About St James
Saint James 11780 is a hamlet in the Town of Smithtown. The incorporated villages of Head of the Harbor and Nissequogue also share the same zip code. The original name of the town was Sherawogge. It was changed to the easier to pronounce St. James to honor of the local Episcopal Church around 1856.
St. James has a rich history. The General Store was built by Ebenezer Smith in 1857. He was a relative of "Bull" Smith, who Smithtown was named after.
The St. James General Store has the unique distinction of being the oldest continuously operating general store in the United States.
It has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973. The early history of the town was centered around the store. It served as the Post Office besides selling medicine for humans and horses, groceries, shoes and hardware.
Today shoppers will feel like they stepped back in time into Nineteenth Century Long Island. Visitors can see display cases with old ledgers and photographs along with original counters and cases, the post office, coffee grinder, tea canisters, pot belly stove, barrels, old checkerboards to name a few.
The clerks are happy to answer any questions and a portrait of Ebenezer Smith still hangs over the antique register. Merchandise on the first floor includes stacks of books, dishes, jars of Potpourri, dolls, candles, toys, sodas, lamps, silverware and various other items.
There are also items that help promote Long Island businesses and other various Long Island specialties. The second floor offers a display of books, maps and year-round Christmas items, jewelry and artwork. The Saint James station house of the Long Island Rail Road is the second oldest of all station houses on Long Island.
Residents are fortunate to have the use of town beaches and parks. The rocky beaches along the Long Island Sound provide swimming, relaxation, playgrounds for the kids and best of all no traffic to the South Shore.
Saint James has a very active Chamber of Commerce and Community Association of Greater St. James. They sponsor parades on Memorial Day and Veteran's Day with the school's marching bands, fire department and Veterans from the VFW.
Boy Scout Troop 7 places flags along Lake Avenue for every Federal holiday. For over 30 years, St. James Day has celebrated the town. Other annual events are Homecoming, Halloween Parade and costume contest, Deepwells Haunted Mansion, Farmer's Market, Summer Nights and Car Show.
Saint James hosts one of the largest St. Patrick's Day on Long Island. Shamrocks are painted along the parade route for the Piper bands, floats, fire trucks, antique cars and other participants. It has a Mardi-Gras feel as candy and green beads are thrown to parade goers.
There is an annual candlelight memorial service at the St. James 9/11 Memorial. There is a piece of steel from the World Trade Center near the firehouse sub-station. Neighbors gather to reflect on the events of the day.
Saint James was a popular location for stars in the early 20th century including Irving Berlin and Buster Keaton. Newswoman Soledad O'Brien grew up in St. James and graduated from the public schools.
Miracle Mop inventor Joy Mangano is another famous resident. Olympian Skeleton athlete John Daly is also a hometown hero.
The Smithtown Central School District serves approximately 10,000 students in seven elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools across the township. They have won many academic awards, produced athletes and national scholarship winners.
St. James is home to some amazing shops and local restaurants. Mercep Bros. Prime Meats is a specialty butcher shop. Soul Brew has a "Central Perk" vibe. You are almost guaranteed to run into a neighbor while shopping for groceries in King Kullen. Delicious restaurants serving cuisines from around the globe can be found in town. Golden Dynasty for Chinese food; Del Fuego's Margaritas are as popular as their tacos; Mosaic's 5-Course Chef’s Tasting Menu will wow your palate as well as other Zagat rated restaurants.
Flowerfield is a beautiful venue for any occasion. Their magnificent atrium features a Koi pond with an overlooking bridge and is filled with tropical plants and flowers.
Saint James is a unique town where residents truly love where they live.