Recall the year 1658. That is when the name Saddle Rock first appeared on a map. The Village of Saddle Rock gets its name from a large rock. The rock sits just offshore in Little Neck Bay. It looks like a saddle.
Saddle Rock is located on the Great Neck Peninsula. It lies within the Town of North Hempstead in Nassau County. This village offers a unique glimpse into Long Island’s past. The Matinecock Native Americans originally inhabited this area. European settlers arrived in the 17th century.
Let’s talk about the Saddle Rock Grist Mill. Built around 1700, it stands as a testament to early American ingenuity. The mill is located on a small cove. It opens onto Little Neck Bay. It is the oldest continually operating tidal grist mill in the United States. Today, Nassau County owns and operates it as a working museum. It welcomes visitors to explore its restored mid-19th-century appearance. You can find it on Grist Mill Lane.
Roswell Eldridge played a key role in Saddle Rock’s history. He became the first Mayor of Saddle Rock in 1911. He had incorporated his own private estate as the Village.
His wife, Louise Udall Skidmore Eldridge, followed in his footsteps. In 1926, Louise became the first female Mayor of Saddle Rock. Some say she was the first female Mayor in New York State. She served until her death in 1947. Louise was also the last private owner of the grist mill.
The Village of Saddle Rock covers a small area. It is just 0.3 square miles. Most of it is land. A small portion is water.
Saddle Rock has a humid subtropical climate. Summers here are hot and humid. Winters are cold. Precipitation occurs throughout the year.
In 2020, the population of Saddle Rock was 989. The village offers a close-knit community.
The Great Neck Union Free School District serves Saddle Rock. Children attend Great Neck’s public schools. The Great Neck Library District also serves the village.
Getting around Saddle Rock is easy. Major roadways include Bayview Avenue and Old Mill Road. The 9-11 Memorial Bridge connects Saddle Rock to Kings Point.
The Village of Saddle Rock offers a blend of history and community. It is a place where the past and present intertwine.
In 1984, Saddle Rock was the first municipality in New York State. It required boaters to take a safe boating course. This was before issuing a boating permit.
The Xeriscape is a unique garden. It is located at the corner of Old Mill Road and Bayview Avenue. It is a conservation-oriented project. It protects our drinking water.
Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, the Saddle Rock Bridge became a memorial. People gathered to remember those lost. The bridge was rededicated as the 9-11 Memorial Bridge. It offers a view of the New York City skyline.
The Village of Saddle Rock celebrated its centennial in 2011. It marked 100 years of community.