Tottenville Historical Society

08/22/2026

This Old House: 4724 Arthur Kill Rd., Richmond Valley
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this farmhouse sat on an 8-acre parcel of land where Caroline Schmieg and her husband, Casper, operated a dairy farm for more than half a century. Caroline ran the business after Casper's death in 1907.

A 1917 newspaper article recounts the story of the Schmieg's angry bull breaking loose to chase a motorist on a red motorcycle along Arthur Kill Rd. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries, except to the motorcycle. 😆

The Schmieg Milk Co. ceased operations in 1925, four years after Caroline's death. It was reportedly the last dairy farm on the Staten Island's South Shore. Shortly after, the barns were used for equipment storage during construction of the Outerbridge Crossing.

Today, the old farmhouse at 4724 Arthur Kill Rd. still stands as the main office for the Pool Doctor.

Photos: Rare half-pint antique milk bottle labeled "C. Schmieg, Riverside Avenue, Richmond Valley, Staten Island," Collection of the Tottenville Historical Society; 1940s Tax Department photo and 2024 Google photo

08/20/2026

From 1943 to 1947, the Army Library Service distributed more than 122 million paperback copies of 1,324 books free of charge to American service members in every theater of combat around the world. The books helped boost morale and provide some escape.

This copy in our War Ephemera Collection probably did not find its way into a soldier's pocket. Still, it is a reminder that something so simple brought some degree of relief, albeit temporary, to many war-torn soldiers.

08/17/2026

During World War II, more than 350,000 women joined the U.S. Armed Forces. We have learned of several local women who served who have since been added to the Veterans Honor Roll on our website. The heroic actions of one woman - Evelyn McLaughlin Allen of Tottenville - stood out.

As background, Evelyn McLaughlin married Pvt. Frank R. Allen, a Great Kills native, in 1943 just before he was sent overseas. On Feb. 11, 1944, then-Sergeant Frank Allen was reported missing in action in Italy, and later reported killed in action.

In July 1944, Evelyn Allen enlisted in the Women's Army Corps. An article in the Staten Island Advance, dated July 24, 1944, reported this most eloquently:

"Women like Mrs. Frank R. Allen of Tottenville are proof of American's greatness. She joined the WAC to replace her husband, a staff sergeant, who was reported missing in action in Italy in February."

Our Veterans Honor Roll documents the men and women who served in the Armed Forces from Staten Island's South Shore communities. It ensures the legacy of those who served will not be forgotten. Are your relatives and friends listed?

Visit our webpage: https://tinyurl.com/4rcy6ctw and use our online form found here: https://tinyurl.com/mv8wkwca Thank you.

08/16/2026

It was a moving tribute to SSgt William T. Johnson, Tottenville resident, killed in 1944 over France. Well done. 🥰

08/14/2026

We hope to see you there. ❤️🤍💙

08/05/2026

We are proud to stand with the NYPD Ceremonial Unit, Councilman Frank Morano, Newtown Historical Society and members of the family to honor our hometown hero SSgt William T. Johnson (1913-1944) with a ceremonial street co-naming on August 15th at the corner of Carteret St. and Amboy Rd., Tottenville. Please join us.

Read more about SSgt Johnson here: https://tinyurl.com/38mb8fyb

Newtown Historical Society was asked to research information about an NYPD officer who died overseas during WWII. That led us to making contact with his family, which resulted in a street co-naming in Staten Island. We will join the Tottenville Historical Society, Council Member Frank Morano and NYPD in honoring SSG William T. Johnson's sacrifice on August 15. You may read more about him here. https://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/people_details.php?PeopleID=27140

08/04/2026

This is great news for the Kreischer House. Built in 1886, this stately house still stands on a rise overlooking the historic town below. Charleston (formerly Kreischerville) is home to four NYC Designated Landmarks within walking distance: Kreischer House; Kreischerville Workers' Houses; St. Peter's German Evangelical Church (now Clermont Church); and Westfield District Township School No. 7 P.S. 4 (now South Richmond High School P.S./I.S. 25R).

Charleston - Kreischerville

08/02/2026

Nice old postcard showing a ca. 1900 view of Tottenville. Can you identify the landscape?

07/28/2026

Our spotlighted person of the month is Mrs. Kathrine Becket, former principal of P.S. 8, Great Kills. In 1954, Kathrine transferred to P.S. 8 from P.S. 17 in Brooklyn, and was named principal three years later. She was well-liked by students and parents and "ran a perfect school" according to a former PTA president. She is credited with "smoothly running a school built for 750 children with an enrollment as high as 1,700, and still keeping a small school atmosphere." Upon her retirement in 1967, the "Kathrine Becket Award" was instituted at P.S. 8 in her honor.

Kathrine and her husband, Walter, enjoyed retirement in their completely renovated home at 6 Shore Rd., Tottenville, known today as the Rutan-Becket House in Conference House Park. But that's a story for another time.

Photo: "Bon voyage" Kathrine and Walter Becket!

07/21/2026

Update: remember our post about the Norman Robert Morrison negatives? We discovered some very interesting subject matter that included an image of the former Rossville Hotel on Arthur Kill Rd. ... and a local. 😆