Manic About Staten Island Maps

I am a maniac—a map maniac. To me there is nothing finer than a well executed old map—the older the better! Even more exciting is an antique atlas. There are other people like me. You know who you are and I know some of you. Then again I know people who absolutely despise maps. I am also aware that mapquest and similar online services are destroying, well that is a strong word, perhaps I should say “not encouraging” a love of maps. I have heard that there are young people who cannot read a hand held map in this day of computers. They cannot even plot a trip using a map. And why would they? Mapquest will do it. Actually mapquest is considered antiquated by some. Now there is something called a Garmin—an intrusive chattering device that spews out commands and directions non-stop, for better or for worse, as we travel by car. What an invasion! It should be noted that the Garmin is practically old fashioned. The smart phone in your purse or pocket will tell you where you are going and when you will arrive. Need a rest stop? Want a hamburger? It is all right there on the cell phone. But really there is nothing more enjoyable than a crisply folded paper map or a, now here is a forgotten antique: a gazetteer. If you know what a gazetteer is chances are you are over the age of forty. Be proud these are tools from a bygone era and you know how to utilize them!

I have to say I have enjoyed several truly magnificent maps during my life. There is one in particular that actually takes my breath away. It is the 1859 Wallings map of Richmond County. Not only does it display roads, ferry landings, and villages, there are detailed vignettes of prominent houses and estates from that time period. In addition, now this is major, there are actual listings for hotels, doctors, breweries, and even black smiths.

Two men of history and nature prepared the premiere map of our borough. Entitled “Map of Staten Island with Ye Olde Names & Nicknames” this local treasure came out in 1896. It astounds all who view it. The map portion was created by Charles W. Leng, a man of many talents who was a beetle expert, Staten Island Borough Historian, and bicycle maker. The “nickname” documentation was carried out by author, naturalist, and historian William T. Davis. Mr. Davis actually went afield to interview old timers about historic names of villages, brooks, islands, peninsulas, roads, springs, and much more. His studies allow us to know that Greenridge was once called Kleine Kills and Marshland, and that Bulls Head was called London Bridge or Pheonixville. Mr. Leng and Mr. Davis were cognizant that future generations might not have access to this information so they researched and archived these facts. When the map was published the duo also wrote the booklet “Staten Island Names—Ye Olde Names and Nicknames.” For only fifty-cents the purchaser received the map and the booklet which was filled with seventy four pages of descriptive details on brooks, roads, springs, meadows, fields, valleys, kills, creeks, coves, reefs, rocks, shoals, hills, settlements and more! From these informative publications we find that Rockland Avenue was once called Petticoat Lane because a petticoat was found abandoned on the road. What a scandal! We see that a Mr. Abraham Jones must have led an interesting life. Just north of this lane is an area dubbed “Jones Wolf -pit”! It seems that Jones dug out a cavity, covered it with sticks and leaves, and then attached meat to an overhanging branch with the result that a wolf would jump for the tasty morsel, fall through the branches, and become trapped in the void. Wolves were not admired by farmers. They killed livestock. Oftentimes bounties were offered for the remains of these predators in order to remove them permanently.

Maps allow us to look into the past, they aide in describing the people who once lived and the events that occurred. There are those among us who fear maps. They should not since they are preserved pathways into our shared community history that allow us to learn and also read, see, and understand the fascinating historical narratives that have been preserved about Staten Island.

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