History and Background of the Town of Hempstead:
Hempstead was first settled in 1644 post establishing the treaty between English colonists, John Carmen and Robert Fordham, and the Lenape Indians in 1643. These settlers were from the English colony of Connecticut, a patent was generated by the government of New Netherland after these settlers had bought the land from local citizens. The town was first called Heemstede, named by the Dutch after a local town/castle. In 1664, the settlement was owned by the new Province of New York and adopted by the Duke’s laws.
Hempstead was then known as “Old Blue”, as a result of the new blue laws. Once the American Revolution hit, the loyalists from the south caused a separation in 1784. The split the town into “North Hempstead” and “South Hempstead.” Fast forward to the 1898 incorporation of the Borough of Queens as part of New York City, the 1899 split of Queens County created Nassau County NY.
Town of Hempstead Economy:
According to a Newsday survey of the Town of Hempstead is Long Island’s 47th largest single employer with a total of 1,974 employees. Located within the town lines are Lufthansa and Swiss International Air Lines, headquartered in East Meadow, New York.
Town of Hempstead State Parks:
Town of Hempstead boosts three beautiful state parks:
- Hempstead Lake State Park: is a 737-acre state park located in West Hempstead. The park includes picnic tables with pavilions, tennis courts, playgrounds, playing fields, recreation programs, hiking, biking, fishing, ice skating, skiing, and a boat launch. The biggest attraction to this park is Hempstead Lake
- Valley Stream State Park: is a 97-acre state park located within Valley Stream in Nassau County. It features a reservoir for the Ridgewood Reservoir. Valley Stream State Park is a day-use facility offering a nature trail, cross-country skiing, a playground, playing fields, horseshoe, volleyball, basketball courts, picnic areas, and fireplaces!
- Jones Beach State Park: Located within the hamlet of Wantagh, the park is 6.5 miles in length, and is well known of its beaches, boasting six million visitors every year. It is not uncommon for weddings and other big events to happen at this venue! It is a popular destination for wedding and engagement photo shoots as well. Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater is an outdoor concert venue stretching across a 2-mile radius and boardwalk. Jones beach is named after Major Thomas Jones, a major in the Queens County militia from the 1600s. The park was established during Robert Moses’ administration as President of the Long Island State Park Commission. Jones beach is vacant of housing developments and private club and is solely open for the general public. The park was officially opened to the public on August 4th, 1929 along with the causeway that gave cars access to the mainland of the island. The causeway was the first section of Wantagh State Parkway.
Town of Hempstead Points of Interest:
- Hofstra University: Hofstra is a private, non-profit university located in Hempstead, New York. It is Long Island’s largest private college and was born in 1935 as an extension of New York University (NYU). The college was founded as a commuter institution and coeducational with day and evening classes. The first class was administered on September 23rd, 1935. Hofstra offers classes and degrees 13 different areas ranging from Liberal arts and nursing.
- Roosevelt Field Mall: A shopping mall located within Garden City and is the largest shopping mall in the state of New York! It is the most successful mall in the state and spreads across 263 stores including Bloomingdales, JCPenney, Macy’s, Nordstrom, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Nearby Townships:
- Town of Oyster Bay
- Town of North Hempstead