1955 Map of The Narrows

About this map

Fort Wadsworth and Fort Hamilton stand as coastal sentinels on either side of the iconic water gap known as The Narrows, connecting the upper and lower harbors. This mid-1950s survey detail reveals a transition in Staten Island’s development, from the dense residential pockets of Rosebank and Clifton to the open coastal grounds of Miller Field. The island's geography is defined by the heights of Todt Hill and Grymes Hill, the latter hosting Notre Dame College and Wagner Memorial College. Along the shoreline, recreational and maritime life is evident at Midland Beach and New Dorp Beach, while the Staten Island Rapid Transit line provides the backbone for commuters between communities like Dongan Hills and Grant City. Farther out in Lower New York Bay, Hoffman Island and Swinburne Island serve as isolated landmarks near the busy shipping lanes of the Ambrose Channel.