Oyster Bay (town), New York
The Town of Oyster Bay is located in Nassau County in the US State of New York and comprises of 18 villages and 18 hamlets. It is the easternmost town in the county and the only one that extends from the northern shore to the southern shore of Long Island. Known for its rich history, strategic location, and unique attractions, Oyster Bay is considered by residents to be the best place to live in New York. Inimitable experiences are guaranteed for residents and visitors of this great metropolitan area.
Geography And Climate Of Oyster Bay
Oyster Bay stretches from Long Island Sound in the north to the waters of South Oyster Bay and the Atlantic Ocean in the south. The town of North Hempstead bounds it on the northwest and the town of Hempstead on the southwest. Oyster Bay covers a total area of 438.73 sq. km. This area is divided into 268.69 sq. km of land and 170.04 sq. km of water. The north shore of the town is hilly, the south shore has sandy beaches, and the area between is plain. This landscape has caused Oyster Bay to be considered one of the most pleasant places in New York. With temperatures typically varying between 25°F and 83°F throughout the year, the best times for outdoor activities are from mid-June to late September. More generally, the summers are warm, humid, and wet, while the winters are very cold, snowy, and windy. Based on observation, January is the coldest month of the year, February experiences the most snowfall, and April has the highest level of rainfall.
Brief History Of Oyster Bay
There is a rich and well-documented history behind the establishment of Oyster Bay. David DeVries gave the town its name in 1639 due to its beautiful harbor. That same year, Long Island was claimed by the Dutch as part of their colony of New Amsterdam. They also purchased land in the east from the Native Americans. Afterward, English settlers arrived in the Town of Huntington but were arrested by the Dutch over boundary disputes in 1640. The conflicts between the Dutch and the English were settled in 1643 when the Dutch issued a patent to the English to form Hempstead. The English had to buy a portion of the land from Native Americans for this agreement to go through. In 1667, the settlement at Oyster Bay became the Township of Oyster Bay after receiving its charter from the English colony of New York. Oyster Bay was part of Queens County in New York City, but it was added to Nassau County in 1899. Between the 1990s and the 2000s, Oyster Bay exchanged territories with the Town of Hempstead and the Town of Babylon. However, it rose to fame during the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt since he was an Oyster Bay resident and owned Sagamore Hill, a home that served as the “Summer White House.” Currently, this huge Victorian mansion is open to the public with its original furnishing still preserved.
The Population And Economy Of Oyster Beach
A recent census revealed that as of July 2021, Oyster Bay is home to 299,583 residents. The residents' median age is recorded to be 44.5 years, and 78.5% of the residents identify as White. Moreover, 13.6% of the residents are Asian, and 8.8% are Hispanic. Oyster Bay's coastal location has supported its local fishing industry, including harvesting oysters from local waters and hatcheries. The town holds an annual oyster festival that hosts the top chefs in New York City to attract seafood lovers from near and far. Initially, Oyster Bay's economy relied mainly on agricultural activities. However, this began to change after World War I, and World War II as business complexes, new housing projects, and factories began to gain popularity over farmlands. Today, Oyster Bay has a well-balanced blend of commercial, residential, and recreational development activities. This is reflected in the $49,393 average annual income that residents earn, which is considerably higher than the US average of $28,555 a year.
Attractions In Oyster Beach
Oyster Bay visitors can expect to enjoy a wide range of diverse activities. Most notably, they can go camping, tour historical museums, and engage in fishing ventures.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
Considered President Roosevelt's "Summer White House," this 23-room Victorian mansion allows visitors to see the legacy left behind by one of the US' most popular presidents. The estate includes a 37-acre forest area and a tidal salt marsh.
Battle Row Campground
This campground extends over 44 acres of dense woods and includes 64 campsites, most of which are equipped with water and electric hookups. While these sites are optimal for enjoying the clear sky, 12 of them are designated exclusively for tent use. Finally, two dump station facilities and two comfort stations are located within the park and are wheelchair accessible.
Oyster Bay Mill Pond
Oyster Bay Mill Pond is one of the few public freshwater fishing spots on the North Shore of Nassau County. This pond is stocked with trout, largemouth bass, and bullhead fish. Even though dense vegetation mats form on the pond's surface, the rewarding experience of fishing at Oyster Bay Mill Pond is worth the challenge.
Oyster Bay residents said it best when they decided on the town's slogan: "Oyster Bay is a great place to live, work, and play." With the residents enjoying all that their town has to offer, visitors can only expect to make unforgettable memories at Oyster Bay.
