This era saw members of prominent colonial families settled in the area, including members of the Hewlett family (the family after whom Hewlett, New York, and Hewlett Lane in Flower Hill are named).[3] Members of the family settled in the area during this time, and constructed the former Hewlett Homestead circa 1713.[3][4]
At this time, the heart of Flower Hill was located where modern-day Port Washington Boulevard, Bonnie Heights Road, and Country Club Drive intersect.[4] This area included a blacksmith, general store, tavern, a village well, and a cemetery, in addition to a small number of homes.[4][5]
Circa 1900, Carlos Munson – the heir to the Munson Steamship Company – and his wife, Mabel, settled in Flower Hill.[4] Carlos and Mabel Munson were unhappy to be living near so many intoxicated locals found in this area, which prompted Mabel asking Carlos to do something to get rid of them. Carlos responded by purchasing the land, despite having no need for it.[4] To further eliminate this issue, the Munsons gave some of this land to the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.[4]
The two lines intersected at a junction located at the intersection of Middle Neck Road and Northern Boulevard.[5][7] This was also the site of the company's former Roslyn trolley yard and a substation; it was located at the northwestern corner of the intersection.[7]
Additionally, a trolley siding existed in Flower Hill on the east side of Port Washington Boulevard, near its intersection with modern-day Farmview Road.[7]
Push for incorporation (1930 – 1931)
The push for Flower Hill's incorporation first started in 1930, when word was spread that Port Washington was planning to incorporate itself as a city.[8] Upon hearing these rumors, residents of Flower Hill feared that the Flower Hill area would be placed within the boundaries of the proposed City of Greater Port Washington if those plans were ultimately to be approved. As a result, the residents of Flower Hill saw a need to incorporate the locality as a village, in order to prevent the area from becoming part of the rumored city.[8]
After two unsuccessful attempts to hold a hearing on Flower Hill's incorporation as a village, residents tried for a third time in April 1931, and were successful.[8] With the approval of the application for a hearing, a vote to decide whether or not Flower Hill should incorporate itself was set for April 27 of that year; the vote would be held in Carlos Munson's real estate office.[8]
During the vote on April 27, the residents of Flower Hill voted unanimously in favor of incorporating Flower Hill as a village, and the Incorporated Village of Flower Hill was ultimately born.[8][9]
Village of Flower Hill (1931 – present)
In May 1931, a few weeks after the birth of the village, its certificate of incorporation was signed.[8] Carlos Munson was originally selected to serve as its first Mayor but turned down the position, which was subsequently given to Arthur G. Elvin.[4][10][11] When founded, the population of Flower Hill was 288.[9] The first village meeting took place in Carlos Munson's real estate office; Village Hall now occupies this parcel of land.[9]
In the mid-1930s, the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary would establish St. Francis Hospital as a cardiac sanatorium for children, on the land given to them by Carlos Munson. The first children arrived at this facility on February 8, 1937.[4][5]
Flower Hill started to see new housing developments be built in the coming years.[4] One of the notable developments built during this time is a large part of the Flower Hill Estates subdivision, which was built by Walter Uhl. Uhl began to build many of these first homes in the vicinity of Country Club Drive, located in the Port Washington section of the village, and adjacent to the North Hempstead Country Club.[4][12][13] Uhl built many of these homes in the colonial style, to ensure that they would fit in with existing buildings and surroundings. Some of these homes were also built with reused wood from barns in their ceilings.[4][14] During the subdivision's construction process in 1939, an old Spanish "piece-of-eight" was unearthed by a construction worker.[15] The coin, dating back to 1793, was presented by Uhl to the Port Washington Library.[15]
In the years and decades following the Second World War, Flower Hill continued to be suburbanized, and many new developments were built as a result.[16] Many of these new developments were built over former estates (such as the Chanticlare at Flower Hill subdivision, which was built over the former estate of Jesse Ricks), farms (such as the Hewlett Farm subdivision, which was built over portions of the former Hewlett Homestead), and even former sand mines (such as certain parts of the Wildwood at Flower Hill development, built on land once owned by the Colonial Sand & Stone Company).[3][17][18][19][20] A notable housing development built during this time is Flower Hill Country Estates, which was developed by Country Estates, Incorporated.[5][21][22][23] The firm also built the Country Estates subdivision of nearby East Hills around the same time, over Clarence Mackay's former estate.[5][24]
In 1946, Marjorie Church Logan (wife of William John Logan) was murdered in her home on Bonnie Heights Road – and her daughter, Marjory Jeanne, was shot and raped.[25] The suspect, Ward Beecher Caraway, was a butler and chauffeur at another estate in Flower Hill, and was ultimately sentenced to death for the crimes.[25]
The construction of so many new housing developments and homes in the village – and the subsequent influx of children – prompted the Roslyn Union Free School District to construct the Roslyn–Flower Hill Elementary School, to better serve the needs of the section of area of Flower Hill zoned for Roslyn's schools, as well as to resolve overcrowding at the district's other schools; this was one of several schools constructed in the district during this era.[5][28] Built and opened in the early 1950s and sandwiched between the Wildwood and Broadridge developments, the Roslyn–Flower Hill Elementary School served the community until September 1980, when it was closed due to the declining enrollment numbers following the end of the baby-boom era.[5][28][29][19][30] The former school's property was later subdivided to become the Mashady Estates subdivision in the 1980s, and now consists of multiple single-family homes; it was developed by the N & H Development Corporation.[5][31][32]
Between 2012 and 2016, Elaine Phillips served as the mayor of Flower Hill. She served in this capacity until being elected to the New York State Senate in November 2016.[4][33] The Phillips Administration oversaw the rehabilitation and modernization of the village-owned Flower Hill Park, which included the installation of a state-of-the-art playground for children.[34]
On October 29, 2012, Superstorm Sandy made landfall, and caused widespread damage throughout the New York metropolitan area.[35] The entirety of the Village of Flower Hill lost power as a result of this storm.[36] Due to communication errors from the Long Island Power Authority, some residents were without power for two unusually cold weeks.[36] Village officials kept Village Hall open despite the fact that telephone lines and the heating system were initially down.[36] Village officials also as regularly reached out to LIPA and local residents, and assisted in removing downed trees. Some officials even checked in on every senior living alone in the village, also offering them free transportation to and from shelters and ensuring that they were stocked with food.[36] When the generators for Village Hall started to run, village officials started offering residents with heat, power, and even coffee at the building.[36] There were no storm-related fatalities in Flower Hill, and only one home was lost within the village, when its generator caught fire.[36]
In response to all of the trees lost in Flower Hill due to Hurricane Sandy, the village created a tree planting program, through which residents can receive a free tree for their property, given that the tree is planted in the village's right-of-way.[27][37] This program helped the village become recognized as a Tree City USA.[27]
Robert McNamara became Mayor in 2016, succeeding Senator Phillips.[4] A notable accomplishment of the McNamara Administration was the initiation of the process of village's takeover of Middle Neck Road (former CR D55) – which connects Northern and Port Washington Boulevards – from Nassau County, which had been a goal of the village's for several years, given the poor upkeep from the Nassau County Department of Public Works.[38][39] In the deal, the Nassau County would repair the road and repave the road, and would then sell it to the Village of Flower Hill for $1.[38][40][41] In the past, the Village of Flower Hill also purchased the Flower Hill Park and the Flower Hill section of Stonytown Road from Nassau County.[41][42]
McNamara's administration also implemented a construction impact fee for large construction projects.[40]
Mayor McNamara, who long-suffered from health complications, died on April 15, 2020.[40][43] Deputy Mayor Brian Herrington assumed the duties of Mayor, in light of McNamara's passing.[40][43][44][45]
On August 4, 2020, Hurricane Isaias struck the New York metropolitan area as a strong tropical storm, causing widespread power outages and damage across the region.[46][47] Many trees in Flower Hill were uprooted, and much of the village lost power.[48] Due to communication errors from PSEG Long Island, many delays took place in restoring power to the entirety of the village, resulting in some residents being without power for more than a week.[48][49] Village officials designated Village Hall as a cooling center and phone charging center for residents that were without power, following COVID-19 social distancing guidelines.[49]
The 2020 mayoral election was supposed to take place on March 18, 2020 – but was postponed first until April 28 and then again until September, due to an order signed by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo as a result of COVID-19.[50] The election ultimately took place on Tuesday, September 15, 2020.[51] The election, which was highly contested, saw then-Trustee Kate Hirsch challenging incumbent Mayor Brian Herrington.[51] Herrington was ultimately re-elected by Flower Hill voters to serve a full term, defeating Hirsch; Herrington received 596 votes, and Hirsch received 233.[51][52][53][54]
On February 23, 2021, the Arbor Day Foundation designated Flower Hill as a Tree City USA for the seventh consecutive year.[55]
In early 2022, ownership of Middle Neck Road was officially transferred to the Village from Nassau County.[56]
In 2023, the Village of Flower Hill created a gallery at Village Hall, known as the Flower Hill Village Historical Gallery. The gallery covers the history of Flower Hill and the surrounding areas.[57]
Some of the hills in Flower Hill reach elevations high enough that on a clear day, the skyline of New York City can easily be seen from the ground – most notably in the Manhasset portion of the village.[65]
The highest point in Flower Hill is on Ridge Drive East, at 219 feet (67 m). The lowest point is Hempstead Harbor, which is at sea level.[66][67] Both the highest and lowest points in Flower Hill are within the portion of the village served by the Roslyn Post Office.[66][67]
An interactive map showing the watersheds in the Village of Flower Hill and their approximate boundaries.[70]
Flower Hill is split among three minor drainage areas: Inner Hempstead Harbor (part of the Hempstead Harbor Watershed), Leeds Pond, and Whitney Pond (both of which are part of the Manhasset Bay Watershed).[66][71][72][73]
The village itself is predominantly residential in character, with the heavy majority of residential lots within the village being zoned for single-family homes.[6] The village has a business district at its southern end, along Northern Boulevard, Middle Neck Road, and Port Washington Boulevard; this is where the heavy majority of businesses within the village are located.[6]
The largest employer in Flower Hill is St. Francis Hospital, located on Port Washington Boulevard near the center of the village.[6][83][84] As of 2021, the hospital employed approximately 3,573 people, also making it the third-largest employer overall within the Town of North Hempstead.[84]
The age distribution was 5.1% under the age of 5, 29.5% under the age of 18, 70.5% over the age of 18, and 15.4% 65 or older. The median age was 43.3 years.
The median household income was $234,702. About 3.1% of the population was below the poverty line, including 0.6% of those under age 18 and 16.8% of those age 65 or over.
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 4,665 people, 1,444 households, and 1,322 families in Flower Hill, and there were 1,597 housing units. The racial makeup of the village was 80.8% White, 5.1% African American, 0.0% Native American, 13.7% Asian, 0.0% from other races, and 0.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.7% of the population.[85]
Of the 1,444 households, 52.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 85.4% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 0.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 8.4% were non-families. 7.5% of households were one person, and 3.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.19 and the average family size was 3.35.
The median age was 41.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.2 males.
The median household income was $195,833 and the median family income was $202,895. Males had a median income of $160,242 versus $67,188 for females. About 1.7% of families were below the poverty line.
Census 2000
As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 4,508 people, 1,477 households, and 1,271 families in Flower Hill. The population density was 2,790.2 inhabitants per square mile (1,077.3/km2). There were 1,514 housing units at an average density of 937.1 per square mile (361.8/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 85.65% White, 1.04% African American, 0.02% Native American, 10.31% Asian, 0.98% from other races, and 2.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.02% of the population.[85]
Of the 1,477 households, 39.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.1% were married couples living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.9% were non-families. 11.8% of households were one person, and 6.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.03 and the average family size was 3.29.
The age distribution was 26.1% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% 65 or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.
The median household income was $121,999 and the median family income was $133,075. Males had a median income of $100,000 versus $49,688 for females. The per capita income for the village was $64,997. About 2.0% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.7% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.
As of 2000, Flower Hill had the 8th largest Iranian population in the United States – behind Great Neck Plaza, New York and ahead of Roslyn, New York – with 7.5% of Flower Hill's population reporting Iranian Jewish ancestry.[86]
Government
Village government
As of May 2023, the mayor of Flower Hill is Randall Rosenbaum, the deputy mayor is Frank Genese, and the village trustees are Mary Jo Collins, Claire Dorfman, Max Frankel, Frank Genese, Gary Lewandowski, and Arthur Smith.[44][45][87][88] All elected officials on the Board of Trustees serve two-year terms and are unpaid.[89][90]
The following is a list of Flower Hill's mayors, from 1931 to present:[4][44][45]
Flower Hill is located entirely within the Town of North Hempstead's 6th council district, which as of March 2024 is represented on the North Hempstead Town Council by Mariann Dalimonte (D–Port Washington).[91]
County representation
Flower Hill is located entirely within the Nassau County Legislature's 11th Legislative district, which as of March 2024 is represented by Delia DiRiggi-Whitton (D–Glen Cove).[6][92]
An interactive map showing the election districts within the Village of Flower Hill.
Flower Hill contains four election districts which are located wholly within the village. All of these districts are located within New York's 16th State Assembly district (AD 16):[6][98]
AD 16 – ED 059
AD 16 – ED 060
AD 16 – ED 061
AD 16 – ED 062
Additionally, the North Hempstead Country Club and one residence are located within AD16 – ED055. This district is shared between parts of unincorporated Port Washington and this part of Flower Hill, and like the other four election districts in Flower Hill, it is also located within New York's 16th State Assembly district.[98]
In the 2024 U.S. presidential election, the majority of Flower Hill's voters voted for Donald J. Trump (R).[98][99]
Elderfields Preserve – A historic farm, museum, and nature preserve located in the Manhasset section of the village; it is owned by Nassau County.[104]
Flower Hill also features and maintains several smaller park strips throughout the village, in addition to a network of walking tours pertaining to the history of the village.[5]
Additionally, the Roslyn Union Free School District's former Roslyn–Flower Hill Elementary School was located within the section of the village zoned for Roslyn's schools.[29]
Private education
The Village of Flower Hill is also home to the Vincent Smith School.[108] This private school is located off Port Washington Boulevard and serves students in grades one through twelve.[108][109][110]
Library districts
Flower Hill is served by three library districts, which correspond with the school district boundaries:[6]
The Bryant Library (Roslyn) – Serves the section of the village zoned for the Roslyn UFSD, through the Bryant Library.[6]
The Manhasset Library District – Serves the section of the village zoned for the Manhasset UFSD, through the Manhasset Public Library.[6]
The Port Washington Library District – Serves the section of the village zoned for the Port Washington UFSD, through the Port Washington Public Library.[6]
All three libraries are members of the Nassau Library System.[111]
Additionally, the western end of the William Cullen Bryant Viaduct, which carries NY 25A over Hempstead Harbor and the Village of Roslyn, is located in Flower Hill.[6]
Flower Hill is served by the n20H, n20X, n21, and n23 bus routes – all of which are operated by Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE).[120] These four bus routes travel through the area via Northern Boulevard and Old Northern Boulevard, along the southern border of Flower Hill.[120] The n23 also travels along Port Washington Boulevard, through the heart of the village.[120]
Additionally, the North Shore Line of the New York and North Shore Traction Company trolley line ran from Flushing to Roslyn, and connected with the Port Washington Line at the intersection of Middle Neck Road and Northern Boulevard.[5][6][7]
Furthermore, a New York and North Shore Traction Company trolley yard, known as the Roslyn Trolley Yard, existed at the northwestern corner of Northern Boulevard and Middle Neck Road, with one of the system's electrical substations being located adjacent to it.[5][7]
Utility services
Natural gas
National Grid provides natural gas to homes and businesses that are hooked up to natural gas lines in the Village of Flower Hill.[122][123]
Most places in Flower Hill are not connected to a sanitary sewer system – although there were failed plans in the 1970s to create a sewer district for much of northwestern Nassau County, which would have included Flower Hill in the second phase of the $122 million (1972 USD) project.[37][125] As such, the majority of homes and businesses in Flower Hill rely on cesspools and septic systems.[37]
The Flower Hill Cemetery – A historic cemetery located in the village; designated a Village of Flower Hill Historic Landmark in 2023.[4][5][141] It is also known as the "Burtis Cemetery" and the "Old Cemetery at Flower Hill".[5][142]
The Sands Barn – An old barn, dating back to the 17th century; it is operated by the Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society and located at their museum in the village.[5] It was designated as a Village of Flower Hill Historic Landmark on April 3, 2023.[145][146] It is designated as a Village of Flower Hill Historic Landmark, a New York State Landmark, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[4][5][146]
Benjamin Heller – Lawyer known for participating in the creation of the New York City Code of Ethics. Served as the Mayor of Flower Hill between 1963 and 1970.[4] He lived on Hemlock Road.[173][174]
Milton Hopkins – Biology professor and author. Hopkins was the husband of Elizabeth Hewlett Hopkins, of the Hewlett family; they resided in the Hewlett Homestead.[3][5][175]
Michael J. Tully, Jr. – Former lawyer and politician; Tully served as the Town of North Hempstead Supervisor and as a New York State Senator. He died of a heart attack in his home on Elderfields Road in 1997.[200]
Charles F. Vachris – Civil engineer and founder of Vachris Engineering; lived on Ridge Drive West and Dogwood Lane.[201] Vachris served in various roles in Flower Hill's government, such as Village Trustee and Village Engineer.[201]
Bagley Wright – Real estate developer and philanthropist, notable for being a developer of the Space Needle in Seattle. Wright and his family moved to an Aspinwall & Simpson-designed home on Elderfields Road around 1940.[5][205][206]
^ ab"Proceedings of a Regular Meeting -- Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Flower Hill, Nassau County, New York." July 8, 1940. Flower Hill Board Minutes. Village of Flower Hill. July 8, 1940.
^"Ideas for Home Planning and Building Equipment". The New York Times. September 22, 1940. p. RE4 – via ProQuest. Timbers And Planks From Old Farmhouse Are Used In Flower Hill Home
^Kass, Jane (May 18, 1965). "Mansion Spared as Homes Rise on Estate". Newsday – via ProQuest.
^Map: Map of Hewlett Farm, Incorporated Village of Flower Hill (Map). August 26, 1983 – via Nassau County Public Records.
^ abMap: Wildwood at Flower Hill (Map). March 30, 1967 – via Nassau County Public Records.
^"Property Cards for Section 6, Block 85". Nassau County Land Records. June 12, 1967. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2020 – via Nassau County Public Records (www.uslandrecords.com).
^"DEVELOPERS PLAN MODELS IN NASSAU: Projects Include New Group of Dwellings at Flower Hill in Manhasset WESTBURY PARCEL SOLD P. Guille's Estate on Jericho Turnpike Is Purchased by a Builder in Area DEVELOPERS PLAN NASSAU :MODELS". The New York Times. January 2, 1955 – via ProQuest.
^Map: "Map of Flower Hill Country Estates". November 29, 1954 – via Nassau County Public Records.
^"Housing Development Is Planned On Part of North Shore Estate: FOUNDLING BLOCK SOLD TO BUILDERS". The New York Times. August 28, 1955 – via ProQuest.
^ abSheffield, Wesley (July 5, 1947). "Caraway Calm as He Dies in Chair: Caraway Calmly Dies in Chair, Pays Penalty for Logan Murder". Newsday. pp. 1–2, 8 – via ProQuest.
^ ab"Flower Hill Asks Bids On Village Hall". Newsday. May 21, 1948 – via ProQuest.
^ ab"In Memoriam - Mayor Robert McNamara". Village of Flower Hill. Retrieved September 5, 2020. Under Mayor McNamara's leadership the Village is well on its way to acquiring Middle Neck Road from the County after spending years fighting for much needed repairs.
^Master Plan for Nassau County (Report). Nassau County Department of Public Works. 1959.
^ ab"In Memoriam - Mayor Robert McNamara". Village of Flower Hill. Retrieved September 5, 2020. It is with great sadness that we inform the community of the untimely passing of our beloved Mayor Robert McNamara on Wednesday, April 15.
^"Island Vote: 2020 Village Election Results". News 12 - Long Island. September 16, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2020. Flower Hill[:] Mayor: Brian Herrington (incumbent): 596[;] Kate Hirsch: 233