Heyerdahl Hill and Estate in the Staten Island Greenbelt have a rich historical background intertwined with folklore, alleged paranormal activity, and local legends.
From more darker stories of Willowbrook Park as cited in our last discussion we move further into the Staten Island Greenbelt. If one wished to do so the Willowbrook Park white trail that ends at Forest Hill Road, does continue across the street into the forested Greenbelt. However, to get to the location of today’s discussion, the Heyerdahl Hill/Estate Ruins I parked at the Greenbelt Nature Center.
At 241 feet, Heyerdahl Hill is one of the highest points on the eastern coast. The hill is named for the Heyerdahl family, who settled the area in Colonial times—Thorwald Heyerdahl built a stone house on the hill circa 1861-62 after signing a lease and later purchasing surrounding acreage to establish a vineyard and orchard. These agricultural ambitions failed due to the serpentine rock beneath the soil, which proved inhospitable for grapes and most plants.
As cited in previous Willowbrook discussions I tend to hike areas in the Staten Island Greenbelt, and other areas, while wifey teaches her class at the College of Staten Island. Since she does not drive I take her to work from our home in New Jersey and find things to do til she is done for the day. These solo explorations are scouting ventures where I find cool sites, explore, then another day we go together. More of this will be seen in my next article concerning the New York Farm Colony, which I am currently developing.
If you would like to download and see the trail map it can be found here
Once you set upon the trail do keep your eye on the ground as there are rocks and roots that jut out. But you do want to have a slow look to your left as portions of abandoned buildings can be found.
As I entered further along the trail I tend to head to the left where you can take the long way around to Heyerdahl Hill taking in nature and bird song. The trail as seen in the map screenshot borders Rockland Ave and curves around toward Heyerdahl Hill. Once you take the trail straight in away from the Nature Center veer to your left
Once I was further along away from the prior ruins as seen in the above pics I noticed another potential item of antiquity…or not. Since I have found clothing in shoes in Willowbrook Park under the brush and leaf mould, why not hear in this area of the Greenbelt. It looks to have had rivets and holes for threading. It could be mid-20th century or earlier.
Out of sheer curiosity I entered this image into Perplexity.ai to see if the sole could be dated and this is what it said.
“This object appears to be the worn sole of a shoe, possibly a boot, showing a circular pattern and what look like metal studs or nails embedded near the toe area. Based on the style and materials visible, it resembles the construction typical of footwear from the early to mid 20th century, particularly work boots, military boots, or athletic shoes that featured nailed leather soles.
Nailed Leather Sole: The use of metal nails or studs in the sole construction was common before molded rubber soles became the standard, placing this style most often between the late 1800s and the 1950s.
Given these characteristics, the likely date of manufacture for this type of shoe sole is between the 1920s and 1950s. If the circular pattern and stud placement correspond to a known military or sports model, a more precise date could fall within WWII (1939-1945), but similar construction was seen in civilian and sports footwear both before and after the war.
Could be complete bullshit, however I am of the opinion it adds to the depth of the historical record and building remains nearby where this was found.
Continuing down the trail one can meander off and head toward LaTourette Golf Course, or continue forward toward Heyerdahl Hill. In this next pic of a very serene moment you can see on the right a post indicating trail direction.
But at times other trail blazers leave their own mark when a tree has come down.
At one time the trail went straight ahead but no one appears to have cleaned up the down tree so now you have to go around the tree LOL.
Once down this trail a bit you can see the Hill rise up on your right hand side. The official parks trail does not go up the hill, but you can see a path. This path is identifiable a being worn like a deer rut but wider. This is one of two ways in, as the other shorter way is along a parks trail, and is a right turn into the area. Most Map apps like Apple or Google Maps has this location on it. The below pic is what you see entering from the red trail. If you zoom in you can see the distant structure in the middle.
If you are wondering what the estate lay out looked like way back when here you go.
The trail entering up the hill is along the Orchard side and you can see how it curves up the hill, which is pretty much how it is today. From the red trail as show in earlier pic is on opposite side where it cites “Grapery” and below “Res” area indicating Residence, which next pics will show. First up is what the hill looks like from below on the trail.
Once you get up the trail on your right will be the collapsing well.
As you get to hill summit the remains of the estate are right in front of you.
Below is a short video I shot, two combined short videos surveying the structure.
When I first visited in September 2024 to the right of the stairs I found notes from a bag someone had left. There were small paint containers, brushes and these pages.
Upon inspection and deciphering the childlike hand writing it appears to be someone’s diary entries. It is my hope this person is ok, as some of it read like the author has mental health issues. It is also my hope this person did not do something horrible to themselves and was able to find help, if indeed I am reading the site and pages correctly. Now moving toward the rear of the structure I found an empty space below the stairs.
Now the rear stairs is interesting as it has an empty space that was previously opened by someone. Upon my next visit it was covered with debris. Park workers probably covered it back up and I have pics of it before and after as show in next set.
This is to the right of the rear stairs at its base. Perhaps at one time is was part of the basement, perhaps storage.
This is inside the space below the stairs, I saw this Shoprite bag and could not reach it. I am not sure if it contains anything someone is hiding. Not necessarily weird or strange, could be nothing, or could be a secret stash of something.
Finally to wrap this up, If you look on Google Maps for Heyerdahl Hill there are pics from folks who have visited the area over the years. One such picture from 2015 caught my attention.
As I cited this post is from 2015 and I do not know if this sign is still there. I did not find this sign but found something equally as creepy. Just outside the main structure going back to the path leading to the red trail, about 50 feet from the Heyerdahl House I found this rock at the base of a tree.
Indeed this rock bears the saying “Not Alone,” which can indicated numerous conditions. Did the etcher of this rock feel they were not alone at this site? Perhaps by non-corporeal beings? Did this person see the young lady riding by on a horse? Or meet up with the former residents? To me it’s on par with the Beware of Ghosts sign.
What do you think? Comment below and let me know!
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