Middle Island, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Middle Island, New York
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U.S. Census map
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 Middle Island, New York
Location in New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Suffolk |
| Area | |
| • Total | 8.28 sq mi (21.44 km2) |
| • Land | 8.22 sq mi (21.29 km2) |
| • Water | 0.06 sq mi (0.15 km2) |
| Elevation | 82 ft (25 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 10,546 |
| • Density | 1,283.12/sq mi (495.42/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern Time Zone) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
11953
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| Area code(s) | 631, 934 |
| FIPS code | 36-46976 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0957111 |
Middle Island is a small community in Suffolk County, New York, United States. It is known as a hamlet and a census-designated place (CDP). In 2020, about 10,546 people lived there.
Middle Island is located in the Town of Brookhaven. It sits between the communities of Coram and Ridge. Rocky Point is to its north, and Yaphank is to its south. The name "Middle Island" comes from its location. It's roughly halfway between the east and west ends of Long Island. It's also halfway between the northern and southern edges of the island.
Contents
History of Middle Island
The history of Middle Island dates back to at least 1766. That year, the first Presbyterian church was built. A pastor named Rev. David Rose served the community. He was also a doctor and traveled by horseback to visit his large parish. He carried Bibles and medicines to help the people. A cemetery was opened near the church in 1766.
Around the same time, a veteran from the French and Indian War started planting pine trees. His name was Jonathan Edwards. He admired the white pine trees in Quebec. He took seedlings and planted them along what is now Middle Island-Miller Place Road. These pine trees spread throughout the area.
In 1812, a local farmer named William Dayton took some pine cones. He planted them on his farm south of Middle Country Road. This area is now part of Prosser Pines and Cathedral Pines County Parks.
Early Buildings and Landmarks
The first schoolhouse in Middle Island was built in 1813. It was located east of the church. A new church building was constructed in 1837. It stood behind the older church. This church served the community for 200 years.
For over a century, Pfeiffer's Store was a busy place. It was a center for Middle Island and nearby communities. The store burned down in 1971.
A nearby lake was originally called Corwin's Pond. It was renamed "Artist Lake" in 1869. This happened after a painter named Alonzo Chappel moved there.
Famous Flight Landing
On October 27, 1910, an exciting event happened near Artist Lake. An aviation tournament was held at Belmont Park. A pilot named Ralph Johnstone set a new American flight altitude record. He flew 8,471 feet high. During his flight, a strong gust of wind pushed his plane backward. He ended up landing near Artist Lake.
In the 1940s and 1950s, many Estonian refugees came to Middle Island. They settled mainly around the Pine Lake area.
Geography and Natural Features
Middle Island covers an area of about 21.5 square kilometers (8.3 square miles). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
The community has several beautiful lakes. These include Artist Lake, Pine Lake, and Spring Lake. Middle Island is also where the Carmans River begins. The river used to start at Pfeiffer's Pond. Now, it starts within Cathedral Pines County Park.
Population and Community Life
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 10,546 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 9,702 people living in Middle Island. There were 3,720 households. About 31.2% of these households had children under 18. Many different people live in Middle Island, making it a diverse community. The average age of people living here was 37 years old.
Parks and Recreation
Middle Island has great places for outdoor activities. These include Cathedral Pines County Park and Prosser Pines Nature Preserve. Cathedral Pines used to be a Boy Scout camp.
Middle Island is also a good place for golf. There are three public golf courses nearby. Middle Island Country Club and Spring Lake Golf Club are both in Middle Island. Mill Pond Golf Course is just south of the community.
Education in Middle Island
The schools in Middle Island are part of the Longwood Central School District. This is the largest school district on Long Island, covering about 58 square miles. The Longwood Public Library is also located in Middle Island. It's a great place for students to find books and learn.
Notable People
- Albert B. Randall – He was a Commodore of the United States Lines. He was also honored as a Knight (Chevalier) of the Legion D'Honnere.
See also
In Spanish: Middle Island (Nueva York) para niños
