Robert Lipper, Sailboat
Photo by R. Strovnik Robert Lipper, Couple Strolling on the Beach Robert Lipper, Vineyard NYS Darren McGee, Fishing on Long Island

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday January 26, 2004

2004 MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES

Contact:  Kristen Matejka   
Director of Communications
LICVB&SC
631 951-3900

L. I. CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU AND SPORTS COMMISSION ANNOUNCES 2004 MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES

HAUPPAUGE, NY (JANUARY 26, 2004) Happy Anniversary, Long Island! The year 2004 marks the celebration of several important milestones in the regions history  including one that resulted in what was arguably the most significant change in Americas history.

William K. Vanderbilt II was the great-grandson of railroad tycoon Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt. But railroads weren’t his passion. Willie K, as he was nicknamed, loved a new-fangled invention called the automobile. His especially liked car racing, and on October 8, 1904, one hundred years ago, tens of thousands of curious spectators congregated in the Long Island village of Westbury to watch Americas first international automobile race. Vanderbilt served as the referee of the event, which was known as the Vanderbilt Cup.

The participants, who came from all over the world, drove 10 laps on a 30-mile triangular course. A gentleman named George Heath, who was driving a French Packard, won the historic race, taking home the prize of an engraved silver Tiffany cup. But the event was significant because it went a long way in popularizing automobiles, which at that time were considered nothing but toys for the wealthy. Another important event took place 75 years ago: the opening of Jones Beach. The jewel of Long Islands coast, Jones Beach was the pet project of New York States Master Builder, Robert Moses, who constructed the highways, bridges, and parks that defined Long Island. On August 4, 1929, the park that Moses considered his finest achievement opened. The 2,413-acre state park offered white sand beaches, boardwalks, swimming pools, a roller rink, and facilities for shuffleboard, softball, and pitch-and-putt golf. There were even special solaria for nude sunbathing. The parks employees dressed sailor suits, and the water fountains and trashcans had been designed with a nautical look. Moses wasnt the only one who considered Jones Beach a gem. In its first year, 1.5 million visitors flocked to Jones Beach. Today, the park attracts as many as 8 million sun-worshippers a year. Another of Robert Moses creations, Captree State Park, is also celebrating an anniversary ï¾? its 50th. On June 12, 1954, the 298-acre park opened, offering 7,000 feet of beachfront along Fire Island Inlet. The facility also had a boat basin with boats for excursions, diving, whale-watching, and fishing. As for its unusual name, historians believe Cap Tree Island dates back as far as the early 1800s and is rooted in a local baymans practice of placing a cap on a tree or post to mark the channel.

Another state park, Caleb Smith Park, is celebrating is 20th anniversary this year ï¾? even though its history actually dates back more than two centuries. In 1984, the 543-acre Smithtown park that was formerly called Nissequogue River State Park was renamed to honor Caleb Smith, an ardent patriot during the Revolutionary War and a descendant of the towns founder, Richard Bull Smith. According to legend, Caleb Smith withstood numerous beatings from British soldiers, yet repeatedly refused to swear allegiance to England. The park, which consists of wetlands, ponds, fields, and woods, is a wildlife refuge that provides a rustic setting for enjoying hiking, cross-country skiing, and fly-fishing.
The seaside park called Orient Beach State Park is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. English colonists first settled on the eastern-most tip of Long Islands North Fork as early as 1640, and in 1774, the local residents entered into a written agreement that Long Beach at Orient Point, as the area was known, would be reserved for common use and protection forever. In 1929, local taxpayers agreed to turn the property over to New York State, and on October 7 of that year, Long Beach officially became Orient Beach State Park. Soon afterward, the park was made more accessible by the construction of an entrance road and causeway.
75 years ago, on June 2, 1929, the expansive former estate of George C. Taylor on Long Islands South Shore officially became Hecksher State Park. At over 1,500 acres, the land was stocked with game birds and deer and originally boasted a large manor house as well as over 30 outbuildings including greenhouses, stables, carriage houses and employee quarters. Today, the park stands at over 1,600 acres and also boasts a campground, scenic drive, pool complex, picnicking facilities, concession stands, nature trails, beaches and boat basin with launching ramp and sees approximately 1.2 million visitors each year. In the warmer months, Hecksher State Park hosts concerts, childrens theater and other cultural events.

The second largest private residence ever built in America, Oheka Castle, also celebrates an anniversary this year. In 1984, exactly 20 years ago, the estate was purchased by real estate developer Gary Melius and restoration of the castle and grounds to their former glory began. Today, the magnificent castle hosts weddings, corporate affairs and also hosts guests overnight in some of the most opulent lodgings on Long Island.

Other historic events that took place on Long Island are also celebrating anniversaries in 2004. Seventy-five years ago, in 1929, the first female aviation group in history was founded here, in Valley Stream. The idea was rooted in the first Womens Air Derby, held earlier that year. The women who participated so enjoyed the feeling of camaraderie that resulted from the event that they decided to create a new organization.

On November 2, 1929, 26 female aviators met at Curtiss Field, and over tea and cookies founded the Ninety-Nines, named for its 99 charter members. The new organization focused on fellowship, job opportunities, and keeping records on women aviators. Its first president was well-known aviator Amelia Earhart, who presented the woman who flew into the most airports each month with a Stetson hat. The Ninety-Nines still exist. Today an international organization with over 6,000 licensed women from 35 countries as pilots, the Oklahoma City-based group holds competitions, sponsors safety and educational programs, and supports charities.

While speaking of aircraft, a 75th anniversary of particular significance for Long Island is the establishment of Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, which would become one of the leading producers of military and civilian aircraft in the 20th century as well as a significant part of Long Islands economy. In 1929, the company was founded in a rented garage in Baldwin by Leroy Grumman, who had previously worked for Loening Aircraft Engineering Corporation. When Loening was bought and subsequently moved to Pennsylvania, Grumman and his partners decided to found their own company. Grumman went on to became famous during World War II for the Navy fighter planes it built, later including the F-14 Tomcat. Today, Grumman still exists as part of the merged company, Northrop Grumman.

Twenty-five years ago, on August 31, 1974, another historic event took place on Long Island: the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point admitted women for the first time. Fourteen female cadet members who were members of the Class of 1978 arrived on campus after two weeks of indoctrination and a month of general training. In 1990, one of the Academy’s first women graduates, Captain Nancy L. Wagner, went on to achieve another "first" when she joined the San Francisco Bay Bar Pilots Association, becoming the organizations first female pilot.

Long Island made news in the area of public health fifty years ago, when in 1954, the nations largest test program for the polio vaccine that Dr. Jonas Salk developed took place here. While the vaccine was tested all over the country, on April 27, some 15,000 school children in Suffolk County began being inoculated with the first of three polio shots. The following week, the inoculation of 50,000 children in Nassau County began. Today, polio has been almost completely eliminated in the United States. The year 2004 represents one more exciting anniversary, celebrated by both Long Islanders and music lovers all over the world. Forty years ago, in 1964, a Long Island high school student named William Martin Joel formed a band called the Echoes, which performed songs he had composed. The members wore snazzy blue jackets with velvet collars, and quickly gained popularity. The group eventually changed its name to the Emerald Lords, then the Lost Souls. As for the founder, he never abandoned his early interest in music, and by 1998, singer-composer Billy Joel was the second best selling solo artist of all time.

For more information about Long Island, please contact the Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and Sports Commission by calling 1-877-FUN-ON-LI, or, visit the website at www.funonli.com.

The Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and Sports Commission (LICVB&SC) is a marketing arm for the destination's nearly $5 billion travel and tourism industry established in 1979. Based on Long Island in Hauppauge, NY, the LICVB&SC contributes to the economic development and quality of life on Long Island by promoting Long Island as a world-class destination for, and by, attracting individuals, tours, meetings and conventions, tradeshows and sporting events and related activities and businesses to Long Island.

Get Your FREE
Travel Guide

Search Our Website

Join Our Newsletter!

Receive Long Island news and special offers.
Click to learn more!