BY DAVID MELTZER
Forgotten New York guest post
THERE are three parks in the southeast Bronx – Soundview Park, Pugsley Creek Park, and Ferry Point Park. But if you exit the south end of Soundview Park and make a right on Leland Avenue, you enter into a fourth “park”, a tranquil Bronx backwater named Harding Park, a residential area on a small peninsula that juts out into the East River. Here you will find twisted, rutted streets, a cacophany of modest houses – and some of the most amazing water views in NYC.
In the 1920s Thomas Higgs, who owned of about 100 acres of beachfront property, began leasing tents to visitors. Eventually Higgs’s Beach incorporated, and then subdivided into small lots for a summer bungalow colony, which residents named for the president Warren G. Harding. These lots were sold off mostly to carpenters, dockworkers and tradesman, who pooled their resources to build simple cottages. After World War II a severe housing shortage inspired many Harding Park tenants to turn their bungalows into permanent homes.
Continuing along the waterfront, we enter Clason Point, which has some amazing views of both the Whitestone and Throgg’s Neck Bridges, along with a boat that has been gently sinking in to the East River for a generation. The late lamented Castle Hill Beach Club used to occupy land nearby, where thousands of Bronxites, including this author learned to swim.
After Clason Point we come to Pugsley Creek Park. By the mid-1800s, the Pugsley family had acquired a large tract of land known as the Cow Neck Farm, located near what is now Parkchester. With docks located near the present intersection of Lafayette Avenue and White Plains Road, the Pugsley family used the creek for shipping supplies to and from the Cow Neck Farm. Eventually, the creek became known as Pugsley Creek. And yes, there is a connection to Pugsley Addams. Charles Addams wanted to name this stocky young fellow “Pubert.” Not surprisingly the censors said no. Addams was thought to have come up with “Pugsley” while looking at a map of the Bronx.
Finally we come to Ferry Point Park. This is not named after a ferry – but after the Ferris family – some of whom are buried nearby on a small family plot located just south of the intersection of Commerce Ave and Westchester Ave.
On the way to Ferry Point Park is the wonderfully named Yznaga Place. Kevin has a deep dive into this one. As so many small streets get de-mapped, it is good to see that Yznaga lives on.
More on Harding Park on this FNY page.
Check out the ForgottenBook, take a look at the gift shop. As always, “comment…as you see fit.” I earn a small payment when you click on any ad on the site.
4/16/26
5 comments
I’m surprised that the Classon Pt shipwreck hasn’t been declared a hazard to navicgation by either NYPD’s Harbor Unit or the USCG. BTW: I was born & raised in Parkchester & my family had Castle Hill Beach Club, & Shorehaven Beach Club memberships during my childhood. I also recall a boatyard in the general vicinity where a yacht that had been under construction was destroyed by a fire. The ruins lingered on in plain sight. The rumor was that cabin cruiser had been commissioned by Jackie Gleason; I don’t know if this is true or not. However as The Great One was fond of saying: “How sweet it is!”
Dear Redstatefugee – do you remember a restaurant called “The Hamburger Express” – where your food arrived in flatbet model train cars?
NO! I used the quotation because the neighborhoods that surrounded Castle Hill Beach Club & Shore Haven are fond memories for me (i.e. How sweet they were). please calm down, Chris.
Yes, David, I recall the Hamburger Express. It was located at the end of Parkchester’s Metroplitan Avenue, near Hugh Grant Circle. If you opted for counter service, the Lionel electric train delivered your order. If you were part of a group you had to use one of the booths & waitress took & delivered your order. These day’s my family & I patronize Freddy’s in San Tan Valley, AZ. No electric trains but friendly, efficient counter service & Freddy’s famous “steakburgers”, sundaes & shakes. “How sweet it is!”
After hearing that his boat burned down Jackie Gleason said ”How sweet it is”‘ ?