Smithtown, A History: The Saving of a Landmark

The house of Caleb Smith II represents our rich history and our efforts to preserve that history. Smith was a descendant of our town’s founder and in the 1950s his great-granddaughter played a major role in saving his former home from being demolished.

The house is now located at 5 North Country Road next to the Smithtown Library. However, according to Smithtown Historian Bradley Harris, the original location was in Commack on the north side of Jericho Turnpike across from where the Turnpike and Veteran’s Highway meet.

Harris said Smith, a great-great-grandson of Richard Smythe, held many local political positions including justice of the peace and commissioner of highways. He also was a member of the State Assembly in 1813 and supervisor of Smithtown in 1826, 1827 and 1829.

Smith moved from Hauppauge to Commack around 1819. According to the local historian, Smith cleared about 250 acres for his farm and built a five-bay, two-story house that is typical of a Federal architecture home.

The main floor of the structure features a wide center hall with two rooms on each side. Harris said there are four chimneys to create a balanced look, however not all of them were functional.

Harris also said, “There was an old house on or near the site that he included into the new house.”

It is believed Smith built around an older structure due to two windows unevenly spaced on the right side of the house. There is also interior evidence with the framing that appears as if part of the house may date back to pre-revolutionary times.

Smith died in 1831, and his son Caleb III inherited the home. Harris said the house remained in the family until the early 1900s. The property then changed hands many times, until 1955 when the Mayfair Developers planned to demolish the home.

At the time, a group of women from known local families started the Smithtown Historical Society. One of the founding members was Anna Blydenburgh a great-granddaughter of Caleb Smith II and a member of the family that our county park is named after.

Feeling a deep connection to the house, Blydenburgh headed the cause to save it by convincing the developers to donate the building to our town and funding the move.

According to Harris, the new location, a few hundred feet from the spot of a former Blydenburgh homestead, had sentimental value to Blydenburgh too. While her ancestors’ home was of historical importance, it was torn down after years of neglect in 1907.

Harris said the move to the new location involved removing the roof and chimney to minimize the height and weight. The trip was made on Veteran’s Highway and Route 111 led by Long Island Lighting Company employees to ensure no wires were in the way.

Filled with history, the house became the headquarters of the Smithtown Historical Society and remained so until 2008. Today it serves as the ideal location for a museum and the group’s exhibits.