Huntington road renamed in honor of one of town's first Black landowners Peter Crippen

The street where one of Huntington’s early African American landowners made his home now bears his name.

Creek Road in Halesite is now Peter Crippen Way.

Crippen was born in Virginia around 1809 and came to Huntington in the early 1830s. He became a leader in Huntington’s African American community and purchased his home in 1864. He was a founding member and trustee of what is now the Bethel AME Church in Huntington.

"The Crippen House is a remarkable and rare example of two aspects of Huntington’s history: 17th-century industry and early African American land ownership," said town board member Ed Smyth, who was joined by a host of elected officials at the Oct. 6 unveiling near the home.

Smyth sponsored a resolution in February to rename the road. The resolution was approved unanimously by the Town Board.

"I’m totally grateful for everyone who has done what they did to make this happen," said Kip Carmen of Selden, a descendant of Crippen.

In January an archaeological dig at the town-owned property unearthed glass, ceramics and other items dating to the 19th century and early 20th century. A second study has been recommended, something town officials said would determine whether the site is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The study is estimated to cost $30,000.A foundation donated $8,500 for an initial archaeological dig on the site.

Town officials said they have received a $5,000 donation from Empire Auto Group toward the study.

The town also is joining with the Huntington-based 1653 Foundation to crowdfund the remaining $25,000. An anonymous donor has offered to match up to $10,000 in donations until Oct. 31, town officials said.

The Crippen family lived in the residence for more than 150 years before the town purchased the property. The north wing of the Peter Crippen House is believed to be the Town’s first mill, built in 1658.

Previously the town said Crippen had been enslaved. His father had been manumitted, or freed, before he was born; it is not clear what his mother's status was, town officials said. His father and Peter Crippen were both named in a second manumission paper, which led to the belief he had been enslaved but the family disputes that, town officials said.

The town finalized its purchase of the property from descendants in 2019. The home was in severe disrepair and continued to deteriorate while town officials waited to close on the property.

Community opposition stopped a plan to demolish the home in June 2020.

A historical marker also was unveiled in front of the home as part of the renaming festivities.