The Long Island Expressway Ends Here - Riverhead, NY

Riverhead lies at the mouth of the Peconic River and was know as the ‘river’s head’ in the 1700’s. The town was established in 1792 as part of the new jurisdictions after the American Revolution. It was the gateway to Eastern Long Island, which was originally mostly farms and open fields at the time. In the beginning of the 20th century, the town saw an influx of Polish immigrants, which lead to the creation of Polish Town. The town’s remaining historically significant buildings seemed to have been built between 1840 and 1940, and Riverhead even had a Montgomery Ward’s Catalog Store, located at 127 East Main Street.

For many years the historic Main Street of Riverhead was ignored. But they are now adding and repairing to Main Street area, which is nice to see, and the Main Street district was placed on the National Register in 2012.

Here is what caught my eye, I hope you enjoy!

Riverhead mural

A seahorse, one of the sculptures of Reflections: Art in the Park, in Grangebel Park.

The turn-of-the-century John J Sullivan Hotel building has occupied this site since 1896. The restored hotel contains 14 guest rooms. Tweed’s Restaurant and Buffalo Bar and the hotel were said to be the Tammany Hall of the County Seat.

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The historic site plaque outside the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall (formerly known as the Lyecum Theater). Harriet Beecher-Stowe’s ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ was the Music Hall’s first professional play. One of the earliest performances included a wondrous curiosity billed in the program as ‘Edison’s Electric Parlor Lamp’. Edison returned in 1914 with his ‘Talking Motion Pictures’ in 1914.

A mermaid sculpture along the river in Grangebel Park

Star Confectionary, a luncheonette, is on its third generation of family ownership.

The Star Confectionary building was built in 1882, and was originally Brown and Jackson’s general store.

In 1917 Nicholas Meras purchased the building and opened Star Confectionary.

The Greek Revival-style Suffolk County Courthouse was built between 1927 and 1929

The Art Deco-style Suffolk Theater is the last remaining movie house built by R Thomas Short and is the last remaining large art deco theater on Long Island. The theater was built as a National Recovery Act project for the Century Theater circuit chain and opened on December 30, 1933. This was referred to as the Radio City or Long Island.

A few of the old Railroad Museum railway cars

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The First Congressional Church of Riverhead was built in 1841.

The Suffolk County Trust building

Unique wood carvings along the river in Grangebel Park

The Riverhead United Methodist Church dates back to 1869, with graveyard stones for a few Revolutionary War soldiers.

St Isadore Roman Catholic Church on Pulaski Street was built in 1906. This was built in Riverhead’s Polish Town area.

The Long Island Aquarium

River and Roots Community Garden part of the Cornell Cooperative has a fenced garden and also a free pickings garden surrounding it.

What you should know:

• The Main Street area is very walkable.

• There is a self-guided historical tour, the QR codes are posted around the Main Street area or click this link Historic Downtown Tour

• You could spend an hour or two here, depending on your level of interest.

• There are a few restaurant and entertainment options.

• Parking in-season can be difficult. There are both on the street and parking lot options.

For more information: Downtown Riverhead