All about the Staten Island neighborhood Willowbrook
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, Willowbrook. This neighborhood is home to the Mid-Island & the zip code 10314. Situated immediately south of Port Richmond, it is west of Meiers Corners and Westerleigh, north of New Springville, east of Bulls Head, and in the area of the island sometimes called Mid-Island.
Willowbrook, which got its name from a brook that cut through the farms there, was formerly the center of the island's agricultural zone. It experienced its first notable growth when a military hospital was established there in World War II. Following the conclusion of the war, the area was used to house Willowbrook State School. This state-run facility caused national controversy in the 1970s when it was discovered that the children residing there had been subjected to extensive abuse and neglect. By 1987, the institution had to close, and six years later, the College of Staten Island constructed a campus there. A sizable city park called Willowbrook Park borders the campus to the west. The same plot was also home to the Seaview Hospital Tuberculosis Sanatorium.
Another significant change to the area came with the November 1964 inauguration of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. The farms were quickly sold and divided, and new homes were constructed on the site. Willowbrook became the hub of the island's Orthodox Jewish population since many of the newly constructed homes were owned by Jewish families.
Willowbrook is served by many bus lines including but not limited to S57, S61, S62, S91, S92, S93 as the local buses. As for express buses that serve the neighborhood are SIM3, SIM4C, SIM31, SIM32, SIM33 and SIM34. As many buses flow through the area, you can find many schools that students in this neighborhood are zoned to, P.S. 54 is just to name one! The NYPL of Todt-Hill, Westerleigh and Willowbrook located on Victory Blvd serves this neighborhood as well.
As you may see, Staten Island exudes so much history that is still honored throughout our neighborhoods. Willowbrook 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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