New Sign Commemorates Rocky Point Role In Intercontinental Radio

Press release from the Town of Brookhaven:

Sept. 21, 2021

On September 15, Supervisor Ed Romaine and Councilwoman Jane Bonner joined members of the Rocky Point Historical Society and Suffolk County elected officials at the unveiling of a new interpretive sign in the Rocky Point Pine Barrens. The sign commemorates the 100th anniversary of the world’s largest radio transmitting station on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest property.

It was home to the world’s largest radio transmitting station until 1978. Towers at the station were 450 feet and capable of transmitting and receiving radio signals across the ocean. On Nov. 5, 1921, President Warren C. Harding pressed a button in the White House, which officially opened the RCA Radio Central facility at Rocky Point.

Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine said, “I am proud to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first radio transmissions from Rocky Point. This new sign represents a part of our history that is not well known to most people and I expect it will bring it to the forefront for everyone to discover.”

Brookhaven Town Councilwoman, Jane Bonner said, “It’s great that Rocky Point has now been recognized in the history of worldwide communications. Thanks to everyone who played a part in securing the sign that will memorialize this historic property for generations to come.”

This press release was produced by the Town of Brookhaven. The views expressed here are the author's own.