Clinton Hill: Some History

Clinton Hill and Clinton Avenue were named for De Witt Clinton, a New York mayor and governor in the 1800s. He became one of the most powerful politicians in the state, and while in office helped form the Free School Society, the New York Historical Society and the Literary and Philosophical Society, improved sanitation, helped develop the city's "grid system," and was a proponent for the abolishment of slavery. On a recent walking tour of Greenwood Cemetary, we passed his final resting place.

Thank goodness he was a nice guy.