2. Welcome to Staten Island Welcome to Staten Island, my hometown. Staten Island was founded in 1661 and has diverse attractions and a unique history. It is one of the five boroughs of New York City, which are Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. Formerly referred to as the borough of Richmond, it was renamed Staten Island in 1975. The borough, which is 14 miles long and 7 miles wide, is the greenest in NYC and is considered to be “the borough of parks.” Join me in showing you interesting things to see and do in Staten Island.
3. Conference house The Conference House, located in Tottenville, was built out of grand stone by a British Naval officer, Captain Christopher Billopp, around 1680. On September 11, 1776, this was the site of a peace conference between the Continental Congress and the Commander of British Forces that attempted to end the Revolutionary War. Today, there are guided tours of the Conference House and the Park. Every year on Independence Day, there is a free concert and fireworks display that I have attended.
4. Mount Loretto Church Mount Loretto Church, also in Tottenville, was founded in 1871, and was used as a Catholic orphanage in the 19th century. It became famous when scenes with the church were used in the film, “The Godfather.” Currently, the grounds are used for the community. I played many CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) basketball games in a building right alongside this historic landmark.
5. Richmond town Richmond Town has plenty of history as it is the site where the Richmond County Government and businesses were originally set up in the 1700s. Approximately 15 historic buildings are located on the property, including the courthouse, a church, the “Little Red School House,” a blacksmith shop and even a tavern. The public can visit the restored buildings with the furnished interiors, including a museum, and tour the 100-acre property. While growing up in Staten Island, my family and I enjoyed various events in historic Richmond Town, visiting some original structures that are over 350 years old.
6. Snug harbor The Snug Harbor Cultural Center was known as “Sailor’s Snug Harbor” from 1833 – 1976. This 130-acre plot of land was once the home and private hospital for retired sailors from diverse backgrounds. My 87-year-old grandmother worked in this old charitable establishment as Recreation Director for several years, and even moved to North Carolina to help them relocate. Today, the city-owned property is a cultural center with various organizations including the Staten Island Children’s Museum, the Staten Island Botanical Gardens, the Music Hall and the John A. Noble Maritime Art Collection. I remember the millennium, “First Night Staten Island 2000,” as I celebrated bringing in the New Year at this great site with my family. The buildings were open to the public as a variety of musicians, artists and other entertainers performed.
7. The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge I am proud to say that as Borough President of Staten Island, my grandfather played a huge role in the opening of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, connecting Staten Island to the borough of Brooklyn. On Saturday, November 19, 1964, Robert T. Connor, Borough President-elect, cut the ribbon for the longest suspension bridge in the world at that time. The bridge was named for the first recognized explorer that entered New York Harbor and the Hudson River, Giovanni da Verrazano. Since 1976, this has been the starting point for the NYC Marathon, which I attended as a spectator on several occasions.
8. Four Major Bridges on Staten Island Staten Island is connected to surrounding areas by four bridges: (1) Verrazano-Narrows Bridge; (2) Bayonne Bridge; (3) Goethals Bridge; and (4) the Outer Bridge Crossing. The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge connects the island to Brooklyn; the other three bridges connect the borough to New Jersey. The Staten Island Ferry connects the island to Manhattan.
9. Fort Wadsworth During the Revolutionary War, Fort Wadsworth played a significant role in US history since it protected New York Harbor. Today it is a park that is free and open to the public with historic information about the deteriorating fort at the visitor’s center. There are spectacular views of the Verrazano Bridge, Lower Manhattan skyline, Queens, Brooklyn and New Jersey. A memorable day for me and my family was going to view “2000 Operation Sail” at Fort Wadsworth when more than 200 sailing vessels from around the world participated in a major maritime event.
10. Staten Island Borough Hall Staten Island Borough Hall, located in St. George overlooking New York Harbor, is a designated landmark in NYC, and has a special place in my heart since it is the setting of the Borough President’s Office. My grandfather, Robert T. Connor, was the former longest elected Borough President, holding the position from 1965 to 1977. He performed his duties for almost twelve years in this French Renaissance, three story stone-base brick building with 13 life-size historic murals. He left this position to become Assistant Secretary of the Navy under President Carter.
11. Staten Island Ferry In St. George, the Staten Island Ferry Terminal is located on the New York Harbor near Borough Hall. It cruises to Lower Manhattan, docking in The Whitehall Terminal near Battery Park. The five mile journey takes about 25 minutes each way and is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. This ferry service has been available to the public since 1905, although the Dutch had erratic and infrequent service as early as 1713. My grandfather fought hard to keep the ferry faire at five cents per trip, which was known as the greatest bargain in New York City. Over 60, 000 passengers during the week days can enjoy views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the skyscrapers of Lower Manhattan. As of July 4, 1997, the faire was eliminated.
12. Staten island lighthouse The lighthouse that sits on a hill on Lighthouse Avenue is a 90-foot tower, which is architecturally exquisite. This is a site that I took for granted, never appreciating its beauty. The tower is shaped like an octagon, constructed mainly with brick and has gray limestone base and trim. It went into operation in 1912, became a historical landmark in New York City in 1968, and is visible from the New York Harbor.
13. September 11th Memorial Just walk from the Staten Island Terminal onto the Esplanade along the North Shore Waterfront to view the September 11th Memorial. The monument appears like outstretched wings with the names and profiles of Staten Island victims engraved in granite plaques. I still vividly remember that horrific day. Staten Island was the hardest hit borough; therefore, needed our own memorial to reflect and mourn.
14. Richmond County Bank Ballpark Continue to stroll along the Esplanade and you will walk up to The Richmond County Bank Ballpark. This is the home to the “Staten Island Yankees,” a minor baseball league to the New York Yankees. The stadium opened in the summer of 2001 and holds 6,500 seats. The incredible view allows spectators to observe the Statue of Liberty and the New York Skyline, now minus the twin towers of the World Trade Center. I enjoyed many games there and even was honored on the field when my Little League won the Championship on their first season.
15. Curtis High School Another place in the St. George area that I feel extremely compassionate about is Curtis High School, a New York City Landmark. It is the oldest high school on Staten Island that was founded on February 9, 1904. With a beautiful view of the New York skyline, I attended this Victorian Gothic style, English medieval type of building from September, 2005, until my graduation in June, 2009.
16. Change Even in my 19 years of life, I have seen my hometown of Staten Island change. Similar to the rest of the country, Staten Island is definitely worried about its future. There are positive aspects of the borough, such as the many interesting and historic landmarks and being so close to NYC. Staten Island continually renovates their notable attractions and plans numerous special events in order to boost tourism. Furthermore, there is a multitude of campaigns to save our natural parks and prevent builders from developing the land. I am also encouraged that in the future, “the dump,” will be transformed into one of the greatest parks in NYC.
17. Different Atmosphere On the other hand, when I recently spoke to my grandmother about the changes to the island, she said she becomes sad every time she visits. When she was a young girl growing up in Staten Island, it was not so populated and truly a country atmosphere with open fields and farmland. The main means of transportation for many people was horse and carriage, and stop lights were scarce. According to my grandmother, “when the bridge (Verrazano) went up, Staten Island started to develop and the population quickly doubled.”
18. My Home I also have seen overdevelopment in housing, building homes on just about any empty lot in residential areas. This brings about overcrowding in our schools, on our roads and in our developments, causing an increase in costs, pollution and a higher crime rate. Change to Staten Island is not always good since it compromises the quality of our lives. Although Staten Island is not the way it used to be, it is the place that I call home!
