Uncovering Charleston’s and Staten Island’s Haunting History at Kreischer Mansion
At Kreischer Street, Arthur Kill Road takes a sharp turn, transforming into a maze of dead-ends, bordered by dense woods and wetlands. This peculiar route leads deep into the heart of Charleston, Staten Island, an industrial district known for its occasional whimsical charm. Here, a unique blend of the Wild West and Gothic Horror can be experienced, where stables and shooting ranges coexist with haunted mansions and sunken ships, creating an intriguing atmosphere.
In this corner of the borough, the echoes of family names reverberate through the streets and gravestones. However, one word, particularly, rises above the rest—Kreischer. It is ingrained in the fabric carved on the walls of the neighbourhood pub, one of the oldest buildings, and imprinted on the sidewalks. This is because the town was built with Kreischer bricks, by Kreischer bricks, and for Kreischer bricks. Long before it became Charleston, this place was known as Kreischerville.
Balthasar Kreischer, born in a small Bavarian village, immigrated to New York City in 1836, just a year after a devastating fire razed much of Lower Manhattan. Finding employment in the post-fire reconstruction efforts, Kreischer developed a keen interest in constructing baker’s ovens. In 1845, along with a business partner, he established a brickworks on the Lower East Side. The bricks they produced were fire-proof and designed to endure the high temperatures in furnaces and chimneys. These unique bricks required a specific type of “fire clay”.
During the 1850s, rich clay deposits were discovered in the southwest region of Staten Island. Recognizing the strategic importance of this find, Kreischer relocated his brickworks to this secluded area known as Androvetteville, named after a prominent local family. Balthasar acquired the clay pits and waterfront property to establish his factory. As time passed, the once quiet community of oystermen and mariners transformed remarkably into an industrial boomtown capable of producing 20,000 bricks per day. It was during this period that the neighbourhood became renowned as Kreischerville.
Balthasar Kreischer, known for his paternalistic approach to leadership, went above and beyond to care for his workers. He provided them with housing and financial assistance during sickness or economic hardship. In return, he expected his employees to maintain the appearance of their yards and houses, ensuring the entire community’s well-being. Four of the original worker’s houses still stand, designated as New York City landmarks since 1994. Although some appear unoccupied, frozen in a bygone era with rusty cars parked in their driveways from yesteryears, they serve as a poignant reminder of the past. Even the sidewalks, laid with Kreischer bricks over a century ago, bear witness to the passage of time.
In 1878, Balthasar Kreischer retired, passing the company’s reins to his three sons—Edward, Charles, and a third brother who took charge of the company’s headquarters in Manhattan. As a testament to his generosity and love for the community, Balthasar gifted the town a magnificent new church building, which still stands today. He also commissioned a pair of Victorian mansions, mirror images of each other, atop a hill overlooking the factory. These mansions were intended to be the residences of Charles and Edward. Unfortunately, only Charles’ estate survived time, as Edward fell victim to a fire in the 1930s.
The Kreischer family, like many others, was not immune to tragedy. In 1894, Edward Kreischer met a tragic end when he was discovered dead near the factory, having taken his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Publicly, his brother George expressed bewilderment at the circumstances surrounding Edward’s decision. However, friends of the deceased revealed a different story, hinting at friction between the two brothers. Following Balthasar’s death, the business was divided equally among his five children.
Nevertheless, Charles moved swiftly to acquire a controlling stake in the company by purchasing the interests of his two sisters. Declining fortunes at Kreischer and Sons might have also contributed to the family’s struggles. The plant stopped producing in 1906 after being sold as a result of a foreclosure in 1899. According to a recent story, some former employees were hired by the adjacent Atlantic Terra Cotta Works.
As the years passed, the community formerly known as Kreischerville underwent a name change. In response to anti-German sentiment during World War I, the town was renamed Charleston. The old clay quarries gradually returned to nature, transforming into small ponds, which inspired the name of Clay Pit Ponds State Park. Meanwhile, Kreischer House remained perched on Kreischer Hill, officially recognized as a New York City landmark in 1968.
With the passage of time and the vast gulf between the present and Edward’s tragic demise, Kreischer House gradually embraced its destined role as a “haunted mansion.” However, it wasn’t until 2005 that the mansion cemented its status in the public consciousness. During that year, the Kreischer Mansion became infamous as the backdrop for a real-life horror story—a gruesome murder committed by the house’s caretaker.
In 2006, The New York Times reported the chilling details of the crime. A Mafia soldier and four associates orchestrated a murder-for-hire within the secluded Victorian mansion. The victim, a member of the Bonanno crime family, had run afoul of the group. The hitman, a former black Marine, was paid $8,000 to carry out the Sopranos-style execution. The murder involved a failed strangulation attempt, followed by stabbing, drowning in a small reflecting pool, dismemberment, and incineration of the victim’s body in the mansion’s furnace.
At the time of the murder, the mansion’s owners were unaware of the heinous crime and had already begun renovations, including replacing the furnace. By the time the FBI became aware of the killing and searched the mansion for evidence, crucial traces had been removed. Initially, an Ohio-based developer had planned to transform the property into a community for the elderly called “Kreischerville.” However, these plans were abandoned in 2012, and the property was listed for sale at $11.5 million, with the mansion alone a $1.6 million portion of the total value. For $12 million, the 5-acre property is now again on the market.
Currently, the Kreischer Mansion stands empty, captivating the imaginations of those who revel in ghost stories. Tales surrounding Edward’s grieving widow circulate, despite the fact that she never resided in the house. Signs are emerging that the mansion is starting to embrace its haunted reputation. In 2015, it opened its doors for an interactive theatre piece on Halloween night. Last year, the estate became the focal point of the first season of a ghost-hunting show titled “Paranormal Lockdown.” While the claims made on these shows are dubious, they add an aura of intrigue and curiosity to the mansion’s rich history. With its sordid past and captivating allure, Kreischer Mansion will likely continue to stand for centuries to come, serving as one of Staten Island’s most compelling connections to its 19th-century heritage.
The story of Kreischer Street and Kreischerville in Charleston, Staten Island, weaves a tale of industrial prosperity, tragedy, and an enduring legacy. Balthasar Kreischer’s brickworks, established in the mid-19th century, played a pivotal role in the community’s growth. Today, the Kreischer Mansion, once a symbol of success, has transformed into a haunted landmark, capturing the imaginations of those fascinated by its dark past. It will continue to remind us of Staten Island’s rich history and ties to the 19th century.
Source: abandonednyc.com
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