Rockville Centre's downtown a magnet for dining and shopping
Shops along Sunrise Highway in Rockville Centre. The village has many restaurants and shops that draw visitors and residents living in walking distance. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
Named after local Methodist preacher and community leader Mordecai “Rock” Smith in 1849, the hamlet was incorporated as a village in 1893 and by the early 1900s had become a commuter town, connected to New York City by the Long Island Rail Road. Today’s 34-minute commute is what Boland says drew her family there 30 years ago.
One of the stately homes on Lakeview Avenue. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
Village Mayor Francis X. Murray, who has lived his entire life in Rockville Centre, which residents call RVC, says that what was once a “sleepy community has urbanized, but we've kept our great residential backbone.”
In addition to several parks, the village has the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center and Sandel senior center. The village is also known for St. Agnes Cathedral, the spiritual seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese, which had sold its headquarters in the village in 2021.
Just outside the village is the 11-acre Tanglewood Park and Preserve, which houses the Center for Science Teaching and Learning.
Molloy College is home to the Madison Theatre. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
In addition to the bustling main downtown, there are also many restaurants and shops along Long Beach Road, in an area known as Little Rockville Centre.
The village has its own police and fire departments, and electric and water plants. Murray says the hydroelectric power plant “basically makes our electric half price.”
Community programs include Backyard Players & Friends, an inclusive, arts-based community program for those with disabilities. A fund started by former mayor Eugene Murray helps residents in need through annual community fundraising events.
Homes are predominantly Colonials, Capes, Tudors and Victorians, many built in the 1920s, which start around $599,000 and go up to $1.5 million and more. Neighborhoods include the Old Canterbury section in the north part of the village, which has 4,000- to 6,000-square-foot homes. The Harvard section comprises mostly Colonials on Harvard Avenue; the Bryn Mawr section has many Tudors; and the South side has larger Colonials and Victorians. There are also apartment buildings with condos and co-ops.
The village recently completed more than 20 miles of road repairs and an upgraded water system, Murray said. A $13 million grant for a Living with the Bay project is helping to mitigate damage from storm surges along Mill River Complex Park and is improving Smith Pond.
A cafe along the Sunrise Highway shopping district. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
Priced at $929,000, this side-hall Colonial on Harvard Avenue is set on a quarter-acre lot. Credit: Full Nelson Photo/Mike Nelson
This side hall Colonial in the Harvard area was built in 1924 on a ¼ acre. There are three bedrooms and 1½ baths, as well as a living room with fireplace, formal dining room, eat-in kitchen and family room overlooking the backyard. There’s a full walk-up attic, a two-car detached garage and a partially finished basement. Taxes are $19,470. Anne Hampel, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, 516-678-1510.
Priced at $769,000, this Colonial on Cedar Avenue has a den with sliders to the deck and landscaped yard. Credit: Full Nelson Photo/Mike Nelson
A classic Colonial with three bedrooms and 1½ baths, this house has hardwood floors, a living room with fireplace, kitchen with mudroom area and den opening to a deck. Taxes are $17,061. Mary Darcy, Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty, 516-678-1510.
Priced at $399,000 this renovated co-op on Maine Avenue is near the train station and village shopping. Credit: Alexandros Giannakis
Berkshire Rd.
Ardsley Pl.
Woodland Ave.
