I have lived in Northport all of my seventeen years, and have been to our harbor and have walked the downtown streets countless times since I was very young, yet I learned the most history about our village in just half an hour on one of Dan Sheehan’s info-packed and free walking tours this past Saturday at the Farmers’ Market. Dan led many groups that day on a brisk walk around the harbor, down Woodbine and across Main Street to the park opposite the market, with many stops along the way.

     Dan lived in Chicago for many years and has always had a passion for history. When he moved to Northport, he went to the local museum asking about available walking tours, and was disappointed to hear that there weren’t any offered. He researched Northport’s history extensively and began his very own walking tour at the museum, which he offers once a month. He gave Melissa, a fellow volunteer, and I our own tour around the area, where we learned a fact or two we wouldn’t hear about at school.

     The story of the Pilgrims arriving at Plymouth Rock isn’t historically accurate, it is more of America’s origin myth similar to the tale about of Romulus and Remus of Rome. Settlers arrived in New England in the early 17^th century, and our town of Northport was founded only a few decades later, dating back to the 1650s. Other harbor towns were founded following Northport, including Port Washington and Port Jefferson, both named for our country’s previous presidents. East Northport got its name because the town was located east of the Northport train station, which has now been shut down, even though geographically the town itself is located south of Northport. But I think we can all agree South Northport sounds a little strange.

     Buildings in Northport have interesting histories as well. Dan showed us the old LILCO building that now houses Wolfies and The Ritz Café. Edward Thompson’s name is engraved on the law offices on Woodbine; he was one of the many wealthy and educated “movers and shakers” that moved to town and contrasted the “salty clammers” that were the norm for old Northport. The law offices on Bayview Avenue used to be the local hotel, which also served as the post office and a speakeasy. It was the place for townsmen to gather and gamble. Our own Shipwreck Diner is actually a train’s dining car. I had no idea, and had a meal there later that day, and to my surprise, the ceiling is curved and there are skylights as a train has. On the wall hung a faded picture clearly showing the train before it was cemented to the two buildings on either side.

     Dan had many old pictures of the town, and it reminded Melissa and I of how the Old West is supposed to have looked. Dan explained to us that old western movies were shot right here in town, and many other local areas. We also learned that the Pit, now a very nice area, was once used for mining sand, and was left a depleted pit after all the miners had left.  Lastly, the exact location of the high school was once used for Ku Klux Klan cross burnings. I was shocked by this and I found it very disturbing. Honestly, I was surprised I’ve been in this school district my entire life and have never hear of this before.

     I learned a great deal on this tour about the history of a town I realized I knew little about. Name origins, building histories, centuries old photographs and much more all contributed to my now expanded knowledge of Northport. And I believe all “Northporters” should know a thing or two about their home. So I hope I’ve sparked your interest to educate yourself on where you are and where you’ve been.

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