A History of Suffolk County Long Island

Inhabited by native Indians, the area of Suffolk, Long Island was discovered by several explorers including Giovanno di Varrazano and Henry Hudson by the early 1600s. It was not until the mid-1600s that the area was settled and land was divided between the English and the Dutch. It was owned by the English for one hundred years until the British Army left the county in 1783.

A postal route began in the 1760s. One rider would go out every two weeks with the mail following a north shore route. On the way back, he would return to New York via the south shore. The first post office began in 1793. Suffolk County also developed its own justice system. It held a Court of Sessions twice a year.

The primary trade was beaver fur and, because of the hold the British had over taxes and prohibition of the beaver trade, it caused revolutionary ideas to take hold by the late 1700s. The Suffolk settlers were not alone for reasons behind the Revolutionary War’s start. Spying was one of the most important endeavors the settlers involved themselves in to help the patriots win the Revolutionary War.

Farming, fishing and whaling were the prevalent occupations during the late 1700s until the 1830s. This was when industrial men from New York were looking to create a faster railroad line from New York to Boston. The coast of Connecticut was too rugged and was considered impassable.

The industry men saw from a glance on a map the between the two cities was Long Island. The tracks were laid and the inexpensive railroad was built. It only served to move commodities between Boston and New York. It took until the early 1840s for the line to run for people. But, locals despised the engines which scared off livestock and sent soot and embers into their homes.

This created a heated response from residents. After ambushing train crew and other acts of violence, the railroad owners created a direct line between New York and Boston via the Connecticut shore in 1850. While this relieved the Suffolk settlers, it was a useless line until more railroads were built to offer people more access to and from more areas. It helped fuel the whaling industry again.

The railroads were bringing Suffolk County into a new industrial economy. By the Gold Rush of 1849, however, many of the fisherman and whalers took off to California to search for gold.

By the end of the 1800s, the primary occupations of those living in Suffolk were shipbuilding, farming, whaling and fishing. The beautiful white beaches, quaint villages, safe sailing and calm waters made the area a popular spot for a new form of trade the tourist trade.

Additional Facts About Suffolk County, NY

By the 1930s another industry took over Suffolk County. It was a major sight of aerospace and defense industry suppliers. By the 1950s, it was a hotbed of mass-produced housing developments. It was one of the most popular places for people returning from the war to settle to commute to jobs in New York City and raise children.