Minerva
On Battle Hill, the cemetery's highest point, visitors can find a pleasant surprise. In 1920, Charles M. Higgins, an Irish immigrant and local history enthusiast, decided to honor the Revolutionary War Battle of Long Island, which had been neglected for far too long. He built an altar on Battle Hill and topped it with a statue of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom. To ensure that Minerva would not feel lonely at the top, Higgins placed her close to Lady Liberty's upraised torch, located 3.5 miles to the West. This creates a unique sight where Minerva's waving hand reciprocates Lady Liberty's torch. Five years ago, in 2008, there were concerns that this remarkable view could be obstructed. It was then that a real estate developer and a historic preservationist clashed over constructing "The Minerva," a new condominium across the street. To prove that the line of sight would not be affected, a construction worker was raised 40 feet in the air in a cherry pick...