Amidst the rolling hills of Staten Island lies La Tourette Park. It whispers tales of a time long past. La Tourette Park was once a sprawling 500-acre family farm. It belonged to the prominent LaTourette family in the 1800s. This wasn’t just any farm. It was renowned as the “finest farm” on Staten Island during the latter half of the 19th century. The LaTourettes, a family whose roots traced back to France, had a deep connection to Staten Island, their presence documented as early as 1702. They were active in local affairs. David LaTourette, born in 1786, continued the family’s farming tradition. His farm thrived until 1910.
La Tourette Park also holds a hidden secret from the Revolutionary War. High on a scenic ridge, British troops used this vantage point to monitor approaching American forces. Imagine the tension. British Lt. Col. John Graves Simcoe, of the Queen’s Rangers, commanded from this very spot. Historian Ira K. Morris, in his 1900 account, described this location as “most beautiful,” its scenery “picturesque in the extreme.” The Blue Trail within La Tourette Park leads you to this very viewpoint. You can experience the same breathtaking panorama overlooking Richmond Creek.
The LaTourette legacy extends beyond farming and wartime strategy. The family’s elegant brick mansion, built in 1836, still stands proudly within the park. In 1928, the LaTourette heirs sold their vast estate to New York City. The mansion, remarkably preserved, was later repurposed as the clubhouse for the park’s golf course. It was designated a New York City landmark in 1968. The original farmhouse, sadly, did not survive the passage of time. Historian Ira K. Morris, writing in 1900, described the old farmhouse as a “crumbling remnant” over 200 years old and “nearly gone”. La Tourette Park today, a blend of history and nature, invites you to explore its trails, discover its hidden corners, and imagine the lives and stories etched into its very landscape.