Theresa Anarumo - Hidden History of Staten Island

Published by The History Press

Charleston, SC

www.historypress.net

Copyright 2017 by Theresa Anarumo and Maureen Seaberg

All rights reserved

First published 2017

e-book edition 2017

ISBN 978.1.43966.354.7

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017953984

print edition ISBN 978.1.46713.868.0

Notice: The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. It is offered without guarantee on the part of the authors or The History Press. The authors and The History Press disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever without prior written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

To the original captain crash, and my angels Stefanie, Joe and Nickmy moving buddies, my best friends, my inspirationsthank you all for the endless love and support.

To Maureen, my dear friend and collaborator, thank you for embarking on this journey with me celebrating our hometown.

Xo
Theresa

**************

To my family and friends and wider community on Staten Islandthe best is yet to come!

To my lovely high school friend and coauthor Theresa and the great people at The History Press, thank you for making me part of this journey.

Maureen

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Hidden History of Staten Island would not have been possible if it were not for the passionate efforts of Staten Island historians, museum curators and community leaders. Their dedication to the preservation of Staten Islands history is greatly admired, respected and sincerely appreciated.

Special thanks to Gabriella Leone, gatekeeper of the Staten Island Archives; Rachel Somma of the Staten Island Museum; Meredith Sladek of Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden; and Celestina Cuadrado of the National Lighthouse Museum, as well as landmark tour guides for your infinite wisdom, graciousness and enthusiasm in this project.

Lastly, a special thank-you to our editor J. Banks Smither for his guidance and support and thanks to the amazing team at The History Press.

INTRODUCTION

With more than $1 billion being invested in Staten Islands waterfront from St. George to Stapleton and many other major upgrades in retail and other services around the borough, Richmond County is finally poised to reach its potential as a world-class New York City destination for new residents and visitors alike.

Staten Island may be the least familiar of Gothams boroughs, but it has a history as rich as any part of the city. It has been home to many literary, revolutionary and pop culture heroes for centuries. This history hasnt really been hidden, as journalists living here have long been documenting these treasures, but because Staten Island is often overshadowed by more populous and media-filled corners of the city, these legacies are still not widely known.

As the greenest frontier of New York City, the Island is also increasingly diverse, with major diasporas from Liberia and Sri Lanka and other points around the globe. It is still the most Italian-American congressional district in the nation, and you can find a gourmet meal from any of Italys regions here or take part in that vibrant culture in any one of several arts centers.

Did you know that after working with the kings children in the Court of Siam, governess Anna Leonowens came here to write about it and run a school for children? Or that author George R.R. Martin based Westerosnow immortalized in Game of Throneson his memories of looking out on Staten Island from his boyhood home in Bayonne, New Jersey? Or that chewing gum was invented here with the help of Mexican general Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna? How about country music legend Roy Clark getting his start as a virtuoso guitar player on the Staten Island Ferry? Or that O.J. Simpson prosecutor Marcia Clark graduated from Susan Wagner High School here? How about President Donald Trump doing his real estate apprenticeship here at the many buildings his father, Fred, used to own?

These are just a few of the many stories youll find within this volume, which is a valentine by former high school classmates and friends to not only longtime residents of the place the Wu-Tang Clan likes to call Shaolin but all the many new people who will move to Staten Island or visit here for the first time. Welcome to The Rock, as the locals like to call it. We hope you enjoy these vignettes and succeed to contribute new legacies of your own making.

Chapter 1

THE GUIDING LIGHTS OF STATEN ISLAND

THE NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE MUSEUM

From St. George through Stapleton, Staten Island is transforming into a tourism, retail and residential hub with more than $1 billion in private and public investment. One of the highlights of this long-awaited renaissance is the National Lighthouse Museum, located on the former site of the United States Lighthouse Services (USLHS) General Depot in St. George, Staten Island. The National Lighthouse Museum educates visitors about the history and technology of the nations lighthouses. It is a private, nonprofit museum and opened in August 2015.

The General Depot was the national headquarters, testing ground and distribution center for all materials and equipment used by light keepers and USLHS personnel from 1864 to 1939. Once a lively and bustling site of eighteen buildings, only seven survive today, explains Celestina Cuadrado, the curator and site manager. The museum is currently housed in the 1912 foundry building and is self-guided. Exhibits include Nantucket to New Jersey: Navigating New York Harbor; Optics: Projecting the Light; and Life at the Light: Lighthouse Keepers. The museum also offers public programs and seasonal lighthouse boat tours.

The historic General Depot site is now being transformed into Lighthouse Point, a commercial and residential development adjacent to the museum in St. George near the Staten Island Ferry. Two glass high-rise buildings and the restoration of the five remaining General Depot buildings are slated to be completed in the next few years. This will complement the opening of the New York Wheel in 2018, the largest observational wheel in the western hemisphere, and Empire Outlets, the only outlet mall in New York City.

Overview of General Depot Site, circa 1890. Courtesy National Lighthouse Museum.

View of Administration Building, circa 1910. Courtesy National Lighthouse Museum.

Workers outside Original Lamp Shop, 1890. Courtesy National Lighthouse Museum.