Village of Babylon (Town of Babylon History Book, Chapter 16)

Town of Babylon History Book - Village of Babylon (chapter 16; September 2025)

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Village of Babylon

History Highlights 

Attracted by the abundance of fish and shellfish in the Great South Bay, English settlers established farms on the South Shore in the late 1600s, but the area remained largely unpopulated for another century. Nathaniel Conklin built his Main Street home in 1803. Along with his mother Phebe, Conklin is credited with coining the name Babylon.[1] The name Babylon was adopted by the Post Office in 1830.

The first South Side Railroad train arrived in Babylon on October 11, 1867. The first depot was erected 1868. This depot, pictured circa 1905, was built in 1881 and was demolished in 1962 when the tracks were elevated.

In 1867, the South Side Railroad extended from New York City to Babylon.[2] Numerous hotels welcomed visitors, including Sherman House on Main Street, and Watson House on Fire Island Avenue.[3] Built in 1882 by Long Island Rail Road President Austin Corbin, the Argyle Hotel was the birthplace of the celebrated Cuban Giants, the first Professional Black Baseball Team, in 1885.[4]

The historic South Side Signal building which stood on the south side of West Main Street and, later, housed the Red Lion Pub. Built in 1869, the building was moved to Mansfield Place in 1990, and demolished in 2019.

As Babylon grew and became a business center, it led the effort to separate from Huntington Town in 1872. The South Side Signal newspaper, founded by Henry Livingston in 1869,[5] printed several editorials in support of the secession from Huntington. The Signal was an esteemed Long Island newspaper, and was published in Babylon until 1920.

From 1902 to 1907, the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company operated a wireless station and training school on Fire Island Avenue.[6] The station used a 160-foot transmission pole to communicate with ships at sea and other stations.

Babylon became the first incorporated village in the Town of Babylon, in 1893.[7]

Marconi Wireless Station (left). Sketch of the Westminster Kennel Clubhouse (right), near the southwest corner of Southard’s Pond. The Westminster Kennel Club was founded in 1877 by a group of sportspeople from New York City. The sporting club relocated to New Jersey in 1904.

Excerpt from Map of Suffolk County, L.I., N.Y.: from actual surveys, 1858, J. Chace, John Douglass, and Robert Pearsall Smith; Published by John Douglas, Philadelphia, PA.

Babylon – the Name, the Zip Code, Etc.

Some historians have reported that one of the first residential homes in what is now the Village of Babylon was built by the Heartte family (or Hartt, many variations exist) around 1760, on East Main Street, just east of the Presbyterian Church property. A prior name for the Babylon area was Sumpwams, a Native American term believed to mean “straight walker,” referring to an “upright or just person.” Geographically, the name Sumpwams is associated with Sumpwams Neck (a “neck” is another term for a peninsula), which is the body of land on the south side of Main Street, between the Carll River (Argyle Lake) and Sumpwams Creek (Hawley’s Pond). Variations of the name Sumpwams include Sumpawams, Sampwams and Sampawams.[8] 

The earliest written evidence of the name “Babylon” is found in the home of Nathaniel Conklin, built at the corner of Deer Park Avenue and East Main Street, in 1803. The name is commonly credited to Phebe Smith Conklin, Nathaniel’s mother, though two differing legends exist.

The first legend purports that she chose the name from the Bible Psalm “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down.” The Psalm describes the exile of the Jewish people from Jerusalem during the Babylonian captivity (perhaps Phebe Conklin felt exiled from her previous home). However, a more scandalous version suggests that Mrs. Conklin was unpleased with the proximity of her son’s home to a raucous tavern at the American House. Referring to the alleged corruption and depravity of Ancient Babylon described in the Bible, she declared her new community as “another Babylon!” Nathaniel proclaimed the community a “New Babylon,” and engraved the name in his chimney stone.[9] The stone is now exhibited at the Nathaniel Conklin House museum at 280 Deer Park Avenue (the house was moved to that location in 1871).

The Nathaniel Conklin House and stone inscribed “New Babylon – This House Built by Nat Conklin 1803.” The house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988, and is a museum. Images from the Library of Congress, Historic American Buildings Survey, 1936.

Instead of New Babylon, the name Babylon was adopted. After the railroad came to Babylon in 1867, the railroad company named the station “Seaside,” which also changed the Post Office name to “Seaside,” but the change was short-lived because residents preferred “Babylon.”[10] There had been some concern by the railroad company that vacationers and visitors would be turned-off by the undesirable Biblical reference, but the name Babylon continued.

Not just in the Town of Babylon, but across Long Island, the assignment of zip codes can cause confusion about “where” things are located. The Babylon Post Office was established in 1803, originally named Huntington South. The name Babylon was adopted in 1830.[11] Up through the 1800s, the Babylon Post Office was located within existing stores. Merchants could apply to be the Postmaster and an area of their store was designated for postal business.

In the 1920s, a new post office building was built on West Main Street (now Post Office Café), and by the 1940s it was located on the east side of Deer Park Avenue. In 2006, the current Post Office, at the corner of George and Cooper Streets, was dedicated to Babylon native and Army soldier Jacob Samuel Fletcher (1974-2003), who was killed in Iraq.[12]

Excerpt from a description of a railroad excursion on the new South Side Railroad of Long Island, published in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, November 15, 1867. The writer asserted that, “from the Biblical reputation of Babylon, city people concluded that its Long Island namesake must be very wicked.”

Babylon Post Office, 1937. Photo by William Henry.

Up through the early 1900s, residents picked up their mail from the post office. A letter addressed to “Miss Mary Jackson, Babylon, New York” was sufficient to have the letter delivered to the Babylon Post Office, where it would wait for Miss Jackson to pick it up. If letters were not retrieved in a timely manner, a notice may have been printed in the local newspaper as a reminder. The Babylon Post Office started residential mail delivery in 1909.[13]

In 1963, the U.S. Postal Service introduced the basic 5-digit zip code, across the country. The Babylon Post Office was assigned 11702. Using the digits 11702, mail addressed to Babylon, parts of North Babylon, parts of West Babylon, Oak Beach, Captree Island or West Gilgo, will reach its destination, although the Post Office name is just Babylon. The zip code assigned to addresses is based on the post office assigned to deliver the mail, but can be confused with all of the other facilities associated with an address. 

Mail delivery is an important part of our lives, to receive packages, holiday greetings and utility bills. However, postal addresses do not describe everything about an address. Here are four examples of addresses under the jurisdiction of the Babylon Post Office:

Address	Post Office	School/Library	Fire Dept.	Village or Town
27 Prospect Street	Babylon	Babylon	Babylon	Village of Babylon
19 Cambridge Drive	Babylon	West Babylon	Babylon	Village of Babylon
25 Independence Avenue	Babylon	North Babylon	North Babylon	Hamlet of North Babylon, Town of Babylon
109 Oak Beach Road	Babylon	Babylon	Babylon	Hamlet of Oak Beach, Town of Babylon

The Cuban Giants baseball team, 1888. In the summer of 1885, this group of athletes were hired by the Argyle Hotel as hotel staff and to play baseball games against Long Island teams for the entertainment of hotel guests and the community. After their summer in Babylon, the team became world-famous. The Cuban Giants were the First Professional Black Baseball Team. Not the first Black players or even the first Black team of amateur players, but the first team of Black players to be paid for their sporting work.

Following their season in Babylon, the Cuban Giants played the Metropolitans – the Mets – on October 5, 1885. Although the Mets bested the Cuban Giants, 11-3, the Babylon newspaper reported that several baseball fans from Babylon had witness the game [14]

 

Following: Babylon map from Atlas of Suffolk County, Long Island, New York, Merritt B. Hyde, 1902; Published by E. B. Hyde.

A Brief Look at Babylon Population

When it separated from the Town of Huntington in 1872, the Town of Babylon had a population of about 3,000 people. The chart below illustrates the population growth of the Village of Babylon and the Town of Babylon.

Decade	Babylon Village Population	Town of Babylon Population	Please note: The Village of Babylon incorporated in 1893, thereby establishing its boundaries, which are used to define its census area. It is undetermined whether the 1880 census figure represents the area now known as the Village of Babylon, or whether it represented a larger/smaller area.
1880	2,142 (15)	4,739
1900	2,157	7,112
1920	2,523	11,315
1940	4,742	24,297
1960	11,062	142,309
1980	12,388	203,483
2000	12,615	211,703
2020	12,188	218,223

The largest and fastest increase in population occurred after World War II, commonly referred to as the “Suburban Population Boom.” From 1940 to 1960, the population of the Town of Babylon increased by 485%. The rapid increase of residents brought an increased need for housing, schools, road improvements, stores and commercial developments, and employment. In those short decades, much of the Town of Babylon and its communities changed from rural countryside to suburban neighborhoods.

Babylon School District

Babylon school class, circa 1933.

The Babylon School District is generally bounded by Little East Neck Road (north of Main Street) on the west, Route 231 on the east, and extends north to a few streets south of Sunrise Highway. The district also includes the barrier beach communities of Captree Island, Oak Beach, Oak Island, Gilgo Beach and West Gilgo. Village of Babylon properties that lie to the west of Little East Neck Road are largely part of the West Babylon School District.    

School district boundaries were established in the early-1800s. Prior to 1872, it was known as Town of Huntington School District No. 21.[16] After the Town of Babylon separated from Huntington in 1872, it became known as Town of Babylon School District No. 1, before the name Babylon Union Free School District was adopted in the early 1900s.

 Built in 1893-1894 as the Babylon Union School, the building later became the high school. Although the school has been expanded several times, and no longer reflects the style shown in this c. 1910 postcard, the original 1893 cornerstone (right) is displayed within the schools corridors. At the left corner of the postcard image, the Capt. Joel Cook monument is shown in its original location. School expansion required the monument to be relocated to Argyle Park in 1957. [17]

The first Babylon school was established in 1805. The small school was located on Main Street, and it was privately owned by a group of local residents. In 1818, the school was purchased by Town of Huntington School District No. 21, and became a public school. The school was relocated to George Street in 1859 and, in 1893, a four-story brick school was erected at the corner of North Carll Avenue and Grove Place. [18]

Although commonly referred to as Babylon High School, it served students of all grades until the two elementary school were constructed. Babylon Memorial Grade School was named in memorial to honor local veterans.

School District Mascot – Panthers

School District Colors – Orange and Black

• Babylon Junior-Senior High School – opened 1894 [19]
• Babylon Memorial Grade School – opened 1955 [20]
• Babylon Elementary School – opened 1965 [21]

Babylon Union Free School District, Central Administration, 50 Railroad Avenue, Babylon, NY 11702 – http://www.babylon.k12.ny.us/

Babylon Public Library

The debut of the Babylon Library, published in the South Side Signal, October 27, 1911.

The origin of the Babylon Public Library dates back to a private group known as the Babylon Book Circle, formed by Adelaide Arnold, Loreign Reid and Louise A. Sammis, in 1887. Charter members paid $3 per year and exchanged books among themselves. The Book Circle occupied rented spaces through the downtown for several years.

In 1895, the Babylon Library Association was incorporated by Lillian H. Fishel (later Lillian Oliver), Antoinette Sammis, Lulu Fishel and James W. Eaton.[22] The library association held fairs and fundraisers for a permanent building, which dedicated on October 23, 1911.[23] The library was still a private organization and members paid dues of $2 per year. In 1933, the Village of Babylon subsidized the library with $2,000 and it became a public library, open for free use by village residents.[24]

In 1964, the Babylon School District assumed support of the library, by a vote of the residents. Community needs outgrew the small building and, in 1966, residents voted to erect a new library on South Carll Avenue, which was dedicated on December 14, 1968.[25] The old library building is now the Village History Museum, operated by the Village of Babylon Historical & Preservation Society.

A view of the Babylon Library before its 2006 renovation (left). Images courtesy of the Village of Babylon Historical & Preservation Society. Scultped by Peggy Mach,"Sea Dreams" was installed in front of the library (right), August 1983,  by the Babylon Beautification Society.

In 2006, the Babylon Library celebrated a grand re-opening following a renovation and expansion from 10,000 to 18,000 sq. ft. of space.[26] The library serves the Babylon School District, as described above.

Babylon Public Library, 24 South Carll Avenue, Babylon, NY 11702 – (631) 669-1624 – www.babylonlibrary.org

 

Books About Babylon History

Local history titles include:

• Babylon (Postcard History Series), by the Village of Babylon Historical Society with Mary Cascone, Acadia Publishing, 2017
• Along the Great South Bay: from Oakdale to Babylon, the Story of a Summer Spa, 1840 to 1940, by Harry W. Havemeyer, Amereon House, 1996
• By the Waters of Babylon: a history of the First Presbyterian Church of Babylon, Long Island, 1730-1980, by Marilyn Schov, Exposition Press, 1980
• History of the First Presbyterian Church of Babylon, L.I., by James W. Eaton, Babylon Publishing Co., 1912 (Digital copy available at the Internet Archive, www.archive.org .)
• Babylon Reminiscences, by Benjamin P. Field, Babylon Publishing Co., 1911 (Digital copy available at the Internet Archive, www.archive.org .)

 

Babylon Fire Department

Babylon Fire Department, 1951 American LaFrance ladder truck, at the headquarters.     Image courtesy of the Babylon Fire Department.

The first effort to form a fire department in Babylon was in 1874, but the company disbanded. But, an 1876 fire at the American House stables hastened residents’ desire for local fire protection. Henry Livingston, editor of the South Side Signal newspaper, called for a series of public meetings that led to the formation of Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1 on December 1, 1877.

The petition read: “We, the undersigned, believing that the village of Babylon is in need of protection in case of fire, hereby voluntarily organize ourselves into an association, to be known as Babylon Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, for the purpose of preventing and extinguishing fires and saving property. It is agreed that ten men, thus enrolled, shall constitute the charter members of the company; and on the completion of this enrollment they shall proceed forthwith to elect officers, adopt proper bylaws for their government; appoint suitable committees, and otherwise complete the organization and prepare for active duty.”; signed by Henry Livingston, John J. Lux, Alanson Weeks, Frank N. Jacobs, John W. Baylis, John T. Brown, Augustus A. Cornelius, Washington F. Norton, Edward V. Brown and Joseph. H. Cummins.

In July 1881, the Eagle Hose Company was formed, later named Storm Engine Company No. 1. The two companies merged in 1881 to form the Babylon Fire Department, with Henry Livingston as the first Chief. The new department was represented by 39 members in the Hook & Ladder Co. and 25 in the Storm Engine Co. The fire headquarters was built on the south side of Grove Place, which opened in 1882. In the early years, church bells were used to alert members for fire response.

The department purchased its first piece of motorized equipment in 1915. In 1926, the Babylon Municipal Building opened with the current Babylon Fire Department headquarters in the north portion of the building, facing South Carll Avenue.

• Hook & Ladder Co. #1 – organized on December 1, 1877
• Eagle Hose Company – formed July 1881 (named later changed to Storm Engine Co. #1)
• Phoenix Hose Co. #1 – formed 1882
• Sumpwams Hose Co. #2 – formed 1895
• Argyle Hose Co. #3 – formed 1899
• Electric Hose Co. #4 – formed 1902
• Fire Patrol Co. #1 – formed 1931
• Drum Corp – formed 1958
• Rescue Squad – formed 1960
• Drill Team – formed 1970
• Softball Team – formed 1999
• Marine Unit – formed 2005

Babylon Fire Department, 153 W. Main Street, Babylon, NY 11702 – (631) 669-1600 (non-emergency) – www.babylonfd.com

Monuments and Memorials  

 

Memorial honoring Veterans of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War; south side of West Main Street, Babylon, in front of the gazebo.

The monument was installed in 1960 to honor World War II and Korean War veterans. Later, it was updated to included veterans of the Vietnam War.

For God – For Country

Greater Love Hath No Man Than This, That a Man Lay Down His Life for His Friends

In Memoriam – World War II, 1941-1945 – Korean Veterans, 1950-1953 – Vietnam Veterans, 1961-1975

Babylon Post 94 American Legion

_______________________________

 

Two monuments at American Legion Post #94, 22 Grove Place, Babylon.

We Honor and Give Thanks to All the Men and Women that have Served and are Serving in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

Thank You for Your Service and Your Sacrifice. We are Forever Grateful and You Will Never Be Forgotten.

“All Gave Some – Some Gave All” – Designed and Dedicated by Colin Reiff, Eagle Scout Project, November 11, 2019

_______________________________

In Memory of All Veterans Who Served Our Nation in Times of Conflict in World War I – World War II – Korea – Vietnam – Lebanon/Grenada – Panama – Persian Gulf

Babylon Post #94 – Dedicated May 30, 1998

_______________________________

Monument honoring local casualties of World War I. Argyle Park, north side of West Main Street, west side of the falls.

Dedicated – A.D. 1919 Ÿ In Honor Of

Ralph J. Billingsley Ÿ Leroy Johnson Ÿ

Edward Joseph Cockerill Ÿ Percy Landwehr Ÿ

Eugene Henry Floyd Ÿ Joseph F. Murphy Ÿ

Eugene Matthew Ford Ÿ Roland R. Murray Ÿ

John C. Huttle Ÿ Arthur Leigh Simrell Ÿ

Charles Duffy Ÿ William P. Wesch

_______________________________

Erected in 1907 to honor Captain Joel Cook, a veteran of the American Revolution and the War of 1812. Originally placed at Babylon High School, the monument was moved to Argyle Park in 1957.[27] Argyle Park, north side of West Main Street, east side of the falls, Babylon.

This Monument is erected to honor and perpetuate the memory of Capt. Joel Cook. A brave soldier who served in the American Army throughout the Revolutionary war and who also recruited and commanded a company in the War of 1812.

Born at Wallingford Conn., Oct. 12, 1760. Died at Babylon, L.I., Dec. 8, 1851. His patriotism, heroism, and manly virtues merit emulation by the present and the future generations.

_______________________________

Monument honoring local casualties of World War I, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Grove Place and South Carll Avenue.

To commemorate the Supreme Sacrifice Made by Babylon’s Heroes Ÿ Eugene Henry Floyd Ÿ Leroy Johnson Ÿ Charles Duffy Ÿ Percy Landwehr Ÿ Eugene Floyd Ÿ Joseph F. Murphy Ÿ Eugene M. Ford Ÿ Roland Murray Ÿ John C. Huttle Ÿ Arthur L. Simrell Ÿ William P. Wesch Ÿ World War – 1917-1919 Ÿ July 4^th, 1919

_______________________________

Monument and bell honoring volunteer firemen; northwest corner of North Carll Avenue and West Main Street.

In memory of those who served as Volunteer Firemen of the Babylon Fire Department, Org. 1881

Historical Markers within the Village of Babylon

Marker Name and Location	Text	Notes
Auto Race -- Commemorates a historic automobile race, won by an electric car; at southwest corner of Fire Island Avenue and West Main Street, Babylon.	Auto Race – First U.S. Auto Race Held April 14, 1900. 50-Mile Round Trip Queens To Babylon. Sponsored By American Auto Club. Won By Andrew L. Riker.	Dedicated in 2021, funded by a grant from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.
Babylon Railroad Co. - Trolley Route -- Commemorates the trolley route between Amityville and Babylon; located at Babylon Railroad Station.	In 1909, the South Shore Traction Co. established an electrified trolley line, extending over six miles from the railroad station in Amityville, through Copiague, Lindenhurst, West Babylon, and the Babylon railroad station, to the ferry docks in Babylon Village.	Dedicated jointly by the Village of Babylon and the Town of Babylon on June 11, 2010, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the trolley route.
Babylon Railroad Co. - Trolley Route -- Commemorates the trolley route between Amityville and Babylon; located at Babylon Village Docks.	In 1871, David S.S. Sammis started a horse-drawn trolley line to transport passengers from the Babylon Railroad Station to the ferry docks.  In 1910, the line was electrified and extended west to the railroad station at Amityville.	Dedicated jointly by the Village of Babylon and the Town of Babylon on June 11, 2010, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the trolley route.
Babylon Station -- Commemorates an important wireless station and school. Corner of Fire Island Avenue and Virginia Road, Babylon.	Babylon Station – Site Of Marconi Wireless Telegraph Station & School. Trained Operators 1902-1907. Original Radio Shack Moved To RCA Rocky Point In 1930.	Dedicated in 2021, funded by a grant from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.
Conklin House -- Commemorates the Nathaniel Conklin House, built 1803; at 280 Deer Park Avenue, Babylon.	The Historic Nathaniel Conklin House – The Conklins Named Babylon in 1803 When This House Was Built On Main Street. Moved To This Site in 1871.	Dedicated by the Village of Babylon in 1990.
Cuban Giants -- Commemorates the first Professional Black Baseball Team. Northwest corner of Argyle Park, on Trolley Line Road, Babylon.	Cuban Giants – Staffers from Babylon’s Argyle Hotel Made History in the Summer of 1885, Debuting as the First Professional Black Baseball team, Playing Games Near This Location.	Dedicated in 2025 by the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame.
South Side R.R. -- Commemorates the first railroad to arrive through Babylon; north side of Railroad Avenue, at the Babylon railroad station.	South Side R.R. – First Train Arrived From Jamaica October 11, 1867. Rail Brought NYC Visitors Spurring Resort Era Boom. LIRR Assumed Line by 1876.	Dedicated in 2017, funded by a grant from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.
Suffrage Study Club -- Commemorates a local group which formed to support voting rights for women. In front of 99-101 Deer Park Avenue, Babylon.	Suffrage Study Club – Local Branch Organized in 1912 at Alhambra Theatre to Debate, Discuss and Support Women's State and National Voting Rights.	Dedicated in 2017, as part of the NYS Suffrage Centennial, funded by a grant from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.

Historical Societies

Nathaniel Conklin House –  280 Deer Park Avenue, Babylon, NY 11702 – (631) 669-8164

Built in 1803 by Nathaniel Conklin who, along with his mother Phebe Conklin, is credited with naming Babylon. The house was moved from the northeast corner of Main Street and Deer Park Avenue in 1871 to its current location on the west side of Deer Park Avenue, just south of the railroad.

The house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988, and is an important landmark in our local history. The Conklin House is now a museum.

 

Village of Babylon Historical & Preservation Society

Location: 117 W. Main Street, Babylon, NY 11702

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 484, Babylon, NY 11702

(631) 669-1756 – babylonvillagehistoricalsociety.org

The Village of Babylon Historical and Preservation Society formed in 1974 and has operated a local history museum ever since, offering visitors a glimpse into the village’s past, from its role as a vacation resort community and suburban boomtown.

The historical society museum is located in the old Babylon Library, at 117 W. Main Street, Babylon, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.

Village Government

The Babylon Municipal Building was dedicated on July 5, 1926.[28] J. Stanley Foster gifted $15,000 toward the purchase of the property, for the erection of the village hall, which also houses the fire department headquarters.

The Village of Babylon was incorporated on December 19, 1893.[29] The village is governed by an elected Mayor and four Trustees.

Mayors of Babylon Village

The first Village election was held January 30, 1894, and the first village meeting took place on February 7, 1894. New York State law mandated the title change from Village President to Village Mayor, as July 1, 1927.

	Title	Name	Term Start	Term End
1.	President	Dr. William W. Hewlett [30]	February 7, 1894	August 6, 1895
2.	President	David Ricketts, Jr. [31]	August 6, 1895	March 1898
3.	President	Henry Van Weelden [32]	April 1898	March 1900
4.	President	Edward Daily [33]	April 1900	March 1903
5.	President	Treadwell B. Kellum [35]	April 1903	March 1904
6.	President	Benjamin B. Wood [35]	April 1904	March 1908
7.	President	Chester O. Ketcham [36]	April 1908	March 1911 **
8.	President	Edward S. Alley [37]	April 1911	March 1914
--	President	Chester O. Ketcham *	April 1914	March 1920 **
9.	President	Charles E. Puttfarcken [38]	April 1920	March 1922
--	President	Chester O. Ketcham *	April 1922	March 1924
10.	President	Emmett F. Newton [39]	April 1924	March 1926
11.	President/Mayor	Robert N. Overton [40]	April 1926	March 25, 1932 ^
12.	Mayor	Gustave Fishel, Sr. [41]	April 26, 1932 †	March 1933
13.	Mayor	Joseph H. Sanderson [42]	April 1933	July 1935
14.	Mayor	Ellis A. Taylor [43]	July 1935	March 1937
15.	Mayor	Cadman H. Frederick [44]	April 1937	March 1941
16.	Mayor	C. Herbert Hendrickson [45]	April 1941	February 17, 1942 ‡
17.	Mayor	J. Vincent O’Shea [46]	February 24, 1942 †	March 1947
18.	Mayor	Erastus H. Munson [47]	April 1947	March 1951
19.	Mayor	Gilbert C. Hanse [48]	April 1951	March 25, 1965 ‡ **
20.	Mayor	Frank J. Gallagher [49]	March 1965	December 1965 ‡
21.	Mayor	John T. Morris, Jr. [50]	December 1965	March 1966
22.	Mayor	Syd Askoff [51]	April 1966	December 31, 1969 ‡
--	Mayor	Gilbert C. Hanse *	January 1, 1970 †	March 1987
23.	Mayor	E. Donald Conroy [52]	April 1987	October 21, 2002 ^
24.	Mayor	Ralph Scordino [53]	October 2002 †	October 29, 2020 ^
25.	Mayor	Mary E. Adams	October 30, 2020 †	present

* Previously elected to a non-consecutive term     ** Re-elected to a non-consecutive term     

** Re-elected to a non-consecutive term     ^ Died in office     † Appointed to fill a vacancy                                      ‡ Resigned

Babylon Village Police Department in front of Police Headquarters, 1948.  (l-r, bottom) Sgt. Smalling, Sgt. Russ Grover, Chief Jim Nolan, Sgt. __.  (top) Patrolmen: John Arinks, Phil Corso, Bill Walsh, Herb Bruhl, Jim Pearsall.  

Village of Babylon Police Department

In 1894, a year after it incorporated, the Village of Babylon appointed its first constable, Oscar Balchen at a salary of $30 a month.[54] By 1912, Babylon village employed two constables to patrol the streets and keep the peace in their burgeoning village, but soon the village leaders realized that their force was still too small and within the year hired another officer.

The police force grew as the village population grew in the early 20th century. By 1938, the village police force consisted of eleven officers and one clerk. In 1958, village residents elected to dissolve their police force and entrust their law enforcement security to a county police force.[55] Many of their loyal and dedicated officers transferred to the Suffolk County Police Department, when it assumed patrol duties on January 1, 1960.

Babylon Village Hall, 153 W. Main Street, Babylon, NY 11702 • (631) 669-1500 • www.villageofbabylonny.gov  

Village of Babylon Parks & Recreational Facilities

Argyle Park, West Main Street

The park was gifted by J. Stanley Foster to the Village of Babylon in 1922, as a memorial to his fellow World War I veterans. That same year the Board of Trustees officially named it Babylon Memorial Park, although it is commonly known as Argyle Park.[56]

J. Stanley Foster died in 1925.[57] His sister Caroline Foster Savidge donated the decorative overflow as a memorial to him, dedicated on Armistice Day (Veterans Day), 1928. The bench behind the overflow is inscribed “Babylon Memorial Park, presented to the Village of Babylon by J. Stanley Foster, Esq.”[58]

 

Gilbert C. Hanse Village Pool – 700 Fire Island Avenue South – (631) 587-7707

The Village Pool was first constructed in 1927 by Babylon Beach Inc., Walter J. Lipp, president.[59] In 1947, the Village of Babylon purchased the private pool complex for community use.[l60] In 1982, the pool was re-named for former Mayor Gilbert C. Hanse (1914-2004).

A postcard image of the pool, c. 1930. At one time, the pool was purported to be the largest on the east coast, and was noted for its tile work. In the early years, the pool was filled with salt water from the Great South Bay. Advertisement for the Babylon Bathing Beach and Swimming Pool, published in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 21, 1929.

E. Donald Conroy Golf Course – 75 Cedar Street – (631) 669-2340

The 9-hole golf course first opened in 1999. Named for E. Donald Conroy (1929-2002), who served as Village Mayor 1987-2002.

 

Southard’s Pond Park – bounded by Park Way on the west and Pond Place on the east

Named for the Southard family that operated a grist mill at the south end of the pond in the 1800s.  The famed Westminster Kennel Club had its clubhouse near the southwest corner of the pond from 1880 to 1904.

 

Babylon Village Park, Park Avenue

Dedicated on December 28, 1969, the plaque reads: “This park is dedicated to the people of the Village of Babylon. Developed by the Village of Babylon with Sidney Shapiro, chief engineer and general manager of the Long Island State Park Commission. • Syd Askoff, Mayor • Board of Trustees • Lane H. Foreman • John T. Morris Jr. • Peter O. Rasmussen • Robert J. Wilbur.”

The park has a playground and tennis courts, and is part of the trail system to Belmont Lake State Park.

---

Village of Babylon

1.      History of Suffolk County, by W.W. Munsell, 1882, Town of Babylon chapter p. 9, Town of Huntington chapter p. 36; Huntington – Babylon Town History, by Romanah Sammis, 1937, p. 244-245.

2.     “Railroad,” Long Islander, October 25, 1867, p. 2; “City News and Gossip,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, November 1, 1867, p. 3.

3.     (Sherman House) “Babylon Record, South Side Signal, October 27, 1883, p. 2; “Babylon Record,” South Side Signal, January 12, 1884, p. 2; (Watson House) “Our Big Hotel,” South Side Signal, September 23, 1871, p. 2.

4.     “Another Summer Resort. Latest Project to Beautify the Shores of Long Island,” South Side Signal, December 17, 1881, p. 2; “Babylon’s Grand Hotel – The ‘Argyle,’” South Side Signal, May 6, 1882; “A spirited game …,” South Side Signal, August 22, 1885, p. 3.

5.     First newspaper issue, July 7, 1869; “Retrospective” by E.S. Moore, M.D., South Side Signal, May 29, 1914.

6.     “Marconi Station at Babylon. A Wireless Telegraphy Plant to be Installed Near the Great South Bay,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 31, 1902, p. 8; “Babylon Local Record,” South Side Signal, Aug. 2, 1902, p. 3; “Wireless Station Closed. Big Marconi Pole, a Babylon Landmark Since 1902, Is Coming Down,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, May 10, 1907, p. 5.

7.      “Babylon to Have a Village Government,” South Side Signal, December 23, 1893, p. 2.

8.     The Indian Place-Names On Long Island and Islands Adjacent, with Their Probable Significations, by William Wallace Tooker, G.P. Putnam’s Sons: New York, 1911. Please note: Spellings and pronunciations of Long Island Native American words and names are subjective and typically determined by community residents. The Native Americans had a spoken language, and records kept by Colonists, starting in the 1600s, contained their interpretations of the Native American language. The European settlers (primarily Dutch and English) typically used phonetic spellings, which often differed among documents and writers. The meanings of Native American words can also differ among historians and researchers.

9.     History of Suffolk County, by W.W. Munsell, 1882, Town of Babylon chapter p. 9, Town of Huntington chapter p. 36; Huntington – Babylon Town History, by Romanah Sammis, 1937, p. 244-245.

10.  “The South Side Railroad Open,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, November 8, 1867, p. 2; “In Babylon,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, November 15, 1867, p. 2.

11.   Ancestry.com. U.S., Appointments of U. S. Postmasters, 1832-1971 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.

12.   “Babylon Post Office renamed in honor of former resident killed serving in Iraq,” by Tiffany Elliott, Babylon Beacon, February 1, 2007. "H.R.5664 - 109th Congress (2005-2006): To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 110 Cooper Street in Babylon, New York, as the "Jacob Samuel Fletcher Post Office Building"." Congress.gov, Library of Congress, 10 October 2006, www.congress.gov.

13.   “R.F.D. Appointment. William S. Johnson, Jr., Has Been Appointed on Babylon Route No. 1,” Brooklyn Times Union, May 1, 1909, p. 10.

14.   “A spirited game …,” South Side Signal, August 22, 1885, p. 3; “The colored base ball team …,” South Side Signal, October 10, 1885, p. 3. Suggested further reading: “The Birth of the Cuban Giants,” by Jerry Malloy, Out of the Shadows: African American Baseball from the Cuban Giants to Jackie Robinson, University of Nebraska Press, 2005.

15.   Population 1870-1980 from "Historical Population of Long Island Communities, 1790-1980: Decennial Census Data,” compiled and edited by State University of New York at Stony Brook Library and Long Island Regional Planning Board, August 1982.

16.   “Renumbering the School Districts of Babylon,” South Side Signal, March 30, 1872, p. 2.

17.   “Captain Cook Monument Unveiled – On Anniversary of Evacuation Day,” South Side Signal, November 30, 1907, p. 2; “Capt. Joel Cook Monument,” Babylon Leader, February 21, 1957, p. 1. 

18.  “The Babylon School Site,” Brooklyn Times Union, March 21, 1893, p. 3; “Babylon’s New School,” Brooklyn Times Union, April 24, 1893, p. 3; “Babylon’s New School,” Brooklyn Times Union, June 1, 1893, p. 3; “Babylon School House Dedicated,” Brooklyn Times Union, April 16, 1894, p. 3. 

19.   “Babylon Village School – A Record of 73 Years,” South Side Signal, October 19, 1878, p. 1; “Babylon’s Village School – A History of the Institution from its Beginning to the Present Time,” South Side Signal, April 21, 1894, p. 1.

20.  “Vets to Help Dedicate School,” Newsday, January 22, 1955, p. 16S; “Dedication,” Newsday, January 24, 1955, p. 15S.

21.   “News Briefs,” Newsday, November 12, 1965, p. 17C; “Babylon Holds New PS Rites,” Daily News, November 14, 1965, p. Q8.

22.  “Babylon’s Library Incorporated,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, May 1, 1895, p. 7

23.  “Fair Brigands at Work for Babylon Library,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 27, 1911, p. 8; “Open Babylon Library – J.W. Eaton to Make Address at the Opening Exercises Monday,” Brooklyn Times Union, October 20, 1911, p. 9; “Local Library Is Formally Opened,” South Side Signal, October 27, 1911, p. 1.

24.  “Babylon Library to Mark 50^th Anniversary Monday,” Newsday, April 28, 1945, p. 11.

25.  “4 Men [sic] Formed Babylon Library 73 Years Ago,” Babylon Beacon, April 25, 1968, p. 1-2; “Dedication Set For New Library,” Babylon Beacon, June 6, 1968, p. 1; “Library Nears Completion,” Babylon Beacon, October 10, 1968, p. 1; “Library to Close, Reopen In New Quarters,” Babylon Beacon, November 28, 1968, p. 1; “Booking It,” Newsday, December 4, 1968, p. 15; “Dedication of Library Saturday,” Babylon Beacon, December 12, 1968, p. 1; “New Library Dedication,” Babylon Beacon, December 19, 1968, p. 1; “History of the Babylon Public Library,” Babylon Beacon, April 30, 1970, p. 14-15.

26.  “Facing Growing Pains – Lack of space is a big problem for town’s small public library,” Newsday, June 4, 1995, p. A67, A76.

27.  “Capt. Joel Cook Monument,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, November 23, 1907, p. 15; “Captain Cook Monument Unveiled,” South Side Signal, November 30, 1907, p. 2; “Captain Joel Cook Monument,” Babylon Leader, February 21, 1957, p. 1.

28.  “Foster Increases Generous Gift,” Babylon Leader, July 25, 1924, p. 1; “Dedicate New Municipal Building,” Suffolk County News, June 25, 1926, p. 13.

29.  “Babylon Voting on Incorporation,” The Evening World, October 31, 1893, p. 6; “Notice of Election,” South Side Signal, November 11, 1893, p. 2; “The Incorporation Questions,” South Side Signal, November 18, 1893, p. 2; “Babylon To Have A Village Government,” South Side Signal, December 23, 1893, p. 2.

30.  Dr. William W. Hewlett (1847-1911); “Babylon Loses A Staunch Friend – Sudden Death of Dr. W.W. Hewlett Last Sunday Was a Shock and a Great Loss to His Adopted Town – Its First Village President – A Man of Sterling Character, Well Educated, of the Old School of Gentlemen, His Place Will Be Difficult to Fill – His Excellent Career – Funeral on Wednesday,” South Side Signal, March 10, 1911, p. 1, 3.

31.   David Ricketts, Jr. (1848-1899); “David Ricketts, Jr.,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, November 26, 1899, p. 30; “David Ricketts, Jr.,” South Side Signal, December 2, 1899, p. 3.

32.  Henry Van Weelden (1849-1925); “Henry Van Weelden, of Babylon, Dies – For 20 Years Vice Pres. S.C.V.F.A.,” Suffolk County News, July 31, 1925, p. 9; “Henry Van Weelden,” Long Islander, July 31, 1925, p. 4; “Henry Van Weelden Is Dead In Babylon; Once Village Head – Was Town Assessor and Vice President of Suffolk Exempt Firemen,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 25, 1925, p. 12.

33.  Edward Daily (1851-1912); “Edward Daily,” Portrait and Biographical Record of Suffolk County, L.I., N.Y., 1896, p. 241-242; “Supervisor Daily Has Passed Away -- Babylon’s Distinguished Citizen Was Ill Only About Two Weeks When Final Summons Came Saturday; He Was Everybody’s Friend -- Began Life as a Stable Boy and by Diligent Work Became Town’s Leading Business Man and Politician – Served as Chief Executive for Thirteen Years,” South Side Signal, May 31, 1912, p. 1. See also, chapter about Town Elected Officials and Town Supervisors.

34.  Treadwell B. Kellum (1845-1913); “Treadwell B. Kellum,” Suffolk County News, December 5, 1913, p. 4; “Treadwell B. Kellum,” South Side Signal, December 5, 1913, p. 1.

35.  Benjamin B. Wood (1859-1930); “Benjamin B. Wood,” Long Islander, June 6, 1930, p. 4; “Former Sheriff Wood Dies in Babylon,” Patchogue Advance, June 3, 1930, p. 7.

36.  Chester O. Ketcham (1862-1944); “C.O. Ketcham, 82, Ex-Village Head,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, October 20, 1944, p. 13; “Chester O. Ketcham, 82, Former Village Head – Son of Late Hulda Ette Ketcham, Former Babylon Resident,” Amityville Record, October 20, 1944, p. 1.

37.  Edward S. Alley (1869-1927); “Ex-President Alley Passes Away in Florida – End Sudden – Served as Tax Collector, Village President and Member of Board of Education,” Babylon Leader, October 28, 1927, p. 1.

38.  Charles E. Puttfarcken (1861-925); “Former Village President Puttfarcken Dies Suddenly – Served Two Terms; Was 63 Years of Age,” Babylon Leader, August 14, 1925, p. 1; “C.E. Puttfarcken Dies at Babylon – Prominent as Village President and Mason,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, August 12, 1925, p. 15.

39.  Emmett F. Newton (1863-1940); “Emmett F. Newton, Ex-Babylon Aide,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, February 11, 1940, p. 13; “E.F. Newton, Former Village President, Dies – Served for Two Years as Chief Executive of the Village of Babylon,” Babylon Leader, February 15, 1940, p. 1, 3.

40. Robert N. Overton (1885-1932); “Robert Overton Is Dead at 46; Babylon Mayor – Merchant Succumbs After Operation – Elected Five Times to Post,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, April 26, 1932, p. 3; “Mayor Overton Buried Yesterday – Dies at 47 Following Appendix Operation. Village Mourns Loss,” Babylon Leader, April 29, 1932, p. 1, 3.

41.   Gustave Fishel (1860-1943); “Gustave Fishel, Sr. Ex-official Here, Dies at 82 Years – Former Mayor, Village Trustee Passes Sunday After Short Illness,” Babylon Leader, July 23, 1943, p. 1, 3.

42.  Joseph H. Sanderson (c.1873-1956); “Ex-Mayor Sanderson Succumbs,” Babylon Leader, September 20, 1956, p. 1, 6.

43.  Ellis A. Taylor (1870-1950); “Ellis A. Taylor,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, September 30, 1950, p. 5; “Passes at 79 – Ellis Taylor Former Mayor, Sheriff, Dies – Native of Village, 79, Was Also Town Clerk for Fourteen Years,” Babylon Leader, September 28, 1950, p. 1, 3.

44.  Cadman H. Frederick (1880-1961); “Cadman Frederick Dies; Was Banker, Developer,” Newsday, April 19, 1961, p. 39C; “C.H. Frederick, Ex-Mayor, Dies – Banker, Realtor Was Nearly 81,” Babylon Leader, April 20, 1961, p. 1, 16.

45.  C. Herbert Hendrickson (1904-1964); “Hendrickson Resigns Post,” County Review, February 19, 1942, p. 9.

46.  J. Vincent O’Shea (1895-1957); “Former Mayor J.V. O’Shea, 61; Babylon Democrat, Civic Leader,” Newsday, February 20, 1957, p. 79; “Former Mayor O’Shea Dies; Was Village Official 16 Years – Last Democrat to Hold Mayoralty Dead at 60,” Babylon Leader, February 21, 1957, p. 1, 3.

47.  Erastus H. Munson (1876-1958); “Erastus H. Munson Dead; Was Mayor, Industrialist,” Babylon Leader, October 30, 1958, p. 3.

48.  Gilbert C. Hanse (1914-2004); “Gilbert Hanse 90, a GOP stalwart, Former Suffolk chairman fought to hold party together, served for 31 years as Babylon’s mayor,” Newsday, September 8, 2004, p. A52. See also, chapter about Town Elected Officials and Town Supervisors.

49.  Frank J. Gallagher (1911-1991); “Frank Gallagher, 79, Justice And Former Mayor of Babylon,” Newsday, June 2, 1991, p. 51; “Village Judge Dead,” Babylon Beacon, June 6, 1991, p. 1.

50.  John T. Morris (1924-1984); “John T. Morris Jr., Babylon Official,” Newsday, August 21, 1984, p. 29; “John T. Morris Former Village Trustee,” Babylon Beacon, August 23, 1984, p. 15.

51.   Syd Askoff (1923-2010); “Syd Askoff,” Newsday, January 19, 2010, p. A37.

52.  E. Donald Conroy (1929-2002); “Mayor E. Donald Conroy dies; services today,” by Carolyn James, Babylon Beacon, October 24, 2002, p. 1, 3; “E. Donald Conroy, Mayor Babylon Village,” by Daphne Sashin, Newsday, October 24, 2002, p. A57.

53.  Ralph Scordino (1949-2020); “Babylon Village Mayor Ralph Scordino dies suddenly at 71,” by Carolyn James, Babylon Beacon, November 5, 2020, p. 1, 2.

54.  “Annual Village Report,” South Side Signal, July 28, 1894, p. 2.

55.  “County Pushes Plans for Police Force,” Newsday, November 6, 1958, p. 18.

56.  “Argyle Lakes Gift To Babylon By An Anonymous Donor,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, November 29, 1921, p. 10; “J.S. Foster Donor Of Argyle Lakes,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, January 3, 1922, p. 14; “Babylon Trustees Accept Deed to Argyle Lakes,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, January 12, 1922, p. 26; “Village Board Meeting,” Babylon Leader, December 1, 1922, p. 1.

57.  “J.S. Foster, Donor of Memorial Park and Fire House Site Dies,” Babylon Leader, August 21, 1925, p. 1.

58.  “Mrs. Caroline Foster Savidge To Rebuild Flumes In Memorial Pk. Will Cost $25,000,” Babylon Leader, June 15, 1928, p. 1, 7; “Beautiful New Flumes Being Erected In Memorial Park, Gift of Mrs Eugene Coleman Savidge, Sister Of the Late J. Stanley Foster Who Presented Village With Park and Site for Municipal Building,” Babylon Leader, August 10, 1928, p. 3; “Babylon Will Hold Double Ceremony On Armistice Day,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, October 27, 1928, p. 16.

59.  “New Bathing Pavilion to Be Built At Sampawams Point, Near Babylon,” Brooklyn Times Union, August 23, 1925, p. 45; “Bathing Beach Co. Seeks Long Lease On Babylon Land,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, November 19, 1925, p. 21; “Babylon Beach Nearly Completed,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, January 30, 1927, p. 53; “Babylon Bathing Beach To Draw Holiday Throng,” The Standard Union, July 3, 1927, p. 16.

60.   “Taxpayers To Vote on Beach Purchase; Referendum Will Be held October 14^th,” Babylon Leader, September 11, 1947, p. 1,4; “Approve $45,000 Bathing Beach Purchase By Overwhelming Five To One Margin,” Babylon Leader, October 16, 1947, p. 1, 3.