Greenridge, Staten Island facts for kids
Greenridge, sometimes known as Marshland, is a neighborhood located on Staten Island's South Shore. It's part of the larger Eltingville area, specifically its western section.
What's in a Name? The History of Greenridge
The first European settlers in this area were French Huguenots. These settlers also gave their name to a nearby neighborhood called Huguenot. The Dutch people who came later called this area "Kleine Kill," which means "Little Creek." When the British took over, they named it Fresh Kills. This name came from Richmond Creek, a waterway that forms the western edge of Greenridge and flows into Fresh Kills. The name "Greenridge" (sometimes spelled "Green Ridge") started being used around 1876.
Fun Times at Al Deppe's
In 1921, a very popular restaurant and amusement spot opened in Greenridge. It was called Al Deppe's and was located at the corner of Arthur Kill Road and Richmond Avenue. Imagine a place like today's Chuck E. Cheese's! Families loved going there for food and fun.
However, Al Deppe's had to close down in the late 1960s. The land was needed for a planned road called the Richmond Parkway. But many people, especially environmental groups, strongly opposed building the parkway through that area. Because of their efforts, the part of the parkway that would have gone over Al Deppe's was never built. Only a section further south and west was completed. This part opened in 1972 and was built over an existing road called Drumgoole Boulevard. This boulevard was named after John C. Drumgoole, a Roman Catholic priest who started an orphanage in Pleasant Plains.
Greenridge Today: A Growing Community
In recent years, Greenridge has seen a lot of new buildings and businesses. This growth includes the construction of the Eltingville Transit Center in the early 2000s. This transit center is a busy hub where many people catch express buses. These buses take them to their jobs in downtown or Midtown Manhattan every weekday morning.
