The Isle of Staten Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Forgotten Borough

Because it is the smallest borough, residents sometimes feel it's the last to receive city services. After being snowed in for days without seeing a snowplow, I often feel forgotten myself.

Answer: The Verrazano Narrows Bridge

The NYC marathon is the largest marathon in the world. The course covers all five boroughs of New York City, beginning in Staten Island and ending in Central Park.

Answer: Todt Hill

At 410 feet above sea level, the intersection of Todt Hill Road and Ocean Terrace is the highest point on the East Coast. The area is also known for the mansions which were built there to enjoy the view. Todt Hill is home to some of the most valuable property on Staten Island.

Answer: A tulip tree in Clove Lake Park

Standing at the northeast corner of Clove Lakes Park, the tulip tree is recognized by the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation as the oldest and largest living tree on Staten Island and is often pictured in New York City guidebooks. Surprisingly, this tree survived the extensive logging and clearing by the early settlers to the area.

The majestic branches now provide shade to a children's playground. Thousands of school children visit the tree each year on class trips and are awed by its size. For more information about the tree and Clove Lakes Park, please check out the NYC Parks Department website at http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/historical_signs/hs_historical_sign.php?id=7659

Answer: Wagner College

Wagner College is situated on 110 acres on the highest point of Grymes Hill. The school was built on the former estates of the Cunard and Vanderbilt families, and several of the buildings are original. Because of its beauty, many films and television shows have been shot on the campus.

Answer: The Verrazano Narrows Bridge

Completed in 1964, with a center span of 4,260 feet, the Verrazano is the largest suspension bridge in the United States. The double-decked bridge is famous for being the starting point of the New York marathon.

Answer: It was named after Mr. Outerbridge.

Most people think that the Outerbridge Crossing was named because of its location, but it was really named after Eugenius H. Outerbridge, the first chairman of the Port of New York Authority. The word "Crossing" was used so it wouldn't be the Outerbridge Bridge. Most Staten Islanders just call it The Outerbridge.

The Outerbridge family were prominent members of the Staten Island community in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They are interred in majestic mausoleums in both the Moravian and Silver Lake cemeteries.

Answer: The Conference House

Among the Americans attending the peace conference were Benjamin Franklin and John Adams. The Conference house is the only pre-Revolutionary manor house still standing in New York City and is recognized as a National Landmark.

Answer: Richmond County

Besides being the smallest borough, Staten Island is also the most suburban county of NYC. It's often called a little bit of country in the city. Legend has it that it became part of New York City in 1687 when Capt. Christopher Billopp's Manhattan team won a sailing race against a New Jersey team when they circumnavigated the island in one day.

Answer: Over 60,000 passengers a day

The fleet makes the 25 minute trip across New York Harbor 109 times every weekday, utilizing five boats, and 75 times on Saturdays and 68 times every Sunday, using a three boat fleet. According to the Department of Transportation, and its website, www.siferry.com, the ferry fleet carries over 20,000,000 passengers a year on over 35,000 trips. Along its route between Staten Island and Lower Manhattan, it passes the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Governor's Island. And the best part-- it's free!