Wantagh Boasts Most Town of Hempstead Landmarks

Wantagh holds the unique status of being home to more Town of Hempstead landmarks than any other community in the Town of Hempstead. Currently there are nine Town of Hempstead landmarks located in Wantagh. The community with the next highest number of landmarks is Hempstead Village with five.

Current Town of Hempstead landmarks in Wantagh include the 1860 Seaman-Vernier House, the 1794 Birdsall House (a.k.a The Mill House), the 1830 Lawrence House, the 1644 Jackson House, the 1876 Jerusalem School, the 1827 Quaker Meeting House (a.k.a. The Jerusalem Friends Meeting House, second oldest existing religious structure in the Town of Hempstead), the 1827  Quaker Cemetery, the 1856 Saint John's of Jerusalem Church (German Methodist-Episcopal Church) and the Dengler Farm House (front portion circa 1860 – back portion much older).  Two of these landmarks have "Jerusalem" in their names since this was the name of original 1643 English settlement that comprised parts of present day Wantagh and Levittown.

The Dengler Farm House is the most recently landmarked site in Wantagh.  It was landmarked by the Town of Hempstead in June of this year. The Dengler Farm House is located at 1051 Wantagh Avenue just south of the Southern State Parkway. 

To protect historical sites on Nassau County's South Shore, the Hempstead Town Board has in place a code that establishes a Town Landmarks Ordinance and a Town of Hempstead Landmarks Preservation Commission. A site or structure located within the Town of Hempstead can be considered for Town of Hempstead landmark designation based on its special character, ambiance, historical significance, aesthetic value or uniqueness of architectural design. 

A site currently being considered for landmark status by the Town of Hempstead Landmark Commission is the 1808 Harold Avenue Cemetery (a.k.a. the Black Jackson Cemetery). The cemetery was created in the early 1800's for the Jacksons who were freed slaves. The cemetery is located in a part of Wantagh that was once known as "The Brush". The area was given this name due to the growth of pine, oak and scrub oak trees.  The Quakers, who resided in the Wantagh area in the early 1800's, were instrumental in freeing black slaves who then settled in the Brush area. 

If you want to know more about these Town of Hempstead landmarks as well as other interesting Wantagh sites you can read about them in the Wantagh Preservation Society brochure entitled "Tour of local Historical Sites in and around Wantagh" (available for a $2 donation).  Brochures can be obtained at the Wantagh Museum located on Wantagh Avenue. The museum is open on Sundays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. until mid November.

Consider supporting the Society by becoming a member. For further information on the Wantagh Preservation Society and how to become a member call 516-781-2108 or e-mail me at watsoto3@verizon.net.