Spanish Camp facts for kids

Spanish Camp, also known as Spanish Colony, was a special community located right on the coast of Staten Island. Staten Island is one of the five boroughs that make up New York City. This unique place was a private cooperative, meaning people worked together to own and manage it. Spanish Camp was around for many years, starting in the 1920s. It was eventually taken down in the early 2000s.

The Story of Spanish Camp: A Unique Community

How Spanish Camp Began

Spanish Camp was created in 1923 by people who had moved from Spain. Many of these founders were anarchists. This means they believed in living in a society without a strict government, where people cooperate freely. They formed a group called the Spanish Naturopath Association.

The land they chose was about 18-acre (73,000 m²) in size. It was located on the southeastern shore of Staten Island. From there, you could see lower New York Bay. The area was off Poillon Avenue, close to the Annadale neighborhood.

Life in the Community

The community was made up of many small homes, called cottages. It had its own streets and services, like a small town. This meant it was quite independent from the rest of Staten Island and New York City. The property also had a small pond and wet areas. There was even a small beach facing the bay. Next to the beach, there was a nice picnic area and a sports field.

A famous Roman Catholic activist named Dorothy Day lived in one of these cottages for several years. She was known for her work helping people in need.

The End of Spanish Camp

Selling the Land

In the year 2000, the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the original founders decided to sell the property. They sold it for $7.1 million to a person who develops land, named John DiScala. Many of the people living in Spanish Camp at the time did not want the land to be sold.

The people living there owned their homes. However, the land itself belonged to the Spanish Naturopath Association. The members of this association were the descendants of the people who first started the community.

Residents Forced Out

Because the land was sold, the residents were told they had to leave their homes. But the developer faced many problems. Former residents took legal action in court to stop him. Also, the City Planning Department refused to give him permission to build new structures.

The developer had promised to save Dorothy Day's old home. He also said he would preserve a few other parts of the community. However, her former home was knocked down by a large machine called a bulldozer. This happened just as the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission was about to declare it a historic landmark. A historic landmark is a place important for its history or special features. After the home was destroyed, the developer claimed there was no proof Dorothy Day had ever lived there.

Bankruptcy and Future of the Land

By 2006, the developer's company had declared bankruptcy. This means the company could not pay its debts. He then tried to sell the empty land to other developers.