National Register Listing

Office Building and U.S. Light-House Depot Complex

a.k.a. Old Administration Building (Third District U.S. Coast Guard

1 Bay St., New York, NY
Local significance of the building:
Science; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

science architecture houses residential buildings
Audiobooks about the history of New York.
The Hudson River School of painting, which was a 19th-century art movement that focused on landscapes and the natural world, was founded in New York State. Some of its most famous artists, such as Thomas Cole and Frederic Edwin Church, lived and worked in the Hudson River Valley.
New York random facts
Richmond County, also known as Staten Island, has a rich and diverse history that spans centuries. It is one of the five boroughs of New York City, located in the southwest part of the city. The island was originally home to several Native American tribes, including the Lenape, who had a peaceful existence until the arrival of European settlers.

In 1609, Henry Hudson, an English explorer working for the Dutch East India Company, sailed into the waters around Staten Island. This marked the beginning of European colonization in the area. The Dutch and the English both claimed the island, and it went back and forth between the two powers until the English finally gained control in 1664.

During the American Revolutionary War, Staten Island played a significant role. The British used the island as a base of operations, due to its strategic location between New York City and New Jersey. The notorious Battle of Staten Island took place in 1776, with the British successfully defending their position against an American attack.

In the mid-19th century, Staten Island transformed from a rural agricultural community into a residential suburb. The construction of the Staten Island Ferry in 1886 provided convenient transportation to and from Manhattan, leading to a population boom. The opening of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in 1964 further enhanced accessibility and facilitated even more development.

Today, Richmond County is a vibrant and diverse borough of New York City, known for its suburban charm, beautiful parks, and thriving communities. It is home to a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial areas, with a rich cultural heritage reflected in its museums, historical sites, and events. Despite its growth and urbanization, the island has managed to preserve its natural beauty and remains a beloved retreat for its residents and visitors alike.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Richmond County, New York.

  • Pre-1637: Native American tribes, such as the Lenape, inhabit the land that will become Richmond County.
  • 1637: The Dutch West India Company established a trading post on Staten Island.
  • 1661: Staten Island is officially incorporated as part of the Province of New York.
  • 1670s-1690s: English settlers begin establishing farms and plantations on Staten Island.
  • 1683: Richmond County is established as one of the original counties of the Province of New York.
  • 1776: Staten Island becomes occupied by British forces during the American Revolutionary War.
  • 1783: Following the American Revolution, Staten Island is evacuated by British forces.
  • 1898: Staten Island is consolidated with New York City, becoming one of its five boroughs.
  • 1964: The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, connecting Richmond County to Brooklyn, is completed.
  • 2001: Staten Island is severely affected by the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, as many residents were among the victims.