St. George

At the northeastern tip of Staten Island lies the town of St. George, the docking point of the famous Staten Island Ferry. Within its borders is Fort Hill, a fortified British lookout point used during the Revolutionary War. By the 1830s, this area of Staten Island facing the Kill van Kull and New York Harbor was a fashionable resort town where a wealthy clientele frequented the many elegant hotels that graced the areaas hilly terrain. Great estates dotted the landscape to take advantage of the unparalleled views of New York City and the bustling harbor below. Today St. George is the civic center of Staten Island, as well as a commuting hub for islanders who work in the great metropolis across the bay.

James G. Ferreri is the president of the Preservation League of Staten Island and an interior designer. Passionate about the preservation and restoration of historic homes, he is the author of a monthly history column in the Staten Island Advance. David Goldfarb has lived in a Victorian home in St. George for over 35 years. He is active in historic preservation on Staten Island and in New York City and is an attorney in New York City.