History Northport, New York

1 history

1.1 european settlement
1.2 growth, change, , shipbuilding
1.3 railroads , trolleys
1.4 incorporation , annexation
1.5 modern northport

history
european settlement

the original inhabitants of area known northport matinecocks, 1 of 13 native american tribes of long island. matinecocks called land opcathontyche, meant wading place creek . after dutch interest few years earlier, land sold chief asharoken, head of matinecocks, 3 englishmen in 1656.

with land suited farming, settlers grazed cattle on pastures around harbor. area became known great cow harbour. (the nearby hamlet of centerport known little cow harbour.) oldest house still standing in northport, skidmore house on main street, built in 1761. in 2009 house put sale, sparking village pass historical preservation law.

growth, change, , shipbuilding

woodbine avenue , northport harbor, circa 1900

in 19th century great cow harbor still rural farming community. 1830s village contained 8 dwellings. new industry of shipbuilding brought rapid change , growth. village shifted away farming roots shipbuilding became community s primary industry. 1837 village being referred northport.

the 1860 census listed northport s population @ 1,016. 1874 had become flourishing village on suffolk county s north shore, 3 ship yards, 5 sets of marine railways, 2 hotels, , @ least 6 general stores.

northport s shipbuilding boom lasted fifty years waned @ end of century steel-hulled ships began replacing wooden vessels produced in village.

railroads , trolleys

main street, sometime between 1902 , 1909

on april 25, 1868, long island rail road opened station within village of northport. essential transportation link village, growing commuter population. however, few years later lirr decided move northport station new location in larkfield facilitate further railway extension port jefferson. new railway station located on larkfield road opened on january 13, 1873, , retained station name of northport.

to avoid confusion former station located in village of northport, train conductors refer station in larkfield east of northport because station located east of northport railway junction directed trains north station located in village. despite fact larkfield south of northport, area became known thereafter east northport. original rail spur northport afterwards known northport branch. after old village station closed in 1899, northport decided build 2.5-mile (4.0 km) trolley line take commuters between main street , new northport station located in larkfield. new commuter trolley opened in mid-april 1902. trolley become obsolete increasing popularity of automobile, , trolley made last scheduled commuter run on august 19, 1924.

incorporation , annexation

although known name of northport since @ least 1837, village of northport not formally incorporated until 1894, becoming first village in town of huntington so. on years northport has expanded original borders, annexing other established communities.

around revolutionary war, concentration of 31 families began settling 1.5 miles (2.4 km) east of northport, around main street , route 25a intersect 40°53′58″n 73°19′47″w / 40.8995°n 73.3296°w / 40.8995; -73.3296. settlement known red hook , changed names vernon valley in 1820. 1874 vernon valley had population of around 150 inhabitants. vernon valley became part of northport in mid-20th century.

northport annexed formerly independent settlement of crab meadow 40°55′15″n 73°19′13″w / 40.9207°n 73.3202°w / 40.9207; -73.3202 (also known great neck), western parts of freshpond community 40°55′21″n 73°17′47″w / 40.9224°n 73.2965°w / 40.9224; -73.2965.

modern northport

northport memorial park @ edge of northport harbor

by 1920s, after century of heavy commercial use, waterfront had supported community generations had fallen decay. village decided purchase land along harbor , created northport memorial park in 1932, defining feature of northport today.

in 1967, long island lighting company (lilco) opened northport power station, largest oil-fired electric generating station on east coast. 4 enormous stacks well-known landmark can seen far away connecticut across long island sound. each stack 600 feet (180 m) tall.

the northport trolley had ceased operations in 1924 enjoyed popular revival in 1970s , 1980s, transporting weekend tourists along main street. unlike original electric trolleys, nostalgic replica horse driven. ran on rubber automobile tires rather utilizing original rails still remain visible element of main street day.

in july 1984, northport garnered nationwide media attention being site of gruesome murder of 17-year-old gary lauwers friend, high school dropout , alleged devil-worshiper ricky kasso. events made national headlines , have since been recounted in books , movies, caused village suffer negative reputation reputed satanism.

every september village of northport commemorates rich history celebration of cow harbor day, follows annual great cow harbor 10k race.