Spanish Camp

Spanish Camp, also known as Spanish Colony, was a community on Staten Island, NY. It was started in 1923 by emigrants from Spain, most of whom were anarchists, under the name Spanish Naturopath Association. The eighteen acre property, located on New York Harbor and off Poillon Avenue on the southeastern shore of Staten Island, had its own streets and services, quite independent of anything having to do with the rest of Staten Island. A small pond and associated wetlands were included. A small beach faced New York Harbor, and an ornate picnic area and athletic field were built. Dorothy Day lived for years in one of the cottages. In 2000 the grandchildren and great grandchildren of the founders, against the will of most residents, sold the property for $7.1 million to a developer, John DiScala. Residents owned their homes, but the land was the property of the Naturopath Association, whose members were descendents of the founders. Residents were forced out, but the developer was blocked by various court actions brought by former residents and by refusal of the City Planning Department to issue permits for construction. The developer had promised to preserve the home Dorothy Day lived in, and a few sample other areas. However, her former home was leveled by a bulldozer as the City Landmarks Commission was about to declare it an historic landmark, and the developer then claimed there was no evidence she had ever been near the property.

As of 2006 DiScala's firm has declared bankruptcy, and he is trying to sell the otherwise vacant land to other developers.

Source: 'Staten Island Advance', October 4, 2006, page 1.