VALLEY STREAM, LONG ISLAND

Valley Stream, Long Island

Valley Stream is a village located in Nassau County, Long Island, New York. It is in the southwest part of the Town of Hempstead along the border with Queens. The communities bordering the village are Elmont, Lynbrook, Rockville Centre, Malverne, Franklin Square, Garden City, Rosedale, Hewlett, and Woodmere. Valley Stream is sub-divided into two parts namely North Valley Stream and South Valley Stream. There are also different sections of Valley Stream such as Parkwold Estates, Valley Stream Woods, Gibson, and Valley Greens. It is served by the Long Island Rail Road at the Valley Station which located at Sunrise Highway and Franklin Avenue. As of 2000 census, there were 36,368 people, 12,484 households, and 9,600 families residing in the area. The median income for a household in the village is $189,243, and the median income for a family is $172,585. Males have a median income of $90,094 and only $56,260 for females.

The Rockaway Indians were the first who resided in the area until it was purchased from them in the year 1640 by the Dutch West India Company. They only used hunting animals in the forest and farming as their way of living. During that time, different terms were named to various sections of the area; the northwest section was called “Fosters Meadow”. The business section on Rockaway Avenue was called “Rum Junction” due of its active nightlife. The northern section was known as “Cookie Hill”, and the section of the northeast that housed the local fertilizer plant was called “Skunks Misery”. The Hungry Harbor was the only section to retain its name which came from the status of its residents.

In 1843, the area’s name is turned into Valley Stream by Scottish immigrant Robert Pagan which he lobbied for a post office. The Postal authorities approved the new station provided it had not duplicated the name of other places. Valley Stream is still the only community in the United States with that name. The wife of Robert Pagan named Ellen was also played a significant role in terms of village history. In 1922, William R. Gibson a developer came to Valley Stream after building more than 2,500 homes in Queens. He bought 500 acres of land on Roosevelt Avenue and built homes on Avondale, Berkeley, Cambridge, Derby, and Elmwood Streets. He did more than any one person to populate the village, which incorporated in 1925.

Valley Stream has many elementary schools and a few high schools that offer good quality of education. The school districts consist of Valley Stream 30, Valley Stream 13, Valley Stream 24, Hewlett-Woodmere, Elmont, and Lawrence. When it comes to attractions, the village has something to be proud of having the world’s famous Valley Stream Park which was originally part of the Brooklyn water supply system. The park offers a playground and playing fields, picnic tables, a nature trail, and so much more a perfect place to spend together with your families. The village is so-called a home for the Hollywood Stars for many actors and actresses residing in the area. The Henry Waldinger Memorial Library serves the residents of the entire village. A complete package for children’s way of learning offers a variety of programs for children of all ages throughout the year including Alphabet Soup, Toddler Time, craft programs, pajama story times, and summer reading clubs. Valley Stream is considered a middle-class community with so many lovely homes with different styles such as ranches, capes, colonials, and Tudors. Prices normally range from $300,000 up to $1.29 million.

--- Village of Valley Stream --- Valley Stream School District --- Valley Stream Public Library