Staten Island and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge

With the opening of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in 1964, Staten Island was changed forever.

Sewers, schools, roadways, and even the politicians of New York City were not prepared for the onslaught of relocating Brooklyn residents who sought a rural lifestyle. Houses were bought as quickly as they were built. Schools were scrambling to find seats for thousands of newly arriving students. The antiquated sewer system of Staten Island could not handle the overload and there simply wasn’t enough room for all of the septic tanks needed.

Who were the allies or adversaries of development? Who sought to make a meaningful plan for Staten Island’s future?

Author Patricia Salmon examines the preparation, design, and opening of “The Bridge,” as well as how it impacted the citizens of Staten Island during the next decade.

Author Biography

Patricia M. Salmon was born in Brooklyn. She is a retired curator of history from the Staten Island Museum. She is the author of five books on Staten Island history, including Staten Island’s Brewery Barons, Murder & Mayhem on Staten Island, Realms of History: The Cemeteries of Staten Island, Staten Island: Murderers and Mysteries of the Forgotten Borough and, The Staten Island Ferry: A History. Patricia is currently working on a book about powerful women from Staten Island’s past. She is the official historian of the Friends of Olmsted-Beil House.