Staten Island was home to the Lenape indigenous tribe until it was inhabited by the Dutch, who established settlements there, and thus the land was dubbed “Staaten Eylandt.” Yet, the Dutch could not maintain control of the island, and after many wars it was turned over to the English in New Jersey, who renamed the would-be borough “Richmond.”

After the Revolutionary War, Staten Island was divided into four regions: Castleton, Northfield, Southfield, and Westfield, and each region had its own elected officials. However, Staten Island’s running start did not last long. While it was able to build a fishing and agriculture community implemented by the British, it was poorly funded and could not sustain itself. Its community was marred by poor sewage systems, subpar schools, lack of police and fire departments, and subpar economic independence.

Thus, the only solution was to join a unified city with a centralized government. The 1897 Referendum officially made Staten Island’s consolidation with the greater New York City a reality.