History of Hempstead, New York, USA

1854 - Hempstead
Hempstead, a post-township of Queen's co., New York, on the Atlantic ocean, intersected by the Long Island railroad. Population, 8311.

Hempstead, a post-village in the above township, 21 miles E. from New York. A branch railroad. 3 miles long, connects it with the Long Island railroad. It contains churches of the Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and Methodists. 1 or 2 seminaries, 1 news paper office, and about 1500 inhabitants.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1895 - Hempstead
Hempstead, a post-village of Queens co., N.Y., in Hempstead township, on the Long Island Railroad and on the Flushing & North Side Railroad, 20 miles E. of Brooklyn. The Hempstead Branch of the South Side Rail road connects it with Valley Stream Station of the main line. It has 7 churches, 2 newspaper offices, a seminary, a bank, and manufactures of straw hats and cork soles. Pop, in 1890, 4831. The township is bounded on the S. by the Atlantic Ocean, and comprises Rockaway, a fashionable bathing-place. Its surface is level, Pop. 23,756.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1909 - TRAIN HITS AUTO; TWO MEN KILLED
They Are Hurled Into the Telegraph Wires Overhead and a Third Seriously Injured.
GAVE NO HEED TO SIGNALS
One Man, Fearful That Some Accident Was Impending, Got Out and Went Home.
Special to The New York Times.

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, L. I., Oct. 31. - Robert Welsh of 5 Hart Street, Brooklyn, a real estate broker, and Dr. William G. Terwilliger of 618 Hancock Street, Brooklyn, were killed here this afternoon when a south-bound train crashed into their automobile runabout at the crossing at Wreck Lead, and the third of their party, Gilbert Rhoads, a medical student , was so injured that the surgeons at St. Mary's Hospital, Jamaica, fear he will die.

Dr. Terwilliger, who lived with his two little children, his wife, and his mother-in-law, Mrs. Francis, and Mr. Welsh, who is also married, were great friends. Always on Sunday afternoons Mr. Welsh took the doctor out in his runabout for a long ride.

Mr. Welsh, who belongs to the real estate firm of Ross & Welsh of 189 Montague Street, ... Read MORE...

1910 - INMATES CAUGHT IN BLAZING POORHOUSE. OLD MAN DEAD, FIVE PERSONS IN HOSPITAL AFTER MIDNIGHT FIRE IN HEMPSTEAD. PANIC ON STEEP STAIRWAYS.
HAND GRENADES KEPT THE FLAMES BACK AND SAVED MANY LIVES, BUT SOME OF THE INJURED MAY DIE.

Hempstead, L. I., March 10. - The Hempstead Poorhouse, about two miles from this village, burned to the ground just before midnight tonight.

One man was burned to death on the third floor and five - among them men and women - were removed afterward to the Nassau County Hospital in Mineola, all of them seriously hurt. Several may die.

How the fire started is not known, but the flames appeared first in the kitchen. Supt. BENJAMIN SPRAGUE and the thirty-seven inmates, as well as MR. SPRAGUE'S three assistants, were all asleep.

They were awakened by the odor of smoke and the sound of crackling flames, which already had made great headway in the kitchen. The occupants of the poorhouse, as many as were not already awake, were aroused by the cries of others, and presently the narrow, steep stairways of the building were congested with terrified men and women, most of them old and many of... Read MORE...

1912 - LONGSTAFF FATALLY INJURED IN CRASH.
Hempstead, N.Y., Sept. 28 - JOHN L. LONGSTAFF, a former English army officer, was mortally injured this evening while flying in a "Farman" biplane with his mechanic, PIERRE CHAVELLIER. When only seventy feet in the air, a wire became tangled and the machine instantly overturned and fell.

LONGSTAFF was caught in the debris. He has a fractured skull and internal injuries. CHAVELLIER, who was thrown clear of the wreck, escaped serious injury.

LONGSTAFF holds a pilot's license from the Royal Aero club of England and is well known on the continent. He had been flying as a scout with the insurgent army in Mexico until recently.

Update: LONGSTAFF died tonight in the Nassau Hospital.
Salt Lake Tribune
Salt Lake City, Utah
September 28, 1912

1916
Hempstead, a banking post-village and summer-resort of Nassau co., N.Y., in Hempstead township (town), on the Long Island R., 20 miles E. of Brooklyn. It has the Hempstead Institute and various manufactures. The town is bounded on the S. by the Atlantic Ocean and comprises East Rockaway and other villages. Pop. in 1900, 27,066 ; of the village, 3582.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

1950 - February 17 - 31 die in a train crash in Rockville Center NY

February 17, 1950

1969 - September 2 - The first automatic teller machine in the United States is installed in Rockville Center, New York.

historyorb.com
September 2, 1969

There's something for everyone to enjoy in this vibrant Long Island town. Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Hempstead:
Hofstra University: Start your exploration of Hempstead at Hofstra University. This prestigious institution often hosts cultural events, art exhibitions, and sports games that are open to the public. Check their calendar for lectures, concerts, and other exciting activities.

Cradle of Aviation Museum: Located in nearby Garden City, this museum is a must-visit for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs. It showcases Long Island's significant role in aviation history, with fascinating exhibits, aircraft displays, and interactive experiences for all ages.

Roosevelt Field Mall: If you're in the mood for some retail therapy, head to Roosevelt Field Mall. This massive shopping center features a wide range of stores, from high-end boutiques to popular chains, as well as dining options and a cinema.

Hempstead Lake State Park: Enjoy the great outdoors at Hempstead Lake State Park. This vast park offers opportunities for hiking, picnicking, fishing, and boating on the beautiful lakes.... Read MORE...