All about the Staten Island Neighborhood Pleasant Plains:
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, Pleasant Plains. This neighborhood is home to the South Shore and zip code 10307 & 10309. Woodrow to the north, Lower New York Bay to the south, Richmond Valley to the west, and Prince's Bay to the east are its exterior borders.
The Staten Island Railroad Corporation, the original proprietors of what is now the MTA Staten Island Railway, gave it that name. A station that crossed Amboy Road two miles north of Tottenville when the railroad line was extended to Tottenville in 1860 was given the name Pleasant Plains. The town that quickly developed around the station was given the name "Pleasant Plains" in the end.
The founder of the Mission of the Immaculate Virgin, Reverend John Christopher Drumgoole, bought a 120-acre estate from the Bennett family in 1882 as well as another 400-acres later on, southeast of the train station. He founded the ministry in Manhattan in 1871 with the intention of helping homeless newsboys. The Mission of The Immaculate Virgin at Mount Loretto became the official name, although it was and is still called simply as "Mt. Loretto." On the property, a thriving farm and an orphanage for boys were built. It once had the title of being New York State's biggest farm. The St. Elizabeth's Building, a six-story Georgian-style structure with enough for 350 students, was put into construction in 1888 by Father Drumgoole's successor. It was set on fire and completely destroyed in March 2000. The structure has been neglected and abandoned for a while.
The State of New York purchased a 194-acre plot of property located south of Hylan Boulevard. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation looks for the park known as "The Mount Loretto Unique Area". Lemon Creek Park, which is partially in Pleasant Plains, is located next to the state park. A fishing pier is located at the base of Sharrotts Avenue in the part of Pleasant Plains.
The park comprises 85-foot-high red clay cliffs that are part of the terminal moraine at the southern terminus of the Wisconsin Glacier, which receded 10,000 years ago, and that overlook Prince's Bay in Outer New York Harbor. They are New York State's tallest oceanfront bluffs. The Prince's Bay Lighthouse, which stands on the highest point of these cliffs, was constructed in 1864. Housing is affixed to the lighthouse.
The St. Joachim and St. Anne Church was completely destroyed by fire in 1973. The baptism scene from The Godfather the previous year included this church's exterior. The crossroads of Bloomingdale Road, Amboy Road, and Pleasant Plains Avenue serves as the community's business hub. It is going through a little but evident resurgence, similar to many of the South Shore's former commercial centers.
Pleasant Plains, at its named station, the Staten Island Railway provides service to the area. The S55 and SIM26 are the only nearby routes both on Amboy Road/ Bloomingdale Road. Tottenville High School, which is situated in Staten Island's Huguenot district, is designated for Tottenville High School students who reside in Pleasant Plains. Staten Island Academy is a nonreligious private school that offers grades pre-kindergarten through twelve. There are also several Catholic school alternatives, including the coed Saint Joseph By the Sea High School, the all-boys Monsignor Farrell High School. Pleasant Plains is home to South Richmond High School's main campus, which is a special education institution.
As you may see, Staten Island exudes so much history that is still honored throughout our neighborhoods. Pleasant Plains 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.
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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