Ahhhh! Long Island, New York.
Everyone knows this amazing slice of New York for its great beaches, endless pizzerias, bagel, deli and diners within every mile, but there is so much more to this place! Check out these 15 fun facts that will provide some insights into Long Island for anyone, whether they are a resident themselves or a visitor to the Island!
So let’s start off by clarifying that..
1. IT’S REALLY NOT AN ISLAND...
at least according to the Supreme Court.
In 1985, the U.S. Supreme Court heard a case called United States v. Maine. This legal struggle centered on the Block Island Sound. Did these waters fall under state or federal government jurisdiction? Since this body of water lies between Rhode Island and the northern fork of Long Island, each state claimed that the waters fell under their jurisdiction, but the federal government disagreed. Waters surrounding an island are considered “open sea.” So, therefore, they fall under the federal government’s control. But the states argued that Long Island was really a peninsula and then by state law, New York and Rhode Island would be in charge of regulating the sound in question. Crazy, huh?
Ultimately, the Supreme Court sided with the states. But is Long Island really an island? Even though it is surrounded on all sides by water the court argued that the East River (a strait which separates Manhattan from Brooklyn and Queens), was too shallow for ships to pass. They classified Long Island as a peninsula—at least, for legal purposes.
Geographically, we are still an island by any definition. And honestly, I can’t imagine calling myself a peninsula resident!
2. “JAWS”…
was written by novelist Peter Benchley after he read a newspaper article about a 4500-pound great white that had been captured near Long Island.
“I thought, what would happen if one of these things came into a beach and wouldn’t go away?” Benchley later said.https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/77997/15-things-you-should-know-about-long-island
3. THE GREAT GATSBY…
F. Scott’s Fitzgerald’s classic novel is set on Long Island’s Gold Coast, in two areas known as “West Egg” and “East Egg”—in real life, Great Neck and Port Washington. The North Shore is known for its large mansions, exclusive vacationing, and rich history of its affluent citizens and architecture.
4. JOHN PHILIP SOUSA…
America’s March King, composer of The Stars and Stripes Forever, made his home at Sands Point, Long Island. He lived in a mansion on a hill from 1915 to his death at age 77 in 1932.
5. CHARLES LINDBERGH…
took off from Roosevelt Field in May 1927 on the first non-stop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. The following day Lindbergh landed at Le Bourget Aerodrome in Paris.
A Nassau County shopping mall — Roosevelt Field– now sits in this historic location.
6. LUNAR MODULE…
which landed men on the moon in 1969, was built on Long Island by the Grumman Corp.
Several heritage companies of Northrup Grumman are recognized for the vital role they played in the success of NASA’s Apollo 11 mission.
7. AMITYVILLE HORROR HOUSE…
is located in a town on the island’s “South Shore.” Well-known from books, movies and legend, this famous house (because of the murders that took place here) has had to have its address changed multiple times since the 1970s.
8. FAMOUS FOR SOME FIRSTS INCLUDING…
- the first truly mass-produced suburb, Levittown, widely regarded as the archetype for postwar suburbs throughout the country. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levittown,_New_York,
- Americas first supermarket, King Kullen, started on Long Island in 1930 and,
- the first radio transmission, by wireless inventor Guglielmo Marconi, was in 1901 on Fire Island Avenue in Babylon.
9. JONES BEACH MONUMENT…
the large structure you view as you approach Jones Beach is actually a water tower.
10. CELEBRITIES GOT THEIR START HERE ..
including Natalie Portman, Mariah Carey, Eddie Murphy, Alec Baldwin, Jerry Seinfeld, Billy Joel, Joe Satriani, Howard Stern, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Steve Buscemi, Lindsay Lohan, Rosie O’Donnell, Steve Vai, Billy Crystal and LL Cool J.
11. THE AMERICAN COWBOY…
got his start here. Considered the birthplace of the American Cowboy, the Deep Hollow Ranch in Montauk, is the site of the oldest cattle ranch in America, built in 1658.
12. BIRTHPLACE OF FIRST VIDEO GAME…
Physicist William Higinbotham from the Brookhaven Laboratory invented the first video game called Tennis for Two in 1958. He created it to entertain visitors to the lab. It was never sold commercially.
13. THE FINAL LEG OF THE TRIPLE CROWN…
takes place at Belmont Park in Elmont, the site of the Belmont Stakes.
14. THE OLDEST U.S. RAILROAD
is the Long Island Rail Road. It is the busiest commuter railroad in North America and still operates under its original name.
15. BROOKLYN BRIDGE “CONNECTION” TO LONG ISLAND
When the Brooklyn Bridge was completed in 1883, it became the first land-transport route between Long Island and mainland USA. Before that, the only way to travel between the two was by boat.
***************************************************************************************************************