First Historical Source

Sarah Kamboj

10/02/07

A Narrative History of Bayside

At first, the area was named “North Hempstead Turnpike” by John Lawrence meaning “Bay Side”. Then as the years went by it gradually became known as Bayside, due to the location of the Bay right beside it. The Bay has had such a huge contribution to Bayside bringing people from all over New York interested. People were emphasized to swim, sail, and fish along the Bay and were eager to own parts of the land. The Bay helped open up restaurants (mostly seafood) and help build a huge Resort for people to stay in. All the “big shots” celebrities and politicians came for the beautiful “Seaside” resort and to have its delicious food it was greatly known for.

Unfortunately, the inn burned down in 1907 but naturally people enjoyed Bayside so much that it led them to buy estates either near or on the water. In the summer, many young business people boarded with people who had permanently lived there to enjoy the cool breeze of the Bay. At first people tented near the Bay, then quickly it all started to change. Tents turned into shacks, which later became fairly comfortable summer cottages. These people weren’t at upper society but their behavior gave them a bad reputation. They had huge weekend parties that had all the neighbors complaining. These people were known as the “Squatters”. Then in 1925, the city took possession of Bayside, build a park and forced the “Squatters” to leave.

Siclen, W. Alonzo Van. A Narrative History of Bayside. New York: Cultural Affairs, 1991.