Richmond County, Staten Island
Florentine explorer, Giovanni da Verrazano, first sighted
Staten Island in 1524 while on an expedition to find a passageway
to the Pacific Ocean. Prior to European settlement, the land was
occupied by the Lenape Native Americans. In 1661 the Dutch
established a colony in present day South Beach and named the
island Staaten Eylandt, after a Dutch parliament general. The
English soon seized the Island in 1664 for the King of England and
renamed it, Richmond, in honor of the Duke of Richmond. The
following year, what is thought to be the oldest existing school
building in the United States was created, the Voorlezer's House,
located in Historic Richmond Town.
In its infancy under European regime, Richmond remained a rural
community, supporting many farms, mills and a growing fisherman’s
industry, mostly shell fishing. The community began to thrive under
the control of the British and by 1700 the population was roughly
1,000.
During the Revolutionary War, General Howe landed
his
ship at the Water Place, today’s neighborhood of Tompkinsville, in
June of 1776. Thirty thousand prepared for the battle known
today as The Battle of Long Island. A month later, General Howe
attacked George Washington in the western portion of Long Island,
know today as Brooklyn. By September of 1776, a secret peace
meeting to end the war took place in what is currently known as the
Conference House on the south shore, Tottenville. The final shot of
the American Revolution was fired on Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island
in 1783.
Control over Staten Island was an ongoing dispute between New York
and New Jersey for almost two centuries. New Jersey claimed Staten
Island because it is much closer in proximity than to New York, and
because of original grants. However, New York claimed ownership of
land as far south as Raritan bay. By 1833, both states mutually
agreed on the current-day boundaries.
The New York colony, or state, legislature divided the island
into four towns in 1788. These towns were Castleton,
Northfield, Southfield and Westfield and had their own elected
officials. The state, however, did not supply adequate
infrastructure as the sewage and road systems were the worst among
the counties in New York. In 1799 a quarantine station for new
immigrants was set up in Tompkinsville for those who had Yellow
Fever and Small Pox due to an outbreak of disease during the time.
Later, it was intentionally burned down by angry residents who
feared it would spread disease within the isolated community. In
1897, as a means to generate capital investment, provide adequate
infrastructure and improve overall living conditions, Staten
Islanders agreed to join four other counties or boroughs that made
up New York City.
Numerous historical events occurred in 19th Century Staten
Island. During the early 1800s, the Staten Island Ferry began
regular operation to New York. Slavery was abolished in New York in
1827, a movement led by Staten Islander, Daniel Tompkins. The
Island also progressed with major advancements in its
infrastructure and technology. Major thoroughfares were created,
the county’s first steamboat and railroad began operation, and a
magnetic telegraph line reached its shores. Serving the needs of
the growing community, the nation’s first home and hospital for
retired seamen and the Island’s first Catholic Parish, St. Peter’s,
were established. In addition, the oldest existing public school,
currently known as P.S.1 was built.
Development on Staten Island greatly increased during the 20th
century. Vehicular traffic on and off the Island became
possible thanks to the construction of bridges. In 1928, the
Goethals Bridge, and its sister, the Outerbridge Crossing, opened
providing access to mainland, New Jersey. The Goethals Bridge
connects the Howland Hook section of Staten Island to Elizabeth,
New Jersey. Concurrently opening with the Goethals Bridge was the
Outerbridge Crossing, connecting Staten Island’s southern shore to
Central New Jersey. Both bridges cross the narrow Arthur Kill
channel and are in operation to this day.
With the proliferation of investments and growth of resources, the
population of the county was estimated at 221,000 by 1960. The
Verrazano Narrows Bridge became the largest contributing factor to
the Island’s growth since it’s opening in 1964. 
As
the longest suspension bridge in North America, the Verrazano
Bridge opened the floodgates of Brooklyn residents who sought
suburban life with access to New York City. By 1980, the population
grew by 33% from the previous decade. During the 80s, Staten Island
became home to a United States Naval Base, Naval Station New York.
It consisted of two sections including the Strategic Homeport in
Stapleton and a larger section by Fort Wadsworth. The ‘Teleport’, a
satellite earth station complex designed to provide
telecommunications for New York and New Jersey, was developed in
1986.
By the end of the 20th century, Staten Islanders became
disenchanted with the city of New York. Residents were upset over
the disproportionate amount of city funding compared with other
boroughs, a lack resources, and underrepresentation in the City
Council. Ironically, nearly 100 years after Staten Island joined
New York City, Staten Islanders overwhelmingly voted to secede from
it in 1993. The bill allowing Staten Island to become autonomous
was approved by the state senate, however, one member of the City
Council refused to allow a vote on the measure. When Mayor Rudolph
Giuliani was elected, he fulfilled many promises made to Island
residents, including the closing of the Fresh Kills landfill.
During his tenure, cries for secession simmered.
Today, Staten Island is a bedroom community which offers the safety
and comfort of suburban living along with the many resources found
only in New York City. Because its unique characteristics, both
demographically and geographically, Staten Island is known for its
history, beauty and culture and home to over 468,000 residents.
Sources
Staten Island Historian
Staten Island
History
Staten
Island Legal Services
Fun Trivia
2010
Census
Statenopoly
Port Authority of NY and
NJ
SILive.com
Biography.com