Stapleton, Staten Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stapleton
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Neighborhood of Staten Island
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Former Edgewater Village Hall
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  New York |
| City |  New York City |
| Borough |  Staten Island |
| Community District | Staten Island 1 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.62 km2 (2.171 sq mi) |
| Population
(2011)
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| • Total | 37,669 |
| • Density | 6,699.3/km2 (17,351/sq mi) |
| Neighborhood tabulation area | |
| Economics | |
| • Median income | $58,373 |
| ZIP Codes |
10304
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| Area code | 718, 347, 929, and 917 |
Stapleton is a neighborhood in Staten Island, New York City. It sits along the waterfront of Upper New York Bay. This area is one of the oldest neighborhoods on Staten Island. It was built in the 1830s on land that once belonged to the Vanderbilt family. For a long time, Stapleton was a busy business center. However, after the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge was built in 1964, many businesses moved to other parts of the island.
Stapleton is part of Staten Island Community District 1. Its main ZIP Code is 10304. The New York City Police Department's 120th Precinct helps keep the neighborhood safe.
Contents
A Look Back: Stapleton's History
How Stapleton Began
Stapleton was once a farm where Cornelius Vanderbilt grew up. This was near where the Paramount Theater building is today. In the early 1800s, the area became a busy business hub. In 1832, a merchant named William J. Staples and Minthorne Tompkins bought land from the Vanderbilts. They planned the streets for a new village. Staples and Tompkins also started a ferry service to Manhattan in 1836. The neighborhood is named after William J. Staples.
A hospital for sailors, called Seaman's Retreat, opened in 1832. It later became Bayley Seton Hospital. This hospital was the biggest employer in Stapleton for many years. It was run by Sisters of Charity, a group of Roman Catholic nuns. The hospital closed in 2004.
In the mid-1800s, several German-American breweries opened here. This was because of the many natural springs in the area. The last brewery closed in 1963. In 1884, Stapleton became the village of Edgewater. The old Village Hall building is still standing in Tappen Park.
Stapleton in the 1900s
In 1884, the Staten Island Railway extended its tracks to St. George. It added a stop at the Stapleton station. Direct ferry service from Stapleton to Manhattan stopped in 1886.
From 1929 to 1931, Stapleton even had its own professional football team! They were called the Staten Island Stapletons. Later, they were known as the Staten Island Stapes. One of their players, Jack Shapiro, was the shortest player in NFL history.
In 1963, I.S. 49 opened. It is located across from the Stapleton Houses. The Stapleton Houses are a large housing project that opened in 1961. Its buildings are the tallest of any housing project on Staten Island.
The Waterfront's Story
The city built piers in Stapleton in 1920. However, they were not used much. From 1937 to 1942, some piers became the first Foreign Trade Zone in the U.S. This meant goods could be stored there without customs duties. During World War II, the piers were used by the Army for shipping. The U.S. Coast Guard also had a base there until 1967. After the war, the piers became a foreign trade zone again. But their use declined, and most were torn down by the 1970s.
In the 1980s, the U.S. Navy wanted to build a base in Stapleton. This plan was very debated on Staten Island. People worried about losing local jobs and other community impacts. The base was supposed to be home to a naval unit with the battleship USS Iowa (BB-61). However, the plan was canceled in 1993 due to military spending cuts.
Today, the former Navy base site is being redeveloped. In 2006, the New York City Council approved a big plan for the area. It will become a new community with homes, restaurants, parks, and a recreation center. Construction started in 2011.
People and Culture
Who Lives in Stapleton?
Stapleton is part of a larger area called Stapleton-Rosebank. In 2010, this area had about 26,453 people. The neighborhood is very diverse. Many different cultures and backgrounds make up the community.
The median household income in Stapleton in 2017 was $58,373. This is how much money the average family earns each year.
Community Life and Fun Things to Do
Stapleton has two main cultural sides. One is based around the old, beautiful homes from the Victorian era. The other is centered around the public housing projects. Because of this, you can find many different things here. There are Spanish bodegas and colorful street art. You can also find winding roads, used book stores, and coffee shops.
For music lovers, places like The Full Cup and the Bay Street Saloon host local bands. The old Paramount Theater used to have famous bands like The B-52s and the Ramones in the 1980s. The NYC Arts Cypher on Broad Street sometimes has hip-hop concerts.
If you like extreme sports, 5050 Skatepark opened in 2012. It is New York City's only indoor skatepark. It's open to BMX bikes, skateboards, scooters, and rollerblades.
Stapleton also has many different restaurants. You can find American diners, Sri Lankan, Mexican, and Italian food.
Places to See
The local Union American Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in 1801. It is the oldest African-American church on Staten Island. Many of its members are descendants of former slaves.
The Edgewater Village Hall and Tappen Park is a historic site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Other historic buildings include the Boardman–Mitchell House and St. Paul's Memorial Church.
Safety and Services
The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) helps keep Stapleton safe. Engine Co. 153/Ladder Co. 77 is located at 74 Broad Street.
The United States Postal Service has a post office in Stapleton. It is called the Stapleton Station and is at 160 Tompkins Avenue.
Learning in Stapleton
Schools in the Neighborhood
The New York City Department of Education runs public schools in Stapleton. These include:
- IS 49 Bertha A Dreyfus (for grades 6-8)
- PS 65 the Academy of Innovative Learning (for grades PK-5)
The Immaculate Conception School, a Catholic school, closed in 2013. This was because it had too few students.
The Local Library
The New York Public Library has a branch in Stapleton. It is located at 132 Canal Street. This Carnegie library was built in 1907. It was updated and expanded between 2011 and 2013.
Getting Around Stapleton
Stapleton is easy to reach by public transportation. The Staten Island Railway has a station called Stapleton station. This station is at Prospect Street and Bay Street. Many local buses also serve the neighborhood. You can also take express buses to and from Manhattan.
Famous People from Stapleton
- Dennis Coles, also known as Ghostface Killah, a rapper from the Wu-Tang Clan.
- Kenny Washington, a jazz drummer who grew up in the Stapleton Houses.
- Mack Wilds, an R&B/Hip-Hop singer and actor who also grew up in the Stapleton Houses.
Images for kids
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Bayley Seton Hospital, seen from Vanderbilt Avenue
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Homeport
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Boardman–Mitchell House
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Stapleton Houses (right), looking northeast down Broad Street
