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A look at the past
Courtesy Rockville Centre Public Library Voters elected John Lyon as the fi rst village president on Aug. 19, 1893.
a look into the PAST
As the 19th century unfolded, one of the most im As the 19th century unfolded, one of the most important events in transforming the hamlet of Rockville
Centre into the thriving village it is today occurred when Centre into the thriving village it is today occurred when Robert Pettit, in 1849, applied to the United States Post Robert Pettit, in 1849, applied to the United States Post Offi ce for permission to open a post offi ce in his generOffi ce for permission to open a post offi ce in his general store. Several names for this postal address were real store. Several names for this postal address were rejected in Washington, including Smithville, Smithtown, jected in Washington, including Smithville, Smithtown, and Rockville, but the addition of “Centre” created and Rockville, but the addition of “Centre” created what the Post Offi ce agreed was a distinctive-sounding what the Post Offi ce agreed was a distinctive-sounding designation. Pettit had chosen the name to honor Mordecai “Rock”
Smith, a Methodist preacher and community leader, whose father had operated DeMott's Mill. Smith was a blacksmith, a farmer, and the justice of the peace. From its roots as a village for the Reckouackie Indi From its roots as a village for the Reckouackie Indians, to its settlement as Near Rockaway in the 17th century by Dutch and English pioneers, Rockville Centre tury by Dutch and English pioneers, Rockville Centre grew and prospered. The arrival of the railroad in 1867 heralded the entry of Rockville Centre into the modern era. It was now possible to get into New now possible to get into New York City faster and more York City faster and more frequently than had ever
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2021 - 2022
Living In Rockville Centre
11 a look into the PAST
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The growth of the region, and the importance of Rockville Centre to the area's economy, is also highlighted by the founding, in February 1891, of the Bank of Rockville Centre, the first commercial bank operated on the South Shore. The bank occupied the corner of Merrick Road and North Village Avenue, and by 1929, Rockville Centre had earned a reputation as a leading financial center for the Island.
Rockville Centre’s volunteer fire company was founded in 1875, and a public library, which opened in 1882. South Side High School, the first school of its kind on Long Island’s South Shore, also opened in 1892 on the property that is now Village Hall. A year later, the residents took the momentous step of approving incorporation during an election at Antheneum Hall on July 15, 1893. There were 219 votes — 139 in favor of incorporation, 79 against and one blank.
Many deemed independence from the Town of Hempstead and Queens County — Nassau County was formed in 1899 after the division of Queens County — necessary to provide proper electric, water, street and safety services that the South Side Observer wrote “can only be supplied by village government.”
In the first village election that August, voters selected attorney John Lyon as its president, along with trustees, a treasurer and a tax
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collector. The title of president for the village's chief elected official was changed to mayor in 1925, during the tenure of Charles Richmond.
The advent of residential development in the early 1920s resulted in the creation of a Building Department, and sewers were installed later that decade. In 1926, the village installed traffic lights, and by 1928, the Police Department was completely motorized.
By its 40th anniversary in 1933, the village had six fire companies and 33 police officers. The diversity in the style and the beauty of architecture at that time earned Rockville Centre the name "The Village of Homes."
The growth of suburbia following the Second World War brought growth to Rockville Centre, too, and by the mid-1950s, village residents could boast of a year-round recreation facility. The success of this municipal service led to the building of the John A. Anderson Recreation Center in 1962 and the extension of services to the Martin Luther King Community Centre in 1981.
Today, more than 24,000 residents enjoy life in a thriving community of 3.3 square miles, with roughly 9,200 housing units, more than 400 retail and service shops as well as professional and corporate offices, seven parochial and public schools, a college, and 15 diverse religious denominations. There are more than 150 acres of parks, ball-fields and playgrounds and a municipal government that provides a comprehensive range of services.
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