STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Do you wish you could time travel to the past?
Even though we don’t have Doc Brown’s time-traveling automobile, we can look back in time through photos.
We brought together some of the best shots from the Classic Staten Island Instagram page to help you reminisce! Take a look through 17 nostalgic shots, showing off what Staten Island used to be and what just looks a little different today.
Interested in more vintage Staten Island photos? Follow @ClassicStatenIsland on Instagram and on Facebook, and make sure to check out the Where Staten Island Eats page for all things food on S.I.!
Staten Island Borough Hall
Borough Hall was designed by Carrere and Hastings. It was completed in 1906 the following consolidation of New York City in 1898. Staten Islander John Carrere helped select the sight, in addition to planned and developed the city center.
South Ferry Terminal (Staten Island Advance)
The Staten Island South Ferry Terminal looked a little different in 1951.
Forest Avenue Shoppers Town. (Staten Island Advance)
TJ Maxx and PetCo were not always at the Forest Avenue Shoppers Town. Some of the stores in the shopping strip in the 1960s were Kresge, Kinney, Sav-On Drugs, and Victory Camera.
March of Dimes Walkathon (Staten Island Advance/ Frank J. Johns)
On April 9, 1973, approximately 4,500 people participated in the third annual March of Dimes Walkathon.
Staten Island Mall 1989. (Staten island Advance)
Here is a look at the Staten Island Mall in 1989.
Which stores so you still wish were still in the mall?
Pictures of Staten Island back in the day. (NYC Municipal Archives)
One of Staten Island’s popular video stores.
Heavy foot traffic on the St. George Ferry Terminal Ramp (Staten Island Advance)
In 1980, there was a transit strike in that halted all NYC transit authorities. All subway and bus lines were halted for twelve days.
This image features Staten Islanders walking to the ferry on April 2, 1980.
Bookmobile near the beach at Eltingville. (PL Sperr/NYPL digital collection)
Need a book?
During the 1920′s Eltingville had a well-known bookmobile.
All aboard the Staten Island Ferry. (Staten Island Advance)
The Staten Island Ferry was structured differently than it is now.
In 1921, women and men were separated on the ferry.
Workers building the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge
On December 19, 1962, workers in a skip box attached catwalk rope to the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge Tower spreader beams.
I Called First (Staten Island Advance/ Frank J. Johns)
In 1967, Zina Bethune and Harvey Keitel filled the movie ” I Called First” at the Staten Island Ferry.
NYC Subway Token. (AP Photo, circa 1966
On July 25, 1953, the subway fare was raised to fifteen cents. Instead of having riders pay three nickels every time, NYC introduced the subway token.
Pictures of Staten Island back in the day. (Staten Island Advance)i
On December 23, 1987, children from the Torah Tots Academy Nursery School celebrate Hanukkah by singing at the menorah lighting ceremony at the Staten Island Mall.
War Memorial Skating Rink. (Staten Island Advance/ Irv Silverstein)
War Memorial Skating Rink, Clove Lakes Park in 1976.
Eltingville Train Center in 1920. (NYPL, Staten Island Advance)
Anyone taking the train from Eltingville?
Before the overpass was built, the train ran across Richmond Avenue.
In the picture above, a watchman halted a car to let the train pass through.
All Hail the Queen (Staten Island Advance)
On October 21, 1957, Queen Elizabeth was on Staten Island. The Queen rode on the Staten Island Ferry Lt. Samuel Coursen that took her to a route that leads her to the Statue of Liberty.
