A whisper of salt air and the distant cries of gulls. That’s Long Beach New York. This isn’t just any beach town. Long Beach is a city a vibrant community with a history as rich and varied as the ocean that laps its shores.
Long Beach has been called “The City by the Sea” Civitas ad mare its official motto. Its story begins long before its official incorporation in 1922. Long before even William H Reynolds the man credited with transforming it into the resort town we partially know today. The Algonquian-speaking Lenape were the first inhabitants of this land. They sold it to English colonists in 1643. For over two centuries the barrier island remained sparsely populated used primarily by baymen and farmers.
Then came Austin Corbin. A visionary from Brooklyn he partnered with the Long Island Rail Road. Together they built the New York and Long Beach Railroad. This connected Lynbrook to Long Beach in 1880. Corbin’s Long Beach Hotel a sprawling complex of 27 cottages claimed to be the world’s largest hotel. In its first season it drew 300000 visitors. Sadly winter storms and washouts led to the railroad’s removal in 1894.
Enter William H Reynolds. A real estate mogul with a flair for the dramatic. He envisioned Long Beach as “The Riviera of the East.” He acquired the oceanfront and much of the island. He masterminded a publicity stunt marching a herd of elephants onto the island to help build the boardwalk. He dredged Reynolds Channel to allow larger boats and seaplanes access to transport visitors. He enforced a strict building code. All structures had to follow an “eclectic Mediterranean style”. White stucco walls and red clay tile roofs characterized the town. He even built Castles by the Sea a theatre boasting the world’s largest dance floor for Vernon and Irene Castle.
However Reynolds’s empire crumbled. His corporation went bankrupt in 1918. The strict building codes were lifted. Wealthy New Yorkers and Hollywood entertainers flocked to the city. A devastating fire in 1907 destroyed the Long Beach Hotel and surrounding structures injuring eight and killing one. The tragedy even brought out thieves looting the belongings of the guests.
Corruption plagued Long Beach during its early years. Mayor William H Reynolds was indicted for misappropriation of funds. The city’s clock tower was stopped in protest of his conviction. Yet when he was later released the entire population rejoiced. The clock was restarted. Another tragic event was the 1939 murder of Mayor Louis F Edwards by a police officer. This led to Long Beach adopting a city manager system.
The city evolved. Air travel and air conditioning shifted Long Beach from a major resort to a bedroom community. The once-grand boardwalk hotels became temporary housing for the less fortunate and the elderly. Then came Hurricane Sandy in 2012. It devastated Long Beach. The boardwalk was destroyed hundreds of vehicles were lost. Damage exceeded $250 million. The city was without power and running water for weeks. But Long Beach rebuilt. The boardwalk was completely restored.
Today Long Beach still has its quieter moments. It remains a popular bedroom community for those who work in New York City but crave the beach’s quiet atmosphere. The city still holds its unique character a blend of history resilience and the timeless allure of the sea. The West End’s bungalows attract summer renters. The vacant lots that once held bustling hotels serve as a reminder of the city’s evolving identity a testament to its ongoing journey. It is a story of reinvention and renewal. A story still being written on the sands of Long Beach.