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