05/18/2022
Central Islip was originally settled in the mid 1800s and has evolved over time to become the vibrant and diverse community of the present day.
Through the years, our hamlet has grown, particularly as a reseult of the growth of the Central Islip State Hospital (Psychiatric Center) which was founded in 1889. This institution allowed the population of CI to grow and expand as many immigrants relocated here to find work and raise their families.
After World War II, the population exploded, as it did throughout Long Island, as many families moved from the boroughs of New York City and elsewhere to Central Islip to find work and establish their portion of the American Dream by purchasing new homes which were quickly constructed during this period.
When the State Hospital was at full strength and capacity, there were over 10,000 residents requiring several thousand employees to care for their needs. This continued throughout the late 1960's and early 1970's when decentralization initiated the eventual closing of the facility in 1996.
During the years while the Hospital cut back on its operations, the town sustained many changes affecting its residents. Over the past few decades, parts of the former Hospital property have been redeveloped for other uses such as several housing units, shopping centers, court houses and the home of the Long Island Ducks baseball team.
The Central Islip Historic Preservation Society has been working towards the goal of telling the story of CI and its history, not only about the State Hospital but of numerous other community groups, the CI Little League and other Community organizations who have served Central Islip so well over the years. It has been out intention to restore the former First United Methodist Church building on Wheeler Road, which was constructed in 1869 and is one of the oldest structures in CI, to serve as a museum and as an educational and cultural center so that our story can be told to current and future generations.
Steps that can be taken now will allow the CI community to preserve this important part of our History. We have hope that an opportunity will not be missed to allow this building to remain part of our landscape and part of our heritage!
