46 STATEN ISLAND INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES 
week’s business had ended, of the beautiful crafts at anchor, kept 
in a state of fine perfection. The owners vied with each other to: 
outdo their neighbors, these were the oyster carriers that brought 
their stock from Princess Bay to the North Shore to be culled, and 
separated, placed in the floats to give them drink before marketing. 
Fifty years ago our highways were built in this section by refuse 
shells in marketing oysters. Our roads were a pride to all people, 
who were fortunate enough to have horses, and enjoy the splendid 
highways. We needed no moon or electric lights to guard our | 
ways. White as snow in the darkest of hours, these crushed shell 
roads were enjoyable as no noise emanated from them. The gen- 
try came from the other side of the island, particularly from New 
Brighton, to enjoy these fine drives upon our shell roads in sum- 
mer evenings, and the views of the waters of the Bay and the fine 
fleet of oyster crafts, alas a thing of the past.” 
