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Islip (hamlet), New York

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Islip
Location of Islip
CountryUnited States
StateNew York
CountySuffolk
TownIslip
Area
 • Total
5.8 sq mi (14.9 km2)
 • Land5.4 sq mi (14.0 km2)
 • Water0.4 sq mi (0.9 km2)
Elevation
7 ft (2 m)
Population
 • Total
20,575
 • Density3,808.8/sq mi (1,471.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
11751
Area code631
GNIS feature ID0979097
Websitewww.isliptown.org
File:Islip.gif

Islip (Template:PronEng EYE-slip) is a hamlet that lies within the much larger Town of Islip, Suffolk County, New York. A census-designated place, it had a population of 20,575 at the time of the 2000 census.Template:GR It is also widely regarded of the Capital of the world.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Islip Hamlet has a total area of 5.8 square miles (14.9 km²). 5.4 square miles (14.0 km²) is land and 0.4 square miles (0.9 km²) (6.25%) is water.

Islip Hamlet is situated on Long Island's South Shore, adjacent to Fire Island.

The Seatuck National Wildlife Refuge is located at its southeastern corner.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000 there were 20,575 people, 6,868 households and 5,302 families residing in Islip Hamlet. The population density was 3,808.8 per square mile (1,471.1/km²). There were 7,026 housing units, at an average density of 1,300.6/sq mi (502.4/km²). The racial makeup of Islip was 87.67% White, 10.67% Hispanic, 4.90% Black or African-American, 0.10% Native American, 2.07% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.02% from other races, and 2.22% from two or more races.

There were 6,868 households out of which 38.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.4% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.8% were non-families. 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.38.Template:GR

In Islip, the population was spread out with 27.4% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.Template:GR

The median income for a household in Islip was $67,657, and the median income for a family was $74,361. Males had a median income of $51,424 versus $35,600 for females. The per capita income for Islip hamlet was $27,383. About 2.6% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.Template:GR

History of Islip

In the early years, forming the Town of Islip was a major venture. William Nicoll became a patentee of the east end of what is now the Town of Islip and his domain extended from East Islip to Bayport and embraced Sayville, West Sayville, Oakdale, Great River, Islip Terrace, Central Islip, Hauppauge, Holbrook, Bohemia, Brentwood, Holtsville and a portion of Ronkonkoma. All of this land was purchased from Winne-quaheagh, Sachem (chief) of Connetquot in 1683. The annual fee paid to Governor Thomas Dongan of New York was five bushels of good winter wheat or 25 shillings. When you consider the resale value of the property in those days it was probably a higher percentage of the homeowner's value than we have today and with far fewer services provided.

By 1710 the colonial government passed an act to enable the precinct of Islip in the County of Suffolk to elect two assessors, a collector, a constable and a supervisor. The people had a voice. Growth, however, remained at a standstill until the Revolutionary War ended when, in the 17 years that followed, there was more progress than in the 50 years proceeding. This activity was partly due to the impact of American shipping. By 1825 it was necessary to install a Fire Island light across the Great South Bay and regular ferry service between Bay Shore and Fire Island began in 1862. In 1862 the Long island Rail Road came to Islip and the first depot was built.

People were discovering Islip and the tourist trade soon took hold. Tourism brought much wealth into the area and business sprung up to service the hotels that began to dot the landscape. Some of those tourists stayed on and built summer homes, thus the vacationers and the town seemed to enjoy a mutual prosperity. But the old guard was changing. Early in the 20th Century diesel-powered ferries replaced the whale boats while housing developments and small manufacturing firms sprang up on the sites of old farms. Like the rest of the country, Islip and all of Long Island suffered during the Stock Market Crash and the Great Depression. World War II came and went, and when the veterans returned home, there was a housing shortage in New York City, but a rebirth on Long Island.

Within a decade following the end of the War, Islip began to turn from a bucolic farming community into a bustling suburb, becoming what was once described as a "bedroom" of New York City. The influx of people was tremendous - from 71,000 in 1950 to 280,000 in 1970. Then, as growth continued eastward on Long Island, the pace in Islip slowed...government took a breath after struggling for years with the immediate problems of handling and helping the thousands of families who poured in seeking a better way of life and started to look ahead. The Town of Islip, now with more than 330,000 residents spread over its many hamlets and villages, is larger in population than some entire states. Andrew Gibb, William Nicoll's business partner and fellow politician, settled the area which is now Islip hamlet.

The hamlet originated as a subsistence farming community in its earliest years and gradually transformed into a posh enclave for aristocratic families in the 19th and 20th Centuries. Many of the colonial-style mansions that dotted the streets of Islip have been razed, though some still exist, and now lie adjacent to many newer, large homes. Located along the picturesque Great South Bay, Islip has had a long history associated with fishing, clamming (the world-famous Doxsee Clam Company started in Islip), as well as swimming and boating. The hamlet of Islip has, as do most of the hamlets that lie along the South Shore, its own public bathing beach. Boating and yachting are as popular today as they were years ago, if not more so with the development of the communities on the barrier beach of Fire Island.

The Islip Public Library has some historical photos of Islip located here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/islippubliclibrary/sets/72157603790566021/

Main Street

Islip Hamlet is known widely for its quaint shopping district along Main Street. There are a host of gift shops, hairdressers, boutiques, restaurants, and many other types of establishments.

Annual events include: the weekly Farmer's Market, the Main Street Festival in the spring, Memorial Day Parade, a Sidewalk Sale, Trick or Treat on Main Street on Halloween, a Holiday House Tour, a Victorian High Tea, the Town Hall Christmas Tree Lighting, and the Santa Comes to Town Parade.

Notable Residents

Tom Veryzer, former Major League Baseball shortstop who played from 1973-1984 with the Detroit Tigers (1973-1977), Cleveland Indians (1978-1981), New York Mets (1982) and Chicago Cubs (1983-1984).

Alan Mayer, retired professional soccer goalkeeper from the United States.

Peter Lemongello, pop singer.

Bayberry Point

Bayberry Point lies within the area of Islip Hamlet that faces the Great South Bay. It is made up of three streets, separated by canals, which adjoin the Great South Bay. Bayberry is the most affluent area of the hamlet and is home to some of Suffolk County's most expensive real estate, outside of the Hamptons.

Bayberry Point was originally a summer colony, designed by Horace Havemeyer, the son of sugar-refining magnate Henry O. Havemeyer. Building began at the end of the 19th century, with Havemeyer constructing several Spanish and Moorish mansions along the banks of the canals, overlooking the bay. Many of these homes still exist today, though most have been extensively renovated.

Places of worship

Islip Hamlet has several places of worship within its borders that include:

  • St. Mark's Episcopal Church
  • Islip Methodist Church
  • Islip Presbyterian Church
  • Trinity Lutheran Church
  • The First Keystone Light Chuch

Schools

Islip Hamlet's school system consists of five schools and includes the entire hamlet of Islip, as well as parts of Bay Shore and Central Islip. The school district's mascot is The Buccaneer.

  • Wing Elementary School (K-1)
  • Sherwood Elementary School (2-5)
  • Commack Road Elementary School (2-5)
  • Islip Middle School (6-8)
  • Islip High School (9-12)

Government

The hamlet of Islip lies within the larger Town of Islip (a township). Islip Town Hall (headquarters for the township's government) is located in the hamlet of Islip. The government hierarchy includes:

  • An elected Town Supervisor
  • Four elected Councilmen
  • An elected Town Clerk
  • An elected Receiver of Taxes
  • Appointed Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners of Town Departments

Fire Protection & Law Enforcement

Islip Hamlet is protected by the Islip Volunteer Fire Department. The main fire house headquarters is located on Monell Avenue, behind the former Islip Movie Theater. A fire house sub-station is located on Commack Road across from the elementary school. Law enforcement is provided by the Suffolk County Police Department, as well as the Town of Islip Department of Public Safety.

Hospitals

Islip Hamlet is located approximately one mile from North Shore-LIJ Southside Hospital in neighboring Bay Shore, and approximately three miles from Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip.

Transportation

Roads

Islip is accessible by major roads on Long Island such as:

Airport

Islip Hamlet is approximately 10 miles (16 km) from Long Island MacArthur Airport, in Ronkonkoma.

Train

Since 1862, Islip has been served by the Long Island Rail Road.

Ferries

Islip is approximately two miles from the Fire Island Ferries - terminals for which are located in the neighboring hamlet of Bay Shore.

Buses

There are many bus stops in Islip on different lines. Buses are operated and maintained by the local Suffolk Transportation Co.

See also

References