About Our City

How Glen Cove became a city

Glen Cove, founded in 1668, was tied to the Town of Oyster Bay for the first 250 years of its existence. Four of the five original plantation proprietors of Mosquito Cove, which Glen Cove was known as in the 17th century, lived in Oyster Bay, which had been settled 15 years before. A rural hamlet, Mosquito Cove was under the oversight of these five proprietors. When the original settlers died, the local government fell under the jurisdiction of the town.

One hundred and fifty years passed before the federal government recognized the hamlet in 1818. With the establishment of its own post office, the official name of the community became Musketa Cove.

In order to dispel the notion that the community was a haven for mosquitoes, an alternative name — Glen Cove — was chosen in 1834.

The community grew dramatically during the latter half of the 19th century, but it never incorporated. By the early 20th century Glen Cove’s population was approaching 10,000, making it the largest community in both Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Although it was a thriving community, Glen Cove was still administered by the town, while the neighboring Village of Sea Cliff had incorporated in 1883. Many residents felt that Glen Cove was not receiving the services commensurate with the tax dollars sent to the town.

Some in the community thought that Glen Cove should become an incorporated village and form its own government, while others favored incorporating as a city. By 1915, the editor of the “Glen Cove Echo,” John Davis, had become a voice for the pro-city faction, printing editorials advancing this position. This prompted the Village Improvement Association to meet on April 21, 1916. The “Committee of Seven,” comprised of respected members of the community was selected. They were tasked with studying the question of incorporating Glen Cove as a city.

But World War I was then raging in Europe, and the debate as to whether America should enter the war overshadowed the issue of Glen Cove’s future form of government.

The issue was reintroduced in January 1917, when the Village Improvement Association met again. They favored a city form of government. A new committee of 25 members, including all of the “Committee of Seven” members, was chosen to draft a charter.

When word got out that Glen Cove was pursuing “citification,” a request was made by some Sea Cliff residents that its village be included in the future City of Glen Cove, but this request was rejected. It was decided that the boundaries should coincide with those of School District No. 5 of the Town of Oyster Bay. Today, the city and the school district are unified within these boundaries

Voters overwhelmingly supported creating a city on March 2, 1917. Then New York Gov. Charles S. Whitman signed a bill ensuring that Glen Cove become a city on June 8. In celebration, a cannon was fired at 30-second intervals that evening. Then a larger, formal celebration was held on June 13, 1917, with music, parades and fireworks. ~ Courtesy GC350 History Committee

Tammy Lanham/Herald Gazette Above photo: There were some light moments at the inauguration for the city’s mayor and new City Council. The new members included, from left, Eve Lupenko and Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews, and State Sen. Jim Gaughran and U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi were there to show their support.