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The History of
Nassau County Community Place-Names
by Richard A. Winsche
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The names of Nassau County communities
have diverse origins. Some derive from Algonquian Indian languages, others from
biblical names. Many date back to the seventeenth century, but others are twentieth-century
creations of developers. Richard A. Winsche traces information on the history
and names of more than one hundred Nassau County communities, including former
and proposed names. Jerusalem and Jericho, Massapequa and Rockaway are familiar
names, but Skunk's Misery, Hardscrabble, Turkeyville, Stadt Wurtemberg, Tigertown,
and Yokahama are all but forgotten former names or names once proposed for Nassau
County communities. This is an invaluable reference for everyone interested in
the history of Nassau County. --Natalie A. Naylor, Director, Long Island Studies
Institute, Hofstra University
"When possible, this study provides
the date that a village or locality was settled. It indicates when the present
place-name came into use and also gives a chronology of the names which may
have preceded this designation. In addition, an attempt has been made to identify
the person who may have suggested a particular name and the reason this was
done. This material is supplemented with information regarding any known attempts
to change present village names." --"Introduction,"
Richard A. Winsche
Author:
Richard A. Winsche was historian for the Nassau County Division of Museum Services
for many years and has continued his interest in local history in retirement.
Author of many articles on local history, this book represents the culmination
of his more than thirty years of research.
Publication and Ordering Information:
This book was published by Empire State Books under the auspices of Hofstra
University and the Long Island Studies Institute. Each community is listed alphabetically.
There is a thorough index, extensive notes, a comprehensive bibliography, population
data, and two maps. The price of this 160-page hardcover book is $25 (ISBN:
1-55787-154-X; LC: 99 47636).
Schools, libraries, and bookstores can order from the Institute. The Weathervane
Shop of the Suffolk County Historical Society will fill mail orders: 300 W. Main
Street, Riverhead, NY 11901, (631) 727-2881, fax 631-727-3467, histsoc@suffolk.lib.ny.us.
Heart of the Lakes Publishing distributes this and other Institute books: P.O.
Box 299, Interlaken, NY 14847; 607-532-4204, fax 607-532-4684, e-mail: HLPbooks@aol.com.
For additional information, contact the Long Island Studies Institute, 619 Fulton
Avenue, Hempstead, NY 11549; (516) 463-6411, fax (516) 463-6441; e-mail:
LISI@Hofstra.edu
.
Of related interest: Nassau
County at 100: The Past and Present in Photographs, by Linda B. Martin;
and Nassau
County: From Rural Hinterlands to Suburban Metropolis, edited by Joann
P. Krieg and Natalie A. Naylor.
Excerpts from
Reviews:
"The place names of our communities are one aspect of local history that is of
interest to everyone. They are a fascinating entry into the past of our hometown,
providing in some cases a direct tie to colonial times, the influence of terms
used by our original Indian inhabitants, and a variety of political and economic
derivations both local and national. The origin of a village name is a particularly
good way to stimulate children's interests in their area's history.
"Expanding on his original master's thesis, Richard Winsche has provided us
with a comprehensive catalog of the origin of our local place names. Through
many years of service as a historian for the Nassau County Museum Services,
he assisted numerous researchers in solving historical questions and has continually
collected lore about place names. His assiduous research in original sources
avoids inaccurate accounts that abound on this topic. All future researchers
will be grateful for this highly useful study. This volume will be essential
for any Long Island history bookshelf to provide an answer to the oft-repeated
questions, 'Where did that name come from?'"
--Edward J. Smits, Nassau County Historian
"Place names on the land often suggest
what the first-comers saw or felt or heard. Thus we have the rigid tones of
biblical names used by Quakers of a distant past, while others tell of inland
plains or coastal areas of ocean or Sound. In still others there is the echo
of an Indian heritage so long ago that it is almost forgotten. Over the years
new names were added while some of the older ones gave way to the new. This
is all part of the treasured history of a changing environment.
"In a century of tremendous transitions from a semi-rural scene in 1900 to modern
suburbia in 2000, vast changes have taken place almost unnoticed except as we
look back. In this definitive and interesting study of how this has been reflected
in the names on the land, Richard Winsche has supplied a great deal of information
before it is completely lost. In doing this he has added strength and fibre
to the telling of the Long Island story and has provided a role model for others
to copy in other areas of the Island.
"No one could have been better suited for such a study than the author. A life-long
resident of Nassau County, he graduated from Adelphi University and received
his Master of Arts degree from C. W. Post College. He spent many years working
for the Nassau County Museum until his recent retirement. This splendid research
into the background of the area he knows so well is very welcome in this anniversary
year." --Dr. Myron H. Luke, Professor Emeritus of History, C. W. Post College
"Richard A. Winsche's History
of Nassau County Community Place-Names is another valuable
historical reference work produced under the aegis of the Long Island Studies
Institute at Hofstra University. . . . Winsche's authoritative summaries rely
greatly on original sources. His prodigious efforts included review of daily
and weekly newspapers, village clerk records, town records, general and local
histories, and original documents.
"The book's usefulness is enhanced by its exhaustive notes of the sources for
each village description, a bibliography, and a thorough index. This will be
the definitive work and regular reference for Nassau place names, and all future
Nassau researchers will be grateful for it. As a bonus, it is also an entertaining
insight into the variety of local village life and history, as revealed through
their place names." --Edward J. Smits, Nassau County Historian, Long Island
Historical Journal 12 (Spring 2000): 235-36.
"What's in a name? Often a great
deal as Richard A. Winsche former historian for the Nassau County Museum Services
demonstrates in this information-packed volume. The history of the county's
names runs the entire gamut of its history, from the original aboriginal inhabitants
right through twentieth century real estate terms. . . . Some names were created
by real estate boosters, community upgraders, the United States Post Office,
and even the Long Island Rail Road. . . .
"Winsche presents a historical profile
of Nassau's place-names from Albertson to Woodsburgh. The derivations of the
names themselves lead into such topics as genealogy and socio-economic developments.
The results are often fascinating and it is likely that many readers will discover
something they did not previously know about county history.
"As usual for Long Island Studies
[Institute] publications, the production values are superior and the layout
is attractive. The History of Nassau County Place-Names is a worthy
addition to county and Island history." -Richard F. Welch, Editor, Long Island
Forum 63 (Summer 2000): 43.
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