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History of Hempstead, New York, USA
Journey back in time to Hempstead, New York, USA
Explore the history, people, photographs, newspapers, postcards, and genealogy connected to Hempstead, New York, USA.
ABOUT THE PLACE
About Hempstead
Hempstead, New York
The town was first settled around 1644 following the establishment of a treaty between English colonists, John Carman and Robert Fordham, and the Lenape Indians in 1643.
The town was first settled around 1644 following the establishment of a treaty between English colonists, John Carman and Robert Fordham, and the Lenape Indians in 1643.
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VINTAGE HEMPSTEAD
Hempstead Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
Hempstead, New York, USA
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Episcopal Parsonage, Erect. 1793
Hempstead, New York, USA
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Fulton Street, Hempstead, L.I.
Hempstead, New York, USA
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Main Street
Hempstead, New York, USA
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Public School, 1905
Hempstead, New York, USA
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Birdseye View of Hempstead, N.Y., 1908
Hempstead, New York, USA
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Greenwich Street, looking South
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Hempstead, New York, USA
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Thorne Ave.
Hempstead, New York, USA
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Hempstead Pond, Fulton Ave.
Hempstead, New York, USA
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Main Street, 1912
Hempstead, New York, USA
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Main Street, 1918
Hempstead, New York, USA
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Central Nassau Building, Hempstead, L.I., N.Y.
Hempstead, New York, USA
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Post Office
Hempstead, New York, USA
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Main St., from Front St.
Hempstead, New York, USA
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The Moose Club
Hempstead, New York, USA
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L.I.R.R. Station
Hempstead, New York, USA
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Main Street, 1938
Hempstead, New York, USA
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Brower Hall, Hofstra College, Hempstead, Long Island, N.Y.
Hempstead, New York, USA
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New Village Hall and Fire House, Hempstead, L.I.
Hempstead, New York, USA
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Hempstead High School, 1943
Genealogy gifts & optional resources
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Genealogy Gifts & Resources Related to HEMPSTEAD
I Love NEW YORK Mug – Pizza, Bagels & Cheesecake Ceramic Coffee Cup
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NEW YORK Roots & Sarcasm - Ceramic Genealogy Coffee Mug
Discover your New York heritage with a twist of humor with our "Found my roots in New York—turns out my ancestors invented sarcasm!" mug. This mug is perfect for those who appreciate the art of witty banter passed down through generations.
NEW YORK - Lost in the Catskills: Upstate New York Genealogy Mug - Ceramic
Discover the charm and mystery of your roots with our "Lost in the Catskills: Upstate New York Genealogy Mug." This ceramic beauty is more than just a coffee cup; it’s a conversation starter that celebrates the quirks and tales of family history in Upstate New York.
NEW YORK - Finding Skeletons in Closets Since 1624 Mug – Funny Upstate NY Genealogy Coffee Cup
Start your day with a laugh—and a nod to history! The Finding Skeletons in Closets Since 1624 Mug is perfect for genealogy enthusiasts, history buffs, and Upstate New York fans. Adorned with a witty slogan and a charming vintage design, this mug celebrates the rich and often surprising history of Upstate New York. Whether you're tracing your roots or simply enjoying a cup of coffee, this mug is sure to spark conversation and bring a smile to your face.
NEW YORK Roots Genealogy Coffee Mug Gift Idea - Celebrate Your Ancestry with Every Sip!
Embrace your heritage with this New York Roots Genealogy Coffee Mug, perfect for the proud family historian. Whether you're researching your ancestors or simply enjoying a cup of coffee, this ceramic mug reminds you of your deep connection to the Empire State.
ELLIS ISLAND Roots Ceramic Mug – Tribute to Ancestry and New Beginnings - Celebrating Our Immigrant Ancestors
Celebrate your family’s journey with this ceramic mug featuring vintage postcards of Ellis Island, the iconic gateway to America. Adorned with the heartfelt phrase, "Ellis Island: Where My Roots Took Their First Steps!" this mug is a tribute to the brave immigrants who paved the way for future generations. Whether you’re enjoying your morning coffee or sharing stories of your ancestors, this mug serves as a beautiful reminder of the past and the roots that shaped your future. A perfect gift for genealogy enthusiasts or anyone proud of their heritage!
LOCAL HISTORY
Discover Hempstead: History, News, Travel, and Stories
Explore the events, newspaper stories, people, and moments that shaped Hempstead through the years.
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.
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.
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.
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, ...
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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, ...
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...
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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...
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.
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.
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.
1950 - February 17 - 31 die in a train crash in Rockville Center NY
1969 - September 2 - The first automatic teller machine in the United States is installed in Rockville Center, New York.
Show more local history, news & stories
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....
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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....
GENEALOGY IN HEMPSTEAD
Discover YOUR Roots: Hempstead Ancestry
Explore ancestors connected to Hempstead through births, deaths, marriages, cemeteries, and local genealogy resources.
BIRTHS & DEATHS
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Hempstead, New York, USA
We currently have information about 35 ancestors who were born or died in Hempstead.
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Ancestors Who Were Married in Hempstead, New York, USA
We currently have information about ancestors who were married in Hempstead.
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Updated: 9/22/2023 10:03:43 AM
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