community

a brief history of wading river

The name of our hamlet comes from the original Native American name for the area, Pauquaconsuk, meaning "the place where we wade for thick, round-shelled clams". Thankfully, the more simple translation of this descriptive native word, "Wading in the River" or Wading River was adopted by the first settlers.

1671 - the earliest records of a settlement known as Wading River was originally founded with eight families. "The spot for the village was chosen with care. There was a stream adequate for water power and abounding in seafood…good water for drinking…soil rich enough to grow essential crops, woodland for fuel, building material and food, topography to offer protection from the elements, meadowland for it's grass."

Until 1947 - the Hamlet of Wading River had a year round population of less than 500. But during the summer months hundreds of visitors filled the town utilizing Wildwood State Park, the cottages on the cliffs and dunes and, of course, the beaches.

1947 - was a landmark year of change for the sleepily little Hamlet, noteworthy accomplishments include… returning service men from World War II began building homes in Wading River; the formation of Wading River's own volunteer Fire Department; the Military Instillation known as Camp Upton was no longer necessary and became Brookhaven National Labs and last, but certainly not least, the Wading River Historical Society was formed.

excerpts from The Wading River Pauguaconsuk
by Evelyn Rowley Meier

public meetings

Brookhaven Town

Town Board - the first Tuesday and third Tuesday of Every Month at 6 p.m.

Zoning Board of Appeals - varying Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. Call 451-6477 for meeting dates.

Planning Board - varying Mondays at 1:30 p.m. Call 451-6403 for more information.

Riverhead Town

Town Board - First and third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm (occasionally 2:00 pm)

Zoning Board of Appeals - Second and Fourth Thursday of the month at 7:45 pm

Planning Board - First Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm

Planning Board Work Session - First Thursday of the month at 4:00 pm

Note: Meeting times are subject to change, the Towns' own web sites have the most up to date information. Click on the Town heading to go to its respective meeting/calendar page.

community links

government

Riverhead Town - Brookhaven Town - Suffolk County - NYS

U.S. Senator Schumer - U.S. Senator Gillibrand - U.S. Representative Bishop

State Senator Lavalle - State Assemblyman Alessi

Suffolk Legislator Ed Romaine

Brookhaven National Lab Community Page

religious institutions

Wading River Congregational Church
2057 North Country Road
Wading River, NY 11792
tel: 631-929-8849
http://www.wrcongchurch.org

St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church
1488 North Country Road
Wading River, NY 11792
tel: 631-929-4339
http://www.stjohnthebaptistchurch.org

Assembly Of God
29 Dogwood Dr, Wading River, NY 11792
Phone: (631) 929-6778
http://wadingriverag.org/53/index.html

Wading River Baptist Church
1635 Wading River Manor Rd, Wading River, NY 11792
Phone: (631) 929-3512
http://www.wrbc.us/templates/System/default.asp?id=34211

North Shore United Methodist
260 Route 25a, Wading River, NY 11792
Phone: (631) 929-6075
http://www.gbgm-umc.org/nshoreumc/

St Luke Episcopal Chapel
PO Box 487, Wading River, NY 11792
Phone: (631) 929-4325

Temple Israel-Riverhead
490 Northville Tpke, Riverhead, NY 11901
Phone: (631) 727-3191
http://www.uscj.org/metny/riverhead/

libraries & schools

North Shore Public Library
250 Route 25A
Shoreham, NY 11786
tel: 631-929-4488
fax: 631-929-4551
http://nspl.suffolk.lib.ny.us

Riverhead Free Library
330 Court St, Riverhead, NY 11901
Phone: (631) 727-3228
http://river.suffolk.lib.ny.us

Shoreham-Wading River Community School District
250 Route 25A
Shoreham, NY 11786
631-821-8100
http://www.swrschools.org/index.asp

Riverhead Central School District
700 Osborne Ave, Riverhead, NY 11901
Phone: (631) 369-6700
http://www.riverhead.net/

newspapers

North Shore Sun
PO Box 547
Wading River, NY 11792
tel: 631-929-6166
fax: 631-929-6375
http://www.northshoresun.com

The Village Beacon Record
P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733
tel: 631-751-7744
http://www.tbrnewspapers.com/

The News-Review
7785 Main Road, Mattituck, New York 11952
tel: 631-298-3200
http://www2.timesreview.com/NR/

The Sound Observer
PO Box 929, Shoreham, NY 11786
tel: 631-821-NEWS(6397)
fax: 631-929-0195
email the Sound Observer

The Community Journal
PO Box 619, Wading River, New York 11792
tel: 631-929-8882
email the Community Journal

civic associations

Shoreham Civic Organization
P.O. Box 944
Shoreham, NY 11786
http://www.shorehamcivic.homestead.com

Rocky Point Civic Association
PO Box 341
Rocky Point, NY 11778
631-744-2907
http://www.rpalumni.org/rpcivic/civic.htm

Greater Calverton Civic Association
PO Box 33
Calverton, NY 11933

The Wading River Beach and Conservation Association
PO Box 463
Wading River, NY  11792
631-929 6023