Cow Neck Peninsula facts for kids
The Cow Neck Peninsula is a piece of land in Nassau County, New York, on the North Shore of Long Island. It sticks out into the water, surrounded by bays and the Long Island Sound.
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What is the Cow Neck Peninsula?
The Cow Neck Peninsula got its name in the 1600s. Back then, it was a big open field where cows would graze. That's why it was called "Cow Neck."
Today, this area is known for its beautiful homes and old, charming towns. It was also famous for its sand mines during the 1900s. These mines were located along Hempstead Harbor.
The Famous Sand Mines
Did you know that a huge amount of sand from the Port Washington sand mines helped build New York City? Experts believe that about 90% of the concrete used for building foundations in New York City came from here. Over 100 million tons of sand were sent to Manhattan from these mines!
The Cow Neck Peninsula is also known by a couple of other names. Some people call it Manhasset Neck, while others simply say Cow Neck.
Where is the Cow Neck Peninsula Located?
The Cow Neck Peninsula has water on three sides. On its west side, you'll find Manhasset Bay. To the east, it's bordered by Hempstead Harbor. And to the north, it meets the Long Island Sound.
Some parts of the peninsula are quite high up. For example, in places like Flower Hill and Manhasset, the land is high enough that you can even see the skyline of New York City from the ground!
Towns on the Peninsula
Several towns and villages are located on the Cow Neck Peninsula. Some are fully on the peninsula, while others are partly there.
Here are some of the towns you'll find:
- Baxter Estates
- Flower Hill
- Manhasset
- Manorhaven
- Plandome
- Plandome Heights
- Plandome Manor
- Port Washington
- Port Washington North
- Sands Point
The entire Cow Neck Peninsula is part of the larger Town of North Hempstead.
