Beneath the whispering branches of trees named after flowers, lies the Village of Floral Park. A curious tale unfolds in this charming village on Long Island. Once known as East Hinsdale, this small piece of land, a mere 1.4 square miles, transformed dramatically in the late 19th century. The arrival of John Lewis Childs, a seed seller with a vision, marked a turning point for East Hinsdale. Childs, working for the Allen Company, quickly recognized the potential of this area. He began buying up land, planting vibrant flower beds, and establishing his own seed and bulb business. Childs’s success blossomed. His innovative mail-order seed catalog business, the first of its kind in America, brought a flood of orders and attention to the small village. The post office expanded, even drawing comparisons to those in bustling cities like Chicago and Boston. To further cement his floral vision, Childs renamed the streets after his beloved blooms, effectively transforming East Hinsdale into the Village of Floral Park, a name officially adopted by the post office in 1888. The Long Island Rail Road, recognizing the growing importance of the area, even renamed their East Hinsdale station to Floral Park. The village officially incorporated in 1908, with Childs proudly serving as its first president. Today, the Village of Floral Park stands as a testament to his vision. A village where street names like Rose, Tulip, and Iris whisper tales of a blossoming past.
Gould Family Mausoleum
Ever heard of a “Robber Baron?” Here at Woodlawn Cemetery stands the Gould Family Mausoleum. It is a testament to