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Middle Island

A Crossroads for Long Island

Beginnings: Before the Long Island Expressway came along, the main passage east on Long Island was Middle Country Road, bisecting the communities now known as Coram, Ridge and Middle Island. In the 1700s, passengers traveled by stagecoach along Middle Country Road on their way to Greenport from New York City, often stopping at Brewster's tavern in what was first known as Middletown.

Turning Point: With increased traffic, people began to build homes along this main thoroughfare, and in 1811 the community's postmaster, Benjamin Hutchinson, made a decision to change the name to Middle Island.

Brush With Fame: Ralph Johnstone took off from Belmont Park on Oct. 27, 1910, in a single-engine biplane in hopes of winning an air show competition. Instead, he flew into history. Ushered by a strong wind, Johnstone was carried east, all the way out to Middle Island. On the way, he set a new world altitude record of nearly 9,000 feet. Barely having a chance to savor the glory, Johnstone died in a crash two weeks later during another air show.

Notable Resident: After the death of his wife in 1869, artist Alonzo Chappel, a Brooklyn native, chose to spend the last years of his life near Corwins Pond in Middle Island. Chappel built his reputation painting battle scenes from the Revolutionary and Civil Wars such as ``The Battle of Long Island'' and ``Battle of Cedar Mountain.'' Corwin's Pond was later renamed Artist's Lake, perhaps in deference to Chappel. Chappel died in 1887 and is buried in Union Cemetery in Middle Island.

Natural History: Today, Cathedral Pines County Park stands as a testament to ``Uncle Billy'' Dayton, who in 1812 planted some white pine trees on his land on the road to Yaphank. More than 180 years later, the ``Pine Cathedral'' is the largest white pine forest on Long Island.

Where to Find More: The Thomas R. Bayles local history collection at Longwood Public Library, located at 800 Middle Country Rd., Middle Island, including books such as (``Longwood Long Ago,'' by Suzanne Johnson), pamphlet files, photos, old postcards and maps.