Washington Heights, Ft. George Hill at Fairview and St. Nicholas Avenues

Mary Sargent © 2008 …………………………………….. click to enlarge

Well, this looks familiar. Last May, I walked up Ft. George Hill and it wasn't until I saw that sign, Fairview Avenue, that I realized I wasn't walking up Hillside Avenue.

The memories.

See map.

Washington Heights, Fort George Hill between Dyckman Street and Fairview Avenue

Mary Sargent © 2007 …………………………………….. click to enlarge

This is pretty much the top of Fort George Hill looking back. It just doesn't seem like Manhattan to me. More like some wooded road in Virginia. If you take away the people on the sidewalk. And the apartment buildings at the bottom.

This information from Naming New York: In 1776, the American rebel forces erected a fort on Laurel Hill located approximately where today's Audubon and Fort George Avenues intersect. The British captured it and named it Fort George in honor of their king.

The Hill part of the name you can figure out for yourself.

Washington Heights, Fort George Hill between Dyckman Street and Fairview Avenue

Mary Sargent © 2007 …………………………………….. click to enlarge

This is looking back toward Dyckman. And this is a commercial car wash I just walked by. Commercial in the sense of a money making venture, complete with sign advertising hand washing and sidewalk chairs for the customers.

Across the street is Highbridge Park, which runs from Dyckman all the way to 155th Street.

See map.

Washington Heights, Fort George Hill Between Dyckman Street and Fairview Avenue

Mary Sargent © 2007 …………………………………….. click to enlarge

Yesterday, Sunday, I went on an adventure photowalk, which I define as going somewhere I've never been, for no other purpose than to walk it. I admit I have a low threshold for adventure.

My plan was to go two subway stops to Dyckman, then walk south on the curvy Hillside Avenue until it ends at Nagle and then walk Nagle back to Dyckman. This is the beginning of said adventure when I THOUGHT I was heading up Hillside.

Imagine my consternation when I got to, not Nagle, but Fairview Avenue and realized I'd walked up Fort George Hill instead. Below is a map with Fort George the right hand curvy street (filled in with red) and Hillside just to the left. As you can see, anyone could have made that mistake. By the way, all you downtown people, don't these streets look exotic? You'd think you were having an adventure, too. Just wait until I tell you about the guava sandwich I had.

But for now, please notice the feathery green trees up ahead. It was kind of cool and cloudy, but definitely spring and the leaves just coming out, pale and delicate.