Westfield, Staten Island facts for kids

An 1849 map showing the four original towns on Staten Island, with Westfield in the southwest.

This 1891 map shows Westfield in the southwestern part of Richmond County.

Westfield was a town that used to exist on Staten Island, which is part of New York City today. It was officially created in 1788. At that time, it was one of the four original towns on Staten Island. Westfield stopped being a separate town in 1898. This happened when it joined with other areas to form the much larger City of New York.

What Was Westfield?

Westfield was a local government area, much like a small city or village. It was located in the southwestern part of what is now Staten Island. For over a century, Westfield managed its own local affairs. This included things like roads, schools, and local laws.

Early Days: How Westfield Began

Westfield was officially established in 1788. This was an important year for Staten Island's organization. At that time, Staten Island was divided into just four main towns. Westfield was one of these original four. This made it a very old and important part of the island's early history. These towns helped to organize the growing communities.

Becoming Part of New York City

Westfield operated as its own town for more than 100 years. However, big changes came in 1898. That year, many different cities and towns in the area joined together. They formed what is known today as the City of Greater New York. When this happened, Westfield stopped being a separate town. Its area became part of the larger borough of Richmond County, which is Staten Island.