Town History – Town of Oyster Bay

“On June 4th, I anchored in a commodious haven on the north of Long Island. We found fine oysters there, from which the Dutch call it Oyster Bay.”

– Diary of David deVries, Voyager, 1639

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The Town of Oyster Bay enjoys a rich and well-documented history. The first known European to sail past Long Island’s south shore was Giovanni de Verrazano in 1524. David deVries was the first to record the name of Oyster Bay for the beautiful harbor on the Town’s north shore in 1639. Long Island was first claimed by the Dutch as part of their province of New Netherland. In 1639, they purchased from the Native Americans a tract which, on the east, included the present Town land. In 1648, Robert Williams of Hempstead bought from the Native Americans a large parcel of land, which is represented today by Hicksville and adjacent parts of Jericho, Plainview, Syosset and Woodbury.

Five years later, the Native American Chief Mohannes sold the land in the northern portion of Oyster Bay, extending from Long Island Sound to a point near Hicksville, to New Englanders Samuel Mayo, Peter Wright and William Leverich. Several other colonists joined in this First Purchase and settled on the land.

In founding the Town, the New Englanders were seeking new opportunities on Long Island just east of the boundary established between the English and Dutch. In 1667, three years after the English won New Netherland, the Town of Oyster Bay, inclusive of land to the “Soth Sea” (Great South Bay), was granted a patent by the English Governor, Sir Edmund Andros. After the defeat of the American Army at the Battle of Long Island in August 1776, Oyster Bay fell under British occupation.

The Revolutionary War found Long Island strongly Loyalist. British troops used Raynham Hall as their headquarters, the hall being the home of patriot Samuel Townsend and currently a museum. Despite the fact that he was arrested early in the war for his support of the Patriots, his son, Robert, remained active as an undercover agent for General Washington using the code name, “Culper, Jr.” With the aid of his sister, Sally, he reportedly secured information that led to the exposure of Benedict Arnold’s plot to defect to the British and turn over West Point to their control.

After the Revolution, Oyster Bay continued primarily as an agricultural area through the nineteenth century. It didn’t come into national prominence again until the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt, an Oyster Bay resident whose home, Sagamore Hill, served as the “summer White House” from 1902 to 1908. This huge Victorian mansion, with its original furnishings, was dedicated as a national shrine during the administration of President Eisenhower. It has since been completely restored and is open to the public.

With the advent of World Wars I and II, the Town’s primarily agricultural economy began changing to one of industry and business, especially in the area of aeronautics. Farmlands gave way to business complexes, factories and new housing. Today, Oyster Bay enjoys a well-balanced blend of commercial, residential and recreational development, leading to the Town’s slogan that “Oyster Bay is a great place to live, work and play.”

Please note that all photos are copyrighted or owned by the agencies or societies listed in the photo captions and can only be used with their written permission.

Massapequa School, shown here circa 1913-14, was located on present day Park Boulevard in Massapequa (known then as Wurtemberg Road or School House Road). – Photo provided by the Historical Society of the Massapequas	Built in 1770 by David Jones, Tryon Hall was renamed Fort Neck House at the close of the Revolutionary War. The first manor house along Merrick Road in Massapequa, it was known as a refugee house during the war, as some leaning toward British rule sought safety there. It stood just west of what is now the site of Massapequa High School on Merrick Road. -Photo provided by the Historical Society of the Massapequas
The Bayville Casino, shown here circa 1920, was built in 1913 by Zebelon Wilson, Sr., on Bayville Avenue, across the street from present-day Ransom Beach. There was not any gambling at the establishment, but rather bowling in the basement, a restaurant on the first floor, and dancing on the second floor. It burned down in 1923. -Photo provided by Long Island Studies Institute, Nassau County Museum Collection, Hofstra University Special Collections	Quaker Meeting House, Piping Rock Road, Locust Valley, circa 1890s. This house of worship for the Matinecock Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends was built in 1725 and was rebuilt following a fire in 1986. Matinecock Monthly Meeting, organized in the 1660s, is the oldest continuous meeting of the Society of Friends in the United States. -Photo provided by Long Island Studies Institute, Nassau County Museum Collection, Hofstra University Special Collections
The Hicksville Triangle, pictured circa 1900, looking south at the junction of Jerusalem Avenue, Broadway, and John Street, is the site of the present-day John F. Kennedy Memorial Park. -Photo provided by Long Island Studies Institute, Nassau County Museum Collection, Hofstra University Special Collections	A Horse and Carriage Ride at the Massapequa Hotel, circa 1890’s. The Massapequa Hotel was located on Ocean Avenue between Berkeley and Cornelius Places. -Photo provided by Long Island Studies Institute, Nassau County Museum Collection, Hofstra University Special Collections
The Sea Cliff Idlewilds, 1912 Nassau County Baseball Champions. -Photo provided by Long Island Studies Institute, Nassau County Museum Collection, Hofstra University Special Collections	Farmingdale’s agricultural roots are reflected in this circa 1940 scene looking north on Merritt Road near the intersection of Conklin Street (Hempstead Turnpike). The LIRR Central Branch crossing is in the foreground, and that of the Main Line is north of the intersection. Farmingdale Feed Co. is also seen at the northeast corner of this intersection.
The Layton Store and House, circa 1870. John M. Layton (pictured holding rifle) built this general store in 1866 near the intersection of present-day Routes 25A and 106 in East Norwich. The structure was moved to Old Bethpage Village Restoration in 1966. -Photo provided by Long Island Studies Institute, Nassau County Museum Collection, Hofstra University Special Collections	First Plainview Fire Department Parade, Labor Day, 1927. -Photo provided by the Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library Local History Collection
Matinecock Lodge, West Main Street, Oyster Bay, as it appeared when built in 1901. It was originally a hotel, the Townsend Inn. This landmark building burned down in October, 2003. -Photo from the Collection of John Hammond	Syosset Railroad Station, circa 1911. -Photo provided by the Syosset Public Library
A carriage travels Shore Road from Bayville to Oyster Bay ca. 1910. – Photo provided by the Nassau County Museum, Long Island Studies	The G.A. Van Sise Store in Syosset, ca. 1900, located on Berry Hill Road north of the fork with Split Rock Road, also housed the Syosset Post Office. Photo provided by the Syosset Public Library and the Nassau County Museum, Long Island Studies
The Massapequa Post Office and general store, ca. 1908, was located at the junction of Central Avenue and Broadway. Photo provided by the Nassau County Museum, Long Island Studies	George Robertson, winner of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race, approaches the famous turn at Jericho. Photo provided by the Nassau County Museum, Long Island Studies
The Long Island Rail Road station in Oyster Bay hamlet, ca. 1910. Photo provided by the Nassau County Museum, Long Island Studies	The Central Park (now Bethpage) Fire Department with its new motorized fire engine in front of the fire house on Stewart Avenue opposite Kearney Avenue ca. 1920. Photo provided by the Nassau County Museum, Long Island Studies
Bathers on what is now Tappen Beach, Glenwood Landing, ca. 1910. Photo provided by the Nassau County Museum, Long Island Studies	Looking north from the northwest corner of Main and Conklin Streets, Farmingdale, ca. 1910. Photo provided by the Nassau County Museum, Long Island Studies
The Hicksville trolley on Broadway north of the railroad tracks ca. 1910. Photo provided by the Nassau County Museum, Long Island Studies	The Massapequa Hotel, Ocean Avenue between Berkeley & Cornelius Places, ca. 1910. Photo provided by the Nassau County Museum, Long Island Studies
President Theodore Roosevelt leaving Oyster Bay, circa August 1912. Photo provided David Morrison

1847-1849 Birth, Marriage and Death Records

Civil War Records

Index To Register Of Death 1881-1920

Historic Cemeteries of Oyster Bay

The Department of Planning and Development oversees the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the designation of landmarks within the Town of Oyster Bay.

Below is a list of Town of Oyster Bay designated landmarks and their addresses. They are listed by hamlet in alphabetical order. An asterisk has been placed next to each landmark indicating a private residence.

GLEN HEAD

* Craft Mansion – 18 Central Dr., Glen Head, NY 11545 Dedicated April 28, 1982

JERICHO

The Maine Maid Inn – 4 Old Jericho Tpke., Jericho, NY 11753 Dedicated May 15, 2012

LOCUST VALLEY

* Cock-Valentine House – 173 Buckram Rd., Locust Valley, NY 11724 Dedicated April 28, 1982

* Hawxhurst House – 89 Oyster Bay Rd., Locust Valley, NY 11724 Dedicated October 25, 1988

* Jos. Weekes Jr. House – Buckram Rd., Locust Valley, NY 11724 Dedicated October 25, 1988

Richard Davis Store – 7 Oyster Bay Rd., Locust Valley, NY 11724 Dedicated October 7, 1980

* White Spots – 193 Buckram Rd., Locust Valley, NY 11724 Dedicated October 9, 1979

MASSAPEQUA

* 107 Eden Ave., Massapequa, NY 11758 Dedicated April 26, 1983

Floyd Jones Library – Massapequa, NY 11758 Dedicated December 14, 1999

Grace Church (Floyd Jones Servent Cottage) – 4750 Merrick Rd., Massapequa, NY 11758 Dedicated February 23, 1988

Old Grace Church – 4750 Merrick Rd., Massapequa, NY 11758 Dedicated May 11, 1976

* Serpe House – 69 Cedar Shore Dr., Massapequa, NY 11758 Dedicated October 9, 1979

St. Gregory Nyssa Church – 1100 Hicksville Rd., Massapequa, NY 11758 Dedicated May 5, 1987

* Will Rogers House – 425 Clocks Blvd., Massapequa Dedicated February 6, 1990

OYSTER BAY

33 W. Main St., Oyster Bay, NY 11771 Dedicated May 25, 1987

* 70 E. Main St., Oyster Bay, NY 11771 Dedicated April 26, 1983

* Adams Derby House – 34 Derby Ct., Oyster Bay, NY 11771 Dedicated February 6, 1979

* Albertson-Meyer House – 153 E. Main St., Oyster Bay, NY 11771 Dedicated May 11, 1976

* Crickett Cottage – 65 Sandy Hill Rd., Oyster Bay, NY 11771 Dedicated September 11, 1984

* John M. Sammis House – 30 White St., Oyster Bay, NY 11771 Dedicated January 18, 1994

* Maria Powell House – 12 Prospect St., Oyster Bay, NY 11771 Dedicated January 19, 1993

Matinecock Lodge – 14 W. Main St., Oyster Bay, NY 11771 Dedicated March 10, 1987

* Mill Pond House – 1065 W. Shore Dr., Oyster Bay, NY 11771 Dedicated May 11, 1976

* Minor House – 78 Harbor Rd., Oyster Bay, NY 11771 Dedicated October 9, 1979

Moore’s Building – 5 E. Main St., Oyster Bay, NY 11771 Dedicated November 26, 1985

North Shore Assembly of God – 84 Orchard St., Oyster Bay, NY 11771 Dedicated January 23, 2007

Oyster Bay Long Island Rail Road Train Station – Oyster Bay, NY 11771 Dedicated March 2, 1999

Oyster Bay Railroad Station Turntable – Oyster Bay Dedicated March 2, 1999

The Printery – 43 W. Main St., Oyster Bay, NY 11771 Dedicated March 10, 1987

Raynham Hall – 20 W. Main St., Oyster Bay, NY 11771 Dedicated March 10, 1987

Seely-Wright House (The Country Lady) – 29 West Main St., Oyster Bay, NY 11771 Dedicated August 7, 2001

Snouders Drug Store – 108 South St., Oyster Bay, NY 11771 Dedicated March 10, 1987

Visiting Nurse Association – 193 South St., Oyster Bay, NY 11771 Dedicated May 5, 1987

* Weeks Wilson House – 53 E. Main St., Oyster Bay, NY 11771 Dedicated May 11, 1976

* William Wright House – 104 W. Main St., Oyster Bay, NY 11771 Dedicated May 11, 1976

Wightman House – 20 Summit St., Oyster Bay, NY 11771 Dedicated May 11, 1976

SYOSSET

* Horton House – 72 Horton Pl., Syosset, NY 11791 Dedicated April 26, 1983

* Schenck-Mann House – 222 Convent Rd., Syosset, NY 11791 Dedicated May 11, 1976

WOODBURY

Old Methodist Graveyard – 8025 Jericho Tpke., Woodbury, NY 11797 Dedicated January 20, 1998

Old Methodist Church – 8025 Jericho Tpke., Woodbury, NY 11797 Dedicated January 20, 1998