Rossville

Colonel William E. Ross. A name synonymous with Rossville, Staten Island. He built a replica of Windsor Castle here, overlooking the Blazing Star Ferry landing. This grand structure, originally Ross Castle, later Lyon Castle, cemented Rossville’s identity. Rossville wasn’t always known by this name. It started as “Old Blazing Star”, then simply “Blazing Star” after a local tavern. Rossville is nestled on Staten Island’s South Shore. It sits north of Woodrow, west of Arden Heights, and south and east of the Arthur Kill. This neighborhood falls within Staten Island Community Board 3. Rossville’s history stretches back to 1684, marked by the first British land survey. Long before, the Raritan Indians called this area home. The British acquired Staten Island from the Dutch after the Second Anglo-Dutch War. In 1692, Governor Benjamin Fletcher granted Daniel Perrin, a Huguenot, 80 acres of land. This land, then known as Smoking Point, became a cornerstone of Rossville’s development. The Blazing Star Ferry once connected Rossville to Woodbridge Township, New Jersey, across the Arthur Kill. The Richmond Turnpike, now Victory Boulevard, built in 1816, boosted connections to the western parts of Staten Island. It also led to competition with the New Blazing Star Ferry in Travis, offering steamboat and stagecoach links to Philadelphia. Within Rossville lies Sandy Ground, a historic African American community. Established after the abolition of slavery in New York in 1827, it served as a vital stop on the Underground Railroad. Sadly, a devastating brush fire in 1963 reshaped Rossville. This tragedy, combined with the opening of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, spurred new home construction. Many original homes were lost, replaced by larger, more modern structures. Despite these changes, Rossville retains a rich history. The Sandy Ground Historical Society diligently preserves this legacy. The oldest Roman Catholic church on Staten Island, St. Joseph’s Church, stands proudly in Rossville. Founded in 1848, it’s a testament to the area’s enduring faith. Rossville’s story is one of change and resilience. From its Native American roots to its colonial past and modern development, Rossville remains a captivating neighborhood.