East Meadow, New York
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
East Meadow is a hamlet (and census-designated place or CDP) in New York State, United States. Its name is derived from being the meadow of Hempstead Plains east of the Meadow Brook (originally a brook, now replaced by a parkway of the same name). Located just 30 miles from downtown Manhattan and with approximately 86% of residents commuting to work, East Meadow is a thriving suburb of New York City.
The population was 37,461 at the 2000 census.
East Meadow's postal ZIP code is 11554, and its telephone area code is 516.
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[edit] History
In 1655, Thomas Langdon, a surveyor for Hempstead Town, reported that the "east meadow" would be suitable for grazing. The area quickly became a grazing area for cattle and later, in the 1700s, for sheep.
During the Revolutionary War, East Meadow was occupied by British forces when they discovered the vast amounts of livestock herded there, and remained under their control until the end of the war.
Two large farms existed in what is now East Meadow: the Barnum farm (Barnum Woods), and the Carman farm.
It is rumored that President George Washington spent a night on the (Barnum) estate during a trip across Long Island in 1790.
A toll booth was operated near the Carman homestead on the Hempstead Turnpike.
Another early settlement was located near what is now the intersection of East Meadow Avenue and Prospect Avenue.
The (Barnum) estate was acquired by the Hoeffner family in 1914. Part of the old Barnum farm is now the site of Barnum Woods Elementary School, and the main road that passes by the school, Merrick Avenue, was originally called Barnum Avenue. The old Hoeffner homestead is now the site of Prospect Avenue Park, and East Meadow's Post Office.
Carman Avenue is home to East Meadow High School, and the Nassau University Medical Center, the tallest building in Nassau County.
On March 11, 2004, President George W. Bush made a controversial [1] visit to East Meadow for the groundbreaking of a new memorial for the victims of 9/11.
[edit] Notable People
- Criss Angel, musician, magician, illusionist, and stunt performer
- Arjun Atwal, PGA golfer (high school)
- Joshua G. Berman, author/travel writer, website
- Todd Berman, artist/activist, website
- Adam Busch, actor/musician, website
- Jason D'Aquino, artist, website
- Matt Doherty, head college basketball coach at Southern Methodist University, University of North Carolina and Notre Dame
- Scott Eckers, singer, website
- Julius Erving, ABA and NBA basketball player, Hall of Famer, 4-time MVP (born in)
- Piter Fattouche, actor (also known as Peter Fatoush)
- William Fichtner, actor
- Andy Friedman, artist/cartoonist/musician, website
- Richard Greenberg, Broadway playwright (Take Me Out, A Naked Girl on the Appian Way)
- Brandon T. Moore, NFL linebacker
- Sterling Morrison, guitarist & back-up singer with The Velvet Underground
- Fred Reinfeld, chess player/author (resident of; died in)
- Joel Rifkin, serial killer
- Darren Romeo, illusionist/magician, website
- Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States (childhood resident)
- Louis Sachar, author
- Matt Serra, mixed martial artist, UFC middleweight
- Billy Staples, radio producer/comedy writer/actor
- Frank Viola, Major League Baseball pitcher
[edit] Movies filmed in East Meadow
- Let the Good Times Roll, footage filmed in Modell's supermarket.
- The Hot Rock (1972), aka "How to Steal a Diamond in Four Uneasy Lessons," footage filmed at the prison, showing the high school in the background.
- Married to the Mob (1988)
- Pieces of April (2003), scene in car with Krispy Kreme and Wal-Mart in background on Hempstead Turnpike
- Enjoy the Show (2005)
- September 12th (2005)
- Knight of the Peeper (2006)
[edit] Education
East Meadow's nine public schools are operated by the East Meadow Union Free School District. The district was organized in 1814 under the name "Brushy Plains," and at one time was the third largest school district in New York State. The first school building was on Front Street (where the East Meadow Public Library building stands today). The district is still highly regarded for its educational programs, but quality teachers are leaving in droves due to a three-year bargaining nightmare. East Meadow's teachers still have no contract and the students are suffering the consequences. It is possible, if the community does not push for a contract that will attract good teachers and retain them, that the school district will lose its previous status.
[edit] Elementary schools
[edit] Middle schools
[edit] High schools
- East Meadow High School
- Photos of East Meadow High School winning the Nassua County Conference 1 finals against Freeport on 11-17-06
- W. Tresper Clarke High School
[edit] Hebrew School
[edit] Defunct schools
- Front Street School, once located at the corner of Front Street & East Meadow Avenue, burned down and replaced by the East Meadow Public Library.
- Prospect Avenue School, once located on the corner of Coakley Street & Prospect Avenue; its students now go to Barnum Woods.
- Newbridge Road Elementary School, once located on Newbridge Road, between 7th Avenue & Lawn Drive, has been converted to condominiums.
- McCleary Junior High School, previously Meadowbrook Junior High School, was located on Newbridge Road, in the lot adjacent to East Meadow's Wal-Mart. Has been replaced by a housing development.
- Salisbury School, building now serves as the district offices and alternative school
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 37,461 people, 12,186 households, and 9,651 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,299.5/km² (5,955.0/mi²). There were 12,375 housing units at an average density of 759.6/km² (1,967.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 85.29% White, 4.32% African American, 0.15% Native American, 6.68% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.96% from other races, and 1.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.01% of the population.
Of the 12,186 households, 35.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.2% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.8% were non-families. 17.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.94, and the average family size was 3.34.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 23.4% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $67,185, and the median income for a family was $74,691. Males had a median income of $50,325, versus $35,422 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $27,076. About 2.3% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] For population 25 years and over in East Meadow
- High school or higher: 86.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher: 29.0%
- Graduate or professional degree: 12.8%
- Unemployed: 3.3%
- Mean travel time to work: 31.0 minutes
[edit] For population 15 years and over in East Meadow CDP
- Never married: 21.7%
- Now married: 63.9%
- Separated: 1.3%
- Widowed: 7.9%
- Divorced: 5.3%
[edit] Geography
East Meadow is located within the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County on Long Island in New York State in the United States. It is located at (40.713739, -73.555823)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 16.3 km² (6.3 mi²). 16.3 km² (6.3 mi²) of it is land and 0.16% is water.
East Meadow is generally flat, and the elevation ranges from 32 feet near its southwestern edge, to 82 feet along Hempstead Turnpike to the north.
No actual meadow remains in East Meadow or the Hempstead Plain, due to the boom of post-World War II development and later, unchecked suburban sprawl.
[edit] Landmarks
The most prominent features are the town's water tower and hospital, the Nassau University Medical Center (formerly known as the Nassau County Medical Center, previously Meadowbrook Hospital) which dominate the "skyline." The Nassau County Jail, East Meadow Public Library, Mitchel Manor military housing complex, and Eisenhower Park, which includes the attraction, Safety Town are also located in East Meadow.
[edit] References
- East Meadow, Its Past and Present, published in 1976 by the East Meadow Public Library
- East Meadow, Yesterday & Today, by Mary Louise Clarke, available at the East Meadow Public Library
[edit] External links
- East Meadow Chamber of Commerce
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
- Telephone Exchange Names
| Town of Hempstead, New York | ||
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| Nassau County, New York | ||
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Atlantic Beach · Bellerose · Cedarhurst · East Rockaway · Floral Park · Freeport · Garden City · Hempstead · Hewlett Bay Park · Hewlett Harbor · Hewlett Neck · Island Park · Lawrence · Lynbrook · Malverne · Mineola · New Hyde Park · Rockville Centre · South Floral Park · Stewart Manor · Valley Stream · Woodsburgh |
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Baldwin · Baldwin Harbor · Barnum Island · Bay Park · Bellerose Terrace · Bellmore · East Atlantic Beach · East Garden City · East Meadow · Elmont · Franklin Square · Garden City South · Harbor Isle · Hewlett · Inwood · Lakeview · Levittown · Lido Beach · Malverne Park Oaks · Merrick · North Bellmore · North Merrick · North Valley Stream · Oceanside · Point Lookout · Roosevelt · Salisbury (South Westbury) · Seaford · South Hempstead · South Valley Stream · Uniondale · Wantagh · West Hempstead · Woodmere |
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| Website | TOH.li | |
