Middle Island Civic Association President Tom Talbot said he is investigating programs and funding that might enable civic groups or other non-profits to place historic markers at unique locations to highlight historical events and detail each hamlet's rich history for generations. The markers, which are often seen at the side of the road, could either be installed anew, replaced or updated if they have fallen into disrepair, Mr. Talbot explained.
A descendent of early settlers, Mr. Talbot said he came up with the historic marker idea when attending a meeting of the Sons of the American Revolution last year. From there, he decided there were some areas along Middle Country Road which could be highlighted.
Existing signs include a bronze marker, which is installed near Artist Lake on Middle Country Road in Middle Island. The marker details the historic landing of famed airman Ralph Johnstone on Oct. 22, 1910 after wind forced his plane backward from Belmont Park. He hit a record altitude of 8,471 feet, according to the plaque. Another example of a historical marker is that of a milestone near the entrance to the La Bonne Vie apartment complex on Middle Country Road in Coram. The plaque marks the place where travellers looked to see how far they were from the town center, Mr. Talbot said.
Some areas where historic markers might be are Union Cemetery, which is on Middle Country Road, and the Methodist Church on Church Lane, both in Middle Island.
"It's a little hotbed of historic activity," Mr. Talbot said of the hamlet. "These signs might have 25 words on them."
Suzanne Johnson, a member of the Longwood Society of Historic Preservation, a group that has overseen the preservation of the old school house at Bartlett Park in Middle Island, has expressed interest in the idea of placing the historic markers throughout town. Ms. Johnson noted that there is one placed outside the school house to highlight its history, and there are numerous locations throughout Rocky Point that were marked by the Rocky Point Historical Society for using funds from their own treasury. Plans for more markers throughout town were cut short with the elimination of the community enhancement grants as member items, Ms. Johnson said.
"That project has been put aside," Ms. Johnson said.
In the meantime, Ms. Johnson said it might be possible to utilize grant monies from Suffolk County.
Mr. Talbot said that in the coming weeks he is hoping to reach out to State Assemblyman Marc Alessi's office regards obtaining funding for the historic marker project.
A spokesperson at Mr. Alessi's office said on Friday there are a number of programs available from the state that residents could utilize and urged them to reach out to his office for more information.
peggy@northshoresun.com