B

B & D Estate Sales

Bonnie Holzmacher

B. K. Sweenys

Formally known as the Central Park Inn (CPI). B.K. Sweeney's Parkside Tavern at 356 Broadway

Baldwin Brothers

Blacksmith Shop on the Corner of Stewart Avenue and Baldwin Place.

Baruth

Battle Row Campground

Located in Old Bethpage on Bethpage Sweet Hollow Road. The campground has 52 campsites, 30 have water and power hook-up, comfort stations with hot showers. In 1983 the charge was $8.00 for county residents and $12.00 for non-residents

Beau Sejour - 1908 - 1972

Built circa l852 by William C. Hawxhurst of Farmingdale.  The Beau served as a mansion estate from l852 to l865 for Alexander McConochie and his son-in-law Jeremiah T. Weaver.  They were land speculators and developers of what is now Bethpage.  It was Mr. Weaver who named the hamlet Central Park.  Weaver lived at the mansion while serving as second postmaster for the area.

A Chronological history: (compiled by Jack Gifford from Terry Hunt's Bethpage: The Years of Development l840 to 1910)
1847	Built at northwest corner of the intersection of Central Ave. and Stewart. by William G. Hawxhurst of Farmingdale between 1847 and 1853.  At that time the area was known as Jerusalem Station or Central Park.
1853	Hawxhurst sold the mansion, together with 31 acres of land between Central Ave. and the railroad tracks, to John S. Walters.
1856	Walters sold the mansion, along with land on the south side of Central Ave., to Alexander McConochie.  (McConochie was Jack Gifford's great-great grandfather.)
1858	McConochie sold the mansion to Mr. Truman Richards.
1859	Jeremiah T. Weaver, Jack Gifford's great-grandfather and Central Park's first Postmaster, was living in the mansion with his wife Adelia, the daughter of Alexander McConochie
1860	Catherine McConochie, Alexander's wife, mother of Adelia and mother-in-law of Jeremiah T. Weaver, repurchased the mansion from Truman Richards as well as another large similar looking house south of Central Ave. and west of Stewart Ave.  This second house became known as the Weaver house and later as the Totten House and the Texido House.
1865	Catherine McConochie sold the mansion, shortly after her husband died, to Charles W. Hayes.
1868	Charles W. Hayes sold it to Charles G. Vail.
1870	Charles Vail sold it to Orville and Jane Jones and later that same year Orville and Jane Jones sold it to Euphehia Beeckman.
1871	Euphehia Beeckman sold it to Albert Van Dyck for $1.00, evidently in exchange for some service or debt.  Later that same year Van Dyck sold it to the Powers family and it was owned by various members of the Powers family and operated as a hotel until 1908.
1908	The Powers family sold it to Bernard Pouchon.
1918	Bernard Pouchon sold it to Harry G. Wilson.  Three generations of the Wilson family worked in the restaurant.  The Beau Sejour hosted the carriage trade which utilized the Vanderbilt Parkway ( The Old Motor parkway.)  They entertained the rich and the famous as well as hosting local organizations.  The beau had a reputation for very fine dining.  They grew and catered to the aircraft industry, especially the Grumman Aircraft Engineer Corporation which held many corporate functions and luncheons at the Beau.
1973	The Beau  was sold and demolished.

Ed Wilson's Memories

Scanning the roster of early visitors evokes memories of Long Island Golden Era. Those were the days of goggles and dusters, when many noisy autos raced for the Vanderbilt Cup over the Old Motor Parkway. Then it was off to the Beau Sejour for a victory toast and dinner. We ourselves motored out here in our 1916 Ford to Central Park (later Bethpage).

When my parents started their stint here at the Beau Sejour, at the close of World War One, they would often proudly present us children to their favorite customers. It did not matter even if we were already in bed. I recall my sister and I standing at the foot of the stairs being instructed and presented to an important New York Banker. He gave us each a quarter.

My parents always aspiring to do their very best would, on special occasions, create an unmistakable highly motivated atmosphere noticeable throughout the establishment. When a very important guest was here you knew it. Especially Enrico Caruso who sang after dinner out on the front lawn.

Famed explorer Roland Amundsen stayed with us for almost a month while preparing for his next trip to the North Pole.

Other famed and notable people who dined at the Beau were:

Arden, Elizabeth Astor, Vincent - multi millionaire Beaverbrook, Lord of London Bellamy, Ralph - Hollywood Bloomingdale, Mrs. Burns, George and Gracie Allen Byrd, Winefred Carpenter, Scott - Astronaut Chappelle - Of Central Park, New York City Furriers Cluet - Upstate (Rochester) collar manufacturer Cohen, Roy - McCarthy hearings attorney Copperwaithe - New York City Furniture Costello, Frank - 5th amendment fame Crews, John - Commissioner , Brooklyn Donahue - of Woolworth Eisemann, Henry - Insurance 1900's Telephone Hicksville 9 Erickson - Blatz Beer king Faruk I, Prince of Egypt Feldmann, George - of Coney Island Freidman, Samuel - of Bond Clothes Gallon, W. J. - Arrow shirts and textile mills Godfrey, Arthur - Radio and TV fame Good, John - Inventor of Bendix Drive Griffith, D. W. - Early movie pioneer. Grumman, Leroy Hammacher & Schlemmer - Hardware Hardwick, Sir Cedric - New York, Hollywood, London Hemple, Frida - Metropolitan Opera Hendrickson, Milton Henie, Sonja - World Skating Champ Hines, Jimmy - Tammany Hall Honer - Family harmonicas Johnston - Long Island Judge, Hempstead Kahn, Roger W., Jr. - Grumman Aerospace Field Service, composer, Kass, Peggy - Singer Katz, Lawrence - 1918 Metropolitan Opera Bootlegger Kennedy - of Center Island, Bayville, L. I. Kennedy's - of Cape Cod, Sr. and family King, Alan - Long Island Comedian Loy, Myrna - "The Good Earth", Hollywood Marshall, George, K - General Milgram, Jack - New York City Mitchell - General 1918-20 Moses, Robert - N. Y. S. Commissioner Nehru, Madame - Son Abdulla Newman - New York Button King Omally, Walter & Mrs. - Brooklyn Dodgers Patterson, Holly - Nassau County leader Poter, Cole Ranier, Roy - Prince of Monte Carlo, Monaco Raynor, Louise - Hollywood Segal, Bub - L. I. Speakeasy King Shea, Bill - Shea Stadium Shildkraut, Sol - Lincoln dealer Shubert - New York Theatre fame Sidenberg - Schaefer Beer Simpson, Wally and Edward Prince of Wales Smith, Ben - Wall Street Tycoon & Grumman Steinruck, Ken - New York City attorney and entrepreneur Sullivan - Long Island Judge Swirbul, Leon 'Jake' - Grumman executive Tergusen's - Long Island first largest estate Toscanini, Arturo - Director of the Metropolitan Opera Traubel, Helen - Metropolitan Opera Troy, M. B. - Sands Point (yuppie) Truman, Harry - Senator and later president of U. S. Tunny, Gene - Boxing Champ Umdahl, Capt. - Pilot of Norwegian plane Von Braun, Werner Von Herter, Clarence - Countess Voorhees, Don - New York Telephone Hour Orchestra Wagner - Senator of New York City Walker, Jimmy - Mayor of New York City Walters, Barbara - New York City Wanamacher, Rodney - 20's Ziegfield & his follies in his own private luxury coach.

Bedell Family

See Bethpage from Settlement to the Early 20th Century. Settled in the area in the late 18th century. By 1790 the 15 Bedell families soon dominated much of the land to the northeast of the community referred to Bedelltown. They are responsible for the first school in this district.

Bedelltown

See Bethpage from Settlement to the Early 20th Century

Pronounced "Beadle" in the old Welsh tradition. Located north of Elisha Powell's haypath (Cherry Avenue) Harking Back.

Bellini's Nursery and Landscaping

195 Central Avenue

Tree Service Landscape Construction - Topsoil, spraying, manue, tractor work, rototilling.

Benintendi, William - July 11, 1923 to August 9, 1996

Very active, civic-minded man who chaired many benefits and reunions. Member of the Bethpage Fire Department. He compiled a history of Bethpage, the school district and St. Martin of Tours which is on file at The Bethpage Library. (Bethpage History by Rosalie Walsh Niemczyk)

Benkert, Albrecht (1823-1888)

German immigrant, opened General Store in 1850's, Postmaster, in charge of RR depot, operated retail coal and wood business.

Benkert, George (1866-1929)

Nephew of Albrecht Benkert, German immigrant.  Inherited general store and post office from uncle, operated retail coal and wood business and Central Park Cider Mill located on Stewart Avenue, charter member of St. Paul Lutheran church.  Father of Albrecht, George, Hans, Frederick, Elise and Amelia.

Benkert, George (June 24, 1890 - February 10, 1919)

Son of George Benkert, served in WWI, died during flu epidemic, VFW Post 516 in Farmingdale named in his honor. Buried in Methodist Cemetery with many other Benkerts.

Benkert, Mae (Mamie)

President of the Bethpage Comfort Committee which was responsible in sending each boy, serving our country during World War II, $1.00 each month.

Mae was President of the Bethpage Defense Council. Fifty-eight men and women comprise this council, which included a demolition crew, first aid workers, and an ambulance. Mae drove the ambulance. The ambulance she drove was used ordinarily as a taxi. When the air raid alert sounded the taxi was made over into an ambulance, and reported to council headquarters. One of the toughest jobs was putting the stretchers and other paraphernalia needed into the ambulance. This equipment was stored in a garage.

Included in the unit were four school busses, owned by Mae Benkert. These buses were used to evacuate the population to a safer place in the event of an air raid. These busses were normally used to transport the children of nearby communities to school. Mae claims the distinction of being the only woman school bus operator in Nassau County. She did not have an easy time to get the contract for school bus transportation. Whether it was a doubt about the ability of a woman to handle the job of a bus operator or some other unknown reason.

Mae was president of the Bethpage Fire Department Auxiliary and member of the Roosevelt Republican Club.

With her husband, Hans, Mae lives with her family: Muriel, Jean, Georgiana, and Howard.

Benkert Street

Named in honor of George Benkert

Benkert

Coal yard, gas station, __ Co. (South of Railroad tracks)  Central Park Cider Mill, Prop., George Benkert.

Benkert's Bus Transportation

467 Broadway.

Mamie and Hans Benkert

Benkert's Service Station

Baldwin Place

Sunoco gas, oils & accessories, Kelly tires.

Beth Drugs

Broadway

Bethpage

From Settlement to the Early 20th Century

Thomas Powell, the man after whom our local Yorkers Club is named, was the original owner of what is today parts of Farmingdale, Bethpage, Old Bethpage, Plainview, Huntington and Plainedge.  When the first settlers came to what today is Bethpage, the land was still owned by the Powells, who have been in the area since 1695.

The first man to settle the area was Rowland Pearsall, who bought his farmland from a Powell.  He lived near where Plainview Rd. intersects with Cherry Ave. from about 1748 until his death. The farm was in his family until the mid-1850's.

Plainview Rd, from Haypath Rd. to Central Ave., was the first section of the town to be built up.  In addition to the Pearsalls, there were the Bedells, Whitsons, Powells and Stymuses.

While it was not certain when the Bedells came here, they were one of the larger families present when the federal census of 1790 was taken; at that time William was the head of the clan.  The farm, just north of the Pearsalls was in the hands of the Bedells until the early 1900's, when Carles, the last member here, sold it to Osios Karp, who operated a pickle factory on it.

Nathaniel Whitson had his home just south of the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway's Plainview Rd. exit.  He came here in the the late 1700's or early 1800's and his family moved out about 1828.  While the Whitsons were not a very important family here, they are mentioned because an old-time name for the low area the expressway traverses there is given after them: Whitson's Hollow.

The Powells, on the other hand, were much more important family.  The first one here was Thomas Powell IV (all the other Powells before him lived in Farmingdale or Old Bethpage), whose house was just south of Nat Whitson's, the farm, however stretched from about Powell to Cherry Aves., north and south, and from Grumman's, east and west.  They came here in the mid 1700's, after Rowland and Pearsall did.  By 1790. Powell had a family of eight and one slave (at that time Quakers did not as a rule, condemn all slavery, only that which embodied mistreatment of the slaves; the Powells were Quakers at this time)

Finally, there was Christopher Stymus, whose home was between Norcross and Central Aves.  He was a fairly well-to-do man who lived in Gravesend, Brooklyn, when he bought his first parcel of land here, in 1763, from Tunis Van Cotts, who in turn, had bought it from a Powell.

The makeup of Bedeltown (as Bethpage was then known), remained basically unchanged for almost 100 years after its initial settlement.  A Dunn family purchased land, where Campagne School School is today, in 1850, and Joshua Hobbs, whose home is still standing at the intersection of Farmers and Stewart Ave., bought land there and in the mid-1820's, most likely from the Bedells.  In 1836, John Jarvis, a Quaker from Melville, purchased the Western end of the Powell estate from John Powell, a son of Thomas IV and his principal heir.  Jarvis' home was where the community park is today. These families were those present during Bethpage's first "land boom."

The author is not prepared to give an explanation for the Pre Civil War expansion that our community suddenly went through, but it did happen and it did have the understandable effect on the community.

By 1859, there were a large number of new people settling the land that has previously been unused.  The Pearsalls sold their home and moved away, and the farm was constantly changing hands from then on until its dissolution.  A man named Gustavus Zipple, who had come from the West Indies, had a farm around where Anselmi's Restaurant was, and another Gustavus, Mr. Witte, bought land between Stymus' and John Powell's in Whitson's Hollow, near Manchester Lane.  Albrecht Benkert, a German merchant, operated the first railroad station here and was a early merchant and Postmaster.  Finally, in the northern part of town, Daniel Margot had a farm on what was Skellington Lane, and a man named Hodges had one that was operated in part by the Gerhards.  There were others too Ash, Evans and Quigley-but none were important.

Of the above mentioned people, all except Mr. Benkert were typical farmers.  However, the Bethpage of that time also had another kind of landowner: the speculators who had the town' first post office designation given as "Central Park" in order to attract people.

The largest land dealers were Alexander McConochie, a merchant from Brooklyn, his son-in-law Jeremiah T. Waever, and Baltis M. Fowler.

McConochie first started buying land here in the early 1840's from local people, and other outside owners as well.  It was not odd in those days to buy many large tracts of land, and McConochies did, as a matter of fact, he and the Weavers controlled a good deal of Central Park's land for over twenty years. At one time or another, they owned the land west of Stewart Ave,  much of it opposite Stewart Ave. from that; and about half of the state park land in Bethpage. The tracing of the deeds and land transfers for the period is very hard, because, for legal and financial reasons, the land was sometimes sold four or five times within the family, which leads to confusion.

McConochie, like many well-to-do people, did not live here permanently. Rather, he lived in Brooklyn and used his mansion, now known as the Beau Sejour, in the summer. J.T. Weaver, while he never owned it, also lived in it, as McConochie probably let his daughter and her family live in it also. (J.T. Weaver was married to Adelia McConochie.)

The Story of Alexander McConochie does not have a fairy tale ending, however. Some time after he cleared his land in Central Park, by selling it to his wife, his daughter and some outsiders, he seems to have made some bad business deals, for it is recorded that on 12-19-1859, Alexander, and his partner, James D. McConochie, having been lent money and having been unable to repay it, had all the land held by Alexander delivered to James B. Beers for auction.

Baltis Fowler had a partnership with a man named Henry Franklin. While they did most of their land purchasing in the Hicksville area, Fowler was recorded as the owner of two homes here: one on Stewart just south of Central Ave., and the other on Central near Seaman. The last named home was originally owned by J.T. Weaver, and served as Central Park's first Post Office, with Weaver as Postmaster. Altogether, Fowler was small potatoes compared to Weaver and McConochie.

The growth of the town continued through the rest of the 19th century . By 1870,Gustav Wittle had moved out of Whitsons' Hollow, selling his farm to Peter Nibbe, who owned it until about 1920. Mr. Zipple also left, selling his farm to William Knowland; from him it eventually went to the Capron family, who owned it through the early 20th century. John Powell's estate, valued at $10,000 in 1870, was quite diminished; it was down to the section that today is within the state park. He had sold sections to John Jarvis and some others to his children. In 1860 his elder son Charles died and his estate, from Powell Ave. to the Junior High and Broadway to the expressway, was sold to a distant cousin, Thomas U. Powell. This man was born in the Powell homestead that today is apart of the Old Bethpage Village Restoration. He was a distinguished looking man, with keen eyes and long chin wishers.

Through this period there were but few people in town who did not farm to make their livings. From about 1855 onward we had a one-room school house, and there were teachers employed as such. The first was Elizabeth Hubbs, the wife of Joshua; after her came Mrs. Grey, a relation of the Stymuses, who taught until the 20th century. Carl Damn was an early blacksmith, Marcus Schelhammer made cigars (a "segar maker", as the 1880 census put it), Louis Klug working on the Long Island Railroad and Augustus Freitag, who lived in what today is the Knights of Columbus Hall, was a silver beater (made silver leaf by pounding lumps of silver into paper thin sheets).

1960 view of Grumman/Bethpage taken by Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation:

Bethpage Historical Maps

Broadway Circa 1940

Bethpage Aircraft Federal Credit Union

Now know as the Bethpage Federal Credit Union. Serving employees of Grumman Aircraft with savings accounts, loans for every purpose and dividends paid on savings.

Source: Grumman Yankees 1949

Bethpage Assembly of God

The Central Park Pentecostal Church met for about eight years in a meeting room above Deubel's Restaurant on the corner of Stewart Avenue and Central Avenue where the Nassau County Police Booth is now located.  In l922 the people built a small chapel on the east side of Stewart Avenue south of Central Avenue.  Here they met until 1952 when they merged with the Assemblies of God Church.  In the spring of l953 the congregation began to construct the present church and educational building.  Most of the labor was done by members of the congregation.

Bethpage Bake Shop

Broadway and Central Ave.

"The finest in Baking" - Adjacent to the St. Martin of Tours Roman Catholic Church. Original owner Edward Sengstacken.  August Kurth, Prop.

Bethpage Bowling Center

4115 Hempstead Turnpike

The cleanest and friendliest Bowling Center in the USA.

Bethpage Cadets of America

The cadets is a military unit sponsored by the Central Boulevard PTA which has been active since 1955. They also sponsor a drill team and bugle and drum corps.

From the BETHPAGE TRIBUNE, July l, 1976

Bethpage Central Civic Association

Founded by Mike Steiniger, the association's President, in October 1986.  Their purpose is to act as a watchdog over the community.

Bethpage Colonials (Fife, Drum and Bugle Corps)

Bethpage Tribune article of Sept. 13-19, 2002 by Frank Grossmann

Butehorn Brothers V.F.W. Post 4987 of Bethpage formed a Fife Drum and Bugle Corps, consisting of young children playing marching music, at some time this went out of existence in the Post. They went on to become "The Bethpage Colonials" in 1958. As a parent sponsored group, they appointed Mr. Frank Grossmann of Bethpage the director, and along with many of the parents the corps flourished and carried the name Bethpage to many places in the United States, they also made a trip to Ireland for the St. Patricks Day Parade in Dublin.

The children 8 years and up continued to learn music playing Fifes and Drums, those that did not want to play an instrument, joined a Color Guard which was formed along with a Drum Major. They were taught by qualified instructors, some belonged to the Minute Men Fife and Drum Corps of Long Island, several of their children were in the corps.

Colonial ancient fife and drum corps originated in the early period of our history. The marching cadence was 110 (the same as the bagpipe bands of today, also The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps of US Army), this enabled our foot soldiers to march many miles, also many tunes were played on the fifes which provided them rhythm to march to. Such as Rally Around the Flag, Road to Boston, Yankee Doodle, the songs and tunes went into the hundreds all with the Ancient beat. Instruments were wood fifes and rope tension drums, color guards, flag bearers, muskets all were used then and still with the corps now.

Achievements and Appearances

Made a recording for the Valley Forge Freedom Foundation. Buddy Ebsen narrated a story about the Freedom Fighters. The Colonials provided the background music as he quoted the Bill of Rights as it ended the corps played the Star Spangled Banner. Upon the screen appeared our logo with the name Bethpage. This was distributed through the country. Many of the members continued in the music world, doctors, nurses, policemen, served in the Military. Some married within the corps, and their children are in the corps.

Led the famous Gasperilla Pirate Parade in Tampa, Florida in the year 1966.

Appeared four times in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parades. Once put a show at Macy's which was on national television.

Featured at the New York World's Fair 1964-1965 at Continental Insurance Pavilion provided weekend appearances plus music played by recordings during the weekdays.

Played for the Daughters of the American Revolution at the Plaza Hotel in New York twice.

Frank Grossmann received Citizenship Award on behalf of the corps from The Sons of the American Revolution.

Political rally for President Ford and President Nixon.

Played Star Spangled Banner at opening football game at Shea Stadium for the New England Patriots and Giants game.

Played at a Muster of many Colonial Ancient Fife and Drum Corps. The Host corps was the U.S. Army. The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, the Third United Stants Infantry (Pershings own). Later four of the Bethpage Colonials joined this famous Corps, Tom Grossmann, Thor Abrahamson, Tom Shea, Gus Baabe. time. (Note: Musters are meetings of many Ancient fife and drum corps. When they get together they play the same tunes all using the proper rudiments and the same type fifes).

Marched in Many Bethpage Parades

At Ancient fife and drum competitions were awarded first place in individual and full corps playing. The corps at one time could field 3 corps, a senior, a junior, and a novice corps. At some time there were near 100 members plus members in corps, all being taught to be patriotic, respectful, and a great American.

The Bethpage Colonials members went from children to adults and were all a credit to this town. I will list a few family names: Steubing, Grossmann, Kunzig, Shea, Christie, Cornwell, Gabbola, Lakis, Curly, Flynn, Essex, Holzhauer, Ringwald, Weisgerber, Culkin, Urhan, Zampino, Gish, McKay, Fogarty, Lewis, Troendle, Chalmers, Kruszewski, Cloonan, Budd, Paschke, Connoly, Degnal, Musgrave, Warnken.

Bethpage Community Park

The Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp. donated an 18-acre site valued at about $720,000 to Oyster Bay Township for the construction of a community park and swimming pool complex in Bethpage. The undeveloped property is on the west side of Stewart Avenue at Cherry Avenue, north of the Grumman plant and opposite Bethpage High School.

The park was forced to close in 2002 due to contaminated land. The pool was reopened in 2003 and the playground for the children was reopened in the fall of 2003. In January 2006 the ball fields and picnic areas remain closed till those areas are clean of contaminates.

Bethpage Day

On Wednesday, September 20, 1989 Angelo Delligatti presented a proclamation to the Central Park Historical Society designating the first Saturday in October as "Bethpage Day" in recognition of the changing of the name from Central Park to Bethpage on October 3, 1936.  The presentation was made to president Daniel M. Schiavetta.  The first Bethpage Day was held on October 6, 1990 in the Bethpage Community Park.

Bethpage Day was organized as a day to celebrate Bethpage -- a day when the Bethpage Community will recognize all the organizations, houses of worship, schools, merchants, residents of our town! Unfortunately, in the year 2000, CPHS voted not to hold Bethpage Day.

Bethpage Delicatessen

Broadway, opposite Post Office. (c.1946)

John Geffken, Proprietor.

Bethpage Drive-In Theater

Located in the area where the Seaford Oyster Bay Expressway (NY 135) intersects Hempstead Tpk. on the south side. It was dismantled to make room for the expressway.

Bethpage Federal Credit Union

October 28, 1941 was the first day of operation of the Credit Union.  One hundred fourteen members deposited $413.50.  In l965 the Credit Union moved from Plant 2 to a separate building adjacent to Plant 2 and expanded the hours of service as well as the products offered.

In l974 its new location was at 1101 Stewart Avenue.  The name was changed to Bethpage Federal Credit Union.  On July 25, 1988 the Credit Union moved to 899 S. Oyster Bay Road.   http://www.bfcu.com/

Bethpage Feed Company

About 1949 on Stewart Ave owned by Charles Campagne

Bethpage Fire Department

The Central Park Fire Department was organized in April 1910 under the name of Central Park Fire Company and was incorporated under that name in May 1911.  In January 1924 it was reorganized as a department consisting of two companies, to be known as Company No. 1 and Company No. 2.

The original fire house stood on Stewart Avenue at the corner of Baldwin Place.  The local firemen used a hand-drawn chemical reactor which was sometimes hitched to Mr. Gutenburger's horse and wagon.  By l915, William Burnham's automobile had been commandeered to tow the apartatus.  In l920 Charles Romscho, Sr. became the first fire chief and by 1923, the department had a motor truck.

The first alarm system was Dr. Louis A. Luttge receiving the fire call at his home on Broadway, and then, by an attachment on his telephone, he sounded the alarm atop the firehouse.  Firemen would then telephone the doctor to learn where the fire was.

In l949, BFD headquarters were built on Broadway.  The building included a meeting hall, a wing for the library, an office for the water district as well as a garage to house the trucks and equipment.  Substations were built in l956.  The land for the northern station located on Stewart Avenue opposite Farmers Avenue was donated by Grumman Corporation, and the fire department purchased the land on Union Avenue for the southern station.

The BFD received 600 calls in 1958 and 1,760 in l986  ________________
In l958 the BFD consisted of 6,700 homes and in l986 7.600 homes ___________
The district consists of a 7.8 square mile area.

At least 12 lives were lost due to fire.  On May 25, 1978 Captain Joseph Dunn and firefighter Robert Hassett perished while fighting a blaze on Hempstead Turnpike.

Brass Bell - It was originally located inside the cupola of the original firehouse on Stewart Avenue.  It is now located in front of the building.

First alarm:  Iron circle at the corner of Central and Peach Street.

Bethpage Fire Department Chiefs 1910-1999
Year	Name
1910	John Kunz
1911	George Baldwin
1912	George Benkert
1913	Henry Rudolf
1914-16	Alfred Guerin
1917-19	Frank Linn
1920-22	Charles Romscho
1927	Chief: Charles Romscho First Assistant Chief: Louis Damm Second Assistant Chief: Fred W. Lauman
1928-29	Fred Laumann
1930	Fred Benkert
1931-33	Frank Eales
1934-35	Charles Keuchler
1936	James Dimeto
1937-38	Corbett Osworth
1939	Louis Donolli
1940-43	Sal Greco, Sr.
1944	George Seitz
1945-47	Eugene Albertson, Sr.
1947-49	Edward Thorn
1949-52	Robert Gillespie
1952-53	Harold Looney
1953-54	George Ludwig
1954-56	Edward Schaaf
1956-57	Gustave Bernhardt
1957-58	Michael Greco
1958-59	Edward Cava
1959-60	Michael Manicini
1960-62	Henry Suhr, Sr.
1962-64	Dom Mancini
1964-65	Eugene Albertson, Jr.
1966-68	Franci Pendl
1968-70	Louis Kunzig
1970-72	Andrew Steinmuller
1972-74	Arthur Reichardt
1974-76	Sal Greco, Jr.
1976-77	David Nathan, Sr.
1978-79	Vincent Monaco
1980	James Emken, Jr.
1981-82	Albert Castaldi
1983	Micheal Croan Sr.
1984-85	Francis DeBobes
1986-87	Robert Wright
1988-89	Peter L. Hance
1990-91	F. Brian Durr
1991-93	John Fitzwilliam
1993-95	Anthony N. Mancini
1996-97	Gary P. Hearn
1998-99	Peter A. Bianco
2000-01	John Sullivan
2001-02	Brian Wall
2003-	James L. Baudille, Sr.

Bethpage Fire Department's Ladies Auxiliary

On August 5, 1941 a group of ladies, whose husbands or brothers were members of the Bethpage Fire Department, met at the original Fire House on Stewart Avenue (opp. Kearney Avenue) and formed a Ladies Auxiliary to the Bethpage Fire Department.  There were 34 charter members.  The first officers were Pres. - Mae Benkert, Vice Pres. - Rose Seitz, Secy. - Marita Looney, Treas. - Lillian Keuchler.

According to Evelyn Auer, the first fund raising activity was a card party, held at the Firehouse which raised $125.00.  In l942 the "Comfort Committee" was organized to raise money to help the servicemen of World War II from Bethpage, various items:  candy, cigarettes, books, cookies, etc. were regularly sent to our boys in service.  The first annual dinner was held August 8, l942 at the Colonial Inn (Broadway opp. stores, south of RR) cost was 75 cents per meal.

Bethpage Florist

Bethpage Jewish Community Center

Early in l955 the Jewish Community in Bethpage joined together and held their first meeting in member's home.  Then the Assembly of God Church on Stewart Avenue was made available to the community.  As membership grew the need for additional space was evident.  Land was purchased at 600 Broadway in l957 and on April 24, 1960 the Jewish Temple was dedicated.

Bethpage Meat Market

C. Merk, Prop.

Prime Meats & Poultry, Frozen Foods. 293 Broadway

Source: Bethpage Little League Score Card 1953

Bethpage Methodist Church

The first house of worship in Central Park (Bethpage) was the Methodist Episcopal Church founded by Joshua Powell (great, great grandson of Thomas Powell) in l835.  This church stood on Hicksville-Massapequa Road in the area of the cemetery at the end of Central Avenue.  In l920 the worshippers moved the church to where it stands today on Broadway south of Central Avenue.  Services have been conducted in this building for more than 150 years.

(Land donated by Joshua Powell where the Plainedge Cemetery is at the west end of Central Avenue at the junction of Hicksville Road.  It was called the Plainedge Methodist Church and Joshua Powell was the first minister.Submitted by Jack Gifford)

Bethpage Movie Theater

Located on the south side of the turnpike across from New Island Hospital (Mid-Island Hospital) where the Bethpage Medical Building and lab is now located.

Bethpage Nash

Broadway Bethpage

Source: Bethpage Little League Score Card

Bethpage Newsgram

Local newspaper published every Friday by Litmor Publishing Corp. Located on 81 E. Barclay St., Hicksville. Meg Norris publisher.

Bethpage Paint and Wallpaper Corp.

358 Broadway

Benjamin Moore - Dutch Boy Paint

Bethpage Panthers

Founded in August, 1965 by Ben Zuk and Richard Medford. The original teams were fielded in 1966. There were 28 Pee-Wee Boys under the coaching staff of Jim Hoagland, Dick Medford, Andy Hagen, Al Paggio and Ben Zuk. Bill LaSalla, Al Ariel and Bill Conner coached the original 27 boys on the Junior Varsity Team. A cheerleading squad was founded that same year with fifteen girls under the leadership of Jo Ann Napoli and Paulette Karas. The Ladies Auxiliary was founded by Marge Zuk, Linda LaSalla, Delores Ariel, Nancy Medford and Jean Conner.

From the BETHPAGE TRIBUNE, July 1, 1976

Bethpage Pharmacy

334 Broadway, Bethpage - 516-931-1481

Steve, Jeff and Cathy formerly of Hart-Bymor Drugs opened in March 2003.

Bethpage Post Office

Jeremiah T. Weaver was Bethpage's first postmaster operating out of his home on Central Avenue. In 1949, 'at home' deliveries began, and mail was delivered twice daily. By 1950, the post office was forced to limit mail deliveries to once daily.

In 1977, the post office was renovated, expanding window service and the box section to provide customers with better service. Bethpage was assigned the number 11714.

The United States Government leased the Post Office building on Central Avenue from Dan Kellner who constructed the building in 1953. The District contained about 3,500 homes in the l950's; there are over 7,000 homes today.

The new post office is located on Hicksville Road.

Bethpage Public Library

In October of l926 the Central Park Free Library was organized as an Association Library with 41 Members. It was quartered in a small store near the railroad station.  The board of directors included:  Mr. S.I. Hicks, Mrs. A. Sorenson, Mr. H.G. Holzmacher, Mr. O.B. Briggs and Mr. E.A. Rosenthal.

Some of the first librarians were:  Harriet Holmes, Elin Abramson, O.B. Briggs, Ardella Farnsworth and Matilda Fredericks.  They cataloged the first 3300 volumes.

February 17, 1927 it was granted a Provisional Charter by the Regents of the University of the State of New York. The book collection numbered 550 volumes.

In 1929 the library closed temporarily due to the financial difficulties. It reopened in October after $2,500 in tax support was approved by voters. In 1931 the library became a school district library supported by tax levy. The Library's name was changed to the Central Park Public Library.

In 1936 Central Park became Bethpage and in 1942 the Regents amended the Library's charter to read Bethpage Public Library. In autumn, the library moved to larger rented quarters at corner of Broadway and Railroad Ave.

In June of 1949 the Library moved to the Fire Department building on Broadway. In 1959 the Adult collection moved to rented quarters at 237 Broadway while the Children's Services continued at the firehouse. The first children's librarian, Louise Carr, was appointed.

Bethpage was one of the original 38 members to join the Nassau Library System.

In 1961 Gibbons and Heidtmann were selected as architects for a new building to be constructed on site of the Powell Avenue School.

On February 17, 1962 the building program received 5 to 1 margin of voter approval. In August construction of a new building began.

July 29, 1963 the new library building opened; the dedication was held on November 10. Those who served on the Library Board of Trustees during the planning, construction and dedication of the library building were Joseph G. Brennan, Leon C. Carlen, Robert J. Glasser, Victor L. Miller, Jacob Schaaf, and Louis A. Sisia.

By l966 the Library went on a 62 hour per week schedule -- staying open all weekday evenings to 9:00 P.M., Saturday to 5:00 P.M.

Henry Miesels, who had been director of the library since ___, resigned in l967 to head Corn Belt Library System in Illinois. David Pinkwas appointed Library Director in December of 1966.

The library was renovated in the mid-1990s. At that time an auditorium was added.

Description of this photo to follow.

Bethpage Purchase

The name Bethpage meaning "house of figs" or "land of plenty" is a biblical name. It was located between Jerusalem (today Wantagh) to the south and Jericho to the north. Bethpage is noted in the Gospel according to Mathew. Thomas Powell changed the spelling of the name from the biblical Bethphage to Bethpage.

In 1695 Thomas Powell, an Englishman, who had a successful career in public service in Huntington, and a very devout Quaker purchased the land from the Indians. The Marsapeaques, the Matinecocs, and the Sacatogues sold the land for 140 English pounds. The land covered more than 15 square miles or about 10,000 acres. This included part of towns today known as Bethpage, Farmingdale (including south and east Farmingdale), Old Bethpage, Plainview, Plainedge, and part of Melville. It was 3 ½ miles east to west and 5 miles north to south.

The deed from the Indians to Powell is recorded in the Queen's County Clerks office. The deed also notes that the Indians reserve the right to pick berries, hunt, and gather wood on the property sold.

See Rim of the Woods Purchase

Bethpage Railroad Station

See Long Island Railroad.

Bethpage Rambler

Sales, service - Anthony Amato.  309 Broadway.

Bethpage Rotary Club

The Rotary Club of Bethpage was formed March 7, 1955 with 22 charter members.  Mr. Fank Toole served as its first president.  It is a branch of the greater Rotary Organization that was founded in Chicago in 1905.  The membership is comprised of local businessmen who are willing to devote time and energy in employing the club's motto: "Service Above Self".  They assist all needy people and towns all over the world.

Bethpage School Song

Verse:

The light shines bright in our window for Bethpage our Bethpage.
In darkness it comes shining through to light our way.
When all seems lost and forsaken we turn to thee once more.
Bethpage we know you'll be with us forever and ever more.

Chorus:

The Blue and Gold are passing by, stand up and give a cheer.
The Blue and Gold are passing by, stand up and give a cheer.
For gallantry and sportmanship none other can compare.
We spur our teams to victory each grand and glorious year
The Blue and Gold are passing by, stand up and give a cheer.
The Blue and Gold are passing by, stand up and give a cheer.
Faithful to our school we'll be able and true to our Bethpage.
So let us hear a mighty cheer, Hurrah, Hurrah, Bethpage!

Bethpage State Park

In l931 1,368 acres transecting the Nassau-Suffolk border were purchased by the Long Island State Park Commission.  This acreage comprised lands controlled by heirs of Benjamin Yoakum, a Texas railroad magnate who died in l930. Jesse Merritt, the Nassau County Historian and direct descendant of Thomas Powell, convinced Commissioner Robert Moses that the land should be called "Bethpage State Park." The Yoakum Tract, located north of Farmingdale and south of "Central Park" was ideally suited for a State Park.  It was hilly and well-wooded.  The terrain lent itself to golf, tennis, polo and horseback riding.  The land had one 18-hole golf course already.  The Yoakum heirs offered the land for $1,100.000 including improvements.  This came to $850 per acre.  There was no money available to the Commission, so the Town of Oyster Bay and Suffolk County contributed $20,000 and $10,000 respectively. The existing golf course was leased to a private club, the "Lenox Hills Country Club."  The Lenox Hills Country Club started an action against the Park Commission, the County of Suffolk and the Town of Oyster Bay, seeking an injunction to prevent the sale of the property.  The motion was denied. The Bethpage Commission was formed- a non-profit organization that operated the Club House, which was opened to the public in the spring of 1932.  This was during the Depression and money was very tight. In 1933, Governor Lehman and the N.Y. State Legislature passed Chapter 801, which established the "Bethpage Park Authority".The Yoakums agreed to accept $100, 000 in cash and $900,000 in Park Authority bonds secured by a mortgage and revenues from operating this park.  Title closed May 18, 1934. A new club house, three additional golf courses, a polo field, etc, began in 1934-1935, as a Work Relief Project.  1,800 men were given employment.  An idle furniture factory was taken over and with work-relief men, all the furniture for the new clubhouse was made.

Bethpage State Parkway

www.nycroads.com/roads/bethpage

Bethpage Sweet Shop, Inc.

Al Bogner, Prop. Toys, Stationery, Gifts, Whitman's Chocolate, Hallmark Greeting Cards # Hicksville 447

Source: From Bethpage Newsgram, November 17, 1945

Bethpage Tool and Hardware

Established on Broadway in l941 by Ray Asher.  In l949 he sold it to Leo Schottland, a published author, whose works include memoirs and poems.  In l975, Schottland retired and sold the store to George Johnson, his son-in-law, who expanded the store services. Allen Asher, son of the original owner works in the store.

Bethpage Tribune

Bethpage local newspaper. Founded by Florence Cullem. In October 2002, the Bethpage Tribune celebrated 40 years in Bethpage. The paper is proud to state it was founded by women and is owned by women. The paper serves Bethpage, Island Trees, Old Bethpage, Plainview, Seaford and Plainedge. The paper is published weekly by Nassau Tribune Publications Inc. at 329 Broadway, Bethpage.

Publisher and editor is Linda Mangano.

Bethpage Water District

In May l923 the Central Park Water District was created to provide residents with a public water supply.  The Special Improvement District was operated by three elected Water Commissioners. The first storage tank was a 100,000 gallon wood structure (wood or metal???) which was used until l953 at which time the present day tower located on Adams Avenue was constructed.  In l957, the wooden storage tank was torn down and the current headquarters was erected in its place.

The water supply is provided from eight wells drilled into the Magothy aquifer. The Water District is governed by ___; Number of wells ____? Testing schedule ____?

The first encounter with pollutants was in the l940's when the problem of chromate waste was successfully resolved.  In the l960's two of the three wells became contaminated with nitrates and one with chromates at Grumman's Plant 1. >>>>>In l981 the Bethpage State Park and the Water District negotiated a deal resulting in the purchase of seven acres of unused land not far from Charles Campagne School for construction of a new well and pump station.Commissioners >>>>>(Water tower was once on Grumman property south of railroad)

Bethpage Wine and Liquor Store

328 Broadway opposite the A&P.  In ____ moved to King Kullen Shopping Center.  William Albers was the original owner of the shop near Baldwin Place.

Bethpagians

A group of local young men, playing in the "Big Band" style in the late 1930's in Bethpage and surrounding communities for dancing.  Consisted of 14 players:  Al Kordula - trumpet and leader, Bobby Damm - trombone, Fred Kramer - trumpet, Harold Anderson - trumpet, Kenneth Kaufman - trumpet, Everett Baldwin - bass, Jack Gifford - drums (Jack joined the band after the original drummer left), Wesley Klug - piano, Ed Schaaf - saxophone, John Mancuso - saxaphone, Howard Baldwin - saxaphone, Nick Leo - accordion

This orchestra was the development of the original band that was formed for St. Paul's Lutheran Church's strawberry festival in l937.  The original group was : Piano: Wes Klug Drummer:Jack Gifford Violins: Ken Kaufman and Everett Baldwin Trumpets: Harold Anderson and Fred Kramer Sax: Edward Schaaf

This group expanded under the leadership of Al Kordula using the name of "Bethpagians."  I remember then practicing in our living room as my mom, Mrs. John Klug, offered it to them until they could find another place.  They played together until after the war.  They reorganized in l946 as the "Barons."  This new group was made up of: Trumpet: Al Kordula and John Mancuso Accordion/Sax:Nick Leo Drums: Fred Kramer Bass: Everett Baldwin Piano: Francis Arnold From:  Aline Klug Scherer

Blacksmith Shop

Owned by the Baldwin Brothers on the corner of Stewart Ave. and Baldwin Place.

Bob's Electronic Service

Robert Purcell, 380 Broadway

Source: Bethpage Little League Score Card 1953

Bogners

See Bethpage Sweet Shop

Bohack Shopping Center

Borella Field

The residents of Bethpage approved the sale of Borella Field, Plainview Road, on October 5, 2004. The sale will help offset taxes, provide additional capital improvement, and preserve parkland. The Town of Oyster Bay agreed to purchase the property (10.27 acres) for a price of $4.25 million dollars.

The land was purchased with SEA money (Save Environmental Assets). This is a dedicated fund that must be used for open space preservation. The park will accommodate the need for playing fields for Town of Oyster Bay sports leagues. There will be three baseball fields, two little league diamonds and one regulation diamond as well as one soccer field.

The Borella family once farmed this land.

Borowitz Gulf Station

Botto, Joseph

Owned a large tract of land which was sold to New York for the park and golf courses.

Botto's Pond

Where many people ice-skated in the l920's and 30's. Located where the fairway to the __ hole of the ____ course is today.

Boy Scouts

Troop 118 - First scoutmaster Orville Briggs. Edgar Smeltzer was Assistant Scout Master. (Bethpage Tribune 4/16/87)

Troop 324

Brennan, Joseph Gerard

A philosopher, educator and author. He was born in Boston on November 2, 1910.
Brennan is the author of several books including Thomas Mann's World, 1942, The Meaning of  Philosophy, 1953, A Handbook of Logic, 1957, The Education of a Prejudiced Man, 1977,  Foundations of Moral Obligation 1992. He was a founding trustee of the Levittown Public Library and a trustee of the Bethpage Public Library from 1956 to 1980.

See more about Joseph Gerard Brennan in:Authors of Books for Young People. Third edition. By Martha E. Ward et al. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1990. Contemporary Authors, New Revision Series. A bio-bibliographical guide to current writers in fiction, general  nonfiction, poetry, journalism, drama, motion pictures, television, and other fields. Volume 69. Detroit: Gale Research,  1999.Directory of American Scholars. Sixth edition, Volume 4: Philosophy,Religion, & Law. New York: R.R. Bowker Co., 1974. Directory of American Scholars. Seventh edition, Volume 4: Philosophy,Religion, & Law. New York: R.R. Bowker Co., 1978.Who's Who in America. 38th - 53rd editions, 1974/1975 - 1999. Wilmette, IL: Marquis Who'sWho,

Bretton, Gary

Owner and Operator of Bretton’s Deli and Catering 1971 - present (2006)
Bethpage PAL President 2002 - present (2006)
Bethpage Community Foundation, Founder and President. 1988 - present (2006)
Vietnam Veterans of America Associate Lifetime Member
Newsday 1995 Volunteer Award
Bethpage Youth Center Director 1998 - present (2006)
Bethpage Chamber of Commerce Co Founder/President 1990 - present (2006)
Bethpage Water Commissioner, 2006 -

Briarcliffe College

Primarily a 2-year, coed college founded in 1966. It moved to Bethpage, in what was Grumman's Corporation's Building 35, at 1055 Stewart Avenue in February of 1997. http://www.briarcliffe.edu/

Broadway Garage

J. Ferrara

Ignition, Auto Supplies, Overhauling, Greasing, Towing, Brake Service. 255 Broadway

Source: Bethpage Little League Score card 1953

Broadway Gulf Service Station

Auto Repairs, Lubrication, Tires, Tubes, Batteries, Accessories. 326 Broadway

Source: Bethpage Little League Score card 1953

Broadway Meat Market

Gottleman Bros. Props. located one block north of the railroad tracks on Broadway. Telephone #Hicksville 836 (THE CENTRAL PARK NEWS 10/3/29)

Broad Hollow/Broad Spring

Intersection of Central Avenue and Quaker Meeting House Road. See Bethpage Bygones by Iris and Alonzo Gibbs.

Builders and Architects

Foster

Miller

Sivere, Warren - (British?) 102 homes west of Stewart Avenue. Built on Walsh farms l953.

Burnham Brothers Garage

South of St. Vincent de Paul on Broadway on site of parking lot.

Butehorn

Sgt. Joesph L. Butehorn

Born July 24, 1922 in Bethpage, NY. Entered the U.S. Marine Air Force October 15, 1942.He was killed in action in the Pacific; May 10, 1945.

Pvt. Charles E. Butehorn

Born June 12, 1925 in Richmond Hill, NY. Entered the service on November 1, 1943. He served during the invasions of Africia, Italy, and Southern France. He was killed in action in France; November 28, 1944

Henry and Katherine Butehorn had a family of three boys and two girls. Two sons, Charlie and Joe, were killed six months apart in W.W. II.  A street in McCordville was named for the family.

(See Newsday, August 13, 1998, Part 2.)

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