The Forgotten Borough: Staten Island and the Subway

Staten Island is not connected by the subway to any of the other four boroughs, and its identity has been defined in opposition to the city. Kenneth M. Gold's book "The Forgotten Borough" chronicles the decades-long effort to build a rail link, highlighting the borough's fraught relationship with New York City. The failure to establish a rail link caused Staten Island to diverge culturally, demographically, and politically from the other four boroughs.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 04 April 2023
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Staten Island, a unique part of New York City, has a distinct identity shaped by its opposition to the city, physical and cultural differences, and perceived neglect by the city government. It has long been characterized by its whiter, wealthier, less populated, and more politically conservative population. Despite numerous attempts over the years, Staten Island remains disconnected from the other four boroughs by the subway system.

In his book "The Forgotten Borough: The History and Politics of Staten Island," Kenneth M. Gold argues that the lack of a subway connection has profoundly shaped Staten Island's history and identity. He chronicles decades of recurrent efforts to build a rail link, exploring the borough's complex relationship with New York City as a whole.

The book spans from the early 1890s when Staten Island first contemplated joining the city to the opening of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in 1964, highlighting pivotal moments when a subway connection seemed possible. Gold delves into the economics and engineering challenges of tunnel construction, the difficulty of uniting Staten Islanders around a single solution, competition from the other boroughs, and resistance from powerful corporations and public authorities that hindered the rapid development of a subway connection.

Through extensive archival research, "The Forgotten Borough" demonstrates how transportation infrastructure and politics shed new light on urban history. Gold shows how the failure to establish a rail link during this period caused Staten Island to diverge culturally, demographically, and politically from the other four boroughs. He explores how transportation choices have influenced the development of neighborhoods, the distribution of resources, and the social and economic dynamics of the borough.

The book also sheds light on the political struggles and power dynamics that have shaped Staten Island's relationship with New York City. Gold discusses the efforts of local leaders, community organizations, and residents to advocate for a subway connection and the challenges they faced from powerful politicians and corporate interests. He highlights the ways in which Staten Island's isolation has been used as a political tool to undermine its interests and the ways in which it has sought to assert its autonomy and identity.

Overall, "The Forgotten Borough" is a valuable contribution to urban history and geography. It provides a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of Staten Island's unique history, identity, and relationship with New York City. Gold's meticulous research and analysis offer valuable insights into the complex factors that have shaped the borough's development and the challenges it continues to face.

Weight: 686g
Dimension: 242 x 163 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231208604