Staten Island, or Richmond County, is a borough full of rich and intriguing history.  Beginning with its original Delaware Indian inhabitants up to today's multicultural mix of New Yorkers, along with the the Dutch and British in between, the island has been witness to an ever-changing  array of people and events.  Originally named Staten Island by the Dutch and later changed to Richmond by the British (renamed Staten Island in 1975), the island would remain sparsely populated until the opening of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in 1964 (Pictured right).  Following its opening, Staten Island has seen a steady increase in its population that promises to continue unabated for some time come.

Long-time Staten Island resident and author Patricia Salmon has helped bring to light some of the island's history, including some of the more grisly crimes committed here.  Take a look at the list below for some of the books we offer in our Staten Island History Collection here at the St. George Library Center.

With a title like Murder and Mayhem on Staten Island, there's no surprise that this book is chock full of grisly details on some the island's most infamous crimes. A great read for Staten Island residents who want to be thrilled by the gruesome crimes that happened in their own neighborhoods. It’s also useful for those doing research into the Staten Island of yesteryear. The Staten Island Advance, the paper of record on the island, reviewed the book soon after it was published.

Along the same lines as our first selection, Realms of History: the Cemeteries of Staten Island delves into the history behind Staten Island's cemeteries, most of which have graves dating back to the 18^th century. Originally published as a part of a Staten Island Institute of Arts & Sciences exhibit by the same name, the book is available for in-library use only at the St. George Library Center.

In a departure from books previously mentioned, Stapleton: a Community of Contrast & Change is an excellent look into the historic neighborhood. Full of neat facts and pictures, it's a great read for those interested in local Staten Island history.

In The Staten Island Ferry: A History, Salmon does an excellent job of detailing the history of the iconic Staten Island Ferry, from its inception up to the present day. This book is packed with interesting historical facts as well as a plethora of unique photographs. Also included is a chronicle of metropolitan ferries for the decade of 1997-2007 by Barnett Shepard.  A "must-read" for ferry enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

Those interested in the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge can listen to Salmon discuss its history a WNYC podcast recorded in 2014.