This story originally ran in “Long Island: Our Story” on Feb. 22, 1998 
 Beginnings: In 1658 Daniel Whitehead of Oyster Bay purchased land from the Matinecock Indians. At the time, the eastern section of the peninsula was known as the Pines and the western section as Oak Neck. In 1674 the land was divided among 23 men who used it for pasture. Initial development centered near the western end of the village, the area now known as Friendly Corner. 
 Bridge to the Future: In 1859 the name was changed to Bayville. Because of its isolated location, some people traveled by water taxi from Oyster Bay or a ferry that ran from Stamford, Conn., until 1937. To improve access, a bridge across Mill Neck Creek was completed in 1898 with donated funds. The current bridge on the site is the fourth, built in 1938. 
 Turning Points: The earliest businesses were farming, converting oyster and clam shells left by the Indians into lime, and harvesting salt hay. By the late 1800s, much of the land in the village was used for growing asparagus. Farming died out after the turn of the century as the community became a summer resort with small cottages, several estates and an entertainment complex called the Bayville Casino, built in 1913. The biggest estate was owned by stock market speculator Harrison Williams, who later donated his stables to the village for use as a village hall and library, and an adjacent 28-acre wooded tract as a preserve. Bayville became an incorporated village in 1919. 
 Clam to Fame: Besides its popular beaches, Bayville is known for the firm of Frank M. Flower &amp; Sons, founded in 1887. The company is the last remaining Long Island oyster and clam dredging company. It also cultivates oysters at its hatchery. 
 Run-in With The Master Builder: A large chunk of the business district and many homes would have disappeared if Robert Moses' 1965 proposal to build a bridge across Long Island Sound to Rye had not been killed in the early 1970s after wetlands were donated to the federal government for a wildlife preserve. 
 Where to Find More: "The Times and Tides of Bayville, Long Island, N.Y.," Bayville Library. &nbsp;

This story originally ran in “Long Island: Our Story” on Feb. 22, 1998 Beginnings: In 1658 Daniel Whitehead of Oyster Bay purchased land from the Matinecock Indians. At the time, the eastern section of the peninsula was known as the Pines and the western section as Oak Neck. In 1674 the land was divided among 23 men who used it for pasture. Initial development centered near the western end of the village, the area now known as Friendly Corner. Bridge to the Future: In 1859 the name was changed to Bayville. Because of its isolated location, some people traveled by water taxi from Oyster Bay or a ferry that ran from Stamford, Conn., until 1937. To improve access, a bridge across Mill Neck Creek was completed in 1898 with donated funds. The current bridge on the site is the fourth, built in 1938. Turning Points: The earliest businesses were farming, converting oyster and clam shells left by the Indians into lime, and harvesting salt hay. By the late 1800s, much of the land in the village was used for growing asparagus. Farming died out after the turn of the century as the community became a summer resort with small cottages, several estates and an entertainment complex called the Bayville Casino, built in 1913. The biggest estate was owned by stock market speculator Harrison Williams, who later donated his stables to the village for use as a village hall and library, and an adjacent 28-acre wooded tract as a preserve. Bayville became an incorporated village in 1919. Clam to Fame: Besides its popular beaches, Bayville is known for the firm of Frank M. Flower & Sons, founded in 1887. The company is the last remaining Long Island oyster and clam dredging company. It also cultivates oysters at its hatchery. Run-in With The Master Builder: A large chunk of the business district and many homes would have disappeared if Robert Moses' 1965 proposal to build a bridge across Long Island Sound to Rye had not been killed in the early 1970s after wetlands were donated to the federal government for a wildlife preserve. Where to Find More: "The Times and Tides of Bayville, Long Island, N.Y.," Bayville Library.

News

HLBAYV15

From the archives: History of Bayville

Newsday

hlBAYVILLE11 cropped

Homepage Trending

Labor Day weekend on LI

9/11 anniversary complete coverage

LI high school football preview

Wallet Watch

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

Sayville Falls Miniature Golf and Beer Garden offers family-friendly activities, gazebos with TVs for rent and food that changes with the seasons. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Sayville Falls Miniature Golf and Beer Garden offers more than you might think

NewsdayTV's Carissa Kellman visits Adventure Paddleboards & Kayaks in East Quogue for a GoBoat adventure.

It's your last chance to book an LI 'bumper boat'

Some farm stand owners are sharing video footage on social media, citing threats to an ethics code that has guided the East End economy for decades. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed reports.

East End farm stands report thefts, threatening decades-old honor systems

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa spoke with Robert Sinclair Jr., senior manager of public affairs for AAA Northeast, about some of the best and worst times to travel during the holiday weekend.

What to expect on the roads this Labor Day weekend

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed heads to the North Fork to highlight local East End businesses and give us a behind-the-scenes look at their daily work.

Out East: North Fork Foodie Tour

For many of the approximately 100,000 Muslims living on Long Island, the deadliest terrorist act committed on U.S. soil — carried out by 19 al-Qaida hijackers — pointed an unwelcome spotlight at them. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Being Muslim on LI, after 9/11 and now: Stories of hatred and healing

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa visits Dom's Famous Chicken Fingers in Plainview.

Trendy Bites: Dom's Famous Chicken Fingers

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa heads to Mastic Seafood to slice some fish and shuck some oysters on this week's LI Works.

LI Works: Shucking oysters and hauling fish at a local seafood market

The plant-eating pests are raising concerns among farmers and winemakers. Newsday reporter Mark Harrington spoke about some potential upcoming solutions.

Spotted lanternflies on the rise

The Smithtown East boys and girls volleyball teams hosted Smithtown West in what was billed as the first outdoor volleyball matches in Long Island history. NewsdayTV's Christopher Matias reports.

Smithtown East hosts Long Island's first outdoor volleyball match

<a href="https://www.newsday.com/video/newsdaytv-top-stories">Get more on these and other NewsdayTV stories</a>

Newsday TV

NewsdayTV Top Item

Sayville homicide investigation ... Salvadorans face end of protective status ... Newsday photographers remember 9/11

Sayville homicide investigation ... Hofstra extends contracts ... Newsday photographers remember 9/11

Sayville homicide investigation ... Court reporter errors force case dismissal ... Salvadorans face end of protective status ... 9/11 through the eyes of Newsday photographers

Sayville homicide investigation ... Salvadorans face end of protective status ... 9/11 through the eyes of Newsday photographers

News - megaslot

Newsday has the most up-to-date stories on Long Island & NTC. Join us & stay current with news articles on sports, business, health, technology & more.

Stay logged in.