Bulls Head, Staten Island
Encyclopedia
Bulls Head is a neighborhood in west-central Staten Island
, one of the five boroughs of the USA
's largest city, New York
.
The community received its name from an 18th-century tavern
located at the intersection of Victory Boulevard and Richmond Avenue
(the neighborhood's central point), from which a sign bearing a bull's head was displayed. During the American Revolution
, this tavern became the local headquarters of the faction loyal to the British crown, or Tories
, as they were colloquially known.
As recently as the early 1960s, Bulls Head and the surrounding neighborhoods, such as Willowbrook
to the east and Graniteville
to the north, were dominated by farmland. Dramatic change came soon after the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge
opened in 1964, opening up the area to residential development. Soon many Jewish families, mostly from the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, settled in Bulls Head and other west mid-island neighborhoods, and by the early 21st century had formed a plurality of its population. A smaller number of Asian
immigrants, most of them from the professional classes, also relocated to the region.
As of the early 21st century, most of the residents are Italian Catholics, served by Our Lady of Pity R.C. Church.
The Bulls Head area was also known as Phoenixville.
. The Todt Hill Library is nearby, at 2550 Victory Boulevard.
, Port Richmond
and the Eltingville Transit Center
as well as express buses to Manhattan.
Staten Island
Staten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
, one of the five boroughs of the USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
's largest city, New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
The community received its name from an 18th-century tavern
Tavern
A tavern is a place of business where people gather to drink alcoholic beverages and be served food, and in some cases, where travelers receive lodging....
located at the intersection of Victory Boulevard and Richmond Avenue
Richmond Avenue
Richmond Avenue is an integral north-south thoroughfare on Staten Island. Measuring approximately 7.0 miles , the road runs from the community of Graniteville to the south shore community of Eltingville.- Street description :...
(the neighborhood's central point), from which a sign bearing a bull's head was displayed. During the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, this tavern became the local headquarters of the faction loyal to the British crown, or Tories
Loyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
, as they were colloquially known.
As recently as the early 1960s, Bulls Head and the surrounding neighborhoods, such as Willowbrook
Willowbrook, Staten Island
Willowbrook is a neighborhood in Staten Island, one of the five boroughs of New York City. It is located in the region of the island usually referred to as Mid-Island, immediately to the south of Port Richmond, to the west of Meiers Corners and Westerleigh, to the north of New Springville, and to...
to the east and Graniteville
Graniteville, Staten Island
Graniteville is the name of a neighborhood in Staten Island, one of the five boroughs of New York City, USA.-History:Graniteville was originally named Bennett's Corners and Fayetteville...
to the north, were dominated by farmland. Dramatic change came soon after the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge
Verrazano-Narrows Bridge
The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is a double-decked suspension bridge that connects the boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn in New York City at the Narrows, the reach connecting the relatively protected upper bay with the larger lower bay....
opened in 1964, opening up the area to residential development. Soon many Jewish families, mostly from the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, settled in Bulls Head and other west mid-island neighborhoods, and by the early 21st century had formed a plurality of its population. A smaller number of Asian
Asian people
Asian people or Asiatic people is a term with multiple meanings that refers to people who descend from a portion of Asia's population.- Central Asia :...
immigrants, most of them from the professional classes, also relocated to the region.
As of the early 21st century, most of the residents are Italian Catholics, served by Our Lady of Pity R.C. Church.
The Bulls Head area was also known as Phoenixville.
Education
Bulls head is served by the elementary school P.S.60 and the intermediate school I.S.72. Most of the residents are zoned for Port Richmond High SchoolPort Richmond High School
Port Richmond High School is on the North Shore of Staten Island in the Port Richmond neighborhood. It is located at 85 St Josephs Avenue, between Innis Street and Charles Avenue. The principal is Timothy M. Gannon....
. The Todt Hill Library is nearby, at 2550 Victory Boulevard.
Transportation
Bulls Head is served by local buses along Victory Boulevard and Richmond Avenue to points such as the ferry, Staten Island MallStaten Island Mall
Staten Island Mall is a shopping mall in the Staten Island borough of New York City, United States. It is the only indoor shopping mall in the borough. It is the largest retail center on the island and is the site of the island's second largest public transit hub after the St...
, Port Richmond
Port Richmond, Staten Island
Port Richmond is a neighborhood situated on the North Shore of Staten Island, one of the five boroughs of New York City, United States. It is along the waterfront of the Kill Van Kull, with the southern terminus of the Bayonne Bridge serving as the boundary between it and Mariners Harbor, the...
and the Eltingville Transit Center
Eltingville Transit Center
The Eltingville Transit Center is a park and ride transit center that is located in Eltingville, Staten Island. It is located at the intersection of Arthur Kill Road and Richmond Avenue, near the end of the Korean War Veterans Parkway. The transit center was completed in 2004. Amenities include...
as well as express buses to Manhattan.