Footnotes to Long Island History
Riverhead Village in 1907
by
Thomas R. Bayles
Navy
The following paragraphs are quoted from an article about the village of
Riverhead published in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle October 26, 1907.
"Although Riverhead is not a manufacturing town in the literal meaning
of the term, it is a wide awake, growing village, and no one who hails
from Riverhead ever fails to manifest a proper pride in his home town.
"The village lies seventy four miles from Brooklyn on the main line of
the Long Island Railroad, about two miles from the extreme west end of
the Peconic river. This river, which is not an imposing sheet of water
produces health and recreation to many owners of small pleasure
launches, crabbing parties and fishermen.
"From dawn to dark in the good old summer time, the river is alive with
pleasure parties headed down bay. Then there are a number of men living
near the river, who make their living by fishing and scalloping. Taking
it altogether the river is an important feature of Riverhead.
"Coupled with the rural simplicity that enables peace and quietness to
prevail for those who will, there are enjoyed also the modern
conveniences of electric lights, sewers, public water system, fire
protection banks, hard surfaced roads, modern stores, churches and
school mills that do a considerable business.
"History states that John Tucker lived here in 1665, and he Joseph
Herton established a fuling and saw mill. In 1693 John Wick was granted
the use of a stream called Little River, on condition that he set up a
fuling mill and "ful" cloth for Southampton and SOuthold towns.
"Two years later these rights were granted to John Parker, who in 1713
built a home just out of the heart of the village, which is still
standing and is the home of Sylvester H. Woodhull. In 1828 John Perkins
began making cloth at Upper Mills.
"Riverhead has been the county seat of Suffolk since an act was passed
in 1727 to build a "county house and prison" and Riverhead was chosen as
the most suitable place, and the first court house and jail on Main
street is now occupied by Perkins & Co.
"The grounds of the Suffolk County Agricultural Society are here and
annual fair is a big event for the inhabitants of the whole county. The
old building of the Suffolk County Historical Society is located here,
and Rev. William I Chalmers is the curator. Priceless treasures are
stored in this old building and they have been carefully listed so that
anyone may look them over.
Riverhead has more societies than one would believe could exist, and
there are at least thirteen secret societies, and several Polish
organizations. Beginning with the Masonic lodge, established in 1868,
the list runs down through the Old Fellows, the Royal Arcanum, the
American Mechanics, Red Men, G A R Post, Sons of Veterans, Ladies Aid
Society, Foresters Knights of Columbus, Eastern Star, Woodmen, etc.
"Then there are church societies, euchre and whist clubs without number,
dances are frequent, and plays by local talent draw big houses. There is
a good brass band under the direction of J Fred Hallett, and also Polish
brass band.
"There are three amusement halls and the Riverhead Lecture Association
is one of the foremost of its kind in the county, giving expensive
lectures and concerts during the winter months, which are attended by an
average of 600 people. The Pot & Kettle Club is an exclusive
organization which meets in the little clubhouse on Peconic river, where
many fine dinners are served every month in a simple but generous style.