Tom Crimmins Realty Blog - manhattan

Ralph's Famous Italian Ices

Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices have been a staple of Staten Island's summers for the past 90 years. They offer hundreds of flavours and many different types of ices, smoothies, drinks, sundaes, and more. 

History

Ralph's Famous Italian Ices began in the hands of Ralph Silvestro. Silvestro came to the United States from Italy when he was a young man and began making his ices in 1928, selling them throughout Staten Island without any retail locations. His treats quickly became a Staten Island summertime favourite and earned him enough to open his first retail location in 1949, on Port Richmond Avenue. 

In 1966, Ralph decided to retire and left his two daughters, Lucile and Elise, to continue the family business. They expanded the business further and…

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Staten Island in the Early 1880s

September 1880 - Nation’s first lawn tennis tournament is played in New Brighton.  

Tennis was introduced to North America from Bermuda by Mary Outerbridge in March 1874. With the help of Outerbridge's brother, the first lawn tennis court was set up in West Brighton. “Staten Island Cricket and Baseball Club” was set up and was located on an estate that was originally named Livingston Park.

The first national tennis tournament in America, the Davis Cup, was held at the club on September 1, 1880. In 1906, the club's name was changed to the Staten Island Cricket and Tennis Club, and changed a second time in 1931 to the Staten Island Cricket Club. In 1930, the city bought the estate and renamed the property Walker Park. Walker Park is in memory of…

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...Featuring Our Luxury Homes

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Our staff are experts in the real estate market; the seasoned staff are also leaders in sales and have an immense knowledge in the prestigious high end luxury market. 

High end homes are located all throughout Staten Island. There are many unique styles of homes at vast price ranges, which makes the high end luxury market on Staten Island is a must see! 

The market is looking up, so let us help you find the luxury home you have been dreaming of.  Browse all of Staten Island's luxury homes now.

Here are a few of our homes:

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1747 - First ferry established between Manhattan and North Shore

On Decemeber 31, 1747, Jacob de Hart petitioned for rights of a public ferry that will commute from Staten Island to Manhattan and to Bergen County, N.J.. However, in May the following year, John Beek and Jacob Corsen opposed de Hart's petition stated, from the Calender of Council Minutes 1668-1783, they "have for some years past, used to carry travellers from their lands to the City of New York and to the opposite shores of New Jersey."

Solomon Comes purchased De Hart's farm before his petition was reached, this meant the De Hart's  prior petition was revolked. On March 17, 1748, the Calender of Council Minutes recorded that Comes' petition was granted to have a public ferry that will run between Staten Island and New York. Comes' Ferry became the…

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April 1524 - Discovery of the Verrazano - Narrows

Giovanni da Verrazano was born in Greve in Chianti, Italy.  In the early 1500s, Verrazano gained an interest in the navy's mission and tactics; he began sailing as a pirate and became determined to find a passage to the Orient.  Verrazano took part of France's Francis I's naval service. 

The Voyage

In the 1520s, Verrazano prepared his ship, Delfina which is named after the King's firstborn daughter, to partake with three other ships on an eight month voyage to discover a quicker route to the Orient. Only La Dauphine had surpassed the voyage, managing to have enough supplies and avoid becoming shipwrecked. Cape Fear, North Carolina was the first sight of land Verrazano came across; but Verrazano continued traveling north of the coast. 

In the…

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