Patch AM Rewind: New Book Explores Long Beach's Glorious History

LONG BEACH, NY — While the city by the sea is celebrating its centennial, one longtime resident has written a book delving into Long Beach's history.

Dennis Carey, a retired pediatric endocrinologist, has been part of the famed ocean locale for decades. His family's connection to Long Beach dates back to 1921, predating the city status.

Carey, 74, took a decade, while still working at his day job, to research and write the historical fiction, "Silver Strand The Long Beach Saga."

Long Beach has a history well before 1922, including the shipwreck of Mexico in 1837.

Carey decided to "give a feeling of all the various time periods," right up to the wrath of Superstorm Sandy 10 years ago.

"I think the hardest time to write about was the modern time, sort of my time," Carey said.

For Carey, no research was necessary to figure out what keeps bringing people to Long Beach.

"The connector of Long Beach is the boardwalk," he said. "To me, it's the ocean, the sand and the boardwalk."

Watch the full "Patch AM" interview with Carey below.