When the Long Island Rail Road was extended through Greenlawn in 1868, Hezekiah Howarth opened up a general store opposite the depot. On May 9, 1872, this building also functioned as the first Greenlawn post office with Howarth as the first postmaster. At the time, the post office was for "GREEN LAWN." | | |
Greenlawn General Store
c. 1906
| | In the 1890s, the post office was moved to a building on the east side of Broadway, just north of the railroad tracks. The building also functioned as the home of the postmaster's family. James M. Hilton served as the postmaster from 1898 until 1906. His daughter Elizabeth then became the postmaster from 1906-1919. | | |
In 1911, a new post office was designed and built on Boulevard. The bungalow-style building had a porte cochere for easy access on horse and wagon. The bungalow was designed by famous woman architect and builder Fay Kellogg. The building also served as the residence for the postmaster, Elizabeth A. Hilton.
On December 21st, 1914, the town's name was switched from "GREEN LAWN" to present day "GREENLAWN."
| | In 1938, the post office was moved to 64 Broadway and remained there until 1949. | | In 1949, another building was bought near present Old Fields, which served as the post office until 1958. | | In 1958, the building at 12 Gates Avenue opened as the post office, and served until 1998. | | Lastly, on April 24, 1998, a new, modern post office building opened on the northwest corner of Broadway and Smith Street, replacing the Gates Street post office. Anthony Fontana became Greenlawn's 18th official postmaster. | | |
Fay Kellogg
Articles on Post Office
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“Woman’s Place Is, if You Insist, in the Home; but Who’s Going to Fuss About It If She Wants to Earn $10,000 Or So, a Year, Somewhere Else?”
Illustrated article
New York Herald
December 17, 1916
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Greenlawn News
The Long-Islander
May 12th, 1911
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"Bungalow Post Office To Be Greenlawn's Pride"
The Brooklyn Eagle
May 19th, 1911
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"Greenlawn is Proud of New P.O. and Depot"
The Brooklyn Eagle
September 23rd, 1911
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A deep dive into Kellogg will be provided in the mailed Spring newsletter. | | | |
GCHA Membership
Looking to Become a Member or Renew?
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Consider renewing your membership or joining, as your annual dues allows us to continue maintaining our two historic properties, the John Gardiner Farmhouse, and the Suydam Homestead, alongside the preservation of paintings, photographs, documents, and ephemera at the Russell B. Brush Research Center.
An annual membership entitles you to a subscription to our quarterly newsletter and monthly e-newsletter, in addition to discounts on programs. You will also get early access to our digitized collection, and virtual exhibits/tours.
Senior/Student - $20
Individual - $25
Family - $40
Sponsor - $75
Patron - $125
Click a tier & pay online via Square
or
Mail a check to:
GCHA
31 Broadway, Greenlawn, NY 11740
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Gift Options
To Support Our Association
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Greenlawn-Centerport Historical Association Mug
$12.00
Click here!
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(Images of America)
Greenlawn: A Long Island Hamlet
From the archives of the Greenlawn-Centerport Historical Association comes this striking visual history of the north shore Long Island hamlet of Greenlawn.
Originally known as Oldfields, the area was settled in the early 1800s by farmers. The extension of the Long Island Railroad through the farmlands in 1867-1868 provided the impetus for the development of a profitable pickle and cabbage industry, the growth of the community, and the arrival of vacationers, many of whom soon became year-round residents. Greenlawn includes stories of the Halloween eve conflagration, the Adirondack-style vacation retreat, the opera house, the farmhouse murders, the vaudevillians, and the Pickle King, among others. Today, houses cover the old farmlands; yet Greenlawn with: one main street of small shops, a railroad crossing that halts traffic throughout the day, and many historical buildings-still retains its small-town charm.
$20.00
Click here!
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(Images of America)
Centerport
Discover the Deco estates, summer camp spots, and stunning landscapes that Long Island's North Shore coastal community of Centerport has to offer.
Once known as Little Cow Harbor, the coastal community of Centerport on Long Island's north shore is rich in natural resources, including a beautiful harbor with several freshwater streams surrounded by wooded hills. Centerport was originally the site of several important mills, but in the late 19th century, it became a summer retreat for both the rich and the not so rich. Youth camps, most notably the Franciscan Brothers' Camp Alvernia; guesthouses; and resorts as well as popular restaurants dotted the shoreline. In the early 20th century, large estates were established by the Vanderbilt, Van Iderstine, Burling, Morse, DeBrabant, Whitney, and Corbin families on the Little Neck peninsula. As the 20th century progressed, modest and generously sized houses replaced the small farms and many of the large estates. The unspoiled natural beauty and rich history has for centuries drawn residents whose love of Centerport continue to make our village a great place to live.
$20.00
Click here!
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Harvey A. Weber's Centerport
In 1990, Harvey Weber wrote, edited, designed and published Centerport, a word and photographic history of his adopted home. The book was well received and was reprinted in 1991. At his death in September 1991, the rights to his book about Centerport became the property of his widow, Madeline Weber. In 2001, as the book was about to go out of print, Mrs. Weber generously ceded the rights to the Centerport book to the GCHA in loving memory of her husband. The Association has now re-issued Harvey Weber's book as a tribute to the great contribution he has made to preserve the history of Centerport through his own beautiful photographs and through the historic photographs that he assembled. The Association also acknowledges with heartfelt gratitude the generosity of Madeline Weber. Her gift has made it possible for our community to enjoy her husband's work for years to come.
Harvey Weber was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1917. He died in Centerport in 1991. During his lifetime he received many prestigious awards and honors, including the Joseph Costa Award from the National Press Photographers Association. He exhibited his work in six one-man shows. His photographs are included in museum, university, and private collections.
$5.00
Click here!
(Available only through the GCHA)
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