preserved. The museum is now located at Kearns
Funeral home on 115th Street and Myrtle Avenue, and is open for
viewing by appointment.
Publications
The Richmond Hill Historical Society has published several books
on the history of Richmond Hill:
Contact Information
Richmond Hill Historical Society
85-03 114 Street
Richmond Hill, NY 11418
Phone: 718-704-9317
Email: richmond.hill.historical@gmail.com
RHHS website is Green! Click the images
to view Certificate.
Recent Updates
Open Meeting: Please join us on Friday,
February 10, 7:30 PM at the Leonard Center, 85-13 112th St, Richmond
Hill. Free Admission. Former RHHS Vice President, Joseph DeMay
Jr. , will present one of the most infamous crimes in U.S. history,
"The Murder of Kitty Genovese," which happened in 1964 in neighboring
Kew Gardens. For more information, please see the attached flyer.
Save the Date: Also, mark your calendars
for April 22, 2012 for our annual Victorian Tea
event. More information to follow.
The video documentation above is a profile of Richmond Hill from 2007.
Click here
List of Supporters of our October 2011 Annual Dinner Dance.
Connect with the Richmond Hill Historical Society.
Find us and follow our events through these social media links:
Richmond Hill featured on NY1 Channel.
NY1 interviewedIvan Mrakovicic, president of the Richmond Hill Historical
Society. For further details visit This
Old House.
YouTube Videos
Special Thanks to former Board Member Joseph DeMay, Jr.
for creating several beautiful video slideshows of Kew Gardens and of
our Society events. The introductory video below was created by Dennis
Doyle. Visit our YouTube webpage for More…
Become a Member
Join today and become a member of the Richmond Hill Historical Society.
Enjoy our free newsletter, invitations, and events. Our community involvement
and activities are made possible through our Board and members who volunteer
their time, and through the generous donations of supporters like you.
We appreciate your support.Join
here…
Facebook
Links: The Richmond Hill Historical Society supports the landmarking
of the 
