Port Richmond: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:DSCN3810 portrichmondfrombayonne e.JPG|300px|right|thumb|Port Richmond, seen from [[Bayonne, New Jersey]] across the [[Kill Van Kull]]]] |
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'''Port Richmond''' can refer to: |
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'''Port Richmond''' is a neighborhood in northern [[Staten Island, New York|Staten Island]] in [[New York City]] in the [[United States]]. It is along the waterfront of the [[Kill Van Kull]], at the southern terminus of the [[Bayonne Bridge]]. Formerly an independent village, it is one oldest neighborhoods on the island. In the [[19th century]] it was an important transportation and industrial center of the island, but this role has vanished nearly completely, leaving a largely [[blue collar]] residential area bypassed by the shift of development of the island to its interior after the [[1960s]]. The formerly bustling commercial center along Port Richmond Avenue has been largely abandoned, with the commercial activity shifting inland to Forest Avenue. |
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*[[Port Richmond, Philadelphia|Port Richmond]], a neighborhood in [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]] in the United States. |
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*[[Port Richmond, Staten Island|Port Richmond]], a neighborhood in [[Staten Island, New York]] in the [[United States]] |
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==History== |
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In [[1700]] the area was known as the "burial place" from a cemetery of the [[Dutch Reformed Church]] near the present location of Richmond Avenue along the waterfront. It later became a transfer point between [[ferry|ferries]] from New York City to [[New Brunswick, New Jersey]]. A ferry landing (called variously as including "Ryer's Landing", "Mercereau's Landing", and "Decker's Landing") was later constructed for a route linking Staten Island across the Kill Van Kull to [[Bergen Point]] (present-day [[Bayonne, New Jersey]]). The ferries operated until the construction of the Bayonne Bridge in [[1931]]. [[Cornelius Vanderbilt]] was born in the area in [[1797]]. |
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In the early 19th century, the area was an overnight [[stagecoach|coach]] stop between New York City and [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelpia]]. In [[1836]], a public park was built. In the middle [[19th century]], the area began to attract immigrants from [[Ireland]] and [[Germany]]. Among the industries established in the area was the only [[whaling|whale oil]] processing plant on Staten Island. It was later replaced by a [[linseed oil]] processing plant that operated until the [[20th century]]. Other industries included lumber and [[coal]] yards, as a dye processing plant. |
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{{disambig}} |
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In [[1866]] the neighborhood was incorporated as Port Richmond. In the [[1880s]], the [[Staten Island Railway]] constructed a norther line with a stop in the village on Richmond Avenue, which had become a main shopping area of the island. In the [[1890s]], an [[African-American]] church was established. At the turn of the [[20th century]], it attracted large numbers of [[Italy|Italian]], [[Poland|Polish]], [[Norway|Norwegian]], and [[Sweden|Swedish]] immigrants. A public library was built with funds from [[Andrew Carnegie]] in [[1902]]. |
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The neighborhood suffered a severe economic in the later half of the [[20th century]], largely as a result of the shift of development and commercial activity to the center of the island, following the construction of the [[Verrazano Narrows Bridge]]. The northern line of the Staten Island Railway that ran through the neighborhood connecting it to [[St. George, Staten Island|St. George]] was closed in [[1953]], leaving behind a dilapidated track and station along Port Richmond Avenue. |
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In the [[1990s]], the population was approximately 75 percent white, 12 percent African-American, 10 percent [[Latin American]] and 3 percent Asian. The housing consists primarily of older one-family homes and small lots. |
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==See also== |
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*[[List of Staten Island neighborhoods]] |
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[[Category:Staten Island neighborhoods]] |
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Revision as of 22:12, 27 October 2004
Port Richmond is a neighborhood in northern Staten Island in New York City in the United States. It is along the waterfront of the Kill Van Kull, at the southern terminus of the Bayonne Bridge. Formerly an independent village, it is one oldest neighborhoods on the island. In the 19th century it was an important transportation and industrial center of the island, but this role has vanished nearly completely, leaving a largely blue collar residential area bypassed by the shift of development of the island to its interior after the 1960s. The formerly bustling commercial center along Port Richmond Avenue has been largely abandoned, with the commercial activity shifting inland to Forest Avenue.
History
In 1700 the area was known as the "burial place" from a cemetery of the Dutch Reformed Church near the present location of Richmond Avenue along the waterfront. It later became a transfer point between ferries from New York City to New Brunswick, New Jersey. A ferry landing (called variously as including "Ryer's Landing", "Mercereau's Landing", and "Decker's Landing") was later constructed for a route linking Staten Island across the Kill Van Kull to Bergen Point (present-day Bayonne, New Jersey). The ferries operated until the construction of the Bayonne Bridge in 1931. Cornelius Vanderbilt was born in the area in 1797.
In the early 19th century, the area was an overnight coach stop between New York City and Philadelpia. In 1836, a public park was built. In the middle 19th century, the area began to attract immigrants from Ireland and Germany. Among the industries established in the area was the only whale oil processing plant on Staten Island. It was later replaced by a linseed oil processing plant that operated until the 20th century. Other industries included lumber and coal yards, as a dye processing plant.
In 1866 the neighborhood was incorporated as Port Richmond. In the 1880s, the Staten Island Railway constructed a norther line with a stop in the village on Richmond Avenue, which had become a main shopping area of the island. In the 1890s, an African-American church was established. At the turn of the 20th century, it attracted large numbers of Italian, Polish, Norwegian, and Swedish immigrants. A public library was built with funds from Andrew Carnegie in 1902.
The neighborhood suffered a severe economic in the later half of the 20th century, largely as a result of the shift of development and commercial activity to the center of the island, following the construction of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. The northern line of the Staten Island Railway that ran through the neighborhood connecting it to St. George was closed in 1953, leaving behind a dilapidated track and station along Port Richmond Avenue.
In the 1990s, the population was approximately 75 percent white, 12 percent African-American, 10 percent Latin American and 3 percent Asian. The housing consists primarily of older one-family homes and small lots.