With archeological finds of pottery fragments dating back to the First Century found buried at the foot of Shelter Rock, the largest rock on Long Island and a remnant of the glacial age, North Hills can possibly claim to be the oldest inhabited community on the island. But its recorded history began around the time the Pilgrims landed at another famous rock, Plymouth, in 1620. When Dutch and English settlers arrived, the Matinecock tribes populated the area, and their chief, Tackapousha, lived only a few hundred feet from Shelter Rock. For nearly three centuries, the area was farmed by English immigrants and their descendants, and the old native-American trails became roads that remain today like Northern Boulevard and Shelter Rock Road. In the early Nineteenth Century, the “Golden Age” began as wealthy families of New York bought up the farmland to turn into their grand estates. By the mid 1900’s, most of these multi-hundred-
acre estates had been transformed into country clubs, non-profit foundation retreats, hospital, fire department, religious centers, and most recently, gated communities ranging from separate residences to cluster homes and condominiums. Thus, the population of this approximately three-square-mile community, just south of Manhasset, grew during the next fifty years from 300 to over 6,000 residents today. With about 20% of the homes housing families with children, the largest portion of housing is owned by retired couples. In fact, North Hills has a reputation as the perfect area for retirees who wish to downsize from their estates to luxurious gated communities with mansion club houses and great amenities.
North Hills is also a great place for families and is served by Herricks School District which is rated A+ on “Niche” as well as award-winning day schools and summer camps. Its residents have access to many parks in the vicinity including the village’s own Lowell A. Kane Park on I.U. Willets Rd. Across the village’s eastern border along Searingtown Road, is the 98-acre Christopher Morley Park that was recently updated and improved. This county park, the former estate of Netty Ryan, was created in 1961 and was named after Morley. It houses his original one-room cabin, now a museum, where he did most of his writing. The park includes: a nine-hole, par-three golf course; a 30-acre
nature preserve with paths; a fitness trail; an Olympic-sized pool, diving tank, kiddy pool; three ball fields; volley ball courts; basketball courts; ten indoor and four outdoor tennis courts; handball courts; dog park; playground; shuffle board and horse shoe courts; picnic areas; and ice rink. During the summer, a farmers’ market is held here weekly, and summer activities are available for children.
All who live in North Hills enjoy easy access to just about everything. Northern Boulevard, just to its North, is a business thoroughfare for premier shops and restaurants in Manhasset with its Miracle Mile and the Americana outdoor mall. From here, it is just a short drive to beaches, golf, boating, museums, nightlife, and the charming shopping districts of Port Washington and downtown Roslyn. A shuttle is available to take you from your home to the train station for less than a thirty-minute commute to the city. (This service is temporarily unavailable due to Covid 19 restrictions.) Passing through the southern part on North Hills, both the Long Island Expressway and the Northern State Parkway, provide a half-hour commute to Manhattan, easy access to eastern Long Island, and less than a fifteen-minute drive to the south shore.