John Sublett

Being a native Staten Islander, I thought I knew all about this Island. In my later years I became very interested in the Islands history. I wondered about all the things I was told about Staten Island but never had the opportunity to personally see. This work is a collaboration of many people and many sources of information. Was the Staten Island Airport shut down each night to ensure no peril to the patrons of the drive-in theater nearby? Did rides and trolleys really exist on the South Beach - Midland Beach Boardwalk? Were there restaurants with a huge hot dog on its roof or one built like a chuck wagon, a jolly trolley a caboose or a windmill? Were farms prevalent on the Island and did wildlife roam our backyards? Were the beaches so clean that you actually paid to use them? Was fresh milk and bread actually delivery to our front doors? Can it be that in 1929, Staten Island had its own NFL team? Did Santa really ride the Christmas Train and stop at Jersey Street and Richmond Terrace and give out presents to the kids? Was there really a home for orphaned kids "Mount Loretto" (where once a month my mother promised to check me into)? Which of Staten Island's best known restaurateurs, bought a house across the street from his famous restaurant and built a 200-foot tunnel between the house and the restaurant so that he could safely carry the day's receipts from the restaurant to his home? Did such rock legends, like the Allman Brothers, Vanilla Fudge, Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath and the Kinks really play the Island? Did President John Kennedy, sip coffee at the St. George ferry terminal while campaigning for the presidency? These were some of the many questions I had as my interest in Staten Islands past grew. In recent years I have come across so much information about our Island's rich and diverse past that I wanted to share with all Native Islanders and people who have called the Island home. But I did not want this to be another history book on Staten Island, though; at times it may look that way. I will not go into details about the British occupation of Staten Island for seven years, or the draft riots during the civil war, or the burning down of the Quarantine Station. All this has been covered in much detail and in the "Books" chapter I will point you to some great history books on our beloved Staten Island. I will try my best to make this a lighthearted look at memories that we have of a place that was and is still close to our hearts. I will try my best to make you say, "Wow, I remember that".

I want to thank all the people that purchased my book in the past year, when I wrote this book I figured I would publish it and buy a few copies for friends and family, but it actually had an audience and I was shocked when November came around and people were buying my book for Holiday presents. I remember the first book that I was asked to autograph, it was a total surreal experience.

When I sat down and wrote my first book, "Staten Island: A Walk Down Memory Lane", I never envisioned it ever being published. Even further from my mind was that people would like it and actually use some of their hard earned money to own it. The feedback from my first book has been nothing but positive. It seems to me that the book is empowering people to relive there early lives on Staten Island.

When anyone sets out to write a book, I am sure there are many reasons they do so. First reason that comes to mind is the fame. Yes it is nice to be asked to sign a copy of your book, or to do a small book signing for a civic group. It is flattering to be asked to speak at a local college's history class. The little extra money is nice also. To see a check come in the mail asking for a signed copy of your book is a total rush. To see your book listed on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble sure does stroke the ego. To have a local newspaper reporter ask to interview you for a story in their paper is totally cool. But I found out today the best reason to write a book.

That reason is and should be - to touch someone's life.

Well folks, good news, my second book about Staten Island is done. It includes photos and bios of over 120 "Famous People from Staten Island". I have three more books on Staten Island in the works but they will take some time to complete, so I guess I have my retirement (from my day job) all planned out.

Anyway, thanks to all for all the great support and remember to visit me at

www.StatenIslandHistory.com