with images ranging from rural roads and open land to factories , new suburban developments , and busy commercial centers .
In 1964 , Flamm photographed the opening of Staten Island ’ s fourth , and perhaps most notable , automobile bridge : the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge , the first physical connection between Staten Island and the rest of New York City . Even today , many long-time Staten Island residents divide the Island ’ s history into “ before the bridge ” and “ after the bridge ,” noting its impact on population growth and the altered landscape . Flamm captured these changes in his photographs , and they provide a richly detailed study of a community in flux : the contrast of farmland with the newly built environment ; the emergence of car culture on the island ; the community meeting places , commercial establishments , and popular amusements that served the growing population ; the changing demographic makeup of the island ; and the many other significant changes brought by the modern age .
Model homes on Staten Island , July 8 , 1949 . The sign in front of these newly-built bungalows , located on Simonson Avenue in Mariners Harbor , states that they were built by DePalma Concrete Co . and offered for sale by real estate broker Frank B . Sterner . Real estate developments transformed much of the local landscape from rural to suburban in the mid-20th century .
Vassar Street at Nome Avenue , Heartland Village , May 12 , 1972 .
Flamm often photographed properties for architects , builders , and real estate agents . His notations are visible on this negative , including an arrow pointing to the “ Property in Question ” at right .
4 The STaTen ISland hISTorIan