Tom Crimmins Realty Blog - Tom Crimmins Realty, Ltd.

Aug. 20, 1661 — First permanent European settlement at Oude Dorp

Although there were already settlements in Manhattan by the 1620s, Staaten Eylandt was uncolonized until years later. It took many decades to be colonized because of feuding between settlers and tribes on the island. The disputes between the two were diminished, the Dutch established a colony called Oude Dorp, or Old Town, near South Beach in 1661. Cornelis Melyn was a patron of Staten Island who wanted to insure the island would be in good hands. Melyn had sold his rights to Staten Island to the West India Company for five hundred dollars; grants of the land were handed to.

Stuyvesant's mission was to put the lands in better condition. He did this by having the vacant lots about the fort either built upon or cleared. The hog-pens, which had been in…

2868 Views, 1 Comments

Home Renovations That Pay Off

Every homeowner is constantly thinking of improvements they would like to make to their home. These renovations will make your living space a little more lovable for you and will appeal to future buyers if you’re thinking of selling in the near future.

A Fireplace

Whether you have one or none, adding another fireplace to your home will only increase its coziness quotient. If you live in a warmer climate area, consider an outdoor hearth to extend your living space outside on cool evenings. Make sure your insulation is up to date too! You want to make sure all the warm air that your fireplace is making stays in your house.

Big Ideas for Small Baths

This upgrade will require a little bit of saving, but the price tag is worth investment. Replacing…

2254 Views, 0 Comments

Weekend Events for October 11

2289 Views, 0 Comments

Sept. 3, 1609 — Henry Hudson sights island, naming it Staaten Eylandt

Born in 1565 and the grandson to the founder of the Muscovy Company, Henry Hudson became famous for discovering Staten Island. From a very young age, Henry Hudson studied navigation, mathematics and seamanship. Like da Verazzano, Hudson was funded money to make voyages to discover a passage to Japan and China.

The Discovery

The Dutch East India Company provided Hudson with a ship, The Half Moon, to carry him and his small crew on their voyage. The original plan was to sail towards Russia. However, due to freezing weather and ice blockage, Hudson refused orders to return to Amsterdam. He decided to change route and travel west, leading him towards the New World. There was no other European before Hudson that decided to travel as far west and north…

4902 Views, 0 Comments

Willowbrook Park

WIllowbrook Park is a part of Greenbelt parks and is the most recognizable and popular in the sub-system. The park has been documented back to 1683. It had an industrialists attraction because of its waterways. However, due to a decrease in water level, the factories in the park that produced metal tools were forced to close down.

After 1964, Willowbrook Park developed in landscape and appeal after the opening of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. Willowbrook Lake is also known as the first man-made pond on Staten Island.

Although the area of…

2418 Views, 0 Comments

How to Remove Pests Forever With These 4 Simple Tips

Ants and gnats are annoying and a hassle to get rid of in homes; but before you start using harsh chemicals to finish the job, here are a few alternative methods for eliminating those pests.

Exclusion

The best pest control is exclusion. That means sealing all nooks and crannies in your home where insects and other pests may enter.

Another way to block bugs from entering your home is a screen mesh.  If you don’t have them installed in your windows or doors, consider adding them.  The installation is easy and quick; it is also easy to change mesh screens to glass later on in the cold seasons.

Reduce Moisture

Wet and damp environments around your home attract many insects; this explains why ants find their way into your homes when it rains. So…

2164 Views, 0 Comments

Events for October 4th Weekend

2241 Views, 0 Comments

Benefits of Going Green

All homes have a lifespan so there is a clear desire to live in a home with renewable energy systems. As advancements in renewable energy systems increase, prices are decreasing which makes it a smart move to invest! 

Go Green!

"Going green" does not only mean turning off the lights when no one's in the room or installing solar panels all over the yard. There is more to becoming eco-friendly.

Green homes are clean homes. Having air filtration and central vac systems will contain two-thirds of dust in homes. You can avoid dirt and dust particles from building up in your home through easy-to-clean surfaces.

Creating a smaller carbon footprint will make a less impact in your wallet long-term. In addition, a few more benefits are: lower…

2596 Views, 0 Comments

April 1524 - Discovery of the Verrazano - Narrows

Giovanni da Verrazano was born in Greve in Chianti, Italy.  In the early 1500s, Verrazano gained an interest in the navy's mission and tactics; he began sailing as a pirate and became determined to find a passage to the Orient.  Verrazano took part of France's Francis I's naval service. 

The Voyage

In the 1520s, Verrazano prepared his ship, Delfina which is named after the King's firstborn daughter, to partake with three other ships on an eight month voyage to discover a quicker route to the Orient. Only La Dauphine had surpassed the voyage, managing to have enough supplies and avoid becoming shipwrecked. Cape Fear, North Carolina was the first sight of land Verrazano came across; but Verrazano continued traveling north of the coast. 

In the…

4762 Views, 0 Comments

Events for September 27th Weekend

2447 Views, 0 Comments