Feeling For The Island

Staten Island in 1959 - 1960 was alot different than it is today. There were no Fast Food Restaurants (McDonalds, etc.). There was a total of less than 6 Pizza Places on the entire Island. There seems to be one on every corner today. The closest thing to a Mall was Forest Avenue Shopper's Town, or downtown Stapleton. Most Shopping was done in the Villages of S.I. (Great Kills, Port Richmond, etc.). Most of the Stores from Grocers, to Clothes, to Hardware were Mom, and Pop type businesses. Where the Mall is today; there was an Airport, Drive-in Movie, and a Farmer's Market. There was a total of 3 Traffic Lights on Hylan Blvd from New Dorp Lane to Tottenville. I don't know of anyone that Locked their Doors. You knew all Your Neighbors, and they knew You. The only Traffic problems were on Friday, and Saturday nights when everyone from New Jersey came over to S.I. to get Drunk. There were still a few small Farms left on the Island, and Milk from Cows raised on the Island was delivered to Your Door. You never had to worry about who Your kids were playing with, or when they would be Home. If a Cop caught You doing something stupid; He would knock You upside the Head, and take You Home to Your Parents. You could get in Trouble a mile from Home, and before You could get Home; Your Parents would know all about it. There were Woods everywhere. I believe everyone (kids) had a fort in the Woods, and a Tarzan Swing somewhere.A few of the Landmarks I loved, and remembered that are gone: Pickle Works; at Richmond Road, and Targee. This place made the best Pickles I ever ate. I remember buying Kosher Pickles for a Nickle, and Eating them on the way Home....Jeans Beans; The Best for take out Fish, and Fries.....AL Deppe's; THE Staten Island landmark Restaurant. It was at Richmond Avenue, and Arthur Kill Road. Known for their Clams, but You could get most anything there. Don't forget the "Dancing Chicken" at Al Deppe's. My Island has disappeared. The Island of today bears very little resemblance to where I grew up. I know that there is always progress, but I believe that what was done to Staten Island was a crime. I do not believe that anyone had an overall plan for the Island as far as progress goes. It was all done haphazard, and without a thought as to quality of life.

A NEW ERA

It was the Summer of 1959. We were living in the Bronx. Boston Road to be exact. We were tenants in a large Apartment Building (6th Floor Front). On the 1st Floor was a stereotypical Luncheonette/Candy Store. It was a typical Bronx City Street. My Father had just recently gotten a new job; He was now a proud New York City Fireman. His previous job was on the crew of the Staten Island Ferry Boats. On this specific Day; Dad came Home with His First Car. He had bought a used 1954 Ford (Green). After the excitement of checking out the new Car; there was an announcement: Dad said; We are Moving to Staten Island. Now I knew something about S.I.. My Grandmother lived there. I would sometimes visit Her, and Grandpa in their Home in the Country (S.I.). They lived in Great Kills. I was ecstatic!!. To Me Staten Island was a place full of Woods, not many Cars, and even some Farms with Animals. What a great place this would be for a 5 year old from the Bronx. My Sister was still a Toddler so None of this move meant anything to Her yet. Dad drove us from our Apartment through New Jersey, and across the Goethals Bridge. Eventually We came to our new Home. It was an Apartment in a large House in Dongan Hills. It was on a Street known as Overlook Avenue, and was up on a Hill. Our Living Room, and Kitchen were in the Basement while the 2 Bedrooms were on the actual 1st Floor. The only access to the Bathroom was through My Bedroom; so sometimes I did not get much sleep with all the activity passing through. It might not have been much of an Apartment, but to Me; it was Heaven. Since We were up on this Hill; You could from the front Yard see much of the Island as well as lower New York Harbor. Between the House We were in, and the next House was about an acre of Woods. To Me; this might as well been a Forest, and in the next few Years; it will get much attention from this Young Fellow. I would soon be starting School. My Parents took Me to be registered at the local Public School for 1st Grade (P.S. 48). Within the month; I will be starting My Education, and many memories of My less than perfect Student experience.

Introduction to My Blog

Hello; I am 52 Years old. I am a proud Staten Islander. Over the past few Years; I have been doing alot of reminiscing with the Friends I grew up with on Staten Island. Reminiscing seems to have become a joy in My life, and now that I am getting older; I would like to pass on My Island experiences. Each Memory will be in the style of a Story, and l will to keep them in some type of Hstorical order. Now I am sure that not all of My memories will interest People, but I hope that some of them do, and that they do not bore too many of You. I am in agreement with many People that the Island We once loved has changed. Everytime I visit; I feel like crying. The changes I see are not for the better. The Island of My Youth is gone, and I want to leave a little something of My Island behind, and hopefully someone will appreciate it.