In a borough with the city’s lengthiest “step street,” West 230th Street between Irwin and Netherland Avenues in Spuyten Duyvil, here’s what has to be the shortest, on Throgmorton Avenue between Baisley and Fairmount Avenues, in Schuylerville, in the far east Bronx; the neighborhood is named for the former Fort Schuyler, Fort Totten’s “sister fort” across the East River, now home to SUNY Maritime University. It’s been a good 17 years since I visited its maritime museum, which is too long. If you want a workout, ascend those West 230th Street steps or try the ones going up to the Cloisters from Broadway near Dyckman Street. You’ll feel it… One wonders why the city just doesn’t grade the street to allow vehicles to proceed, instead of adding the steps midblock.
Throgmorton Avenue was named in 1916 to honor the founder of the Throg(g)s Neck community, John Throckmorton, a Britisher given permission by the Dutch government then in charge to settle on the southeastern end of what would become the Bronx in 1642. The name became altered in spelling over the years (I’ve even seen “Frog’s Neck” on some documents) and though the name is spelled Throgs Neck on maps and highway signage, most residents add an extra G so it becomes Throggs Neck. Apparently, the two G version came first, and the NYC Department of Transportation dispensed with one of the Gs to save money! There’s plenty of signage, since there’s the Throgs Neck Bridge, Throgs Neck Boulevard, and Throgmorton Avenue.
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11/1/22
5 comments
It’s certainly not ADA compliant, and the steps look pretty recent. They are! Streetview’s history shows an older decrepit version of the steps in 2012.The new steps have handrails, so someone tried a little. Now what about that car parked on the blacktopped sidewalk on the right? I almost suspect that what we have here is influential residents who wanted this street to be two dead ends to reduce traffic.
What are the grades of the streets on either side of Throgmorton?
Not sure why the street wasn’t opened and joined.
Here in Astoria 12 th street had a grade separation of about 10 feet and eventually it was graded and joined together so you could reach Hoyt ave south.
And 32nd St between 24th Ave and Astoria Blvd North is still s step street. Instead of regrading it they put a fancy staircase in and made it look nicer. The original setting was 2 dumpy dead ends
If they graded it the house on the rh side where you can see the truck parked would not have acces to their driveway and garage. As it sits it is essentially a privar stree for those residents