Staten Island was first inhabited by the prehistoric Clovis Culture 14,000 years ago. By the time of European discovery, in 1520, the Native American Lenape people inhabited the lands. The Dutch settled here in 1609 and in 1729 the English setup Richmond Town here as the island's capitol. During the American Revolution, Staten Islanders were staunchly in favor of the crown and more than 1400 ships docked here as they prepared to attack. In 1898, Staten Island officially became part of New York City.
Staten Island's north shore is the most urban part of the island and includes historic neighborhoods, like St. George, Tompkinsville, Clifton and Stapleton. Definitely check out the St. Paul's Avenue-Stapleton Heights Historic District, for amazing Victorian houses.
The east shore is home to the 2.5-mile F.D.R. Boardwalk, which is the fourth-longest boardwalk in the world. It contains numerous parks and monuments to the veterans of the World Wars, Korean War and Vietnam War. This part of the island contains some of the most beautiful park landscapes.
The island's south shore is home to the 17th-century Dutch and French Huguenot settlements from the 1960s. You can still find iconic sites throughout these neighborhoods and some of the best natural views New York City has to offer.
The West Shore is the least populated and most industrial part of the island. It contains the legendary Boat Graveyard, where more than 100 wood and metal boats from three centuries have their final resting place. This is one of NYC's most industrious areas.
Staten Island is an incredible place. It's a rural safe-haven in America's largest city and a reminder of where we've been and where we're going. It's most definitely worth a visit!