Babylon Long Island New York - History & Facts

BABYLON VILLAGE, LONG ISLAND


Babylon Village, Long Island
Babylon is an incorporated village located in Suffolk County, Long Island, New York. It is referred to as Babylon Village and a part from the Town of Babylon.



As of the 2000 census, there were 12,615 people, 4,554 households, and 3,324 families residing in the area.



According to a 2006 estimate, the median income for a household in the village was $70,879, and the median income for a family was $82,164. Males had a median income of $58,059 and only $38,770 for females.



The latitude of Babylon is 40.695N. The longitude is -73.326W. It is in the Eastern Standard time zone. Elevation is 7 feet.


In 1670, the area known as Village of Babylon was bought from the Sumpwam Indians. The farmers came down from Huntington to the South Bay area to harvest “salt” hay to feed for their live stock. It was a journey so the farmers would stay a period of time before returning home. One tradition says the community was named after the biblical city. Another says it derives from a boisterous tavern referred to as "another Babylon." South Huntington was the former and merged name of the area.



The Village of Babylon became incorporated in 1893 gaining a municipal government with an elected mayor and other officials.



After World War II, the area rupture with activity providing homes for returning veterans and many establishments were constructed at that time.
Notable people include Rodney Dangerfield (comedian), William M. Shepherd (astronaut), Robert Moses (builder), and Bob Keeshan (actor).



The village is served by the Babylon Union Free School District. Some residents of Babylon Village are in the West Babylon Union Free School District and some residents of North Babylon go to the village schools, as well as residents of Oak Island, Oak Beach, Gilgo, West Gilgo, and Captree Island across the Great South Bay.


Today, the village is part of the suburban bedroom community, part small-town, and has a substantial shopping and business district. The village is also best known for its restaurants and shops, and hosts shopping events during the fall as well as a popular crafts fair.



Babylon soon became the primary gateway to the nearby barrier beaches including Fire Island, a position it held until the building of the current Captree Causeways allowing automobile access to the beaches nearest the Babylon shore.



As for now, the epitome of the luxury lifestyle was summering on the ocean. This led many affluent individuals and families to reside at Babylon's seaside resorts, both on the mainland and on barrier beach islands. The Argyle Hotel and Park is a famous Argyle Hotel in Babylon was one of many built in the late 1800’s to accommodate wealthy tourists came from New York City. With a convenient train service to New York City, the Village of Babylon is a great place to live and raise a family.