In the first of a new Mystery Foto series on roslynlandmarks.org, were you able to identify why this large maple tree is considered historic? It is located on Lufberry Drive near the intersection of Ash Drive.
This maple tree was an original maple tree planted by Hicks Nursery in 1902 in front of Clarence Mackay Harbor Hill country home in Roslyn (now East Hills.)
Congrats to Barbara Berke, Heidi and Ronald Rini for identifying why this tree is considered historic by the Roslyn Landmark Society.
75 trees were moved to the Harbor Hill estate in 1902 by Isaac Hicks & Son
View looking south from the Harbor Hill country home. Note the number of maple trees lining the entrance and the winding road from the Mackay Estate Gate Lodge on the right.
1936 aerial of the estate looking east. The maple tree and the Harbor Hill Water Tower are the sole survivors in this photo.
The same maple tree as seen in 1939. Source: Wide World
The maple tree as seen in February 1963 in relation to Lufberry Drive and Redwood Drive.
Mapping of the Harbor Hill country home, the west gardens and the maple tree over current East Hills' streets. Note: The Harbor Hill Water Tower still standing off Redwood Drive. Mapping courtesy of Frank Femenias.
7 Comments
Peter, yes there are likely more original maple trees throughout Country Estates. I remember that in the 1980s, maple trees line the border of Harbor Hill on Glen Cove Road.
Are there any other maple tree’s as well? Crazy that there’d only be one left, no!
According to what we told growing up at 110 Redwood Drive, Maple trees on our property were planted to line the road going up to the main house of the Mackay Estate. Is this tree part of the original trees plantings?
The tree would be part of the original Mackay estate plantings and would have been located very close to the original Mackay mansion.
Part of the Mackay estate?
I believe that was a tree that was part of the Mackay Estate. I know that is near the section where the mansion once stood
Is it a sugar maple tree? That species dates back to the time when dinosaurs roamed the earth and are at least 100 million years old.