Locust Valley is a hamlet (and a census-designated place) located in Nassau County, New York. Locust Valley is an unincorporated area of the Town of Oyster Bay. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 3,521.
History
The rolling hills of the north Shore of Long Island were laid down as terminal moraines by the receding glaciers of the last ice age roughly 10,000 years ago. The Algonquin tribe that settled the area, spanning from Flushing to Setauket, called the area "hilly ground" or Matinecock and as a result the Algonquin Indians who settled there became known as the Matinecock Indians.[1]
In 1667, Captain John Underhill negotiated with the Matinecock Indians to purchase land for a settlement that he and his fellow colonists would call Buckram.[2] The town name lasted for nearly 200 years, when in 1856 the name was changed to Locust Valley based on the number of locust trees located in the area.[2] On April 19 1869, the Long Island Rail Road opened the extension of the Glen Cove line, via a single track to Locust Valley, making it the terminus of the line until the railroad was extended to its current terminus in Oyster Bay in 1889.[3]
With the arrival of the Long Island Rail Road, a commercial center developed and thrived around the Locust Valley station and the nearby intersection of Forest Ave/Buckram Road and Birch Hill Road. As the North Shore of Long Island grew into the Gold Coast in the early 20th century, the commercial center grew to serve the great estates that were being established in the surrounding communities of Bayville, Centre Island, Lattingtown, Mill Neck, Matinecock, Muttontown and The Brookvilles.[2]
In fact, by 1927, the wealthy Harrison Williams had established himself at his 150 acre estate "Oak Point" at Bayville, on nearby Pine Island. Weekend guests arriving at the Locust Valley Station were often fetched in one of his fleet of Rolls Royce Motorcars which would stop in the hamlet for last moment provisions. In the 1940s and 50's, Locust Valley was the country home of Robert A. Lovett, a partner (with Prescott Bush) in Brown Brothers Harriman Bank on Wall Street and a former United States Secretary of Defense; Elizabeth Shoumatoff, renowned portrait painter of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and other local luminaries; and finally, Leonard Hall, The National Chairman of the Republican Party. The hamlet was also a regular stop for rest and relaxation for the Duke of Windsor and Cole Porter.
As the commercial center, with the railroad station for the surrounding Gold Coast communities, the geographically small Locust Valley became the name of reference for all surrounding areas between Glen Cove and Oyster Bay. This larger commmunity was associated with the upper-class accent prevalent on the great estates: "Locust Valley Lockjaw". While the accent is not heard as much as it once was, Locust Valley remains a social center for upper-class New Yorkers. Many are members of the exclusive clubs in the area: Piping Rock Club, The Creek, Beaver Dam and the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club.
Geography
Locust Valley is located at 40°52′38″N 73°35′41″W / 40.87722°N 73.59472°W / 40.87722; -73.59472 (40.877127, -73.594782)[4] on the North Shore of Long Island. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.4 km²), of which, 0.9 square miles (2.4 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (2.13%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 3,521 people, 1,279 households, and 915 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 3,832.0 per square mile (1,477.7/km²). There were 1,324 housing units at an average density of 1,441.0/sq mi (555.7/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 86.51% White, 3.89% African American, 0.03% Native American, 1.99% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 5.68% from other races, and 1.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.54% of the population.
There were 1,279 households out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.4% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $57,418, and the median income for a family was $70,592. Males had a median income of $51,115 versus $37,868 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $40,141. About 3.0% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.2% of those under age 18 and 2.7% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The Locust Valley Central School district is a K-12 public school system which serves a large geographic area covering the Incorporated Villages of Brookville, Lattingtown, Matinecock, Bayville, portions of Mill Neck, Old Brookville and unincorporated Locust Valley. There are five school campuses which include Ann MacArthur Primary, Locust Valley Intermediate, Bayville Primary, Bayville Intermediate and a shared Middle School-High School. The 2009-2010 budget approved by voters which supports approximately 2300 students was $69,680,076. [6]
In 2004, LVCSD began offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The programme's introduction resulted in controversy due to the district's decision to eliminate most Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors courses in 11th and 12th Grades and the "globalist" aspects of the programme. [7] The district appointed Dr. Anna Hunderfund to the position of Superintendent beginning July 1, 2008.[8]
The high school newspaper The Spectrum has won the Columbia Scholastic Press Association's and the Empire State Scholastic Press Association's Gold Award for excellence in student journalism.[citation needed] Each year the school awards the Patrick J. Goostrey Award to the graduating senior most outstanding in American History and Student Leadership.[citation needed]
The schools colours are Hunter Green and White. The school crest includes a falcon, as the athletic teams are known as: The Falcons.[citation needed]
Cemetery
Locust Valley Cemetery is a private, non-denominational memorial that began with a unique plan more than 100 years ago. Rather than the usual rows of marble and granite, the Cemetery's 19th-century founders conceived of a sanctuary akin to a woodland garden. To realize that vision, they commissioned the Olmsted Brothers to design its grounds. They were the sons of Frederick Law Olmsted, renowned architect of Central Park.
In 1917, Locust Valley Cemetery was incorporated. A perpetual care fund was established to preserve its natural beauty. Today, that fund is supported by proceeds from every sale, ensuring the care of the woodland haven.
Notable natives
Points of interest
References
External links
