Imagine surveyors wading through tall grasses. It was 1655. They declared this area the “east meadow”. Today, we know it as East High Meadow.
East High Meadow has a rich history. It is more than just a geographical location. It represents a transformation from grazing land to a thriving community.
Initially, East High Meadow served as pastureland. Livestock thrived here. By the 18th century, sheep dominated the landscape. Impressively, this area supplied over 50% of the United States’ wool needs. Imagine the vast flocks and the bustling activity surrounding the wool trade.
During the American Revolutionary War, British forces recognized the value of East High Meadow’s resources. They occupied it and controlled it until the war ended. This occupation underscores the area’s significance during that time.
Two large farms shaped East High Meadow. The Barnum farm and the Carman farm were prominent. Legend says that George Washington even spent a night at the Barnum estate in 1790. A toll booth once stood near the Carman homestead.
The area around East Meadow Avenue and Prospect Avenue was an early settlement. Later, Gilded Age estates dotted the landscape. The Hoeffner homestead became Veterans Memorial Park and East Meadow’s Post Office. The Barnum estate became Barnum Woods Elementary School. What was Barnum Avenue is now Merrick Avenue.
The Oliver and Alva Belmont estate once stretched across hundreds of acres. It included the Brookholt School of Agriculture for Women. Carman Avenue now houses East Meadow High School. It also has the Nassau County Correctional Facility and the Nassau University Medical Center.
East High Meadow got its name from its location. It was the meadow east of Meadow Brook. The brook is now a parkway.
Modern East High Meadow is different. Post-World War II development changed the landscape. Suburban sprawl replaced the meadows.
According to the 2020 census, East High Meadow had a population of 37796. It covers approximately 6.3 square miles.
East High Meadow hosted eight cricket matches of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June 2024.
Getty Oil has its base in East Meadow. Snapple was previously headquartered here. Lufthansa United States had its headquarters in East Meadow for a time.
The East Meadow Union Free School District operates nine public schools. The first school building stood on Front Street.
Several movies have been filmed in East High Meadow. These include “The Hot Rock” and “Married to the Mob”. Eleanor Roosevelt and Criss Angel once called East High Meadow home.
East High Meadow has evolved. It changed from grazing land to a modern hamlet. It holds stories of revolution and industry. It has education and entertainment. As we conclude our visit, remember the layers of history beneath our feet.