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Staten Island in the 1950s: A Serenade to Suburbia and Sock Hops

The 1950s was the decade that really saw Staten Island blooming into a suburban haven. The GI Bill continued to shape the landscape, quite literally. Tracts of homes began to fill the island, from South Beach to Todt Hill. Ah, those quaint Capes and Ranch-style houses, each with their own little patch of manicured green and white picket dreams. On weekends, Dads could be seen tending to their lawns, while kids zoomed around the cul-de-sacs on shiny new bicycles.

Drive-Ins and Diners

Let’s talk about the iconic spots that dotted the Island—places like the Hillside Swim Club and the Aladdin Drive-In Theater. Drive-in movies were a big deal, an outing that combined family, freedom, and a flickering screen under the stars. And then there were the diners, where you’d go for a late-night snack. Teenagers huddled in booths, sipping milkshakes, and debating the merits of Elvis vs. Sinatra. The jukebox in the corner played a tune for every mood, from romantic to rebellious.

A Time for Play and Parades

Ever heard of stickball? This was the quintessential street game of the ’50s, and Staten Island kids were masters of the craft. Vacant lots were transformed into ball fields, and every neighborhood had its stickball champions. Summertime was a riot of color and celebration. Fourth of July parades were a neighborhood affair; homemade floats, marching bands, and youngsters dressed as Uncle Sam or Lady Liberty. The air would be thick with the aroma of barbecue and the boom of fireworks.

Fresh Kills: From Landfill to Landscape

One development that can’t be ignored is the opening of the Fresh Kills Landfill in 1948. By the 1950s, this site was in full operation, raising eyebrows but also setting the stage for a remarkable transformation in the decades to come. While the landfill was initially seen as a scar on the Island’s beauty, it would eventually inspire a vision for one of the most ambitious land reclamation projects in history.

Rock and Roll, and the Youth Culture

If the ’50s had a soundtrack, it was surely rock and roll. And Staten Island youth were very much in tune. Sock hops at the local community centers were social milestones, where teens jived to Bill Haley and Chuck Berry. Leather jackets and poodle skirts were not just clothes; they were statements. In those dance halls, in the midst of all that laughter and youthful energy, relationships were kindled and lifelong memories were made.

#1 Staten Island Rapid Transit Railroad Crossing, Eltingville, 1950

#2 House Moved for Construction of the Staten Island Expressway, 1959.

#4 The Maple Farms football team from Mariners Harbor was a championship squad, 1950s

#5 St. George Clipper was located at 40 Bay Street in St. George; it then became Gibb’s Southern Bar-B-Que and Karl’s Clipper, which closed in 2016, 1950s.

#6 Bland Place now Serena Ct., located in Huguenot, mid-1950s.

#7 Tanks at Staten Island Army Terminal, Stapleton, 1950

#8 Rexall drugstore soda fountain Fiorelli Pharmacy, Great Kills, 1950s.

#9 A vintage bus used by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 726, 1936-1956.

#10 Thompson’s Stadium, Home to Staten Island Stapletons and Semi-Pro Baseball, Demolished, 1958.

#12 First communion class from the 1950s marching into the school building, 1950s.

#13 Staten Island Ferry Terminal Beginning to Take Shape, 1954.

#15 Spanish Camp, Annadale, A Magical Piece of Annadale’s Quintessential History Also Known as Spanish Colony, A Summer Colony of Tents and Bungalows Started by the Spanish Naturopath Society, Later Transformed into Year-round Cottages, 1950s.

#16 Richmond Avenue and Vreeland Street, Port Richmond, Various Businesses Including Red Cross Shoes and Woolworth’s, 1956.

#17 Trimarche’s Restaurant, Now Bruno’s, 1650 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, 1950s.

#18 Queen Elizabeth II Visits Staten Island, Parade and Ferry Ride to Manhattan, 1957.

#19 Bus listings at the St. George Ferry Terminal, 1951.

#20 A 1958 photo shows the former Staten Island Rapid Transit crossing at Lincoln Avenue, Grant City, 1958.

#21 The five-cent fare sign was displayed at the South Ferry terminal, 1952.

#22 View of Lower Manhattan from the Staten Island Ferry on the Hudson River, 1953.

#23 South Beach Amusement Park, Arcade and Kiddie Park in Staten Island, New York, 1951.

#25 Roberta Pecherski O’Sullivan and Stuart Dalrymple Walk in the 4th of July Travis Day Parade, 1950.

#26 Cable Laid Across the Narrows by Con Edison in Rosebank, 1952.

#28 Memorial Day Parade Marchers, Staten Island Advance, 1959.

#30 May’s Hotel in South Beach, a Once-Thriving Seashore Hotel, Demolished in 1956.

#31 Miller Field Houses Artillery-Helicopter Guns Awaiting Distribution, 1957.

#34 Jack Hynes Battles for Control of the Ball During Soccer Game at Ebbets Field, 1955.

#37 Rubio’s grocery store at Heberton and Ann streets, circa 1955.

#38 View east on Forest Avenue near Willowbrook Road in Elm Park, 1954.

#39 Staten Island Ferry Terminal, New York City, 1950s

#41 Harold Kozak’s Photo of Howard and Delores DiMaggio at South Beach, 1953.

#42 The Old Stadium Theater on Main Street, Shown Around 1941, Stayed in Operation until 1957.

#44 Heavy Fog Delays the Staten Island Ferry During the Morning Commute, 1950.

#45 Arthur Kill Vertical Lift Railroad Bridge, Connecting New Jersey and Staten Island, 1959.

#46 A Foggy New Dorp Staten Island Rapid Transit Station, 1955.

#47 Skaters Enjoy a Brisk January Day at Martling’s Pond, 1954.

#48 Postcard from the heyday of the Hotel Lincoln, Midland Beach, 1950.

#49 Stapleton once had 3 theaters, showing films like Tarzan and Bowery Boys gems, 1953.

#51 Steam locomotives pulled passenger trains on the North Shore Staten Island Rapid Transit line from St. George to Arlington, replaced by electric trains; service halted in 1953.

#52 Richmond Terrace deserted during an air raid drill,1952.

#53 Bobby Thomson and Ralph Branca horseplay before a World Series game at Yankee Stadium, Oct 10, 1951.

#55 Filmed on Staten Island: Sophia Loren in “That Kind of Woman,” 1959.

#56 Toll Booths Opened at the St. George Terminal of the Ferry to Brooklyn, August 1950.

#57 Martlings Pond, “The Summer of ’55,” Staten Island, 1950s

#58 National Guardsmen working out at the Manor Road Armory, West Brighton, 1950s

#59 Pupils of P.S. 48, Concord, Watch Rectory of St. Simon’s Episcopal Church Move Along Richmond Road, 1959.

#60 Ronnies Snack Bar at South Beach Amusement, 1955.

#61 Forest Avenue in Mariners Harbor Near Home Depot, Goethals Bridge, and Elizabeth Ferry, Circa 1950s.

#62 The Richmond Clipper in Port Richmond, Staten Island, Advertisement for R&H Beer, Circa 1951.

#63 Isolation of Families on Foxbeach Avenue, Oakwood, Due to High Winds, Tides, Snow, and Rain, 1953.

#64 Bidding for the Ferryboat Hudson, Staten Island, 1951.

#65 Smith Family of Stapleton with Trucks, 32 Years Apart, Staten Island, March 29, 1952.

#66 Commuters at Staten Island Ferry, South Entrance, 1954.

#67 The Richmond Theatre in Stapleton, German-American gymnasium turned theatre, destroyed by fire in the 1950s.

#68 Modest Basketball Uniforms at Notre Dame Academy, Team Members Work with Mother St. Mary Delphine, 1959.

#69 Members of the Wagner College Drama Club Hold a Rehearsal in the 1950s.

#70 Jordan Czerniawski of Rossville is shown with three fellow Army soldiers holding a miniature Christmas tree mailed by Czerniawski’s wife, winter of 1952.

#71 Bobby Thomson, Known as “The Staten Island Scot,” Signs Autographs Outside Borough Hall; Famous for “Shot Heard ‘Round the World,” 1951.

#72 Old Photo of Terminal Lumber, Union Avenue, Mariner’s Harbor, with Doviziano Pucci in the Middle, 1950s.

#73 Great Thanksgiving Storm of 1950 Caused Coastal Flooding on the Island and Pushed a Bus into the Parking Lot of Toto’s, 1950.

#74 Nathan Levy Candy Store, Richmond Terrace, Near York Avenue, Circa 1956.

#75 The Old Mill Restaurant, a popular spot on Staten Island, built in 1930 and destroyed by fire, 1957.

#76 Charlie Cannizzaro and an unidentified man at the family business that would become Carroll’s Florist, Dongan Hills, 1950s

#77 Greenridge Auction “farmers market” on Richmond Avenue in New Springville, April 14, 1952

#79 Hylan Blvd. view with mini golf course and gas station, north from New Dorp Lane, 1951.

#80 Staten Islanders register to vote at P.S. 39, Arrochar, for the 1952 presidential election, 1952.

#81 Honoring Staten Islanders Who Played in the Negro Leagues: Julie Bowers’ Career Had Major League Impact While Playing with Hank Aaron and Wes Covington with the Bears, 1952.

#82 Bus Listings at the St. George Ferry Terminal, Circa 1951.

#83 Persistence of Leo Montagna and Pete Edwards led Babe Ruth League baseball to find a home on Staten Island, with the 1958 All-Star team, 1955.

#84 May’s Hotel in South Beach, a dance hall mecca along the Roosevelt Boardwalk, was demolished in 1956.

#85 Bobby Thomson signs autographs at Borough Hall, months after hitting the winning home run for the New York Giants, 1951.

#86 Dock Workers on Strike at Pier Number 2, Pouch Terminal gates, 1953.

#87 Birds of St. George and the Staten Island Ferry, 1952.

#88 Dilly Dally Club, now Kettle Black and formerly Afternoone’s; owned by Al Puntillo, circa 1950s.

#89 Cooling off in a makeshift pool on Winham Avenue in New Dorp, circa 1950s.

#91 A beautiful Staten Island moment captured in the wetlands of Greenridge; people fishing in the summer, 1950.

#92 The Beachcomber, a landmark restaurant-catering hall on Annadale Beach, demolished in the 90s. Pictured in 1959.

#93 New Dorp Lane at Hylan Blvd., Looking Towards the Beach, 1952

#94 Dedication of Egbertville War Memorial: Tribute to World War I Fighters, 1954

#95 Eltingville Train Station Overpass; Construction for Public Safety, Circa 1958

#97 The Bennett House, Richmond, part of Historic Richmond Town Restoration, circa 1950s.

#98 Can Filler, Rubsam and Hormann Plant Brewery, Circa 1952.

#102 Lincoln Avenue SIR Crossing, Grant City, Circa 1950.

#103 Families Enjoy a Beautiful Day at Willowbrook Park, 1953.

#104 The terminal at South Ferry had a different look in 1951

#105 Police Athletic League kids enjoy rides at Staten Island’s East Shore, circa 1954.

#106 Queen Elizabeth II prepares for a motorcade parade along Bay Street, 1957.

#107 St. George, Bay Street from the Ferry Terminal, Circa 1950s

#108 Construction Work at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal Parking Lot in St. George, 1950s

#109 The Commute! Bus Ramp at the St. George Ferry Terminal Is Crowded with Commuters, 1953

#110 Hurricane damages bungalows along South Beach during the Great Appalachian Storm, 1950.

#111 View of Forest Ave. at Bard Ave. in West Brighton, 1951.

#113 Workers at Nassau Smelting and Refining Company, Tottenville, 1950.

#114 Staten Island Ferry, South Ferry, Manhattan, 1952.

#115 U.S. soldiers gather at Pier 10 on Staten Island, 1952.

#116 Aerial view of Merritt-Chapman & Scott Corporation’s Rosebank, Staten Island, service and supply yard, 1958.

#117 Carteret Ferry at the Foot of Victory Boulevard on the Arthur Kill, Photo Taken in 1951.

#118 Sandy’s Bait Boat Marina, Prince’s Bay, circa 1955.

#119 Joe Avena kisses the game ball at a post-game celebration during New Dorp’s 1959 championship season.

#120 Nathan Levy candy store, Richmond Terrace and York Avenue, New Brighton, 1956.

#122 Staten Island Ferry Commuter’s Spa Snack Bar Grand Opening, 25¢ Burgers, 15¢ Hot Dogs, Free Coffee, 1952.

#123 Car Accident with SIRT Train in Grant City, 1957.

#124 Construction of the Staten Island Ferry, Cornelius G. Kolff at Bethlehem Steel Shipyard, 1950.

#125 Aerial View of St. George Library Construction, Staten Island’s Largest Library, 1951.

#126 Howard Ave looking towards Clove road, circa 1959 when the hills of the valley were still there, 1959.

#127 From the Archives: Allie Williams, Great Kills Harbor, circa 1950.

#128 Port Richmond, circa 1950; another from Memoly Motors at 1893 Richmond Terrace, 1950.

#129 A&W Root Beer: A drive-in dining spot in Dongan Hills known for car-hops and a simple menu, closed in 2009, 1957.

#130 Seaview Ave. and Jefferson St., Dongan Hills, Circa 1950s.

#131 Forest and Hoyt Avenues Photographed by Herbert A. Flamm, 1956

#132 Ice Skating at Martlings Pond in Clove Lakes Park, 1955

#133 Dongan Hills, Staten Island, captured in a nostalgic photograph of a dirt road and sparse houses, showing a rural side of the city around 1953, 1953.

#134 A scene from the film “That Kind of Woman” (1959), showing Sophia Loren dancing with Jack Warden on the Staten Island Ferry, 1958.

#135 Nicholas Kalas points to New York’s last trolley on 59th St., before it moves to Staten Island museum, October 28.

#136 Commuters pour out of the Staten Island Ferry Terminal at Battery Park, en route to Manhattan, September 3.

#137 Exterior of Nicola Aquilino’s residence and family-owned Italian restaurant in the rear, Richmond, Staten Island, 1950.

#138 Traffic and overhead cables in St. George neighborhood, Staten Island, 1954.

#139 Exterior of Monge’s Restaurant, decorated with potted flowers and an NRA sign, 1950.

#140 Crowd at St. George Library dedication ceremony, Staten Island, 1952.

#141 Bobby Thomson celebrated with dancing Scots during Bobby Thomson Day at Staten Island’s City Hall.

#142 Enlisted women aboard the USNS General Maurice Rose transport ship.

#143 Veterans from Korea arrive at Staten Island port, August 10, 1953.

#144 John Giacona, 4, uses a “drive-up” mailbox at the St. George Post Office, January 9, 1951.

#147 Line forms to drop suggestions for quiz show contestant Redmond O’Hanlon, Staten Island, circa 1957.

#148 Southern tip of Manhattan viewed from the Staten Island ferry, around 1950.

#149 Silhouetted passengers on Staten Island Ferry approach Downtown Manhattan.

#150 Emma Buhl De Hart, a recluse, dies in Staten Island with a large sum of money, counted by police.

#151 Staten Island Ferry Mary Murray docks, in service since 1937 but now retired, February 1952.

#152 Naval personnel launch balloons for cosmic radiation tests aboard the Icebreaker U.S.S. Staten Island.

#153 People walking up to visit the Statue of Liberty on Staten Island, 1950s.

#155 Lee’s Tavern, Iconic Bar and Eatery in Dongan Hills, Known for Pizza, 1950s

Lee's Tavern, Iconic Bar and Eatery in Dongan Hills, Known for Pizza, 1950s

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#157 Hillside Avenue (now Hillside Terrace), Great Kills, 1950s

Hillside Avenue (now Hillside Terrace), Great Kills, 1950s

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Written by Dennis Saul

Content creator and Professional photographer who still uses Vintage film roll cameras. Not that I loved London less But that i Love New York City More.

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