66 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • FEBRUARY 2019
PRESS BUZZ: DESTINATIONS NORTHPORT:
Calm, blue waters at Britannia Yachting Center serve as a picturesque backdrop at this Northport Harbor seafarer's paradise. (Photo by Jennifer Uihlein)
English colonists acquired the land
that is now Northport from the Matinecock
Indians in 1656, essentially
transforming the area into a massive
cattle pasture, earning it the original
name Great Cow Harbour. That all
changed in the 1830s, when shipbuilding
became its prime industry,
and by 1837 the village was renamed
Northport. The village’s shipbuilding
boom lasted for roughly 50 years, until
the end of the 19th century, when
steel-hulled boats began replacing
the wooden vessels produced in the
village. But fortunately, some of the
character of that era still endures.
“Northport has one of the finest
harbors on Long Island and has been
the port in the storm for sailors for
many years,” says Northport Deputy
Mayor Tom Kehoe. “Today we
still have reasonably priced transit
docking that attracts boaters from
New York City, Connecticut and elsewhere.
Our village board has also
worked to remove impediments to
our local businesses. We realized that
a thriving local business district was
an attraction to tourists and a positive
anchor to our community. We now
have 20-plus restaurants with permits
for outdoor seating, and that has
changed our village. Additionally, the
opening of the Engeman Theater has
also helped to make us a destination.”
Today, when you spend time walking
the village streets, taking note of
the old trolley rails on Main Street
and perhaps grabbing a quiet drink
at one of Northport’s unassuming
pubs, you can almost hear the sounds
of the shipwrights working, and
of Kerouac’s typewriter. Soak it in.
Some essential Northport diversions
include:
THE SALT LIFE
Start your Northport excursion at
the heart of the village: Northport
Village Park (1 Bayview Ave.), a
treasured stretch of green grass and
shade trees running along the harborfront,
occupying much of the area
where the Victorian shipyards once
stood. These days there are two playgrounds,
a gazebo, basketball court
and dock, as well as free parking,
and in fair weather the park hosts
events ranging from live concerts to
farmer’s markets and craft fairs. This
is where both residents and visitors
alike come to relax and enjoy the
village’s quaint charm.
While taking in all the seaside
splendor, you may feel the spirits
of Northport’s long-gone mariners,
inspiring you to leave land behind
entirely. Should that occur, nearby
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