By Mary Malloy
So begins author Patricia C. Sympson-s introduction to Images of America: East Rockaway, a pictorial, historical account that she has penned about her hometown.
Being a former history teacher, I loved delving into the old records, said Sympson. I was an absolute wonderful opportunity for me, and people were very generous with their photos and old documents.
Sympson, a PhD, is a forty-five-year resident of East Rockaway, a former village trustee and retired teacher from the Island Trees School District. Her love of history resulted in promoting an interest in having the East Rockaway Grist Mill nominated and recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.
When she was approached by Arcadia Publishing to delve into the early history of her village, she was thrilled, Sympson said. One of the oldest communities on the south shore, East Rockaway was of pivotal importance in the development and growth of Long Island. It was an exciting opportunity to share this with everyone.
Along with historical photos most of which have never been published before the book includes maps, diagrams, and old records, one of which is a deed dated 1643, from the Governer of Manhatans to the colonists, granting land from Manhattan Bay, the bounds running from Hempstead Harbor due east to a tree adjoining to the lands of Robert Williams.
The book is full of surnames that will be familiar to village residents: Rhame, Davison, Carman, Hewlett, Phipps, Maxwell, Alexine all of whom have local streets named after them. It lists the first president of the village (which was incorporated in 1900) as Henry Floyd Johnson, who served just one year before dying in office. The [current] village officials were just great about giving me access to the old documents, said Sympson. She said she was struck by the perfect penmanship of the village-s forefathers. Everything was neatly handwritten and very chatty in tone, she said. It was really a different world back then.
In the Educational Institutions chapter, A water-stained, early 1870s photo depicts solemn-faced children standing outside of the Atlantic Avenue School, built in 1859. Other photos show a bustling waterfront area, boasting popular eateries and hotels such as The White Cannon Inn, The East Pont Inn, and Cappy-s Restaurant where a Wendy-s fast food establishment now stands on Atlantic and Ocean avenues.
The willingness of many people to share their stories and pictures, was wonderful, Sympson said of the book writing process. She said that special thanks should go to Gene Torborg, John Bishop, Betsy Davison, Dan Schmidt, Oliver Davison and Karen Klein for their contributions to this project.
Sympson is also a former president of the League of Women Voters of Southwest Nassau, and is an active volunteer and secretary of the Historical Society of East Rockaway and Lynbrook. She writes a quarterly newsletter, The Heritage News.
It-s my hope that [this book] will excite a new interest in the local history and preservation of the heritage of East Rockaway, Sympson said.
Images of America: East Rockaway is available at area bookstores and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing, at www.arcadiapublishing.com, or by calling 888-313-2665. Copies can also be obtained by contacting Sympson at (516) 887-9094 or Psympson@optonline.net.
Comments about this story? Mmalloy@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 202.
