Long Island
Long Island New York is the largest island adjoining the contiguous United States, extending approximately 118 miles east-northeast from the mouth of the Hudson River. It is an expansive, densely populated island in southeastern New York State, stretching east from New York City. Along its Atlantic coast are Jones Beach State Park, Fire Island and Montauk Point State Park, the latter home to the late-1700s Montauk Lighthouse. On the east end, the North Fork is home to wineries and the Hamptons are towns characterized by upscale homes, trendy restaurants and antiques shops. The island has four counties; from west to east they are Kings, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk. SBU is located in Suffolk.
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Stony Brook
Stony Brook was first settled in the late 17th century. It was originally known by the native name Wopowog and then as Stony Brook, with both names likely referring to the interconnected bodies of water at the hamlet's western edge. Stony Brook was a remote area through the 18th century aside for a modest amount of commerce near the mill at the intersection of Main Street and Harbor Road. The Long Island Rail Road reached Stony Brook in the 1870s, creating an easy link between New York City and the citizens of Stony Brook. Stony Brook quickly became a popular summer resort for city dwellers attempting to escape the hazards and stress of urban life. SBU was established in 1957 as a college for the preparation of secondary school teachers of mathematics and science, but really established itself starting from 1962 when a new campus was built near the historic village on land donated by local philanthropist Ward Melville. Stony Brook, along with the town of Setauket and Port Jefferson, form what is known as the “Three Villages”.
Stony Brook is nowadays well known as the home and namesake of The Stony Brook School, a prep school, and Stony Brook University (SBU) part of the SUNY system of schools. SBU is a flagship University of the SUNY system, and the number one public University in New York State.
