Consider the name Rose Hill. It evokes images of sprawling gardens and a tranquil escape. But how did this Manhattan neighborhood get such a flowery name?
Rose Hill in Manhattan is nestled between Murray Hill and Gramercy Park. It’s a neighborhood with a history stretching back to the colonial era. Today some consider Rose Hill a part of NoMad. The name “Rose Hill” was common in the 18th and 19th centuries. However its use has declined since 2010.
The story of Rose Hill begins with John Watts. Watts acquired a farm from James DeLancey in 1747. This farm was over 130 acres. It stretched from the East River to what would become Fourth Avenue. The northern and southern borders were 21st and 30th streets.
Watts named his farm Rose Hill. This commemorated his father’s house near Edinburgh. Watts’ residence was at 3 Broadway. He faced Bowling Green. Watts married Ann DeLancey in 1742. As Loyalists, the Watts family left for Britain in 1775. They left Rose Hill to their son John Watts.
During the British occupation, the main house burned in 1779. Deeds from the 1780s mention houses, buildings, orchards, and gardens. Parts of Rose Hill Farm were sold off. Nicholas Cruger bought a lot in 1786. This lot is now the block bounded by 29th and 30th Streets. It lies between Second and Third Avenues.
After the Revolutionary War, Rose Hill Farm was rebuilt. It was then put up for sale in 1790. The advertisement described an elegant farm with valuable land. It had an elegant dwelling and a commodious farmhouse. There was an excellent barn and a hovel. The farm included an orchard of 260 apple trees and a thriving nursery. An elegant garden boasted the finest collection of flowers.
General Horatio Gates acquired part of the Watts property in 1790. He established a country seat. This mansion was at the corner of Second Avenue and 22nd Street. Gates died at his estate in 1806. His home became a boarding house.
By 1811, the Cruger parcel was subdivided into building lots. This followed the Commissioners’ Plan. Gramercy Park was laid out southwest of Rose Hill in 1831. It aligned with what became Lexington Avenue.
Today, Rose Hill is home to Baruch College and the School of Visual Arts. The NYU College of Dentistry and Rose Hill Montessori Preschool are here. The CURE Innovation Campus is also located in Rose Hill.
The community includes single-room occupancy supportive housing ventures. Friends House in Rosehill is one such venture. Another is the Prince George Hotel. Madison Square anchors the neighborhood’s southwest corner. Curry Hill lies along Lexington Avenue. It features Indian restaurants and spice shops. This area was also known as Little Armenia.
From a vast farm to a vibrant neighborhood, Rose Hill has transformed over time. Its name still whispers of its flowery past. As you explore Rose Hill, remember the Watts family. They created this green escape in a growing city. The area continues to bloom today.