While modern day Long Island is what I often refer to as “ultimate suburbia”, it wasn’t always this way. In fact, Long Island actually has some pretty nice places and some cool roadside architecture (such as the Big Duck). After all, Long Island is home to the Gold Coast of the Great Gatsby days, the days of grand movie theaters, drive-in theaters, roller rinks, early suburban development, and much more. Historical events date before the Revolutionary War. Industry ranges from the whaling days to farming to factories and more. There is no end to interesting Long Island history. Thus, we have historically significant buildings, abandoned buildings, former estates, cemeteries, and tear-downs just like everywhere else; the rate at these survive or disappear is an entirely different story.
Still, for some good Long Island entertainment, check out the diligently maintained website, Long Island Oddities. The most popular section is probably the abandoned asylums, known here the King Park Psychiatric Center. There are sections for Long Island folklore, abandoned property, roadside architecture, cemeteries, bygone Long Island, urban exploration, and even UFOs. When relevant, the site editor has added information to the status of the buildings or any known information sent to him by readers.
It’s a great site and reminds me that maybe I should give Long Island more credit than I do.
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Preservation in Pink 