Bay Shore

Bay Shore, New York
—  CDP  —
U.S. Census Map
Bay Shore, New York Location within the state of New York
Coordinates: 40°43′47″N 73°15′13″W / 40.72972°N 73.25361°W / 40.72972; -73.25361
Country	United States
State	New York
County	Suffolk
Area
- Total	6.1 sq mi (15.8 km2)
- Land	5.3 sq mi (13.7 km2)
- Water	0.8 sq mi (2.1 km2)
Elevation	16 ft (5 m)
Population (2000)
- Total	23,852
- Density	4,524.5/sq mi (1,746.9/km2)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	11706
Area code(s)	631
FIPS code	36-04935
GNIS feature ID	0943194

Bay Shore is a hamlet (and census-designated place), located in the Town of Islip, County of Suffolk County, New York, United States. Bay Shore celebrated its 300th anniversary in 2008. The population was 23,852 at the 2000 census. Bay Shore is 42 miles from New York City and 75 miles from Montauk. Bay Shore is surrounded by West Islip, Brightwaters, and West Bay Shore to the west, Brentwood, Baywood, and Deer Park to the north, Islip to the east, and the Great South Bay and Fire Island to the south.

Bay Shore has a railroad station of the Long Island Rail Road, which serves both commuters and vacationers as a major gateway to Fire Island.

History

Early history

The hamlet's name was officially changed from Mechanicsville to Bay Shore in the 19th century. European settlers had previously referred to the place as Penataquit and, earlier, Awixa; both names were used by the local Native American Secatogue tribe.

Sagtikos Manor is the oldest structure in West Bay Shore. The earliest part of the sprawling house was built in 1697 by New York City's first native-born mayor, Stephanus Van Cortlandt. The manor functioned for a time during the American Revolution as local headquarters for British forces under General Sir Henry Clinton.^[1] George Washington used it as a stopover during a 1790 tour of Long Island. ^[2][3]

19th and early 20th centuries

Like nearby Babylon Village, Bay Shore became renowned in the late 19th century for its shopping district and resorts. With its convenient and appealing location along the Great South Bay and access to Fire Island, the hamlet became popular with affluent New Yorkers looking to escape the city. It was a tourist spot on weekends and during the summer, in large part because the newly built Long Island Railroad enabled easy access from Manhattan and Brooklyn. It later evolved into a suburb of New York City.

Post-World War II development

Population increased significantly after World War II: From the mid-1950s through mid-1960s, a wide variety of housing developments were constructed on farms and unused woodlands. Those developments were settled largely by working and middle class first-time home buyers who were following a typical pattern of urban flight from New York City. Many of those new residents were Irish American or Italian American. The hamlet's Jewish community also grew substantially in the post-war period.

Despite strains on the sense of community and historical continuity brought on by sudden, substantial growth, the hamlet remained well-regarded. Main Street continued to be one of the region's most popular shopping destinations.

1960s and 1970s

Bay Shore suffered a decline beginning in the late 1960s. The hamlet was never incorporated. Without a local government, long-term residents were unable to make local decisions that were instead left to the Town of Islip and Suffolk County. Density and demographics shifted in some older neighborhoods when rezoning permitted businesses, rental properties and multi-family dwellings where previously only single-family houses had been allowed. Many Main Street storefronts became dilapidated or vacant. The luxury Cortland Hotel along with other historic sites was closed, the parks were left unkempt, and disgusted prominent residents relocated. Construction of the large South Shore Mall (currently Westfield South Shore Mall) two miles north of downtown may have encouraged at least some business away from the established mom and pop businesses on Main Street. Deinstitutionalization caused former residents of the nearby Pilgrim State Hospital to be hastily placed in rental housing downtown, often without sufficient professional support.^[4] With placement of the county's social services "mini-center" (now the Touro College health sciences center) on Union Blvd near the LIRR train station, many residents perceived an increase in petty crime; indigents began wandering the streets during the day and sleeping in public spaces around the train station and in the parks. Facilities and restaurants on the Great South Bay waterfront fared better, partly because it is an embarkation point for ferries to villages on Fire Island that are not accessible by private car.

Suburban renewal and the hamlet today

Several attempts were made at suburban regeneration from the 1970s through the 1990s. A large number of upscale town houses and condominiums were built in gated communities on the grounds of old estates. A planned aquarium was never constructed. However, a former movie theater and one-time opera house was rebuilt and expanded into an attractive YMCA. Redeveloping Main Street continues to be a focal point: efforts include new sidewalks, antique-style streetlights, new landscaping and parks. Main Street is again becoming a destination. There are many attractive and well-rated new restaurants, clothing boutiques and other stores and offices. The Bay Shore Beautification Society transformed an empty lot on Main Street into a meditation garden that has since been recognized as one of America's nicest gardens.^{[citation needed]}

A US Battleship was to have been placed at the Bay Shore Marina, but the water was deemed too shallow. Instead, a disused WWII torpedo was transformed into a land-based monument. At the same time, aging bulkhead and other dock structures at the Marina were rebuilt. Plans to build a roller skate and hockey rink at the location were shelved.

The Bay Shore Public High School, Bay Shore Middle School and Bay Shore-Brightwaters Public Library (in adjacent Brightwaters) underwent extensive renovation and expansion from 2005 through 2008. The project has been noted for its exceptional attention to architectural and historic detail.

Abandoned department stores at the Gardiner Manor Mall have been replaced with new retail stores, including a Lowe's home improvement center. In adjacent lots, disused buildings were demolished to make way for a new BMW dealership.

In 2008 and 2009, a large set of new condominiums were built next to the train station. Additionally, a pedestrian bridge was built over the tracks and the old underground tunnel between platforms was closed.

In Summer 2009, the badly-vandalized Bay Shore Roller Rink was demolished after sitting empty for a decade. Construction for new retail space has begun at the site.

Bay Shore continues to support greater socioeconomic, ethnic, religious and racial diversity than many other suburban Long Island towns and hamlets.^{[citation needed]}

A vibrant Latino community has grown substantially in recent years, particularly in North Bay Shore.

Historic mansions and estates

South of Main Street (also known as South of Montauk) is an area of mansions and other large homes built from the 1880s through 1920s.

Though quite a few architecturally impressive homes from that period remain, many others have since been subdivided, converted to commercial properties or demolished.

West of downtown, not far from the Southward Ho Country Club and extending into neighboring Brightwaters, O-Conee Estates is the best-known section of remaining older mansions and large houses. During the 1920's, Charlie Chaplin, Mabel Normand and many of the Keystone Kops owned homes in Brightwaters. The Keystone Building (used as headquarters in the films) still stands on Maple Ave.

At the east end of the hamlet, on Awixa Avenue, Penataquit Avenue, Montgomery Boulevard, Saxon Avenue and around Penataquit Point, are the W.H. Wray House (which is reputedly haunted by the ghost of Adeline Wray), the Awixa Castle, the Hulse House and the Gustavino Tile House, among others. There was the now-razed J.P. Morgan Estate, a large white mansion owned by the Johnson + Johnson family (now for sale) and a home shortly used by actress Zsa Zsa Gabor.

The neighboring village of Brightwaters is also known for distinctive homes of the same era.

Industry

Most of Bay Shore's industry is located on the north side. Baked goods company Entenmann's built and operated its largest facility there.

The popular board games Scrabble and Parcheesi were manufactured in Bay Shore for decades by the (now defunct) Selchow and Righter company.

Emergency services

Fire Department

Bay Shore is served by the Bay Shore Fire Department. The department has a headquarters located on Fifth Ave, and two stations located on Union Boulevard and East William St. The Department also serves Brightwaters and West Bay Shore, and when needed, other surrounding towns. The Department has an extensive apparatus of fire trucks.

Police Department

Bay Shore is served by the Suffolk County Police Department 3rd precinct.

Rescue and ambulance

Bay Shore is served by the Bay Shore-Brightwaters Volunteer Rescue Ambulance Department. The department also serves Brightwaters and West Bay Shore, and when needed, other surrounding towns. The headquarters is located on Union Blvd., behind Southside Hospital. The department has five ambulances in its apparatus.

Hospital

The closest hospital serving Bay Shore, located on its Main Street, is Southside Hospital (which is part of the North Shore-LIJ Health System).

Transportation

Roads

Bay Shore is accessible by major roads on Long Island such as:

• NY 27, known as Sunrise POW/MIA Highway
• NY 27A, Known as Main Street
• Southern State Parkway via Sagtikos Parkway
• I-495 or Long Island Expressway via Sagtikos Parkway
• CR-50 or Union Blvd. runs through Bay Shore, as bypass for Main Street

Airport

Bay Shore is approximately 12 miles from Long Island MacArthur Airport.

Train

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Bay_Shore_(LIRR_station)

Bay Shore is a stop on the Montauk Branch of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), which uses the newer double-decker trains. The north track brings travelers to New York City to the west and the south track to Montauk to the east. The stop is a popular link for visitors from New York City and beyond traveling to Fire Island.

Ferries

Bay Shore has terminals for the Fire Island Ferries. They are located at the end of Maple Avenue.

Buses

There are many bus stops in Bay Shore on different lines. The buses are operated and maintained Suffolk County Transit, who also provide school buses for the Bay Shore Union Free School District.

Geography

Bay Shore is located at 40°43′47″N 73°15′13″W / 40.72972°N 73.25361°W / 40.72972; -73.25361 (40.729857, -73.253722)^[5].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the hamlet has a total area of 6.1 square miles (15.8 km²).13.6 km² (5.3 mi²) of it is land and 2.1 km² (0.8 mi²) of it (13.30%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census^[6] of 2005, there were 18,000 people, 8,000 households, and 5,000 families residing in the hamlet. The population density was 4,524.5 per square mile (1,747.5/km²). There were 8,639 housing units at an average density of 1,638.7/sq mi (632.9/km²). The racial makeup of the hamlet was 71.99% White, 17% African American, 0.1% Native American, 1% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 7% from other races, and 3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.86% of the population.

There were 8,194 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were married couples living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.5% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.1 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the hamlet, the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 32.5% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.0 males.

The median income for a household in the hamlet was $50,155, and the median income for a family was $69,046 (these figures had risen to $70,140 and $80,931 respectively as of a 2007 estimate^[7]). Males had a median income of $49,878 versus $39,851 for females. The per capita income for the hamlet was $29,437. About 8.1% of families and 12.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.1% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.

Bay Shore Union Free School District

• Five elementary schools

  Mary G. Clarkson, grades K-2

  Brook Avenue School, grades K-2

  Fifth Avenue School, grades K-2

  Gardiner Manor School, grades 3-5

  South Country School, grades 3-5

• One middle school

  Bay Shore Middle School, grades 6-8

• One high school

  Bay Shore Senior High School, grades 9-12. Their mascot is the Marauder.

Famous residents of Bay Shore

• Thomas Adams: 19th century founder of the Adams Chewing Gum Company, now part of Cadbury plc, built one of the finest houses on Awixa Avenue.
• Patti Austin: The singer graduated from Bay Shore High School in 1968.
• Aristotle Dreher, rock musician and co-founder of the band Vaeda, was born in Bay Shore and graduated from Bay Shore High School in 1996.
• The Entenmann family of the famous Entenmann's baked goods company lived in Bay Shore.
• Amy Goodman, syndicated news broadcaster, columnist and author, grew up in Bay Shore. ^[8][9]
• Gulden: Members of the Gulden's Mustard company's founding family lived in Bay Shore and neighboring Islip. ^[10]
• Juanita Hall (nee Long): The acclaimed African American Actress best known as Bloody Mary in the stage and screen versions of South Pacific lived and died in Bay Shore.
• Henry Osborne Havemeyer: The 19th century sugar baron and art collector summered there through the 1900s and was an active member of the Bay Shore Yacht Club.
• Edward Francis Hutton: The founder of the E.F. Hutton & Co. brokerage company summered in Bay Shore at the turn of the last century.
• Saul Kripke, philosopher and logician, was born in Bay Shore. ^[11]
• LL Cool J: The hip hop artist and actor was born James Todd Smith in Bay Shore in 1968. ^[12]
• Harvey Milk: The former San Francisco Supervisor, gay rights pioneer and 2009 posthumous recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom graduated from Bay Shore High School in 1947. ^[13][14][15]
• Joe Namath, football superstar, had a summer home in Bay Shore in the early 1970s.
• Mario Puzo, author of The Godfather and other novels and screenplays, lived and raised his family in Bay Shore. ^[16][17]
• Judith Regan, book publisher, graduated from Bay Shore High School in 1971.
• PC Richard: Founders of the electronics and appliance store chain live in Bay Shore.
• Opie and Anthony Show contributor Steven S lives in Bay Shore.
• Lilia Skala: The actress lived in Bay Shore in her later years.
• Spurgeon Tucker, 20th century painter of Long Island scenes and New York City celebrities
• Dj Robb O: The hip hop club and concert dj grew up in Bay Shore. Robert Fitzgibbons is a 1984 Bay Shore High School Graduate.

Films with scenes shot in Bay Shore

• 1969: Last Summer, directed by Frank Perry. (Filmed there and on Fire Island in the summer of 1968.)^[18]
• 1983: The Hunger, directed by Tony Scott and starring Susan Sarandon, David Bowie, and Catherine Deneuve. Based on the 1981 novel by Whitley Strieber. (Exterior shots in introductory scenes.)
• 1988: Married to the Mob, directed by Long Island native Jonathan Demme and starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Massapequa, Long Island native Alec Baldwin. (Family home and other suburban scenes.)^[19]
• 2004: Birth, directed by Jonathan Glazer and starring Nicole Kidman, Lauren Bacall, Danny Huston and Anne Heche. (Wedding scenes at the historic Sagtikos Manor.)

References

Resources

• Suffolk County Planning Department
• The New York Times

External links

• Bay Shore Chamber of Commerce: Town History
• Bay Shore NY Community web site
• Bay Shore Public Schools
• Southside Hospital
• Awixa & Penataquit Neighborhoods
• Awixa Castle
• Historical Photos
• Bay Shore-Brightwaters Beautification Project
• Sagtikos Manor
• Sagtikos Manor Photos
• Bay Shore Historical Society
• Bay Shore - Brightwaters Rescue Ambulance, Inc.

Fire Island

• Fire Island National Seashore
• Fire Island Ferry Service

Lets go METS!