Long Island: Our Story / Chapters 6-9

August 13, 2019

Content from chapters 1-5 of Long Island: Our Story can be found here.

Two decades ago, Newsday began publishing the first pages of “Long Island: Our Story,” our celebrated 273-part series that told the history of this island we call home, from the Ice Age to the Space Age. Now, 20 years later, we’re proud to once again share this remarkable story with a new generation of Long Islanders.

Newsday print subscribers can sign up today to get “Long Island: Our Story” six times a year at no extra cost.

Gateway to a century

Part one of Chapter 6 of “Long Island: Our Story” is available here. Part two of Chapter 6 of “Long Island: Our Story” is available here.

Home on the plains

Grazing land gives way to Garden City, one of the earliest planned developments.

The oyster was their world

South Shore shellfish were welcomed internationally and brought prosperity home.

Getting on track

After discovering Long Island, the LIRR pulls ahead by absorbing other lines.

The architect of desire

Stanford White, designer of elegant Long Island houses for the Gilded Age.

The White House on the hill

As president, Theodore Roosevelt spent summers at his beloved Cove Neck mansion.

Submarines in LI waters

John Holland's persistence at America's first sub base leads to improvements.

F. Scott Fitzgerald country

Part one of Chapter 7 of “Long Island: Our Story” is available here. Part two of Chapter 7 of “Long Island: Our Story” is available here.

A battle over the air waves

Long Island was part of the turf where radio pioneers Marconi and Tesla fought for fame.

The story of the Big Duck

Born as a creature of commerce, the Big Duck grew to symbolize Long Island.

How LI teen Elinor Smith flew into history

Elinor Smith was a world-class pilot before she was out of her teens.

A shaggy dog's war story

Butch didn’t notice World War II, and that was just fine with humans seeking normalcy.

The little paper that could

After the war was over, the rise of Levittown started an eastward migration that launched Newsday into a long period of sustained growth.

Jones Beach, the marvel by the sea

When Jones Beach opened Aug. 4, 1929, visitors marveled at the elegance of Robert Moses' nautical vision.

The new frontier

Part one of Chapter 8 of “Long Island: Our Story” is available here. Part two of Chapter 8 of “Long Island: Our Story” is available here.

LI: Our Story / Benny Hooper and 'The Miracle of Manorville'

The rescue of Benny Hooper and the 1957 "Miracle of Manorville."

A shopping giant arrives

Developer Zeckendorf's new idea produces a mighty mall at Roosevelt Field

A slaying in high society

A socialite shoots her husband, and the killing is called a case of mistaken identity.

LI's vaccine volunteers

In 1954, thousands line up to fight polio -- taking the shots felt around the world.

'The Movement' for equality

Polite protests come to an end as Long Island activists accelerate the drive to secure a range of civil rights.

A drug raid on campus

The 1968 police sweep at Stony Brook, a national first of its kind, ignites controversy.

The sewer district stench

For greed, corruption and cost overruns, the Suffolk scandal is at the top of the heap.

Apollo 11 memories from LIers who made the mission possible

To mark the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing on July 20, 1969, some of those involved retrace their steps and the giant leap that made history.