SIR - STATEN ISLAND RAILROAD
Welcome to another New York City Subway Cache.
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Following the Staten Island Railroad, St. George Terminal to Tottenville, end to end, stopping at 2 stops in between, 4 stops altogether.
Calling at the following stops -
- St. George Terminal {SIR/SI Ferry/SG NYC Ferry} - WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
- Jefferson Avenue {SIR} - NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
- Oakwood Heights {SIR} - NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
- Tottenville {SIR} - WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
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Before we head off, please remember to check mta.info for service changes and status. (Let's try not to get stuck somewhere 10 miles from your house with no trains coming, that would kinda suck)
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A bit of information before we begin -
Every cache in this series follows ONE TRAIN LINE, from the start to the end, stopping at 4-6 stops (unless the route is shorter than 5 stops). At each stop that is listed here in the description (St. George, Jefferson Av, Oakwood Heights & Tottenville in this scenario), you'll need to hop off the train and make your way to the coordinates given. When you reach the coordinates, a question will be given. Around the coordinates, you should be able to find the answer.
The answers are multiple-choice. On each multiple-choice answer, there will be a number. For example -
1. ()
2. ()
3. ()
Take the number (answer choice 1, 2, or 3, based on the answer you chose) and remember it or write it down.
At the final stop, add up all the numbers. 3-5 sets of coordinates will be given. Add the numbers from each answered choice. At the bottom of this description, it'll say "If you have (), go to (coordinates), if you have (), go to (coordinates), etc". The final coordinates will lead to the cache.
Please note taking the train is not needed but is encouraged because this multicache series is about the NYC subway, and attempts to show how each train line has shaped a part of the city in its own way.
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The SIR is the only train that runs in Staten Island, meaning it’s pretty important. Even though Staten Island has the smallest population out of the 5 boroughs, it needs at least one train line. This is still New York City.
Believe it or not, this was the first subway-like train in NYC. There were other trains in the city (not including Ely Beech’s Fan Powered Train (Click here for more information about Ely Beech)), but they were mainly commuter trains from Pennsylvania Station or Grand Central Terminal going to Boston, Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia and other cities. Staten Island wasn’t as easy to get around (as they hadn’t invented the car), so a train was needed. In 1860, the line opened. It ran from Vanderbilt Landing (in Northeast Staten Island) down to Tottenville to connect with ferries to Perth Amboy and South Amboy. Ferries would run from Whitehall Street Terminal to Vanderbilt Landing, close to the same route as the current Staten Island Ferry. They named the line the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railroad (SIRT), which was later bought by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O) in 1890 to run freight trains along with the SIRT.
In the 1950s, the NYC Board of Transportation started doing work on public transportation in Staten Island. They bought all the buses in the 1950s, and later bought the SIRT in 1971. They removed all the freight trains from the line to turn it into a full subway line. In 1991, the SIRT was rebranded to the Staten Island Railroad (SIR), keeping that name to the present day.
During non-rush hour times, it can be a pretty unbusy line, but it still serves as a unique and important line. It’s not everyday that you look out of a NYC subway window and see marsh fields with tall grass and lots of forest surrounding the train… and the occasional wild turkeys walking down the suburban streets just next to the train- keep an eye out for them.
From open farmlands to a very populated suburban borough in just 100 years, one train line on the east coast of Staten Island, the Staten Island Railway brought a steep increase in population and popularity to every neighborhood it went by and went near.
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A few extra notes (PLEASE READ OVER) -
- The cache is NOT located at the posted coordinates on the main map; solve the puzzle throughout the city at the designated stops we tell you to get off at in this description.
- All cache coordinates are located between a 1 - 10 minute walk from Tottenville Station.
- On weekends, trains run every 25-30 minutes. If you use the train, expect to wait a bit for each train if you don’t get your timing right.
- A metrocard is not needed except for St. George Terminal. A metrocard is needed to get in and out of the station (with the normal $2.75 fare). Going between any other station is completely free.
- Between each waypoint in the description, please read which trains you may take (if you are using the train).
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St. George Terminal
Welcome to St. George. This is about as far as most people come when visiting Staten Island. St. George is known for a large commercial area with a variety of things to do. Pretty streets with suburban homes that are just a 20 minute ferry ride from Downtown Manhattan and Battery Park. The Staten Island Ferry terminal is located in a mall which has plenty of food and drink options.
Proceed to the following coordinates inside the Staten Island Ferry Terminal to answer the question, and solve step 1/4 of the puzzle -
40.6441959, -74.0723458
QUESTION
There are several New York Islands listed on the floor of the Staten Island Ferry Terminal. Which 5 islands are they?
- Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Ellis Island, Manhattan
- Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty, Staten Island, Governors Island, Manhattan
- Rikers Island, Roosevelt Island, Randall’s Island, North Brother Island, Manhattan
Please make your way to the next station waypoint, Jefferson Avenue.
Take the next local Staten Island Railway train (SIR) leaving St. George.
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Jefferson Avenue {NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE}
A slight difference from the rest of the city, the neighborhood of Grant City is a quiet neighborhood in the residential area, yet has two major streets on both sides of the neighborhood with several commercial businesses. Grant City was established in the early 20th century after the railway was introduced, bringing suburban residents to Grant City.
You’ll be making your way to General Douglas MacArthur Park to get your second number. General Douglas MacArthur was a prominent American military leader who played a significant role during the 20th century. Serving in both World Wars, MacArthur is best known for his leadership in the Pacific during World War II, where he commanded Allied forces against Japan, appointed by President FDR as the Supreme Allied Commander of the Pacific. He orchestrated successful campaigns, including the island-hopping strategy, and played a key role in the eventual defeat of Japan. MacArthur also played a pivotal role in the post-war occupation of Japan, implementing reforms and overseeing its transition to a democratic nation.
Proceed to the following coordinates to answer the question, and solve step 2/4 of the puzzle -
40/5855864, -74.1013291
QUESTION
What is the last word on the sign labeled ‘GENERAL DOUGLAS MACARTHUR PARK’? The last word is a US State.
- Virginia
- New York
- Vermont
Please make your way to the next station waypoint, Oakwood Heights.
Take a Southbound (To Tottenville or Great Kills) train at Jefferson Avenue.
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Oakwood Heights {NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE}
Welcome to the neighborhood of Oakwood Heights. Oakwood Heights, specifically, was a leading factor that brought attention to Staten Island, with some help from the original railway in Staten Island. It was a primarily rural area with farms until the 1860s when the SIRT (Staten Island Rapid Transit) was introduced, bringing more people to the neighborhood, knowing they could have a much faster commute into Manhattan. It also brought beachgoers and tourists, being a waterfront neighborhood, introducing hotels and beach cottages along the water. With its proximity to Manhattan, it rapidly became a suburban and residential place.
You’ll be making your way to Amundsen Circle, a few blocks from the train station. The plaque in the middle commemorates Captain Roald Amundsen, a Norwegian explorer and a key player in the Age of Antarctic Exploration, being the first person to reach the South Pole, using sled dogs and expert navigation skills.
Proceed to the following coordinates to answer the question, and solve step 2/4 of the puzzle -
40.5646535, -74.1309553
QUESTION
You should be in the middle of the traffic circle, looking at a giant rock with a plaque on it. There should be 3 paragraphs/blocks of text on the plaque with a patterned divider between each block. What is the design of those dividers?
- ****-****
- ______._______
- .______**_______.
Please make your way to the next and final station waypoint, Tottenville.
Take a Southbound (To Tottenville) train at Jefferson Avenue.
Welcome to Tottenville, the most southern point of New York City and New York State. Getting off the train here, you may notice just a tiny difference between this station and most other NYC subway stations. I don’t think I have to explain myself. As a southern waterfront community, regardless of the fact that it was much farther from Manhattan than most other neighborhoods in Staten Island, it was settled in the 17th century and had several waterfront industries settle there. From agricultural businesses, to farming, to fishing, it was a thriving neighborhood. In the 19th century, with the introduction of the train, Tottenville rapidly became a residential place where people went to get away from the urbanness of the city, and to relax. Its natural beauty, waterfront access, and amenities such as hotels and amusement parks drew visitors looking for leisure and relaxation.
Over time, Tottenville transformed into a primarily residential neighborhood. The expansion of transportation networks, such as the Outerbridge Crossing and the Staten Island Expressway, made commuting to and from Tottenville more convenient, attracting new residents seeking a suburban lifestyle. To this day, it is still a beautiful and scenic waterfront location, with historic victorian-style homes, waterfront properties and modern developments. The complete opposite of ‘stereotypical NYC’ makes Tottenville a sought-after neighborhood.
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Please take this time to add up your answers.
All possible locations will be located between a 1-10 minute walk from Tottenville station.
If you got 3, proceed to the following coordinates: 40.509943, -74.252354
If you got 4, proceed to the following coordinates: 40.507041, -74.255155
If you got 5, proceed to the following coordinates: 40.511994, -74.252882
If you got 6, proceed to the following coordinates: 40.512038, -74.251789
If you got 7, proceed to the following coordinates: 40.510621, -74.249865
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Happy caching!
Make sure to check out my other New York City subway caches located around last stops throughout the city.
**cords may be off by a few ft, but it shouldn't be that much if you know where to look**