Decades before Valley Stream was incorporated, this land whispered stories of scattered farms and evolving identities. The year 2025 marks Valley Stream’s centennial. It is a milestone that invites us to reflect on its vibrant past.
Valley Stream’s journey began long before its official establishment in 1925. The area was initially under the Town of Hempstead’s rule. The budding population was about 7500.
Imagine Valley Stream. It hosted a few schools. Tracts of farmland surrounded the community. Fast forward to today. The village has over 40000 residents. It is now a suburban hub with four school districts and a volunteer fire department. A robust local infrastructure supports it.
Valley Stream’s story is rooted in the purchase of land from the Rockaway Native Americans by the Dutch West India Company in 1640. This area remained largely undeveloped for two centuries. By 1840, about 20 families lived here. Most owned large farms. The northwest was known as Fosters Meadow. The business section on Rockaway Avenue was called Rum Junction. The northern section was Cookie Hill. The northeast housed a fertilizer plant. It was called Skunks Misery. Hungry Harbor was home to squatters.
Robert Pagan, an immigrant from Scotland, significantly shaped Valley Stream’s identity. He petitioned for a local post office. He was appointed postmaster. The post office was based in his farmhouse. Pagan chose the name Valley Stream. It reflected the area’s topography and the Valley Stream Brook. The U.S. Post Office formally accepted the name in 1843.
Ellen Pagan, Robert’s wife, started the first religious services in Valley Stream. Tired of traveling to Lynbrook for services, she held them in her home. A Methodist minister was hired. The first congregation in Valley Stream was founded.
Transportation played a crucial role in Valley Stream’s development. In 1853, Hempstead Turnpike connected Valley Stream to Jamaica and New York City. Merrick Road connected the village to Merrick and Jamaica. Valley Stream residents and industry began to move southward.
The South Side Railroad began stopping in Valley Stream in 1869. A branch connected the main line with the Rockaways. This stimulated growth. Valley Stream became a substantial community. Hendrickson Park was a prime vacation destination. The Valley Stream Hotel opened. Many tourists moved to Valley Stream.
In 1922, developer William R. Gibson built homes on Roosevelt Avenue. Realizing his development was ideal for commuters, he petitioned the Long Island Railroad for a stop. The Gibson station opened in 1929. It retains his name.
Valley Stream was incorporated on February 14, 1925. This marked a new chapter in its history. The first meeting of elected officials was held on March 10, 1925. Central High School opened in 1929. Valley Stream’s Village Hall opened in 1955. The Valley Stream Public Library opened in 1962.
As Valley Stream approaches its centennial, it stands as a testament to community. Mayor Ed Fare has planned a year-long celebration. This includes a parade, a block party, and commemorative merchandise. Village historian Carol McKenna is documenting the village’s history.
Valley Stream has evolved. Yet it maintains a small-town community feel. It provides services to a growing and diverse population.