St. George Historic District to Celebrate Anniversary

Staten Island’s neighborhoods are rich with American history, and none more so than the neighborhood of St. George, which was designated as an historic neighborhood 20 years ago.

The Preservation League of Staten Island will commemorate the anniversary of the St. George historic district with a party on Saturday, Sept. 28. The event includes talks, walking tours and a cocktail reception. The celebration also marks the 10th anniversary of the Stapleton Heights district becoming an historic district.

The History of St. George

The St. George historic district was given its historic designation in 1994 by the City of New York, but its history dates back the Revolutionary War. The neighborhood was the site of Fort Hill, a British fort that overlooked the harbor.

However, St. George really came into its own in the 1830s when it became a favored tourist destination. The addition of several prominent hotels built facing the Kill Van Kull (a strait that separates Bayonne, NJ from Staten Island) made it a very fashionable resort.

Did You Know?

St. George was not named after the saint. It was actually named after a developer named George Law who bought the waterfront land at an extremely inexpensive price. He later sold the land with the only stipulation being the naming rights to the town.

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In 1918, the Staten Island Institute of Arts and Sciences moved to St. George where it has remained ever since. Other notable building from the early 20th century located in St. George include a branch of the New York Public Library (1906), the Staten Island Borough Hall (1906) and the Richmond County Courthouse (1919). All three of these distinct buildings were build by the architectural firm Carrere and Hastings, which operated during the late 19th and early 20th centuries all throughout the country.

St. George Buildings with Historic Designations

• 1200th Police Precinct Station
• Staten Island Family Courthouse
• Curtis High School
• Borough Hall
• U.S. Lighthouse Service office Building

But it’s the beautiful and elegant homes of the St. George historic district that draw the most attention from visitors. The distinct yet unique style of these old homes helped the neighborhood gain its initial recognition.

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Enjoy the Festivities

Maps of the historic neighborhoods will be passed out for self-guided walking tours beginning at 1 p.m. and up until 4 p.m. Staten Island historians will discuss the history of the neighborhoods at 2 and 3:30 p.m which will take place at 377 St. Paul’s Ave. Admission is free for all events, including the cocktail party and awards ceremony which begins at 5 p.m. on the veranda of St. Peter’s Rectory at 53 St. Mark’s Pl., New Brighton.

If you are interested in buying a home in St. George, please contact Gateway Arms, the No. 1 real estate company in St. George, or call us at 1-718-273-3800.