| Neighborhood
at Risk: Stapleton-Harrison Street
In the summer of 2004, Stapleton–St. Paul’s Avenue was
designated a New York City Historic District and was happily taken
off HDC’s Neighborhoods at Risk list. Long considered one
of Staten Island’s most prestigious neighborhoods, this area—consisting
mainly of well-maintained wood-frame, freestanding homes—had
pursued landmark designation for over 30 years. However, a part
of historic Stapleton is still at risk. Down the hill from St. Paul’s
Avenue lies a secluded enclave along Harrison Street of architecturally
significant houses dating to the last quarter of the 19th century,
the Stapleton Nook.
This neighborhood in northeastern Staten Island
was once farmland belonging to the Vanderbilts (Cornelius “Commodore”
Vanderbilt grew up on the family farm here). In 1832 William J.
Staples and Minthorne Tompkins bought the land, laid out streets
and established a ferry service to Manhattan. Manufacturing grew
in the area in the mid-19th century. At this time the largely German-American
population began establishing breweries, many of which operated
into the 20th century. The area’s fresh spring water and hillside
caves made it an ideal location for such an industry. 53 Harrison
was the home of the brewmaster of the nearby Rubsam & Hohrmann
Brewery. The eclectic house, built between 1875 and 1895, has a
mansard roof and brick of varying colors and patterns.
The homes of this district were built primarily
for working-class families and are typically more modest than those
up the hill on St. Paul’s. The Italianate Victorian row houses
and Greek Revival detached houses are often cited as good examples
of these styles in Staten Island. Some notable homes (including
a Greek Revival farmhouse at 92 Harrison Street and the already-landmarked
Italianate villa at 710 Bay Street) belonged to affluent merchants
and businessmen. Also in the neighborhood are several of the oldest
buildings left in Stapleton, including 704 Bay Street which may
date from as early as the 1830’s.
Thanks to the efforts of dedicated homeowners many
of these “modest” homes now rival their neighbors up
the hill. Unfortunately this area remains unprotected, and its preservation
can only be ensured by landmark designation.
For more information, visit:
Return to Neighborhoods
at Risk.
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