Richmondtown, Staten Island facts for kids
Richmondtown is a cool neighborhood located in the middle part of Staten Island, New York City. It's bordered by roads like Arthur Kill Road and Richmond Road, and also by some cemeteries. It's a place where history comes alive!
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What's in a Name?
Richmondtown used to be a very important place. It was once the main town, or "county seat," for Richmond County, which is the same area as Staten Island. This meant it was where the local government was located. However, as more ferries started going to Manhattan and Brooklyn from St. George (another part of Staten Island), St. George became more important. So, the county seat eventually moved there.
Exploring Richmondtown
Richmondtown is located at the bottom of Lighthouse Hill. It's close to other neighborhoods like New Dorp and Oakwood. Many new homes have been built here since the 1960s. It's a popular spot for families who want to move to Staten Island, especially from places like Brooklyn.
Richmondtown is also home to a special group: the Richmond Engine Company 1. This is one of only ten volunteer fire departments left in all of New York City! They have a modern fire engine that helps keep the community safe.
You can find some very old and important buildings here too. The Church of St. Andrew and the Voorlezer's House are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are recognized as important historical sites. St. Patrick's Church was also named a New York City Landmark in 1968.
Learning in Richmondtown
The Local Library
The New York Public Library has a branch right here in Richmondtown. It's located at 200 Clarke Avenue. This library opened in 1996 and has two floors. The first floor is for adults, and the second floor is just for kids! The Richmondtown Library has also added a "TechConnect lab." This lab offers over 100 free technology classes. You can take these classes online or in person at libraries across New York City.
Schools in the Neighborhood
Kids living in Richmondtown go to PS 23 The Richmondtown School for elementary grades. For middle school, students are zoned for IS 2 George L. Egbert or IS 24 Myra S. Barnes.
Getting Around
Richmondtown is easy to get to by bus. Local buses like the S54, S74, S84 serve the area. If you need to travel further, the SIM15 is an express bus that can take you to other parts of the city.
Famous People from Richmondtown
A notable person born in Richmondtown was Bill Richmond. He was born on August 5, 1763. Bill Richmond was born into slavery. He later moved to England in 1777. There, he became a famous bare-knuckle boxer. He achieved great success and spent the rest of his life there.
