Northfield, Staten Island facts for kids

1849 map showing the four original cities on Staten Island, with Northfield in the Northwest

1891 map showing Northfield in the northwestern portion of Richmond County

Northfield was an important historical area on Staten Island, which is one of the five parts, or "boroughs," of New York City. It was once a separate "town" within Richmond County, which is the official name for Staten Island.

What Was Northfield?

Northfield was created in 1788. At that time, Staten Island was divided into four main areas, and Northfield was one of them. Think of it like a small, organized community with its own local government, even though it was part of a larger county.

Becoming Part of New York City

For over a hundred years, Northfield existed as its own town. However, in 1898, a big change happened. Many towns and cities in the area joined together to form what we now know as the modern City of New York. This process is called "consolidation." When this happened, Northfield, along with the other towns on Staten Island, became part of the larger city. It stopped being a separate town and became a part of the borough of Staten Island within New York City.