This year, Staten Islanders are celebrating the 350th anniversary of the island’s first permanent European settlement with history tours, exhibits and events presented by SI 350 and Borough President Molinaro.
But how many Islanders actually know the history of the borough they call home? Here’s a brief primer.
Geography and early history
The southernmost tip of New York state, kidney-shaped Staten Island is 13.9 miles long from St. Geroge, the closest point to Manhattan, to Tottenville, its southernmost town. At its widest, the island is 7.3 miles from east to west.
The island was first inhabited by Native Americans known as the Leni-Lenape, who called the island Aquehonga, meaning “place of high sandy banks.”
Giovanni da Verrazzano was the first European explorer to enter the region, visiting the Narrows as he navigated the eastern coast of what is now the United States in 1524.
But it was not until 1661 that European settlers — French, Belgian, and Dutch — first settled in what they called “Oude Dorp,” in what is now known as Old Town and South Beach, while the Dutch controlled the area.
Under English rule, Staten Island was renamed Richmond County in honor of the son of the Duke of York, the Duke of Richmond.
By 1695 the population was approximately 800 and included a large swath of ethnicities, prompting a local school teacher to write in 1707 that it was home to “all nations under heaven.”
Through the 19th century, the population continued to grow, adding German, Spanish, Polish, Cuban and Russian immigrants who sought jobs in factories that produced linoleum and brick, breweries, and shipyards. The turn of the 20th century brought more immigrants including Italians, Greeks, and Chinese.
Historic locations
Staten Island’s long history can be relived at places like Historic Richmondtown, the living museum at the site of the former county seat in the center of the borough, as well as the many historic sites across the island.
Tottenville is home to Burial Ridge, the largest American Indian burial ground in New York City, which is on the grounds of the Conference House, where, on Sept. 11, 1776, Benjamin Franklin and John Addams had a peace conference with Lord Richard Howe in hopes of putting a stop to the War for Independence.
In Old Town, the Billou-Stillwell-Perine House, the oldest standing structure in the boroug, sits at 1476 Richmond Rd. Built in 1665, it is now owned by the Staten Island Historical Society, and is open to the public on a limited weekend schedule or by appointment.
Sandy Ground in Rossville was the first piece of land in the county purchased by an African-American (Capt. John Jackson), and is the oldest community to be founded by freed slaves in the country.
Neighborhood notes
The man-made Silver Lake (in the Silver Lake section of the island) is the largest body of fresh water on the island, and was once a part of the state’s reservoir system, NY.
Willowbrook was named for a brook that flowed through the farmland there. Dongan Hills was named after the Irish-born governor of Province, NY, Thomas Dongan, in 1682. Dongan Hills was also one of the first neighborhoods to have a surge of home construction after World War II.
In the 19th century, New Dorp was home to members of the Vanderbilt Family whose, fortune was made through shipping and railroads. A family farm was later used by the U.S. Army, and has since become Miller Field, part of the Gateway National Recreation Area. Turrets that protected the field from enemy attack still stand on the beachfront.
Grant City, was named after Civil War general Ulysses S. Grant. In fact, several streets are named after famous historical figures, like Lincoln Avenue — after President Lincoln — and Freemont Avenue after General Freemont.
St. George was named after developer George Law, who acquired the waterfront land. The neighborhood grew rapidly in the 20th century when the ferry service to Manhattan opened. The St. George Theatre was built in 1928 by Solomon Brill, who, before he died, was considering selling it to William Fox (whose name lives on in Fox television and 20th Century Fox film studio). St. George is also home to Staten Island’s Borough Hall, which was built in 1906, and Curtis High School, the first structure commissioned by the consolidated City of New York.
Memories at South Beach Library [21-25 Robin Rd. between Ocean Avenue and Father Capodanno Boulevard in South Beach, (718) 816-5834]. Aug. 27, from 2 to 4 pm.
Memories at West New Brighton Library [976 Castleton Ave. between N. Burgher Ave. and Broadway in West New Brighton, (718) 442-1416]. Sept. 10, from 2 to 4 pm.
For more information on the birthday events, visit www.si350.org.
