All about the Staten Island Neighborhood Dongan Hills:
Staten Island is broken down into 14 different zip codes from 10301 to 10314 and into 67 different neighborhoods. Throughout this series of blogs, we will be discussing each and every neighborhood on Staten Island as well as breaking down the history, what stands there today and transportation and what community district it falls into. Staten Island is broken up into three different community districts which are: North Shore, Mid-Island, and South Shore.
Today we will be breaking down all the history about the Staten Island neighborhood, Dongan Hills. This neighborhood is home to the Mid-Island and to the zip code 10304, 10305 and 10306.Laconia Avenue to the southeast, Jefferson Avenue to the southwest, Richmond Road to the northwest, and Old Town Road to the north define the boundaries of Dongan Hills. Todt Hill to the northwest, Old Town/Concord to the northeast, South Beach and Midland Beach to the southeast, New Dorp and Grant City to the southwest, and Todt Hill to the northwest are all nearby.
The western half of the area was once referred to as Hillside Park, and the eastern half as Linden Park. Dongan Hills was formerly known as Garretson's, after a family who had inhabited the region since the late 1600s. Dongan Hills was chosen as the new name to prevent confusion with Garrison on Hudson. After the Kingdom of England purchased it from the Netherlands in 1682, the area was given a new name in honor of Thomas Dongan, the Irish-born governor of the Province of New York. The eastern ridge of Todt Hill is the "hills" that the name refers to, and most of what is commonly known as "Todt Hill" by islanders is really considered to be part of the Dongan Hills. Large hills may be found in one area of the Dongan Hills, though. The Dongan Hills Colony is the name of this part of the community. "The Colony" is situated above Richmond Road and abuts the Todt Hill area.
The city also built a public housing project in the neighborhood, known as the General Berry Houses, which is the southernmost public housing project on Staten Island. Dongan Hills became one of the first Staten Island communities to experience an upsurge in home construction following World War II. When the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge between Staten Island and Brooklyn opened in November 1964, population expansion in the area picked up speed. The relatives of the original residents are now outnumbered by recent Brooklyn immigrants, who currently make up the bulk of the neighborhood's populace.
Dongan Hills is served by many local buses around the surrounding streets. S78 and S79 along Hylan Blvd. And the S74, S84 and S86 along Richmond Road. As well as the SIM1, SIM7 and SIM10 is the express bus which goes to Manhattan from Hylan Blvd. And SIM15 on Richmond Road. Dongan Hill is also served by the Staten Island Railway. The neighborhood also is served by the elementary school P.S. 11 and P.S. 46. There is a New York Public Library branch located on 1617 Richmond Road.
As you may see, Staten Island exudes so much history that is still honored throughout our neighborhoods. Dongan Hills is home to many people from Staten Island. The neighborhood is covered in every corner with many food spots, transportation, parks and schools. This neighborhood is worth learning more about and living in.
Looking to buy or sell your home on Staten Island? For all your real estate needs, look no further than Tom Crimmins Realty! Give us a call at (718) 370-3200, and we can provide you with professionally-trained agents who are flexible to all that you’re looking for!
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