For centuries the Algonquin Indians inhabited Long Island. A sub-division of the Algonquins known as the Secatogues occupied all of the area now known as
Islip Township.
On
November 28, 1683 William Nicoll bought a 8 x 10 mile tract of land from Sachem (Chief)
Winnequaheagh of Connetquot. This famous purchase eventually became the largest manor
on Long Island, which he aptly named 'Islip' after his hometown of Islipe, England.
His main residence was located in the area we now know as
Heckscher State Park.
Nearly two centuries later on July 14, 1842 the Long Island Railroad had reached
eastward into Nicoll's tract of land and the Suffolk Station was established (at
the present Islip Avenue crossing). For three decades Suffolk Station was the center
of commerce for the neighboring communities, hence the name Central Islip was given
to this spot where stage and rail met.
Dr. Edgar Peck of Smithtown was among
the first to discover the value of the area soil as farmland. Dr. Peck studied the
soil and reported it to be "... a very fine yellow loam in every way suitable
for cultivation." - this discovery was in contrast to the previous belief that
it was 'worthless gravel'...
In 1848 George Kasson Hubbs bought 939 acres of land from the seventh William
Nicoll. Hubbs moved his family to Central Islip and eventually held the titles of
Postmaster, Railroad Stationmaster and School Inspector. He married Ruth Wheeler,
for whom he named Wheeler Road.
As the population of the area grew, the Union
Free School District No. 13 was formed. Several Churches were also built in this
area during the late 1800's. The Episcopal Church of Central Islip and the First
Methodist Church were both built in 1869. In 1903 the cornerstone for the St. John
of God Church was laid.
A major New York State mental hospital opened in
1887 and served as the main area employer. The influx of Doctors, attendants, and
other workers included many Irish immigrant families.
More recently, Central
Islip has become home to the New York Technical College, and the Cohalan County Court
Complex - a $198 million federal court building...
The Central Islip Public
Library was first opened in 1952 - moving to our present location in 1976... Stop
in and ask about our collection of local history materials... Discover the wonderful
past at your library!
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| Saint John of God Church, a historic landmark in Central Isip | A glimpse into yesteryear; looking south along Carleton Avenue, 1915 |
