BETHPAGE, LONG ISLAND

Bethpage, Long Island

Bethpage is a hamlet and census-designated place in Nassau County located in Long Island, New York. Early names for the area include Bedelltown, Jerusalem, and Jerusalem Station. It was known as Central Park from 1867 until 1936 and later changed to avoid confusion with Central Park in Manhattan. As of 2000 census, there were 16,543 people, 5,710 households, and 4,516 families residing in the CDP and 88% of the housing in Bethpage was owner-occupied. The median income for a household in the CDP was $70,173, and the median income for a family was $78,573. Males had a median income of $53,404 and only $36,708 for females.

The hamlet is largely residential and it is home to Grumman, a major defense contractor, and Grumman Bethpage Airfield. The Bethpage Public Library undertook an expansion in the 1980s of its inadequate existing building. The new library became the catalyst for a movement to prevent the loss of community identity that residents feared might ensue.

Bethpage State Park, located on the Farmingdale border, is best known for its five world-class golf courses, including the world-renowned Black Course which was the site of the U.S. Open Championship in 2002 and will return in 2009 edition. The park has many recreational activities that include biking, hiking, golf, sledding, skiing, and many more. It also has a handicap accessible polo field.

The first railroad station in Bethpage was built and named "Jerusalem Station" in 1850. Many businesses opened up around the station in the heart or center of town. The railroad brought Bethpage to the attention of land buyers. They bought land all around the tracks and began building homes. The fast transportation system of the railroad turned Bethpage into a modern town.

The Bethpage Union Free School District has a total of 5 schools. It consists of three elementary schools (Charles Campagne, Kramer Lane, and Central Boulevard). The Middle School is John F. Kennedy Middle School and the high school is Bethpage High School. Bethpage is the home of several houses of worship too. The first house of worship to be built in Bethpage was the Methodist Episcopal Church founded by Joshua Powell in 1835. The current Bethpage Assembly of God church was built in 1957.

Bethpage is a quiet little community with a great history. It has an excellent school system. Bethpage has many wonderful community organizations that work to maintain the high quality of life enjoyed by the residents.