Locust Valley, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Locust Valley, New York
|
|
|---|---|
Downtown Locust Valley on August 29, 2021.
|
|
| Nickname(s):
"White Shoe"
|
|
| Motto(s):
"Fishin' for days, mate."
|
|
Location in Nassau County and the state of New York.
|
|
 Locust Valley, New York
Location in New York
|
|
| Country |  United States |
| State |  New York |
| County |  Nassau County, New York |
| Town | Oyster Bay |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.9 sq mi (2.4 km2) |
| • Land | 0.9 sq mi (2.4 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 128 ft (39 m) |
| Population
(2010)
|
|
| • Total | 3,406 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
11560
|
| Area code(s) | 516 |
| FIPS code | 36-43192 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0955805 |
Locust Valley is a small community called a hamlet and a census-designated place (CDP). It is located in the Town of Oyster Bay in Nassau County. You can find it on the North Shore of Long Island, in New York, United States. In 2010, about 3,406 people lived there.
Contents
A Look Back: The History of Locust Valley
How the Land Was Formed
Long, long ago, about 10,000 years back, huge sheets of ice called glaciers moved across the land. As they melted and moved away, they left behind rolling hills on the North Shore of Long Island.
Early Inhabitants: The Matinecock Indians
The first people to live in this area were an Algonquian tribe. They called the land "hilly ground" or Matinecock. Because of this, the Native Americans who settled here became known as the Matinecock Indians.
From Buckram to Locust Valley
In 1667, a person named Captain John Underhill bought land from the Matinecock Indians. He and other settlers named their new community Buckram. This name lasted for almost 200 years. Then, in 1856, the name was changed to Locust Valley. This was because there were many locust trees growing in the area.
The Arrival of the Railroad
On April 19, 1869, the Long Island Rail Road extended its train line to Locust Valley. This made Locust Valley the end of the line for a while. The railroad helped the area grow. A busy center with shops and businesses developed around the Locust Valley train station.
The "Gold Coast" Era
In the early 1900s, the North Shore of Long Island became known as the "Gold Coast." This was because many very wealthy families built huge, fancy homes, called "great estates," in the area. Locust Valley's commercial center grew to serve these rich communities nearby.
One famous person who lived nearby was Harrison Williams. He was a very rich businessman. His guests, including famous people like Winston Churchill, would often arrive at the Locust Valley Station. They would then be picked up in fancy cars and sometimes stop in the hamlet for supplies.
Famous Residents and a Unique Accent
In the 1940s and 1950s, Locust Valley was a country home for many important people. These included Robert A. Lovett, who was a United States Secretary of Defense, and Elizabeth Shoumatoff, a famous portrait painter. Leonard Hall, who led the Republican Party, also lived here. Even the Duke of Windsor and composer Cole Porter visited often to relax.
Because Locust Valley was a hub for these wealthy communities, it became known for a special way of speaking. People called it "Locust Valley Lockjaw." It was an upper-class accent. While you don't hear it as much today, Locust Valley is still a social spot for many wealthy New Yorkers.
Historic Buildings
Some old buildings in Locust Valley are very important. They are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the Cock-Cornelius House, the Matinecock Friends Meetinghouse, and the George Underhill House.
Where is Locust Valley? Geography and Location
Locust Valley is located at 40°52′38″N 73°35′41″W / 40.87722°N 73.59472°W on the North Shore of Long Island. It covers about 0.9 square miles (2.4 square kilometers) of land. There is almost no water area within the community itself.
Who Lives in Locust Valley? Demographics
In the year 2000, there were 3,521 people living in Locust Valley. Most residents were White (86.51%). About 14.54% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
The community had 1,279 households. About one-third of these households (33.4%) had children under 18 living with them. The average household had 2.75 people. The median age of people in Locust Valley was 38 years old.
Fun Places to Visit in Locust Valley
- John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden: A beautiful garden where you can walk and enjoy nature.
- Planting Fields Arboretum: A large park with many different types of trees and plants. It's like a big outdoor museum for plants!
- Friends Academy: A private school.
- Portledge School: Another private school.
 |
Lattingtown | |
||
| Glen Cove |  |
Mill Neck | ||
 Locust Valley  |
||||
 |
||||
| Matinecock |
Learning in Locust Valley: Education
Locust Valley Central School System
The Locust Valley Central School System is a public school district. It serves students from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade. This school system covers a large area, including Locust Valley and nearby villages like Lattingtown, Matinecock, and Bayville.
There are four school campuses:
- Ann MacArthur Primary School
- Locust Valley Intermediate School
- Bayville Primary & Intermediate School
- A shared Middle School-Upper School in Lattingtown
Top-Ranked High School
Locust Valley High School is known for being one of the best high schools in the country. In May 2012, several national magazines like Newsweek, The Washington Post, and U.S. News & World Report ranked it very highly.
For example, Newsweek ranked Locust Valley High School as:
- #2 on Long Island
- #6 in New York State
- #55 in the entire United States
These rankings look at things like how many students graduate, how many get into college, and how well students do on special tests like International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) exams.
International Baccalaureate Program
Since 2004, the Locust Valley Central School District has offered the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB). This is a challenging program that helps students prepare for college. The first students to earn an IB Diploma from Locust Valley graduated in 2006.
School Spirit
The school's colors are Hunter (Dartmouth) Green and White. The sports teams are called The Falcons, and the school crest even features a falcon! The high school newspaper, The Spectrum, has won awards for excellent student journalism.
Well-Known People from Locust Valley
Many notable people have lived in or been connected to Locust Valley. Here are a few:
- John W. Davis: A lawyer and politician.
- John Lennon: A famous musician from The Beatles.
- Robert A. Lovett: Served as the United States Secretary of Defense.
- Henry Phipps, Jr.: A businessman and philanthropist.
- C. W. Post: The founder of Post Cereals.
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt: A former President of the United States.
- Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.: A politician and soldier.
- Theodore Roosevelt III: A businessman and politician.
- William Kissam Vanderbilt: A wealthy businessman.
- Harrison Williams (entrepreneur): A very wealthy businessman.
- Fred Wilpon: A businessman who owned the New York Mets baseball team.
See also
In Spanish: Locust Valley para niños
Images for kids
-
John W. Davis Garden, 1930
