EAST MEADOW Its PAST and PRESENT

REF 974.721 E Carman-Lowden Homestead EastMeadow. This aerial view taken around 1910 shows the estate of the late Mrs. Adolph Ladenburg in the Salisbury area. The house is now owned by F. Wm. Boelson of Boelson Drive.

WHAT AND WHERE IS EAST MEADOW?

EAST MEADOW ... a community of 8.? square miles about 25 miles from Manhattan ... it is the home of more than 54,000 people. I t is bounded on the west by Meadowbrook Parkway and Merrick Avenue; on the north by Old Country Road and the Oyster Bay town line; on the east by Newbridge Road and the Wantagh Parkway; and on the south by North Jerusalem Road, Ennabrook Avenue, Bellmore Avenue and North Jerusalem Avenue. JUN 0 7 1994 . I 3 1299 9541 EAST MEADOW Its PAST and PRESENT 1658-1976

A PUBLICATION

of the

East Meadow Public Library

made possible by a grant from

THE SEAMEN'S BANK FOR SAVINGS Going to church in East Meadow, back before the turn of the century was almost a community project. This old print shows a large group of farm people boarding a horse-pulled sled at the old Community Methodist Church. CONTENTS

FOREWORD 5

IN THE BEGINNING 6 SHEEP RAISING 7-9 HORSE RACING 9 ROADS 9-11 HOME 11 CARMAN FAMILY 11-13 THE REVOLUTION 12-13 FIRST FAMILIES 13 BARNUM FAMILY 14-16 RAILROADS 16 BLIZZARD OF 1888 16 BELMONT ESTATE 17 VANDERBILT CUP RACES 17 MEADOW BROOK HUNT CLUB 18 NOON-SCHULTZE-HOEFFNER HOTEL 17 & 19

EAST MEADOW SCHOOLS 19 EARLY HISTORY 19-26 MODERN SCHOOL EXPANSION 26-29

MODERN EAST 29 HOUSES OF WORSHIP 29-31 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS 31 GOVERNMENT & SERVICES 31-33 COUNTY SERVICES LOCATED IN EAST MEADOW 33-35 PUBLIC LIBRARY 36-37 BICENTENNIAL LEGACY 37 EAST MEADOW FIRE DEPARTMENT 39-41 ORAL HISTORY 42-43 LOWDEN FAMILY, FISH FAMILY, HOEFFNER FAMILY 42 STRINGHAM, FAMILY, ROTTKAMP FAMILY, SCHNEIDER FAMILY, DeMONACO FAMILY, McCORMICK FAMILY, BOELSON FAMILY 43 SOURCES OF MATERIAL Inside Back Cover

CREDITS & THANKS Inside Back Cover

FOREWORD

WITHOUT THE COOPERATION and WE ESPECIALLY thank our interest of so many members 1 ibrary director Norman M. of the East Meadow community, Seldes and The Seaman's this "gently'' revised edition Bank for Savings ... without of the Mary Louise Clarke them, the publication of historical book on East Mea- this much-needed history dow would not have been poss- would not have been possi- ible. ble.

WITH A DEADLINE hovering over SPECIAL THANKS to our sole us, there was not enough time volunteer, Audrey Fixell, to see and talk to everyone who assisted us so con- as we had planned. We manag- scientiously and enthusi- ed to see as many people as astically in our Oral His- we could. We hope the history tory(see back of book) of East Meadow will become an project. We acknowledge ongoing project ... and possi- all others in the back of bly from all of this ... an this book ... there are so East Meadow Historical So- many of you! ciety will be formed. This was the dream of the late WE DEDICATE this book to Semon Springer who was the the East Meadow community unofficial East Meadow his- .... but, primarily to the torian. We incorporated por- late Mary Louise Clarke tions of his unpublished his- and the late Semon Springer, tory of East Meadow into this the two historians, who current booklet. His original began i t a 1 1 ! manuscript is on file in the East Meadow Library's Refer- ence department for those who would 1 ike to read it.

Carman-Lowden homestead on Hempstead Turnpike around 1910.

5 In The Beginning ...

FIRST LET US TAKE a brief ing up numerous sand bars lies wholly on the Plains. look at Long Island topo- and jutting 11 necks 11 of land. Only the western boundary graphy. During the glacial Sometimes narrow protecting ... which is the Meadow period, the edge of the sand 11 islands 11 appeared, Brook ... has a fringe of glacier which covered all which aided the main shore natural trees. Thus East New England ended about mid- in res'isting the constant Meadow•s physical aspects way down the width of Long battering of the ocean storms. were set centuries before Island. All along the nor- any recorded history of its thern shore from Brooklyn WHEN THE GLACIAL inhabitants. to Montauk Point glacial period ended we find Long heavings and pressures lsland 1 s physical features dumped rocks and boulders, had set. The north shore•s THE FIRST 200 YEARS which are the exact forma- rocky hills held clay soil tion as those found in the and water enough to give 1658 -1858 middle New England states. food and moisture to the Thus were formed the bluffs thick forest which soon cov- THE HISTORY of Hemp- along Long Island Sound,pro- ered them. The flat sandy stead Town covers more than bably the Sound itself, the plains were a different 300 years. In 1643 a group rolling and sometimes steep story. Water quickly drain- of colonists crossed Long hills of the north shore. ed away, making large tree Island Sound from Connecti- Alternate melting and free- life difficult to support. cut and selected a new home zing of the edge of the These plains developed into site which they bought from glacier gradually formed a level meadows covered with the Indians, naming it large flat plain of sandy some shrubby brush, much Hempstead Town, after their out-washings of these rocks. pasture grass and many wild birthplace in England. In During the ages this spread flowers. Whole sections 1644, Gov. Kieft gave these farther south. The ocean were carpeted with the colonists a ••patent••, thus also did its part by throw- 11 Plains Violets•• ... beauti- establishing their title ful lavender violets with to the land. At this time deep golden throats. Wild Hempstead Town•s extended flower books identify them from ••sea to Sea••, that is, as 11 Bird 1 s Foot Violets•• from the Sound to the Ocean. because of the deeply cut The 17,000 acres of plains- leaves, unlike the smooth land around the frontier round leaves of ordinary settlement of Hempstead violets. Clumps of these were held as common pas- are occasion a 11 y s t i 1 1 tures and meadowland. found in vacant lots. The brooks which rose near the foot of the north hills flowed south across the plains. Bordering these watercourses were found sturdy trees. East Meadow

6 IN 1655, one Thomas large stream with wide mar- ownership of the Pla i ns. No langdon reported to the shy borders. In a few years person whatsover might plant Hempstead Town Meeting that there were 168 cows in the or plow within "ye cowes he had surveyed the East East Herd cared for by Ray- walks" in East Meadow. Water- Meadow and found it suitable nor and Jacocks. ing places for the stock were for the grazing and watering of utmost importance ... hav- of cattle. He advised that FOR THE NEXT 200 ing to be kept clean and ac- efforts be made to exter- years in Town Meeting there cessible at all times. Fences minate the wild beasts which were frequent discussions bordering the Plains must be preyed on cattle, and that and regulations of all prob- kept repaired to keep cattle cowherders (cowboys?) be lems relating to the pas- out of the farms, yet fences hired to care for the cattle. turing of stock and common must not be built across used On the l0th day of April 1658, fifteen years after the settlement of Hempstead, an agreement was made at the annual Town Meeting between the townspeople and William Jacocks and Edward Raynor to drive the cows to the East Meadow. The men drove the cows out daily one-half hour after sunrise and returned them one-half hour before sunset, being careful "to water ye cows at seasonable times of ye day." For their services, between May 11th and August 10th, the cow- keepers were paid in butter, grain and wampum to the value of 12 silver shillings weekly, payable "before ye 15th day of February next." The cowkeepers earned their pay for they were kept con- stantly alert by the possi- bility of losing cattle or paying for property damage. An ever present danger was of miring in the East Meadow Swamp. Although providing water for the cattle the Meadow Brook was then a

7 roads. "Fence Viewers" were placed a bounty on wolves, all summer, with shepherds elected annually to travel "20 shi 11 ings for ki 11 ing a constantly tending them. The throughout the town to en- grown wolf, 10s for a half- town board regulated the du- force fencing regulations. grown wolf, to a Christian ties and pay of the shepherds, These men were paid $1.00 per ... an Indian receives 12s the sections of the Plains day when carrying out official and 6s ." Guns were frequent- where sheep might graze, and business. If swine or hogs ran ly set in the outlying most important, the time and upon the commons, a $5.00 fine woods at night, but for rules of "sheep parting." was imposed for each offense. fear of injuring a person The early town records show had to be removed by day. THE TOWN RECORDS of the respective wealth of the Only after a generation of August 22, 1791 read ... "A farmers by relating for in- vigilant wolf extermina- joint committee of the towns stance ..... tion were East Meadow and of Oyster Bay, South Hempstead the other plains safe for and North Hempstead do agree John Rhodes hath two gates. large fl.ocks of sheep. there shall be but one public Frank Bedell hath three From the earliest settle- pen or yard in which ye shall gates. ment every family protect- part sheep and that to be on Thomas Baldwin hath four ed a few sheep and every the east side of the East Mea- gates. home contained its spin- dow Hollow where the stakes John Carman hath five gates. ning wheel and loom. As ear- now stand near the road that ly as 1715 a report was divides the towns of South A gate was a section of fence made to British authorities and North Hempstead ... (today five rails high that could be concerning the extensive the vicinity of Merrick Ave- removed to allow cattle home weaving of woolens nue and Old Country Road,North through. The more gates a which excluded British wo- and South Hempstead having farmer possessed, the larger ven goods. As an industry, divided in 1784) ... and that his acreage. The gates were however, sheep raising the first day of annual part- part of the common town fence, grew slowly, but by the ing be on the last Monday in the farmers' wealth and con- late 1700's, it was a major October." And again in July tributions to its upkeep de- activity in Hempstead town. 179 8 ... "no tavern keeper may termining the amount of gates As many as 14,000 sheep come within the public sheep allotted to him. were kept on the excellent yards with liquors to sell nor WOLVES were the greatest pasturage of the East Mea- join his tavern to the public menace to the colonists from dow and other plainsland yard nor to the yard of any the time of the first settle- private person." ment. Because the Indians captured many as cubs and VERY EARLY on the last raised them in their villages, Monday in October, the sheep the wolves had no natural fear were driven to the public pen of man. For some 50 or more from all sections of the plains. years, Hempstead families had When an individual owner iden- only a few sheep due to the constant depredations of the wolves. In 1683, the town 8 tified a sheep by its ear- wool was processed in near- Park. marks it was put into his by mills. One such woolen private pen. This lasted un- mill was at Milburn on the OLD ROADS til the public pen was clear- South Shore, another at ed, or only unclaimed sheep Cold Spring Harbor on the EAST MEADOW's roads date remained ... these to be sold North Shore. Long Island back to colonial days. An later at auction. The ear- woolen was sold throughout early account in 1725 tells marks were combinations of the young United States. of a road laid out through slits and notches in the With the opening of the the East Meadow Swamp by sheep's ears. More than a vast range lands in the marking trees on the north hundred such earmarks, each West, our Long Island sheep side. Such marking was ne- registered under the indivi- raising declined rapidly cessary in the swamp for the dua 1 owner's name, were in and soon vanished. Still roads were mere wagon tracks use at this time. From a the American woolen indus- usually leading to wood lots. simple beginning, "parting try grew out of these early Other roads were surveyed day'' became a day of high beginnings on the meadows and laid out about twenty carnival. Peddlers, acrobats, and plains of Hempstead feet wide. In May 1750, Je- clowns, side shows, stump- town. rusalem Road was laid out speaking politicians amused from Hempstead to Jerusalem, the crowds. Everyone went to CENTER OF HORSE crossing the MeadowBrook at parting whether or not they the "Lower Going Over." A owned sheep. RACING oN LONG ISLAND century later, in 1866, a new highway to Jerusalem AFTER PARTrNG DAY, the FROM THE COLONIAL (near present-day Wantagh) owners wintered their sheep times the Plains were also was surveyed south of the on their own farms. The main the center of horse racing old Jerusalem Road, forming flock was of course kept for on Long Island. In 1665 the point at the Meadow their wool, but some were Governor Richard Nicholls Brook where Jerusalem Avenue killed for home use or sold established a race on the and North Jerusalem Road for meat. When sheared the "Little Plains" near Hemp- meet. Newbridge Avenue was stead, naming the plain made an official highway in Salisbury after the English 1755, beginning on Jericho Earl of Salisbury. "Not so Turnpike at the Westbury much,"he says, "for the Quaker Meeting House , cross- divertisement of youth as ing the East Meadow south- for the encouragement of easterly to Newbridge Neck the bettering of the breed on the South Shore, where of horses, which through the farmers cut salt hay. great neglect is Impaired." This road passed through The northwest portion of the "Bloody Hollow" . . . a name East Meadow is stll 1 known to conjure the imagination as Salisbury, as was the for no other reference to County Park before Its name it has been found. In 1761 was changed to Eisenhower we find in the town records:

9 "The said (Highway) Commis- agonally across from the maintain the roads. More sioners to lay out a high- Plains from what is now traffic was using all the way or highways down along Hempstead Turnpike and the roads and road repair was a the East Meadow Hollow on Meadow Brook to the north- constant and expensive prob- each side of the water of east corner of East Meadow lem. About 1850 many roads convenient width sufficient and so to the North Shore. were made "plank roads" ... for cattle and other crea- This road was used during wooden planks were laid end tures to have room and free the Revolution by the Bri- to end in the ruts for the access to the water from the tish in moving supplies wheels of the wagons and highway. To run down south- from Hempstead to their coaches to roll on. This ard on each side of the ships lying in Cold Spring type was even more costly water four rods wide so down Harbor. Although officially and difficult in upkeep. to the highway that leads laid out in 1761, it had Hempstead Turnpike was a from Hempstead to Jerusalem. evidently been a much tra- toll road and plank road. And also to lay out another veled way before that time, One toll house was in East highway from the East Meadow probably following an an- Meadow on the north side Hollow northeasterly into cient Indian path. of the Turnpike near the the Brushey Plains and so to junction of Front Street. extend to Oyster Bay bounds, PRESENT DAY Prospect This was a small square it being a convenient road Avenue was "Haycarter's frame house with a front and now much used in the Lane", so named because it porch from which the keeper passage from Hempstead to was a winding path leading could collect tolls, charg- Oyster, Bay." This latter to the haying fields. Mer- ed according to the distance road is the famous "Old rick Avenue was formerly traveled and they type of Cart Path" which ran di- Barnum Avenue, and earlier vehicle. The tollgate it- sti 11 "previous to 1850 self was only a long pole was a cowpath more parti- kept lowered across the cularly designated as road at all times, being "Whale le Neck Road" from the raised for passage. Occa- stranding of a whale at sionally someone tried to Whale Neck Point, which "skunk through" when the whale was later subdivided toll keeper 1 s wife orchil- and transferred in carts dren were tending gate, but over the cowpath to settle- the burly keeper soon stop- ments further north. " ped that. One keeper told a chiseler .. . "I'll take the TOLL ROADS were star- money out of your pocket or ted on Long Island about 1810. By 1825, they extend- ed as far east as Babylon and Smithtown. Stock com- panies were formed whose privilege was to collect tolls and whose duty was to

10 out of your hide.'' When toll his fiancee. spun clothing must last un- roads became so numerous as t i 1 the garment was outg·rown to be a nuisance popular de- HOME LIFE or worn out . .. not just until mand forced the town to as- the fashion changed. Food was sume road maintenance. About HOME LIFE in these plain and frequently monoton- 1890 the "League of American first 200 years of East ous . .. corn and rye bread,pork, Wheelmen" sparked interest Meadow's history followed beef, venison in season, fish in good roads . Macadam roads the same pattern of other or clams when the fish re- were among the first types colonies. Each farm was a fused to bite. Vegetables tried. MacAdam himself owes self sufficient unit. Al- were mostly carrots, parsnips, his lifelong interest in though there was no lack of cabbage, pumpkins ... ALWAYS good roads to his courting necessities, neither was PUMPKINS! In the late winter days when he braved Long Is- there a great variety . Hdme- when all other stores were land's muddy roads to visit exhausted, pumpkin was served even for breakfast. How wel- come were the first spring greens, usually wild dandelion or mustard. An occasional to- mato plant was grown in the flower garden but tomatoes were never eaten, being call- ed "Love Apple" and consider- ed extremely poisonous. Bor- dering the woodland areas wild berries might be had for the picking ... strawberries, blackberries, huckleberries, elderberries. These were eas- ily preserved to satisfy the family sweet tooth. During the fall whole families would pic- nic at the shore to gather beach plums which were deli- cious stewed or made into jam.

THE CARMAN FAMILY is men- tioned frequently in church and town records. Tradition . has it that a son of John "Ka r- man" came to settle in East Meadow. He was said to have been the first white child born in the tiny Hempstead settle- ment and was said to have been blind. He was fifteen years old

11 when he first came to East joined in the late 1650's IOD, there was an influx of Meadow. In addition to the by French Huguenots, fol- Quakers who settled in and Carman family, the early sett- lowed by Walloons who had about Hempstead. Some of lers included the Bedell fam- come from Europe by way of the Seaman family were Qua- i 1y, Pettit, Brower (Brewer) , Holland. The early records kers. Residents of East Mea- Langdon, Seaman, Baldwin(from of Nieuw Amsterdam tell of dow were called to serve in whom Sarah Barnum descended), an !tal ian, one Cesare Al- the militia at the time of Rhodes, Wright, Spragg(Sprague) bertus, who grew tobacco on the French and Indian wars. and many others. There were his grant in Brooklyn. His Later, the Revolutionary Opdykes and Briams who with descendants Anglicized the War brought the Scottish, Brower represented families name to Albertus and Burtis, British and Irish who had who had come from the Dutch and many live in the Town of served in the British for- settlements of Manhattan and Hempstead today. ces, as well as many Hessians Brooklyn. The Dutch were IN THIS COLONIAL PER- from the German provinces.

The Community Methodist Church around the 1950's. First church in East Meadow.

12 DURING THE REVOLUTION, in recent times. THESE FIRST 200 hun- the area north of Old Country dred years i n East Meadow Road, North Hempstead, suppor- ORIGINALLY, the few history witnessed only the ted the American cause ... the farms in East Meadow were gradual change broug ht by southern area in which East scattered around the border slow settlement of a fron- Meadow lay, opposed a break of the common meadows. Al- tier area. with the mother country. East though most of the farm Meadow was found to be impor- land is now bui lt up . the tant to the British strategy names are still here, and 1850 THROUGH THE because the Plains lands held some of the families still most of the cattle and sheep live in the old homes. TURN Cf THE CENTURY in that area, and to be as- North of Hempstead Turnpike sured of a meat supply, the lay the Carman farm. This AFTER THE WAR of 1812, British troops had to hold is the Lowden homestead to- farms grew to large sizes East Meadow at all costs. day. The house still stands in East Meadow and t he 11 11 East Meadow was occupied , on Hempstead Turnpike oppo- owners of these farms hired under British mil i tary rule site Modell and is occu- hands who had come f rom I re- until 1783. During this per- pied by members of the Low- land. Around the middle of iod, the land north of East den family (see Oral His- the century, there we re Meadow was stripped of much tory section back of this other immigrants hailing of its fine timber to provide book) . It was or i gina 11 y from Germany , Austr ia, Po- thousands of cords of fire- an inn, and the only one land, the Ukraine and wood for the British army en- between Hempstead and Farm- Russ ia. In 1859, t he Wall- camped on what became Mitchel ingdale about 1800. In the ings Property Map of Quee ns Field. Horses, grains and eastern section, the Rowehl County {which included what other supplies were requisi- farm was established about has become Nassau County) tioned from East Meadow far- 1840. was issued. It detailed mers. BORDERING NORTH JERU- owners of l and in East Mea- THE HESSIANS AT WEST- SALEM ROAD, the Fish farm dow. One of the names was 11 11 BURY tore down buildings to was an integral part of that of L. Levi , a dairy get wood and certain churches East Meadow from the early who also bred good were either destroyed or The original f arm- horses. Mr . Levi was be- turned into stables or bar- house was situated on a lieved to be the first racks. Thus this section in knoll by the pond. This which East Meadow lay had the house is still standing, dubious distinction of being but was moved to the south one of the few areas to have side of the road. The Sea- experienced the type of i 1- man homestead, a saltbox itary occupation 11 well.:.known structure which stood on the corner of North Jeru- salem Avenue and Bellmore Road and dated back to Re- voluntionary days, fell victim to road widening.

13 Jewish settler in this area Crosby Barnum, the owner acknowledged as one of the in the 1830's. His farm was of a clothing store in New finest Long Island country located in what is now the York City. She operated homes of its day. Westbury area around the site their large farm while Mr. of W. Tresper Clarke Jr. and Barnum maintained interest IN ADDITION to her Senior High School. Not far in his store. Two children farm duties, Sarah Ann Bar- from the Levi farmhouse was a were born to the Barnums ... num was an energetic member wooden structure topped by a Joshua W. on June 11,1847 of the Queens County Agri- cross, St. Brigid's Roman and Kate Vail on Oct. 16, cultural Society, serving Catholic Church in Westbury, 1850. Sarah Ann Barnum was as President of its Ladies' founded in 1856. Around St. a most unusual character. Aid and local visiting com- Brigid's Church was a tiny Hers was the guiding hand mittee. She was of great Catholic community, the in the operation of the assistance to the organiza- first such in the county. farm with its many duties tion in gaining and sustain- The Westbury area also held and decisions. It was ing support for it through- several Quaker families. noted as a model of the out her area. Any worthwhile farming methods of the FROM ABOUT 1850-1915 day. An old L. I. Railroad East Meadow was the site of a pamphlet of 1884 states, number of large estates and "Mr. P. C. Barn urn has his productive farms. The largest great model farm not far of these was that of Peter from here(Merrick), noted Crosby and Sarah Ann Barnum. for the cattle it supports Mrs. Barnum inherited the es- and the dairy products it tate of about 2500 acres from returns." During harvest her father, Thomas Baldwin. the farm supported over She lived in Baldwin and East a hundred seasonal workers Meadow all her long useful in addition to the regular life from 1814-1893. In 1845 help. A row of small houses or 46, she married Peter were located to the west of the estate house for these workers. The busy farm kitchen served many hun- dreds of meals a day. When the home on Merrick Avenue (then Barnum Ave.) was re- modeled, Sarah Ann Barnum had a glass cupola built on top of the third story. From here she could survey her fields. Here also her granddaughter held many childhood tea parties with friends. This home was

14 civic activity had her ... 4 to the County Farm at city residents. His daughter wholehearted attention . She Uniondale. The Town was Kate grew up to be an ex- had long decried the penu- paid $65,000 for the Bar- cellent horsewoman. Her rious system of 11 farming num Island property, at carriage drawn by a match- out11 the labor of the coun- last to be developed as ed pair of horses was a ty's dependent poor. When the residential area of Is- famll iar sight on East Mea- an opportunity was offered land Park. Mrs. Barnum re- dow streets. Kate never to purchase an island of mained a vital member of married, but 1 ived at home some 450 acres near Long the community until her until about 1910. She died Beach for a Queens County death in 1893 at the age of in New York City in 1942 Poor Farm she saw all the 79. at the age of 90 . owners, driving several PETER BARNUM was in- miles in a severe storm to terested in the stock AS WITH ANY COMPLETE do so . She paid $13,000 for raising rather than the farm of the 1800's, the the property, for which produce side of farm 1 ife. Barnums operated a grist price she sold It to the In 1868 he served as Presi- mill. This was located on county, although a few days dent of the Queens County the first pond on the Mea- later a summer resort syn- Agricultural Society. In dow Brook, which ran dicate offered her $75,000. 1878 he sold his city mer- through the property. The Upon examination of original cantile Interests to de- entire community utilized land allotments of Hog Is- vote full time in East Mea- Barnum•s Mill for grinding land (as it was first called) dow. In addition to cattle needs. It was reached by a made by the Town, It appears he bred and trained saddle winding road running west that only 11 acres were al- and carriage horses. He from Merrick(Barnum) Ave. lotted to a Widow Will is. also boarded horses for near the junction of West- All the rest of the island bury Road. Traces of the dam specifically reserved for embankment may still be seen use of the Town. From this on the banks of the Brook small allotment others laid about 1 ,000 feet north of claim to more and more of present day Wilson Road. the island until such time The pond was also used to as Mrs. Barnum purchased it. cut ice in the winter. The This is not the only Ins- process of cutting ice was tance in Hempstead Town his- one now remembered by few tory where much land was people. Horses were driven gradually taken into private back and forth with an ice hands without ever being re- plow, scoring the ice Into 1 i nqu i shed by the Town. The blocks. A not unusual occu- Farm was called Barnum•s rence was for a horse to Island until 1901, when fall through the lee. It was only 20 poor remained there, quite a job to get him out 16 being moved to Brookville and rub him down to prevent illness. Poles were then

15 used to punch out the ice and quickly as possible He was always a 1 iber- and float it to the house, the next day. Peter Barnum al public spirited man, giv- situated on the west bank of frequently carried out ing freely of his time and the pond. A block and tackle, these duties of the farm. means for community advance- powered by a team of horses He was a quiet unassuming ment. He died in 1906 when hoisted the blocks up and man, completely devoted to only 58 years old. Maie and into the top of the house. his family and their acti- her mother continued to 1 ive The house itself was about vities. He died in 1889 at in East Meadow for 10-15 80 or 90 feet wide, 120 feet the age of 72. years. They moved west and long, set 20 feet under and died there in 1931 within 20 feet above ground. The 2 JOSHUA W. BARNUM four days of each other ... foot thick walls were in- spent his whole life in Maie only 48, her mother at sulated with salt hay. Salt East Meadow. He was educa- 82. Thus the Barnum family hay was also packed around ted in New York City, and has completely passed from the ice blocks. Ice stored worked there in his fa- East Meadow history. A large thus in winter lasted all clothing store un- rectangular granite stone summer ... being delivered in til they sold out in 1878. marks their family burial Hempstead and vicinity by He too devoted his entire plot in Greenfield Cemetery, several of Barnum's ice time to the East Meadow Hempstead. wagons. familiar estate. In 1879 when he wagon in East Meadow about was 32 he married Mary this time was the A & P Richmond Taylor, daughter wagon, selling coffee and of a New York business ac- IN 1871, the Stewart tea from door to door ... and quaintance. Their only Line of the Railroad was watering and feeding the child Maie was born in built through Garden City horses under the shed of the 1883. Although she married across the Plains to Beth- Lowden homestead. twice, she had no children. page. The Salisbury section Joshua maintained the farm in East Meadow was on Merrick ALL FARM PRODUCE was much as his father had Avenue, near Stewart Avenue. taken to the city by wagon done, but he began to sell Also in 1871 the N.Y. & Hemp- and double horse team ... veg- off some large tracts .... stead R.R.Co. was organized etables and berries picked mainly along Westbury to build a line from Hemp- very early in the morning stead to the easterly end of left here about noon ... with the Plains at Wantagh. The the trip taking approximate- right of way was graded, but ly six hours. The old Wall- the rails were never laid. about Market, later the In November 1874, the 1 ine Brooklyn Navy Yard, was the was bankrupt, foreclosed,· distribution point for most and the project abandoned, Long Island farmers. The although it operated sporad- farmer usually remained in the City overnight, making the return trip as early

16 ically until 1888. Peter Bar- March 12 until April 2, originated the famous Vander- num was much interested in the roads were impassable. bilt Cup Races. These early this R.R. for the routes as Then Mr. Smith, George automobile races utilized shown on old maps crossed Fish's father, broke through the public highways of Queens his land diagonally from the main roads with a homemade and Nassau County ... Jericho Brook to the intersection of snow plow. The snow did Turnpike on the eastward trip, Prospect & Merrick Avenues, more damage by striking then south through Hicksville continuing southeasterly in late spring than had it to the Hempstead-Bethpage through the Fish property come in midwinter. Turnpike, and. for the west- (now Central Homes) and a- ward trip going through the cross North Jerusalem Road ANOTHER LARGE ESTATE heart of East Meadow. An- to Wantagh .. until 1950 parts of the late 1800's was that noucements of the first of this right-of-way were of Mrs. O.H.P.Belmont. A- race advised farmers to tie used as bicycle paths. All bout 1898, she designed their animals and keep their have now disappeared before and built a beautiful home children indoors. From being home building. "Brookholt"1 on the banks indignant that such noisome of the Meadow Brook south machines and attendant THE BLIZZARD of 1888 .. . of Front Street. To the crowds should clutter the and how East Meadow fared .. . north of Front Street were public roads, the Nassau far- is related to us in stories. her extensive greenhouses mers soon welcomed this new The snow was drifted to and stables. This entire means of revenue. Thirsty second story windows. Al- area is now occupied by city visitors drank an enor- though farms were winter- Mitchel Manor apartments mous amount of coffee, paid proofed and self-supporting, and Mitchel Field. During well for a night's lodging, the farmers had to dig out the time she 1 ived there, and spent generously in the to reach their animals. From her son, W.K.Vanderbilt,Jr. tense atmosphere of an exci- ting race. One year, Durant ... the automobile manufac- turer ... spent the night at the Lowden homestead to be on time for the next day's racing. When public high- ways became too dangerous as raceways, Vanderbilt built the Motor Parkway, part of which remains bordering Ei- senhower Park. By 1910, the races were entirely abandon- ed as being impractical on Long Island.

AFTER MRS. BELMONT sold her holdings, her home fell into disrepair. During A hunting party in front of A.Hoeffner Hotel. 17 prohibition, the largest al- . Garden City. One provision vigorous gallop was enjoyed . cohol still ever found in of this sale was the trans- The turn of the 20th century the Metropolitan area was fer by Stewart to Hempstead introduced golf to East Mea- operated there. One night it Town of the property for dow. The hounds gave away to blew up and the house com- Greenfield Cemetery. Prior the mashie. The Meadow Brook pletely burned. The people to this time many farm fami- Golf Course was built around who were responsible dumped lies had their own burying the old Hunt Club House west a lot of their "mash" into plots. Greenfield records of Merrick Avenue. East of the Brook ... not wishing the show that upon its estab- the Avenue was the Salisbury firemen to find illicit evi- 1 ishment a large number of Golf Course, serving the pa- dence. All the next day the bodies were "transferred trons of the Garden City dogs down stream 1 ived high from the Plains." One such Hotel. This course remained ... many coming home with small cemetery was located in operation until just prior weaving steps. on a southern hillside to World War II. slope east of Merrick Ave- A MAJOR CHANGE came to nue near the Barnum home- THE AREA OF STEWART Hempstead Town in 1869 when stead. An 1873 map locates land south of Old Country A.T.Stewart bought the com- it, but an 1886 map omits Road and east of Merrick Ave- mon lands. North Hempstead it. Possibly in the inter- nue was developed as the Mea- Town had sold lands about 85 val the bodies were moved dow Brook Park Colony by Mr. years previous, but the far- to Greenfield. Although no mers of "South Hempstead" headstones have been vis- Town did not wish to part ible for years, recent with their grazing lands. building operations uncov- Mrs. Peter Barnum was mainly ered skeletons evidently responsible for changing left behind when other their attitude. In a house to graves were moved. There house canvass she explained is still one small head- to the farmers how the sale stone on North Jerusalem would reduce their taxes, for Road where a 14 year old the interest on the funds farm boy was long ago bur- would be used for the schools ied. We now return to Stew- and care of the poor. When art's use of the Plains the meeting to decide the land. On his East Meadow question was held the voting property the Meadow Brook was almost unanimous. Stew- Hunt Club was formed in art bought all the common 1877. A group of sportsmen land south of Old Country brought a pack of hounds Road from near Hempstead over from Ireland and leas- Town's western boundary to ed an old farm house near Newbridge Avenue in East Mea- Merrick Avenue. The Hunt dow. The major portion of ranged all over the rolling this purchase was laid out as plains land, where many a

18 East Meadow Schools

and Mrs. Ado 1ph Ladenbu rg . in 1883. Itinerant pedd 1ers, IN 1964, Saul Daniels, Large estates were laid out occasional travelers, far- an East Meadow teenager and with hundreds of trees im- mers' meetings, election his friend, Eric Byron of Great ported from Europe. Named day crowds provided hotel Neck, organized a Committee for "The Oasis" the Ladenburg•s revenue. When Mrs.BeJmont•s the Restoration of the Schultze own home was the center for house' was being bu i 1t, the Hotel. They were not success- horse loving Long Islanders. workmen stayed at the ful and the building was dis- A circular riding track on Schultze Hotel to be near mantled and stored in 1965, the property attracted so- their job. They told the prior to its reconstruction cially prominent visitors Schultze children how Mrs. at the Old Bethpage Village from all over the world to Belmont sat in the Barnum Restoration in 1969. Called private horse shows. Mrs. house(where she stayed the Noon Inn, it now stands Eleanor Roosevelt as a child while her house was being at the crossroads in the center lived for a time with rela- constructed) and how she of a small village complex. Its tives on Newbridge Avenue in checked their work with the rooms have been furnished in this section. This part of aid of her spyglass, making the style of the 1850's when East Meadow was the last to sure the work fitted her the Inn was East Meadow's local bow to insistent builders. specifications. A large gathering place. However, since few persons orchard of cherry, apple keep such expansive estates and peach trees was planted THE EAST MEADOW SCHOOL today, The Oasis and other to the south and west of estates nearby were cut up the hotel. Guests were in- DISTRICT for modern home building. vited to pick their own Another name applied to this breakfast fruit. The Hoeff- THE EARLIEST REFERENCE area for several generations ner family (see Oral His- to Hempstead Town's educational is Bowling Green ... this tory section back of this repsonsibilities is 1658, the name perpetuated in the book for Raymond Hoeffner•s year The East Meadow was first school now on Stewart Avenue. comments) purchased the named. A tax was imposed of "5 hotel from the Schultzes in guilders the ancker of strong EAST MEADOW AT THIS 1914. beer, of French or other wine time had a hotel at the in- 3 guilders, 1/2 of this to be tersection of Prospect Ave- for provision of amonition nue and Newbridge Avenue, for use of the town, the owned and operated first by other half for education of H. Glfnsman and then by Mr. poor orphans or other poor Schultze. This pioneer house was probably built as a resi- dence somewhere between 1831 and 1845. In 1849 under the ownership of John and Mary Noon, it was ca l.led the We 11 s Fargo Hotel. It was later owned by Margaret Glinsman who sold it to Henry Schultze 19 inhabitants 1 children. 11 No School District No.3 was to include the Mollineaux other mention is made of first called 11 Brush or paper mill, situated on the 11 where the children were Brushy Plains , but by second Meadow Brook pond taught,how payment was made, 1842 reverted to the old south of Jerusalem Avenue. or other details. For the name of East Meadow which This line was fina l ly next 150 years schooling in it holds today. stra ightened in t he late East Meadow, as in most of Hempstead Town, was confined THE BOUNDARIES are to home teaching by parents difficult to follow accur- UNDER THE COMMON SCHOOL or tutors, or attendance at ately since they were us- LAW county money was appor- private or Quaker schools in ually defined by the farms tioned according to the pop- Hempstead of Westbury. of the day. Also as soon ulation of the towns. This as boundaries were announ- was in turn divided among COMMON SCHOOLS FOR NEW ced, petitions were pre- the town districts by school YORK state was established sented the Commissioners to attendance. From 1820 Hemp- by an act of Legislature on change certain farms from stead Town records conta in January 19, 1812. Hempstead one district to another. detailed reports of the Town Board appointed iver Consequently we find much School Commissioners. From Hewlett, David Dorlon, and forming and reforming of these we learn that in 1820 Samuel Carman of East Mea- districts for the next 50 East Meadow had 122 children dow as the first Town Com- years. East Meadow 1 s west- between the ages of 5 and 15 missioners of Common Schools ern boundary ... the Meadow years, but only 44 of t hese in April 1813. Using there- Brook, and the northern were taught dur ing the school mainder of that year to de- boundary ... North Hempstead year, the district receiving cide boundaries, on January Town line ... have remained $60.22 from the Town treas- 15,1814, these Commissioners unchanged since the begin- urer. For some undisclosed announced the formation of ning in 1814. The eastern reason in 1833 East Meadow 13 school districts. Our boundary has changed consi- had only 66 children, 23 derably. In 1822 a District attending school, and no 16 was formed from the money received from the northeastern section of Town. For the next 40 years District 3, but the two the figures are fairly con- were again combined, ex- sistent with from 50-75 tending East Meadow much children being taught during farther east and south. the year and a proportionate This combination lasted amount of Town money being until 1841 when Districts received. In 1833 it became 3 and 4 were again divided. The southern boundary has roughly followed North Jer- usalem Road, with the ex- ception that for years there was a deep dip to the south

20 apparent that Town money alone was not sufficient for district educational pur- poses. Each district elected its own school tax collector and set its own tax rate at the annual meeting. This office continued until about the close of World War I, when the Town took over all school tax collections.

THE FIRST EAST MEADOW School Board minutes now extant are contained in a small marbled-paper covered notebook. The first entry in a fine old fashioned hand reads ...... This two-room school house was built in 1895. OCTOBER 1, 1867

Money on hand for fuel, repairs, etc ...... $ SUCH A LIST OF EXPENDI- Balance on hand from last year ...... 7.05 TURES seems a far cry from Money expended during the year: the East Meadow of today. 1 lb. of wrought nails...... 10 Just turn one page and the Advertising...... 1. 00 next entry has an all too 1 pair of hinges ...... 33 familiar ring: "Resolved 1 lb. of wrought nails ...... 10 that we have a new school Cutting wood...... 75 house ... the site invested in Cleaning house 1.25 the hands of the trustees Cleaning privy ...... 1.00 wether on the point of Dr. One bench...... 75 Daniel Clark's land ... 1,000 6 panes of glass ...... 30 dollars to be raised for the new house, the old house to 9.48 be sold at auction." The District in debt ...... 2.43 exsisting school was sold for $57.63 as shown by the April 1868 minutes. For a number of years this little one room white clapboard building remained on the property on the northwest corner of Front

21 Street and Newbridge Avenue. truants may be found, be It was used variously as a arrested and brought before barn, a corn crib, and a some Justices of the Peace chicken house, finally being of the Town of Hempstead torn down before the owner and upon satisfactory proof realized it had previously of the fact of such habi- been one of East Meadow's tual truance shall for the schools. first offense, be committed to the Town Poor House for THE NEW 1868 SCHOOL was a period of 5 days and for built on the southest corner a second offense ... not less of Front and Newbridge Ave- than 10 nor more than 30 nue at a cost of $1318.76 .... days ." No reference to en- all raised by tax the follow- forcement of this drastic ing year. The property sur- resolution was found, but vey shows a small triangle statistics show an immed- of land purchased in 1868, iate jump in daily atten- and further additions made in dance from 45 or 50 to 75 later years. or 80 of the 160 children then in the district. IN 1874 ANOTHER CHANGE came to our school picture. COMPULSORY EDUCATION New York State passed a Com- crowded East Meadow's one pulsory Education Law. Re- room school. In 1879 and presentatives of all Hemp- again in 1880 an addition stead Town's school dis- was proposed, but voted tricts met to formulate a down by 3 to 1. The mrnutes Town policy. Attending for of the annual meetings give East Meadow were Elbert B. interesting but disconnec- Fish, Samuel H. Denton and ted facts on the operation Daniel Valentine. The resolu- of the schoo 1 : tion they adopted is worth study: "Habitual truants be- 1872 - "an instrument of music for the school to be pur- tween the ages of 8 and 14, chased." who may be found wandering about the streets or public 1878 - "improved seats are needed - old seats retained for places during school hours, future use (passed 11-2) having no lawful occupation or business, and growing up 1879 - "$15.00 be allowed trustees for buying books for in ignorance shall, upon poor,(others purchased their own) complaint of the majority of the trustees in the school district in which such

22 1877- Books adopted for use in accordance with an act pass- ed by Legislature to prevent changes in textbooks: 1. Watson's Independent Reader. 2. Montieth's Geo- graphy. 3. Qackenbos Arithmetic. 4. Quackenbos U.S. History.5. Spencerien's Copybook. 6. Krise's Drawing Series. 7. Swinton's Grammar. 8. Webster's Dictionary. 9. Warren's Speller. 10. Robertson's Algebra. 11 .Swin- ton's Compositions. 12.Baldwin's Table Book. 13. New Testament ... listed in Town records of 1848 as a text- book for all schools. as long as it is used. If at any time it is unused MONEY RAISED in the the new school building was it reverts to the School district. for school pur- accepted as completed. The District. It can now be poses during the years of old wooden school yard fence heard every Sunday call- this one room school ranged was removed, a new pipe fence ing the hour of worship. from a low of $125 in 1870 costing 39¢ per foot was e- to a high of $500 in 1895, rected, new seats were THE OLD 1868 school when the tax rate was .0028 bought for $84, and an organ with stools, shades, old per $100 of valuation. Prior for $55. A bell for the new organ, and wooden fence, to 1870 money received from building caused a great deal as advertised in The Sen- the Town averaged about $65 of discussion. The trustees tinel, The Republican, per year. After 1870 this thought $40.50 for a new bell The Brooklyn Times and money was increased to about was too expensive. Trustee The Long Islander, brought $225 yearly from the Stew- Richard Lowden wrote the Bay- $41 at auction. The little art Fund. shore School Board, which building was moved by a was renovating Bayshore team of horses down New- BY 1895 the one room schools, for one of their bridge Avenue to a site school had become so crowd- bells. It was purchased for just below the Post Of- ed that a decision for ex- $25 plus $2.75 for freight flee. East Meadow resi- pansion was imperative. At and carting. It is 20 inches dents bought shares in it a special meeting in August high, 24 inches across the to maintain it as a pub- a tie vote 15-15 was retaken base. The inscription reads: lic building ... East Mea- and a vote of 16-15 was ob- "Meneely Bell Foundery, West dow Hall. It served as tained to spend $3000 on a Troy, N.Y." This same be 11 a pub 1 i c ha 11 , po 11 i ng 5 year bond issue for a new continued to serve in the place and Red Cross Cen- two room school rather than next Front Street school un- ter in two world wars ... an addition to the old til 1937. By then its use and even a Sunday school building. was discontinued. It was classroom. In the middle sold by vote of the district 1940's title to this The construction bid for $5 to the St. Francis school was reverted to was given to E.P. Smith In Polish National Church, for the farm upon which it October, and in April 1896 stood. It was finally

23 torn down in the 1950's. State Board of Inspectors pair. At the next meeting threatened to withold all the Trustees had to announce AT THE TURN of the cen- state money if attendance that the office of principal tury the two room school were not better. In 1907 a was vacant. Ten years later, housed 48 girls and 63 boys, new steam furnace at $500 1918, a small but forward with a principal at $600 a was installed in the build- step was taken by installing term and one teacher at $400. ing. The very next year in the new sanitary paper tow- A tax record book of 1903 mid-February the furnace was els to replace the old cloth shows a total district val- broken. Thereupon the Trus- roller towels. The teacher uation of $270,800 and a tees ordered that no children who is still best remembered tax rate of .0048, with Josh- be allowed in the cellar and for her long service ... over ua and Kate Barnum as the that the principal pay one- 40 years from the late 1880's largest taxpayers ... about half the cost of furnace re- to about 1930 ... is Miss $130. By 1915 much of the Barnum estate had been sold, valuation was up to $1 ,470,932.60 and the rate was .00335. In addition the estates of Meadow Brook car- ried a large share of the tax burden, lessening the share of the small home owner and farmer.

THE TRUSTEES were call- ed upon to settle an ever in- creasing variety of problems. The principal was asked to serve as 1 ibrarian and jani- tor for an additional $150 per year. The floors must be mopped every two weeks, chil- dren must not ring fire a- larm bell without cause. Vac- cination caused much debate among parents. Finally a list of unvaccinated chil- dren was given to the doc- tor who was ordered to vac- cinate them all. Unvaccinat- ed children had been kept home from school until the A group of first-graders in front of the Front Street School(where library now stands) 45 years ago. 24 Powers. Her home was the This issue was passed in white frame house on New- MORE CHANGES July 1922 with overwhelming bridge Road which became vote of 58-5, but again this the Catholic Church Rectory. IN THE EARLY 1920's an was insufficient and another One thrilling recollection active building boom brought $15,000 had to be voted in of some of her pupils is of numerous homes along Pros- August 1922. The wiring her brother calling for her pect, Stuyvestant, Park and of the older 4 rooms was after school in a fiery red Lenox Avenues, North Jerusa- completed by September 1922 touring car ... the first in lem and Newbridge Roads. The when Nassau Lighting Co. e- East Meadow. O.L. Schwencke real estate rected poles down Front St. organization developed most to the school. Previously BY 1909 this two room of this land. Excursion very few night meetings were school become entirely in- trains ran from the city he 1d in the schoo 1 so that adequate. Twice that year with all day picnics for kerosene lamps were suffi- additions were. voted down.. prospective customers. A cient. The additional 4 In Apr i 1 191 0 $15,000 for small deposit secured a Jot rooms were completed for a new 4 room school passed upon which the buyer built September 23. These 8 rooms by a 28-26 vote, but in Oc- at hi s convenience. "So with 1 semi-basement room tober an additional $2000 much down and so much when and assembly room continued had to be voted when bids they caught you." Many city to house an ever increasing exceeded the original bond folk built summer homes here, load of children until the issue. After various delays later enlarging them for night of December 5, 1950, the new brick building was year-round occupancy. when the building was gutted occupied in Apri 1 1911 with by fire. At that time 635 3 teachers, one room being EAST MEADOW HALL was children were registered used for assembly. The old recalled for use of over- there. two room frame school was flow pupils in 1922. Two AFTER EAST MEADOW had bought for lumber for $300 acres were purchased for started its growth there by same E.P. Smith who e- $1400 to increase the school was no holding it back. In rected it in 1895. site, and a bond issue put September 1925, one class up of $42,000 for a 4 room was on part time. In August AT THE ANNUAL meeting addition, plus electric wir- 1926 a 3 acre site on New- of May 2,1911, Mrs. O.H.P. ing and general repairs. bridge Road was purchased Belmont was unanimously for $3500 from Mr. Arthur elected trustee. She gave Brisbane who generously re- the first flag for the new turned the entire purchase building. During her term price for playground equip- of office, she served the ment. Mr. Brisbane lived in district actively and well. East Meadow a number of She resigned In July 1912 years. His home north because of absence from the district.

25 of Hempstead Turnpike is now THE SCHOOL DISTRICT home building had added so part of Eisenhower Park. His had a succession of prin- many children that part time father-in-law, Mr. Carey, cipals until February 26, schooling was necessary for also of newspaper fame, 1932 when Frank E. Church an increasing number of lived in a large frame was employed. Under his ad- classes. In 1948, enrollment house on the southwest cor- ministration for the next was around 500. Less than 8 ner of Merrick Avenue and 20 years the school popu- years later, it had multipl l- Front Street. This house lation increased slowly ed about 25 times ... to over was removed to make room but steadily. As modern 12,000! for the shopping center ad- teaching methods and spe- jacent to Mitchel Manor. cial teachers were advoca- MODERNSCHOOL EXPANSION ted in the educational $140,000 built New- world they were added to MODERN EXPANSION of bridge Road School with on- the East Meadow system .... East Meadow's schools began ly the ground floor inter- physical education instruc- March 28, 1948, with the ior finished and occupied tors, nurse teachers, vo- change from a common school February 1928. An addition- cal and instrumental music district to a union free dis- al $36,000 was spent in teachers, art teachers, trict. The main advantage in June 1929 for the second special reading supervi- the change was that the dis- floor completion. There- sors. On November 15, 1935 trict might increase its after for nearly 20 years the district voted down, school board size, and begin East Meadow children enjoy- 168-21, a $170,000 addi- to plan for its own high ed full time schooling. With tion to Newbridge Road school. Thus, it would gradu- all this attention to phy- School. Realizing the need ally end the necessity of send- sical needs the teachers for additional room the ing high school students to were not forgotten, for in district voted 27-12 in Hempstead and other neighbor- March 1926 a maximum and 1938 to apply for a Public ing districts on a tuition minimum salary scale with Works Administration grant basis. stated increases was adop- for a 4 room addition at a ted. cost of $50,000. The build- TO RELIEVE overcrowding ing of the addition was in the elementary schools, contingent on PWA supplying several building propositions 45% of the needed amount, were put before the taxpayers and the district 55%. How- but were defeated. The Pros- ever, at this time PWA pect Avenue School was finally funds were being more approved, and opened its doors closely watched ... the ap- in 1950. As if the influx of plication was never clear- children were not enough to ed, nor the addition built. swamp the schools, Fate dealt The 9 rooms at Newbridge an almost lethal blow on the and the 9 rooms at Front night of December 5, 1950, Street housed the popula- when the Front Street School tion until 1950. By Janu- was destroyed by fire. Since ary of 1948, East 'Meadow the severe Thanksgiving 1950 26 storm had raged only a few York State Education Depart- was approved. The next step days previous, it is pos- ment. was the official designa- sible that interior chim- THE LAND which had been tion of the district by the ney damage allowed the fire Mrs. Belmont 1 s estate had State Education Department to start. Whatever the for some time belonged to as an elementary and secon- cause, the result was the the federal government. With dary district, whereas pre- displacement of 635 children the expansion of Mitchel Air viously it had been solely registered in that building. Field personnel it became an elementary district.The They enjoyed a two-day holi- imperative to provide suit- appointment of Dr. Edward J. day, and then were sent to able living space for air- McCleary as principal of the the other two schools which men and their families. Late district further advanced went on triple session. in 1951, the government con- the planning, for he was structed Mitchel Manor ..... fully qualified to establish THE FIRE made the beautifully landscaped gar- a high school system. In corrmunity sharply aware of den apartments ·for 672 fami- 1952, the district passed 2 the need for more class- lies. Since these children more bond issues and voted room space. East Meadow em- were living in the East Mea- to change the school board barked on an extensive dow school district, they from 5 to 7 members. school building program, were provided for in the designed to keep pace with public schools. Recognizing ON APRIL 18, 1955, a enrollment. The district 1 s its responsibility in the record was set when 3 new residents voted bond issue establishment of this large 20-room elementary schools after bond issue during the development, the government were opened simultaneously amounting to $30 allocated funds for aid in to some 1450 children, while million with aid from New construction and mainten- carpenters, tile setters, ance of a school nearby. painters, electricians, Tying in history, the school plumbers and steam fitters was named the Barnum Woods continued to work on unfin- School. (Today, the federal ished portions . 1955 also government still contributes marked the end of double to the schools because gov- sessions in East Meadow, and ernment personnel st i ll live the opening of East Meadow in Mitchel Manor, and their High School, McCleary(then children attend East Meadow Meadowbrook Jr.)and Woodland schools.) Junior High Schools. \ SEPTEMBER 29,1951, saw THE FlRST SENIOR class the first definite step was graduated from East taken on the road to the East Meadow High School. A site of about 27 acres in the very center of the dis- trict, across from the Med- ical Center on Carman Avenue

27 Meadow High School in June, still growing, in 1958 school year, with a student 1957. That same year, W. five elementary schools had population of 18,518. Tresper Clarke Junior-Sen- additions built, and in ior High School, named for 1959, an addition was made SINCE THAT TIME, enroll- a former school board presi- to East Meadow High School. ment has been declining to dent, was opened. East Mea- In 1963, district voters the point where, in September dow thus became the first approved a propos1tion 1976, it numbered 10,914. The union free school district that included construction school district, once the to offer a full range of of 20 relocatable class- largest on Long Island, has trade and technical courses rooms at the two high begun to take steps toward re- in its comprehensive high schools. Peak enrollment districting. In 1973, the schools. With the population was reached in the 1963-64 Board voted to close the

A 1960 photograph of W. Tresper Clarke High School which was named after W. Tresper Clarke(husband of the original author of this book, the late Mary Louise Clarke). Mr. Clarke was at one time an East Meadow School Board Presi- dent.

28 Modem East Meadow

Salisbury Elementary School. Meadow was large enough for and along the major north- BOCES (Board of Cooperative a bus 1 ine to operate to south roads, Newbridge Ave- Educational Services) has Hempstead. Fred Bickmeyer nue and Merrick Avenue. In leased the school and has started his company with addition to several small moved its central offices one bus. It is fondly re- neighborhood shopping cen- there. Huge increases in membered that in the very ters, East Meadow has a ma- the district's operating early days of bus travel, if jor discount store in a costs coupled with shrinking the driver wished, he parked large shopping plaza with enrollments have made further bus and passengers in his movie theatres, banks, spe- economies necessary. When back yard while he satis- cialty stores and a high- school started in the Fall of fied his hunger before con- rise building. Lufthansa 1976, the Newbridge Road and tinuing to Hempstead. As the German Airlines has occu- Prospect Avenue Schools did demand for bus service in- pied a large office bu.ild- not re-open. Further consol- creased more buses were ad- ing on Hempstead Turnpike idation may be considered. ded, with closer adherence since 1970. The School Board has announc- to schedule. Before bus ser- ed its intention to "stabil- vice, residents tell of MASS TRANSPORTATION is ize our schools, enhance and walking to Hempstead with a now under the jurisdiction equalize the educational op- small wagon to bring home of the Metropolitan Subur- portunities for all students staple groceries. Traffic ban Bus Authority which op- in the district and do so was light, the road was tree erates frequent buses along with significant tax saving lined, the three mile walk East Meadow's main roads. for all residents." was pleasant. Bus maps and schedules may be consulted at the East Mea- MODERN EAST MEADOW WORLD WAR II years dow Public Library. showed a population of about EAST MEADOW felt the im- 2,000. In the 5 years fol- HOUSES OF WORSHIP pact of two world wars just lowing the war, Nassau's as did the rest of the nation.population increased an av- BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR, East Being primarily a farming erage 59%, while East Mea- Meadow was virtually an community at that time it re- dow's population jumped all-Protestant community. doubled its efforts to pro- 376%. By 1951, the popula- There was one Jewish family duce needed food. Gasoline tion was 25,000, which more was available for farmers, than doubled 6 years later. but others felt the pinch. In the early 60's, it had stablized at around 60,000, AFTER WORLD WAR I, East but dropped to 54,150 by the mid-70's. East Meadow is primarily a residential sub- urb, with small businesses located along the major east-west highways, Hempstead Turnpike and Jerusalem Avenue,

29 near Old Country Road, and a of East Meadow, is one of Civil War veterans. few Catholic families who the oldest churches in worshipped at St. Brigid 1 s the area. As early as 1791 THE NEXT CHURCH to be Church built in Westbury in a Methodist Circuit Rider established in East Meadow 1856. There were also a preacher regularly visit- was the Holy Trinity Rus- large number of Quakers who ed Brushy Plains. A record sian Orthodox-Greek Cath- attended Meeting Houses in of 1827 shows that Metho- olic Church, originally or- Westbury and Jerusalem(Wan- dist Sunday School class- ganized as St. Mary•s, in tagh.) When German and Scan- es were held in the school- March 1926. The old build- danavian immigrants came here house, and another docu- ing on Chestnut St. was re- they brought to East Meadow ment indicates that prea- placed with a Byzantine- the Lutheran Church. The ching services were held influenced modern on on nearest Dutch Church was in every other Sunday even- Greene Avenue in 1963. Queens Village, but many ing during 1836. In 1858, Dutch persons attended Pres- innkeepers John and Mary byterian services. Between Noon donated a plot of 1840 and 1850,Mormonism ground on Newbridge Ave- flourished briefly here, nue for the erection of a many converts making the trek church and the establish- to Salt Lake City, Utah. St. ment of a burial ground. George•s Episcopal Church in The first interment came Hempstead, whose records go that same year. A Church back to 1702, show East Mea- house was bu i 1 t and the dow residents having been congregation incorporated either baptized or married on April 30,1859. Alar- there. ger church house was built on the same site in 1897, THE UNITED METHODIST and a parsonage was built CHURCH, which began as the across the street . The Community Methodist Church church has since been sold to the Tall Cedars of Le- banon. It is used by them and other organizations and groups in the area. The new United Methodist Church was consecrated in April of 1959 and is also on Newbridge Avenue. By the way, the cemetery be- hind the old church at- tests to its early origins ... it contains the remains of persons born as early as 1788, and at least four 30 IN 1930, the devout WITH THE INCREASE In East Meadow Polish popula- population, more houses of COMMUNITYITY ORGAN IZATIONS tion began holding services worship were built within of their National Church in the next few years, begin- THERE ARE A GREAT many East Meadow Hall, and con- ning in 1941 with St. Ra- community organizations active structed a church on Harton phael'ss Roman Catho1 i c in East Meadow, including vet- Avenue two years 1ater. In Church on Newbridge Road. erans' groups, business and 1957, a new church was Its school was opened in service organizations, civic built. Its belfry houses 1961. The early 1950's saw associations, health and wel- the bell that once sounded the establishment of Cal- fare organizations, music,drama in the Front Street school- vary Lutheran Church, Christ and art clubs, youth groups, house before It burned the King Episcopal Church, and a variety of others. For down. Temple Emanuel, Christ Lu- complete and current informa- theran Church, the East tion, please consult "WHO'S Meadow Jewish Center and WHO IN EAST MEADOW". Names and the East Meadow Assembly. addresses of organizations are given, in addition to the name THE FOLLOWING also and telephone number of the serve the congregants from organizat-ion•s president. East Meadow ... the Suburban Park Jewish Center,East COMMUNITY NEWS is covered Meadow, Temple Sholom,West- by several local weekly news- bury, The Community Reform papers, THE EAST MEADOW BEACON, Temple,Westbury, St.Brig- THE MEADOWBROOK TIMES, L.I. id's Roman Catholic Church, COURIER, THE LEVITTOWN TRIBUNE, Westbury, Central Nassau and THE WESTBURY TIMES. Baptist Church,Westbury, Local Spiritual Assembly of THE TOWN the Baha'is of Hempstead, First Church of Christ EAST MEADOW is one of the Scientist, Levittown, Park- 34 unincorporated areas governed way Community Church,Hicks- by the Town of Hempstead. The v i ll e , Ho 1y Fam i 1y Roman Town Board is composed of two Catholic Church,Hicksyllle, supervisors and six councilmen, and the Sacred Heart Roman elected at large by all the Catholic Church, North Mer- voters of the town, both in un- rick. These are Tlsted incorporated and incorporated fully in the annual commu- areas(villages). By virtue of nity guide, "WHO'S WHO IN their office as town supervisors, EAST MEADOW" camp il ed by both supervisors sit on the Nas- the East Meadow Library and sau County Board of Supervisors. available free ... upon re- The councilman•s job includes quest. direct services to constituents,

31 as well as duties on anum- tank located nearby in inary work has began. Actual ber of committees through Uniondale which also serves construction is expected to which essential town ser- East Meadow residents and start in 1977-78. vices are rendered. Town has a capacity of one and Board meetings are held on one quarter million gallons. SANITATION Tuesday mornings at the The Water Department main- Hempstead Town Hall and are tains 11 wells in East Mea- The Town of Hempstead open to the public. dow, each one tested at re- provides garbage and rubbish gular intervals for physi- collection for East Meadow. THE WAlER DISTRICT cal, bacteriological or Private refuse-hauling com- chemical contamination. panies serve stores and bus- THE EAST MEADOW Water Mains are flushed annually inesses in the area. lt1 1976, District was formed In 1949 to assure clean,colorless the Town approved plans for when the Town of Hempstead water. a garbage recycling plant to took over mains originally be constructed in M1tchel installed by the New York GROUND WATER is re- Field. The $73 mill ion pro- Water Corporation. The bound- plenished by accumulating ject will handle 2000 tons aries of the district are ra i nfa 11 in Nassau County- of garbage daily, recover the Meadowbrook Parkway on maintained water recharge metals and glass for resale, the west, Jerusalem Avenue basins(sumps). The County and burn the remainder as on the south, an irregular also tests the water supply fuel for a LILCO substation. line near Wantagh Parkway on to detect potlution from It is expected to be in op- the east and Eisenhower Park synthetic detergents or eration in two years. on the north. Residents of cesspool seepage. the northern part of East TOWN PARKS Meadow are served by the SEWERS Bowling Green Estates Water IN APRIL 1963, the District(also part of the Sewers, first proposed Hempstead Town Board approv- Hempstead Town Water Depart- in 1964, will be bu i 1t in ed the purchase of 12 acres ment) or the Hicksville Water East Meadow in the near on the southwest corner of District, a private company. future. East Meadow has been Prospect Avenue and Newbridge divided into 6 sewer collec- Avenue, for development Into IN 1962, the Town began tion districts and prelim- a community park. Named Vet- ( to replace the old two-inch eran1s Memorial Park, the water mains with 6-inch Prospect Avenue facility, is mains, and in 1964, It open- on land formerly owned by the ed the Water Division Build- Hoeffner family. The swim- ing on Prospect Avenue near ming pool complex and a var- the McVey School, to house iety of sports and recreation- its facilities and staff. al activitles are for the use The elevated tank at this location holds one and one- half million gallons of water, and there is another

32 of Town of Hempstead resi- on Merrick Avenue, housed World War II. Robert Trent dents. in a building which was Jones, well-known golf course used by the Air Force to architect, was hired to pro- IN THE MID-SIXTIES, the test 20mm cannon. vide a plan for the park as Town of Hempstead acquired pub l i c interest grew. In 18 acres of property at New- NASSAU COUNTY PROPERTY 1949, the park was formally bridge Avenue north of Jer- dedicated as a memorial to usalem Road, for eventual AND SERVICES. .EISENHOWER the country's war dead . East development as a town park. Meadow lost apporximately 2 The site was named in honor PARK square miles of its total of the late State Senator area, but in doing so, pre- Edward J, Speno and dedica- NASSAU COUNTY acquired served a valuable "green ted in 1971. There is a ball- the old Salisbury Golf Club, belt" even larger than Cen- field there now, but further with its 4 courses, for tral Park. The park's facil- development has been delayed. $190,000 in back taxes in ities include 3 golf courses, Plans call for handball, ten- 1940. The original 820 acres picnic areas, athletic nis and basketball courts, were increased to 930 by fields, wading pools, bicycle plus a children's playground, further land acquisitions. paths, a lake for ice-skat- when it is completed. In 1944, County Executive ing, a restaurant and a caf- J. Russell Sprague, pro- eteria. It also has a band NEIGHBORHOOD playgrounds posed the creation of a shell where concerts are and ball parks are dotted Nassau County Public Park, given during the summer. The around East Meadow. A shoot- predicting that Nassau's Nassau County Historical Mu- ing range is located in the population would double in seum which has recently been Santini area of Mitchel Field the twenty years after the headquarters for Nassau's Bicentennial activities is located near Parking Field #6. It was opened in 1961 and houses a reference li- brary which specializes in Long Island history, and display area featuring his- torical and geological ex- hibits. The brick and timber Tudor-style building was ori- ginally the Lannin estate, later owned by Tunstall fam- ily ... lastly by Max Staller who sold it to the County in 1955. It is now open to Nassau residents and their guests. Nearby is Engine No.35, one of the last steam

The Nassau County Historical Museum. 33 engines used by the Long Is- story, one million square land Railroad. By the time foot tower called the Dynam- you read this, the engine ic Care Building, with its will be part of the weekend computer-controlled monitor- THE NASSAU COUNTY CHIL- excursion Black River & West- ing systems. The 770-bed DREN'S SHELTER is situated ern Railroad in-Ringoes, New Medical Center has become a on the corner of Carman Ave- Jersey. It was 1eased to them highly sophisticated health nue and Old Country Road. for 20 years for $1 per year. care and teaching facility, It is intended to house the affiliated with several col- children who are involved NASSAU MEDICAL CENTER leges and universities. In in court cases and the stay COUNTY addition to a speech and is usually short. The East THE NASSAU MEDICAL CEN- hearing center, emergency Meadow School District is TER, formerly Meadowbrook services, outpatient treat- reimbursed for the educa- Hospital, stands on land own- ment facilities and the tional services it provides ed by the Fish and Powell fam- County morgue, the Medical both at the Shelter and the ilies in the 1800's. In 1900 Center has a comprehensive Ja i 1. Thomas Terry built a grand- community mental health cen- stand and operated a race ter. It also maintains the track for about 10 years on only burn unit in Nassau this property. In 1930, Nas- and Suffolk, and a round- sau County started plans for the-clock poison control a hospital, with the purchase center. of 65 acres for $90,000 at Carman Avenue and Hempstead Turnpike. In 1933, through condemnation proceedings, an- THE NASSAU COUNTY JAIL other 11 acres were added at was moved from Mineola to a cost of $8,600. The origin- East Meadow in 1961 . It is al 250-bed hospital building, located on Carman Avenue, designed and supervised by where it also has its own New York architect John Rus- farm . As early as 1959, sell Pope at a cost of $2 an experimental school was million, was opened July 15, started at the jail. In 1935. Since this time, Mea- 1974, a law library for the dowbrook Hospital was enlarg- use of prisoners was estab- ed several times, and by 1968 lished, funded by the fed- had a capacity of 650 beds. eral government. Federal money was also used to con- ON MARCH 9, 1970, the struct a new work-release hospital officially became facility in 1975, for care- the Nassau County Medical Cen- fully-screened. approved ter, and in 1974, began to persons serving time for move into the spectacular 19- misdemeanors.

34 POLICE PROTECTION prisoners. ALTHOUGH SEVERAL educa- MITCHEL FIELD was tional institutions have ex- POLICE PROTECTION is known as the cradle of Amer- panded at Mitchel Field, given by the Nassau County ican military aviation. The and the County has built the Police Department. The area . first recorded flight in Nassau Coliseum, much of the south of Hempstead Turnpike the area occurred on July old airfield stands vacant. is within the First Precinct, 21,1874, with a balloon as- Many uses have been propos- with headquarters in Baldwin. cent from New York Cli ty ed for it, but the economic The area north of the Turn- and then to Hempstead. Glenn downturn has had a dampening pike lies within the Third Curtiss flew a plane he had effect. Of its 1130 acres Precinct with headquarters built from a field just bounded by Oak Street on in Williston Park. north of Mitchel Field, Min- the west and Merrick Avenue eola Field. That field's on the east, 82 1 ie within MITCHEL FIELD name was changed to Hemp- the East Meadow School Dis- stead Aviation Field, then trict. When the federal THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT Hazelhurst Field, and fin- government was at Mitchel closed down Mitchel Air Force a 11 y, Rooseve 1t F l e 1d , in Field, East Meadow used to base in 1962, ending a long honor of President Theodore receive considerable feder- history of military involve- Roosevelt's son,Quentin,an al aid for educating the ment for this part of the aviator who was killed in children of military per- Hempstead Plains. During the action during World War I. sonnel and government em- Revolution, the 17th Light Charles Lindbergh began his ployees. Today, the federal Dragoons of the British Army, historic non-stop flight to government still reimburses as well as the Black Watch Le Bourget Field, France, the East Meadow School Dis- Regiment of Scotland were from Roosevelt Field in trict for the educational quartered there. Soldiers 1927. A marker commemorat- expenses of dependents of were stationed there during ing this flight is to be . federal employees residing the Civil War, when the found on Post Avenue near in Mitchel Manor. Mitchel Field area was known the entrance of Roosevelt ALTHOUGH SENIOR CITI- as Camp Winfield Scott. As Raceway. ZEN housing has been sug- Camp Black, it held American gested, the most recent soldiers once again, during plans for the forty-acre the Spanish-American War. In section of land around Front 1918, the field was named Street and Merrick Avenue for Major John Purroy Mitchel, call for the construction former Mayor of New York City. CAMP MILLS, an area ad- jacent to Mitchel Field,was the largest training center for the Arne r i can Expedition- ary Forces during World War I. Du.ring World War II, this area housed German war 35 of offices and research lab- with a budget of $50,000, library,in its present lo- oratories. These would help was approved. Trustees were cation at Front Street and to broaden the tax base, un- elected in September 1954, Newbridge Avenue, was dedi- like other large areas that and the following January, cated on Sunday, September have been removed from the the late Thomas E. Dutelle 11, 1960, in a torrential tax rolls such as Eisenhower was appointed Director by downpour, the aftermath of Park, the Nassau County Med- the five-person Board. The Hurricane Donna. The glass ical Center, the Nassau library opened on April 17, curtain-wall building stands County Jail and Farm, town 1955, in a store-front lo- on the site of the old Front parks and parkway rights-of- cation on Hempstead Turn- Street School, which went up way. This 40-acre area is pike. The original staff in smoke in 1950. all that remains of the his- of 4 grew within a year to THE EAST MEADOW PUBLIC toric Hempstead Plains, include a cataloguer and a LIBRARY was a pioneer in of- which once covered 70,000 children•s 1 ibrarian. Book- fering free bus transporta- acres of Nassau County. mobile service was also add- tion to its patrons on week- ed. Within 5 years, the li- day afternoons and Saturdays. THE PUBLIC LIBRARY brary occupied 7 stores and It has also been a leader in employed a staff of 37. the area of community infor- IN 1953, a group of mation, employing a full- East Meadow citizens came to- IN 1955, planning be- time Community Information gether and formed a "Friends" gan for a permanent build- Aide, to help the public with group for the purpose of pro- ing. A bond issue of a wide variety of problems moting and starting a li- $440,000 for construction concerning community, civic brary. Voters rejected the of a building of 21,300 and governmental matters. The first proposition in May square feet was approved by library also offers free in- 1953, but effective campaign- the voters in 1958. The new novative programs for adults ing the following year brought success. A 1 ibrary,

Author Harvey Aronson in dialogue with community member Leah Glick after another successful 36 Lunch 'n Books program at the library. and children, Sunday cultur- special programs from ma- TO MARK THE NATION'S al events, craft work- gic shows to ballet, com- 200th birthday, the East shops, Bookmobile service, plementing the books, re- Meadow Bicentennial Council the popular "Lunch 'n Books" cords and cassettes which is soliciting contributions series (cal led an "exemplary may be borrowed. Students for a statue, "The Colonial public 1 ibrary reading pro- in seventh grade and older Lad", created by noted East gram" by the U.S. Depart- are invited to use the Meadow sculptor John Terken. ment of Health, Education & Young Adult collection, It wil 1 be erected on the Welfare), plus a full range which has its own magazines, library's lawn, as a legacy of more traditional library school-related and recrea- for the future. services. The reference de- tional reading materials. partment subscribes to some The department also empha- 900 magazines and journals, sizes career and college the largest collection in planning. The Audio Visual the County, as well as ..... department has cassettes, "Sam's Photofacts", a unique records, 8 and 16mm films, and extensive series of tel- and equipment for use by evision, radio and CB sche- borrowers. matics for the handy man or woman. Automobile repair THOMAS DUTELLE, who manuals are also available had been director of the through the reference de- East Meadow Public Library partment. A new and much- since its storefront be- used Job Information Center ginning, died of a heart has recently been establish- attack in October 1974, at ed there. the age of 55. The Thomas THE CHILDREN'S ROOM E. Dutelle Memorial Fund schedules a variety of was established at the li- brary and contributions to that fund have been used to purchase a piano for the library's meeting room which has been dedicated as the "Thomas E. Dutelle Room". In May 1975, the library board appointed Norman M. Seldes, formerly director of of the Ocean- side Free Library, as di- rector of the East Meadow Library.

37 THE EAST MEADOW proximately 100 miles of (iron tires from a train lo- roads. comotive) hit with a sledge FIRE DEPARTMENT THE ORIGINAL EAST hammer by the first person Meadow's Firemen's Associa- arriving after notice of a THE EAST MEADOW FIRE tion was organized in 1921 fire. One was located near DEPARTMENT does not follow and incorporated in 1923 Roslyn Place on the grounds either the school district with two companies on a of Mr. Charles Hillman, the or water district bound- strictly volunteer basis other on Prospect Avenue al- aries. Its boundaries are: with all revenues derived most opposite the site where The Meadowbrook beginning from donations or benefits. the Prospect Avenue School at North Jerusalem Road, The original property on now stands. No signal could nprth to Stewart Avenue, Maple Avenue was donated be used with such an alarm; east to Dutch Lane and Oy- by the O.L. Schwenke Real firemen simply converged on ster Bay - Hempstead Town- Estate Company ... two ad- the smoke. ship lines to Newbridge ditional parcels added on IN 1930, East Meadow Road, south to Hempstead either side in the 1950's. residents voted that this Turnpike, west to Newbridge Material for a firehouse area be incorporated as a Road, south to Marlboro was purchased with the pro- Fire District under the laws Street, west through Ever- ceeds of a carnival spon- of the State of New York. green Place to Newbridge sored by Company I . Fred With the creation of the dis- Avenue south to North Jer- Bickmeyer, the Department's trict, the residents elect usalem Road, west to Mea- first Fire Chief, donated a Board of Fire Commissioners dowbrook and point of be- a bus to Company I , who who served a five-year term ginning. This covers ap- used the chassis for a without compensation. Their piece of fire equipment. duties are to present the Ground for the Maple Ave- needs of the Department to nue firehouse was broken residents, recommend the pur- September 17,1922. All la- chase of equipment, houses, bor was donated by members alarms, or other necessities of the Department. and to supervise the main- tenance of the Department. UNTIL THE HOUSE was They in turn are under New completed the apparatus York State control, with all was housed in Mr. Bick- funds audited annually. The meyer's garage. Company No. statutory operating budget 2 had a truck donated by fixed by the State is deriv- a resident of the Newbridge ed from a 1 mill tax on real area. It was housed in a private garage on Marlboro Street. The original alarms did not differ much from the alarms of Colonial Days. There were large iron hoops valuation of the District. of the issue. With the pre- their own Fire Chief, As- This amount is available sent coverage and efficient sistants, and other officers. without a bond issue,to care operation of the Department, IN 1931, the residents for everyday maintenance of the East Meadow Fire Dis- approved a $15,000 bond housing, equipment, property, trict now enjoys the full issue for the firehouse at alarms, utilities, insurance, protected fire insurance Newbridge and Park Avenues, etc. East Meadow Fire Dis- premium rate, which is the a siren, one pumper, and trict has never asked for an best available. other equipment. By 1936 amount over this 1 mill levy, the Commissioners had skimp- although this has been done ALL FIREMEN in the De- ed enough in the operating in other districts ... Amor- partment are volunteers. budget to purchase the New- tization of outstanding bonds They organize within their bridge Avenue headquarters is paid yearly for the 1 ife own personnel, electing site. In the next ten years, several proposals to build on this site were rejected by district residents. How- ever, in 1947, since East Meadow had grown to such proportions as to make more protection imperative, an $86,000 bond issue passed by 2 votes, and headquart- ers were built . The two com- panies now owned two pumpers, a 1933 GMC and a 1933 Buffa- lo, emergency truck, and a floodlight truck.

IN 1949, when Levitt built many homes in the north east end of the Dis- trict, the Commissioners approached him to donate a site for a fire house. He responded with the site at Newbridge Road and Dogwood Lane with the proviso that a house must be built with- in one year, or the land re- verted to him. The referen- dum which followed approved $5,000 for the extension of the alarm system, $20,000

East Meadow Fire Department "Suicide Squad" shown in front of their Pierce Arrow (donated by Arthur Brisbane) Tournament Truck in 1933. 39 for a quadruple combintation AT PRESENT there are morale of the men. Being fire truck and alarm system. over 160 men in the Depart- organized about the same_ ... but a bond issue for a ment, seven companies are time as the Fire District, house was defeated. The Com- operating as individual u- it had the name of "The missioners had to squeeze nits; Company No.4 men were Suicide Squad" until 1946 the operating budget to pur- dispersed among other com- when it chose "Meadowlarks." chase a surplus Quonset hut, panies for training before Arthur Brisbane, famous which was erected by the free they formed their own com- Hearst newspaper editor, was labor of firemen and Commis- pany. Each year the East intensely interested in the sioners. Company No.3 was Meadow Volunteer Firemen work of the Fire Department organized to man it. Thus make a direct mail appeal to and he attended at least one the necessary protection was district residents for sub- of the benefit dances held secured for that area of the scriptions to the Firemen's in the Maple Avenue fire District. Welfare Fund, and then fol- house, and donated a Pierce- A STUDY of the District low up with a house-to- Arrow for the first Tourna- development showed the Com- house call on no-mail res- ment Truck. missioners that another site ponses. THE "MEADOWLARKS'' have and house was badly needed THE EAST MEADOW Volun- brought many trophies home east of the County Park, and teer Exempt Firemen's Bene- to East Meadow and in 1946 north of the Hospital. volent Association was or- it won the New York State Through the cooperation of ganized by an act of the Championship. In 1952, East the County officials, a part State Legislature and incor- Meadow was host ' to the Bat- of the Sheriff's farm at the porated in 1940 .. It owns talion Tournament for the corner of Carman and Gasser the Maple Avenue Benevolent first time. Avenues was sold to the Dis- Hall, which was donated to THE WOMEN'S AUXILIARY trict. In 1951, a $114,000 .it in 1940 by the original of the Fire .Department was general improvement bond members of the East Meadow first organized in 1924. If issue was approved; includ- Fire Association who built a bad fire keeps the men ing this and house for Com- the house with the stipula- workingt the women of the pany No.4, improvement of tion that they be listed as auxiliary serve coffee and Company No.3 house and new charter members. They were! doughnuts. They march in addition (additional land THE FIRE DEPARTMENT parades on Memori-a 1 Day and was donated by Levitt), ad- Tournament Team is very im- Tournaments. Their smart and ditionaJ land and building portant for the training and trim appearance in parades additions for Companies No. have won many trophies for 1 & 2, three pumpers, ex- them. tension of the alarm system, THE WORK of the Auxil- two-way radio for the trucks, iary was particularly appre- and three-salaried mainten- ciated on the night of April ance men for 24 hour care of 1952 when Male Barnum's home equipment, buildings and burned in a spectacular blaze alarm system.

40 with flames shootings 75 feet in the air. Even after the fire slackened, firemen were at the scene all night. Since Maie Barnum moved west with her mother and died in 1932, this house had been occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Si- las Andrews until January 1952. With this fire passed a landmark which had housed one of East Meadow's most prominent famil ies ... the Barnums. THE UNTIRING SERVICE rendered by all members of the Fire Department and the Womens' Auxiliary, merits the enthusiastic support of every resident ... for other- wise no home in East Meadow would be safe from the con- stant threat of fire.

THE EAST MEADOW FIRE DEPARTMENT is in the throes of preparing a more in-depth history of their department .... it should be ready for their 50th anniversary in 1980.

The Crowley Farm House as it i s today on Stewart Avenue ... the home of J ohn and Natalie Coot. It was built around 1840 .

41 ORAL HISTORY

ORAL HISTORY is a way of ob- us her late mother was the was moved to North Jerusa- taining information frequent- former Estelle Berg whose lem Road into North Bell- ly not recorded in written family also had a farm on more in 1929. He, too, re- form ... it is perhaps more im- Hempstead Turnpike(where calls early farm 1 ife and portantly, an excellent way the Meadowbrook Theatre is). working as early as age 6. to bring people together. Especially remembers a cold "Getting to know you ... " is FISH FAMILY, Stanley Fish Spring snap when they all what we were unconsciously and his wife sti 11 live in worked all night keeping humming as we went out on the old Fish homestead ... it smudge pots going to keep interview after interview! People were curious, in- terested and most helpful.

A SLIDE SHOW of "East Meadow, Past & Present" was also done and will be available for loan along with the Oral .History cassettes at the East Meadow Library. Just ask!

UNOFFICIALLY East Meadow's first family, THE LOWDENS, William Lowden, his sister, Bertha, and his daughter,Mary, still live in the Carman-Low- den homestead on Hempstead Turnpike. We learned that Syl- vanus Carman (father of Mary Ann Carman who married Richard Lowden ... later parents of Ber- William and Bertha Lowden talking about old tha and William and 6 other times during their interview Summer of 1976. children) bought the property in 1830. Prior to this time, it was a to 11 gate. inn. Wi 11 i am recalls ... the cold winters and the peach blossoms alive. "pot roast every Sunday" the Though the Fishes took their trips to market when he was other produce to market for only 13 or 14 ... and more. Ber- sale ... the peaches were tha talks about her parent's sold right at the farmstand. courtship ... the first telephone (theirs!) in East Meadow in HOEFFNER FAMILY, ,,Raymond 1904 ... the neighbors, Spragues Hoeffner was the family and Smiths. Mary Lowden tells spokesperson. One of 9 chil- dren, Ray was born in the family-owned A. Hoeffner

42 Hotel which stood on the DOWN THE ROAD apiece is the too, remember the many farms corner of Newbridge Avenue white house of LOUIS D, and the quieter times of and Prospect Avenue. Told SCHNEIDER who was born on yesterdays in East Meadow. us his father used a team Carman Avenue over 85 years of mules to drive his pro- ago. He and his late bro- MANY, MANY OF US came to East duce from his truck farm to thers, William and Joseph, Meadow in the '40's and '50's market in Brooklyn. farmed together for many and F.William Boelson of the years. His son, Louis E. Salisbury section, a retired STRINGHAMS... Claude and Lor- Schneider, still has a small attorney, bought the DeSaulles etta are part of families farm elsewhere. The elder estate in 1940 .... "to get a- "forever" that go back in- Schneider remembers the way from the rat race." He to early American history. warm coal stoves in the win- talks about the other families Because of this, Loretta, ters ... "my mother canned in that area ... and his own has become an enthusiastic everything they grew". family's interest and involve- family historian ... you ment in horses and horse shows. should see their family FURTHER UP THE STREET you tree! Found out they were will find the DE MONACO WE HOPE this ORAL HISTORY pro- related to the Lowdens family Jiving in their 120 ject will continue with other through the Carman family. year old house which was history-minded volunteers tak- (Benjamin Stringham l ived purchased in 1955 from the ing over ... it is worthwhile! in East Meadow in 1850 and Horhorst family who farmed he was the son of Rebecca there first. The DeMonaco Carman and Samuel String- family had farmed and 1 ived ham I I l ... he had a farm on Newbridge Road before where The Big Apple store this. They recalled the ice was on Merrick Avenue.) storm of 1934 and "being locked in" ••• and the wonder- ROTTKAMPS ,,There are over ful smells of homemade bread, 1,000 l iving on Long Island wine, sausages and hams as ... and you'll find a large youngsters. group living in East Mea- dow area. We spoke to Cyril MANY FAMILIES came to East and Helen Rottkamp on Car- Meadow in '20's and '30's man Avenue. One time there and one such family was the were 5 Rottkamp brothers MCCORMICK family. We talked living and farming on Car- to Francis and He 1en McCor- man Avenue. Cyril still mick of Tonquin Street. Fran- farms ... and Helen is known cis and his father were in to many in this area ... she "The the coal and ice business ... runs Coop" vegetable and that's how Helen met stand on the property where Francis. He was her sister's their 125 year old house ice man and Helen was intro- Louis D. Schneider in inter- stands. duced to him while she was view this Summer, 1976. visting her sister. They,

43

SOURCES OF MATERIALS

Hempstead Town Records Beers Map - North Part of Hempstead,Queens County, 1873 and 1886 Walling Property Map of 1859 Long Island Rail Road- Long Island of Today- 1884 Long Island Association Survey of Communities Portrait and Biographical Record of Queens County, 1896 Greenfield Cemetery Records News day Long Island Press East Meadow Beacon The Meadowbrook Times Journal, Nassau County Historical Society Smits, Edward J. Nassau: Suburbia U.S.A.; The First Seventy- Five Years of Nassau County, New York 1899-1974 Old Newspapers Interviews with long-time residents THE EAST MEADOW PUBLIC LIBRARY has an extensive collection of books and other material on Long Island history. Ask to see them at the Reference desk.

Thanks to ..... Esther Amchir, Hannah Bennett, The Rev. Arthur Berry, F.William Boelson, Anne Cameron, Mildred Campon, DeMonaco Family, East Meadow Schools, East Meadow Fire Department, East Meadow Public Library Reference department, Stanley Fish, Hoeffner Family, Lilian D. Koch, Lowden Family, Mary Louise Matera, 1 ibrarian, Nassau County Museum Reference Library, Peggy McCartney, McCormick Family, Claire Mehrhoff, A. Louis Morse, James Pittendrigh,Harry Rheel, Rottkamp Family, Louis D. Scheider Family, Stringham Family, Ferdie Tagle.

SPECIAL APPRECIATION to the LONG ISLAND PRESS for allowing us to use the late J. Ernest Brierly's charming drawings. They originally appeared in a features series in the PRESS in 1959 called, "Long Ago On Long Island."

PHOTOGRAPHIC CREDITS, ,,,Aerial photo inside front cover from F. Wm. Boelson collection; Page 4 photo by George Reinhart from Lowden Family collection; Page 12 from the collection of the United Methodist Church; Page 17 from the Raymond Hoeffner collection; Pages 21,22 from the collection of the late Semon Springer; Page 24 from the collection of Lilian Koch; Page 28 from East Meadow School District; Page 33 from the Nassau County Museum Reference Library; Pages 36 & 37 from the East Meadow Public Library; Page 37 from the collection of John Terken; Page 39 from the collection of the East Meadow Fire Department; Page 41 from NEWSDAY photo files; Pages 42-43 from the East Meadow Public Library. Credits EAST MEADOW PUBLIC LIBRARY Mark Clements, President Louise Liebold, Coordinator-Editor Margaret McCartney, Vice President Sandra Berlstein, Research Update Audrey Fixell Audrey Fixell, Principal Oral History Albert W. McCollough Interviewer assisted by Louise Liebold Bernard Rifkin Inger Jordan, Book Paste-Up Norman M. Seldes, Library Director Printed by EDGIAN PRESS, INC. Hicksville, N.Y. 11801