All about the Staten Island neighborhood West New Brighton
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, West New Brighton. This neighborhood is home to the North Shore & the zip code 10301 and 10310. The neighborhoods of Sunnyside and Castleton Corners are located to the south, the waters of the Kill Van Kull to the north, Port Richmond to the west, and New Brighton to the east all about the area.
The neighborhood was formerly called "Factoryville," but Islanders now call it West Brighton. The neighborhoods "Livingston" and "Randall Manor" relate to certain areas that are closer to the coast. The Dutch were the first people to colonize this part of Staten Island in the 1600s, and the English came next. West New Brighton people openly supported the Crown throughout the American Revolution. The region is densely inhabited due to waves of immigrants arriving in the United States.
In West New Brighton, at the location that is now Walker Park, the oldest cricket club in the United States was founded in 1872. There are still matches played by the Staten Island Cricket Club. Additionally, the first lawn tennis court in the United States was constructed here in 1873.
The years after World War II saw a transformation of the area. There were two big public housing complexes constructed. The first, the Markham Homes, was first constructed to accommodate the families of defense and shipbuilding employees. Then came the West Brighton Houses. The Markham Homes' occupants were forced out starting in 2004, so the property could be redeveloped. Every renter had moved as of 2007. Few inhabitants have been allowed to return to the renovated neighborhood, despite predictions that many would be able to.
Certain crime rates in that area have decreased since the late 1990s. Numerous shipyards and tugboat businesses are located along Richmond Terrace, the major route along the waterfront in Kill Van Kull. Politicians, attorneys, judges, and other professionals as well as some of West Brighton's wealthier citizens still dwell in the region south of Forest Avenue. West Brighton has been referred to as the borough's "swing neighborhood" in terms of politics. Candidates for Congress who win the area also typically win the borough election because of the neighborhood's varied and representative population.
Among the neighborhood's notable monuments are Silver Lake Park and Clove Lakes Park, as well as the Staten Island Zoo. There's also Snug Harbor in Livingston, which is close by. It is home to the Staten Island Conservatory of Music, baseball grounds, botanical gardens, a Chinese garden, an art lab, and a children's museum. There are also numerous small abandoned cemeteries that contain the remains of some of the founding families of Staten Island, including St. Peter's Cemetery, the oldest Roman Catholic cemetery still in decent maintenance
West Brighton is home to the Richmond University Medical Center, formerly known as St. Vincent's Medical Center. The Garner Mansion is a 19th-century structure, however most of the structures on the RUMC campus are from the late 1960s or later. The now-closed St. Austin's Military School once occupied it. The playground named after Michael J. Mahoney serves as a gentle reminder of American history. Born in West Brighton and New York City, he enlisted in the US Marines to serve in World War I.
West New Brighton is served by the bus lines of S40, S44, S46, S48, S53, S54, S90, S94, S96 and S96 for local. For express buses there is only SIM30 in the neighborhood. The following public schools that serve West New Brighton are P.S.18, P.S.45 and I.S.27.
As you may see, Staten Island exudes so much history that is still honored throughout our neighborhoods. West New Brighton 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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