Hidden away on Staten Island lies Woodrow a neighborhood rich in history. Its name a testament to the past. Woodrow’s story intertwines with the larger narrative of Staten Island itself. A place where the echoes of the past resonate in the present.
Woodrow wasn’t always Woodrow. Long ago Staten Islanders named neighborhoods after nearby railway stations. This quaint custom gave Woodrow its moniker. The Prince’s Bay post office resides within Woodrow’s borders. So does I S 75 a local school.
But before the trains and post offices before the houses and highways. Woodrow housed Sandy Ground. This area one of New York City’s earliest African-American settlements. The Sandy Ground Historical Society proudly preserves its legacy. In 1828 free African Americans purchased land here. They created a haven a place of ownership and community. Sandy Ground known as Harrisville and Little Africa. Its name eventually reflected the sandy soil perfect for strawberries.
Later Sandy Ground welcomed African-American migrants from the Chesapeake Bay region. These families sought refuge from restrictive laws. They found a new beginning in Woodrow. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church built in 1850. It served as a crucial meeting place on the Underground Railroad.
The neighborhood’s history isn’t confined to Sandy Ground. The Coleman House a landmark building predates 1859. It stands as a testament to Woodrow’s enduring past. The Landmarks Preservation Commission designated it a historic landmark. Other significant structures include a church and several baymen’s cottages. These structures offer glimpses into Woodrow’s 19th-century life. The intersection of Bloomingdale and Woodrow Roads once known as Bogardus Corners. It housed the Bogardus family grocery store starting in 1860.
Today Woodrow’s story continues. It’s a blend of past and present a neighborhood that preserves its rich history. While embracing the future. The Korean War Veterans Parkway and the West Shore Expressway connect Woodrow to the broader world. Yet the spirit of Sandy Ground the resilience of its people remains. Woodrow a quiet corner of Staten Island. It whispers tales of struggle perseverance and community. A legacy woven into the very fabric of its streets.