[nygirl1]

Oyster Bay is a picturesque old Hamlet on the north shore of Long Island that straddles the border of Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The area was settled by the Dutch in the mid 17th century who noted the great bounty of oysters that collected along the Bay of the rocky peninsular region. Many Quakers settled in Oyster Bay to escape religious persecution in New England drawn in by the much, much more tolerant Dutch. Many notable Quakers came from Oyster Bay and this includes the Townsend family who ran Raynham Hall which came to become a patriotic meeting hall during the revolutionary war. Oyster Bay became a Patriot Haven during this time and many flocked to build homes and farms near the bay. The area increased its population slowly throughout the 19th century and by the late decades of the century welcomed the Long Island Railroad which established a connection between Boston and New York via Steamboat. Around the time of the rail boom in Oyster Bay, the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt chose to make it is home and built a Victorian mansion high up on Sagamore Hill which at the time clearly overlooked the village and bay. Theodore Roosevelt became the beloved son of Oyster Bay which continues to honor the president evident all over town including a park on the shoreline named after the president and the landmarked Snouders Drug store which is the location of the first telegraph service in Oyster Bay. In fact Roosevelt, during his presidency lived primarily on the north shore of Long Island as opposed to the white house in the District of Columbia and made frequent trips to the drug store to use the telephone. Snouders is not the only historic landmark in Oyster Bay, it, along with Raynham Hall are featured among a handsome ensemble of historically valuable buildings like the Moore building, Octagonal Hotel and several homes. The area remained predominantly white up until the turn of the 21st century when Latin Americans, mostly Salvadoran and Mexican began moving into affordable homes near the center of town. Other than Theodore Roosevelt, Oyster Bay is home to former tennis star, John McEnroe, The Piano Man-Billy Joel and composer John Barry. The hamlet was also the setting for the comedic film, Meet the parents starring Robert Deniro and Ben Stiller.

































Sagamore Hill was the home of Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States. Roosevelt lived in the late 19th century Victorian mansion from 1885 until his death in 1919. The land which sits on Cove Neck in Oyster Bay was purchased by Roosevelt in 1880 and extends from the top of the hill down to the beaches of the bay. I unfortunately did not travel to the beaches when I photographed the grounds as I was pressed for time that day but I must say the view is SPECTACULAR, sorry for that information. The house and the land it sat on became the primary residence for Roosevelt and his family and was used during his presidential years much more than the White House. The Russo-Japanese war was mediated by President Roosevelt in 1904 inside the home. Roosevelt died in 1919 in the home but Sagamore Hill remained in the Roosevelt family until the 1950’s when family members donated the home to a preservation society and transformed it into a museum. In 1962 it was established as a historic site and today is open daily for public tours.












Cold Spring Harbor is a cozy hamlet on the north shore of Long Island straddling the Nassau and Suffolk border. It was settled in the 17th century and quickly became popular for its natural cold fresh water springs that flow throughout the community. For many years colonists, attracted by the many opportunities in maritime industry flocked to the area and built homes along the waterfront and farms in the interior. Throughout the 18th century the hamlet increased its population and became home to oyster harvesters, fisherman, farmers and businessmen looking to capitalize off of these industries. During the 19th century it became known for its milling industries but it was whaling in the middle of the 19th century which built Cold Spring Harbor up and the reason it rose to such prominence by the late 19th century. The railroad was also introduced to the region during this time as well and as the whaling industry declined the area built up Hotels and became a resort town. The population continued to flourish and Cold Spring Harbor became home to several cultural organizations. The town is primarily home to affluent white upper classes and is considered a bedroom community.