The Bellmores, New York
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bellmore is a hamlet (and census-designated place) in Nassau County, New York, United States. The population according to the 2000 census was 16,441. Bellmore is located on the south shore of Long Island, approximately 27 miles east of Manhattan, and 10 miles east of the Nassau-Queens (New York City) Line. North Bellmore is a census-designated place (CDP) in Nassau County, New York, United States. The population was 20,079 at the 2000 census.
Bellmore serves as a suburb of New York City on Long Island. The city is easily accessible through rail and road. Also, John F. Kennedy Int'l Airport is located within 15 miles of Bellmore, making it easy for travelers. Major thoroughfares that wind through the suburb:
- Sunrise Highway
- Southern State Parkway
- Merrick Road
- Bellmore Avenue
- Jerusalem Avenue
- Newbridge Road
"The Bellmores" are subdivided into Bellmore (population 16,000) and N. Bellmore (Population 21,000). The Bellmore area has an approximate population of 37,000 at this time. Also, some residents call the area south of Merrick Road (or sometimes Sunrise Highway) 'South Bellmore'.
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[edit] Geography
Bellmore is located at (40.661188, -73.529005)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 7.8 km² (3.0 mi²). 6.4 km² (2.5 mi²) of it is land and 1.4 km² (0.5 mi²) of it (17.67%) is water.
North Bellmore is located at 40°41′22″N, 73°32′16″W (40.689490, -73.537910)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.8 km² (2.6 mi²), all land.
[edit] Demographics
[edit] Bellmore
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, Bellmore has 16,441 people, 5,643 households, and 4,604 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,559.6/km² (6,640.5/mi²). There were 5,724 housing units at an average density of 891.1/km² (2,311.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.00% White, 0.47% African American, 0.12% Native American, 2.01% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.52% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.13% of the population.
There were 5,643 households out of which 37.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.2% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.4% were non-families. 15.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.1 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $74,976, and the median income for a family was $83,236. Males had a median income of $56,639 versus $39,241 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $32,034. About 1.8% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.3% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] North Bellmore
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, North Bellmore has 20,079 people, 6,555 households, and 5,407 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,970.3/km² (7,696.6/mi²). There were 6,634 housing units at an average density of 981.4/km² (2,542.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 92.29% White, 2.14% African American, 0.06% Native American, 3.15% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.02% from other races, and 1.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.55% of the population.
There were 6,555 households out of which 39.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.1% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.5% were non-families. 14.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.04 and the average family size was 3.36.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $72,325, and the median income for a family was $80,067. Males had a median income of $55,384 versus $38,079 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $27,174. About 3.4% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] History
Bellmore was settled primarily by Englishmen who crossed the Long Island Sound from Connecticut in the middle of the seventeenth century. Thomas Southard purchased a 214 acre farm in what is now North Bellmore in 1655. Further south, near the Bay, John Smith deeded 100 acres to his son, Jeremiah in 1676. John Bedell married Sarah Southard and moved into their new home on Merrick Road in about 1689. Two communities grew out of these beginnings. Smithville (later Smithville South) was named for the many Smith families which joined the Southards and New Bridge, named for the peninsula on which it stood was along Merrick Road.
When the Railroad was built through the area in 1867 they arbitrarily named their station, Bellmore. Development followed as both communities grew towards the railroad and adopted the name Bellmore. By 1920, the Bellmores had a population of 3000 as well as stores along Bedford Avenue.[1]
[edit] Schools
[edit] General
The school districts of Bellmore are the Bellmore School District, North Bellmore School District, and the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District. The Bellmorites go to school for K-6 in their respective district (North Bellmore or Bellmore,) and then go on to the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District for grades 7-12. This is one of the four central districts of New York. For two years, North Bellmore and Bellmore students are combined in Grand Avenue. After, Bellmore students go to Kennedy, and North Bellmore students to Mepham. However, this may vary depending on zoning. The administrative offices for the Bellmore Public Schools are located in Winthrop Avenue, while the administrative offices for North Bellmore are in Martin Avenue. Brookside School, in North Merrick, which is no longer occupied by students, is the home of the Bellmore-Merrick Central-High School District's offices.
[edit] Who Attends Where
The North Bellmore students go to the schools that they are zoned for. However, Bellmore students in the same grade all go to the same school, as each grade level is in one of the three schools and not all. All Bellmore and North Bellmore Students go to Grand Avenue, and then they split and go to their zoned school in the Central High School District. However, students not zoned for Calhoun may go to that school if they have a special interest in the arts, as the school has a very good program, much better than that of Mepham and Kennedy.
Below are the schools, their grade levels and the town or towns that go to them.
| School | Grades | Town(s)That Go To School |
|---|---|---|
| Park Avenue School | K-6 | North Bellmore |
| Martin Avenue School | K-6 | North Bellmore |
| Jacob Gunther School | K-6 | North Bellmore |
| Dinklemeyer School | K-6 | North Bellmore |
| Saw Mill Road School | K-6 | North Bellmore |
| Newbridge Road School | K-6 | North Bellmore |
| Reinhard Early Childhood Center | K-2 | Bellmore |
| Winthrop Avenue Primary Center | 3-4 | Bellmore |
| Shore Road Intermediate Center | 5-6 | Bellmore |
| Grand Avenue Middle School* | 7-8 | Bellmore/North Bellmore |
| John F. Kennedy High School* | 9-12 | Bellmore/Merrick |
| Wellington C. Mepham High School* | 9-12 | North Bellmore |
An asterisk (*) means that the school is part of the Bellmore Merrick Central High School District. All other schools are in the district of town that attends them.
[edit] Fire Departments
[edit] Bellmore
The Bellmore Volunteer Fire Department was organized in 1897 with the Advance Hook, Ladder and Engine Company #1. Hose Company #1 joined in 1922 and Engine Company #2 in 1925. West End Engine Company #3 is the newest company, incorporating in 2003.
The Bellmore Fire Department provides 24 hour protection of residents, business people and workers living and employed in an area of 3.5 square miles. The department is all volunteer with approximately 100 men and women making up the highly trained firefighters and firemedics.[2]
[edit] North Bellmore
In 1908, 13 men organized the Smithville South Hook, Ladder, and Engine Company. In 1923 Engine and Rescue Company #2 was founded in the north and the North Bellmore Fire Department was founded and Smithville Hook, Ladder, and Engine Company added a #1 to its title. [3] In 1923, many homeowners in the north end of the fire district decided to organize, because they felt they needed more fire protection nearer to them. At this time, the men requested a charter from the State of New York. This was granted and the organization was now known as Engine Company No. 2, which was part of the North Bellmore Fire District. Property was now purchased on Newbridge Road which is still to this day the present location of the firehouse. Money was needed to build a garage. In 1956, the company’s charter was changed to North Bellmore Engine and Rescue Company No. 2 as the men in the company became trained in first aid procedures. In 1969, a monument was constructed next to the firehouse in memory of all firemen past and present. The bell used on the monument is the original bell used in 1923 to alert residents and call to duty.[4] The North Bellmore Fire Department "Rinky Dinks" Drill Team have won three New York State Championship titles (1956, 1960, 1968).
[edit] Parks and Recreation
The Bellmores have three parks. They are East Bay Park, Gunther Field and Newbridge Road Park.[5]
| Park | Location | Features |
|---|---|---|
| East Bay Park | 2699 Ellen Rd. Bellmore | Basketball, Tennis, Multi-Purpose Field, Play Equipment, Sitting Area, Picnic Tables |
| Gunther Field | North Bellmore | Baseball field |
| Newbridge Road Park | 2600 Newbridge Rd. Bellmore | Basketball, Handball, Tennis, Softball, Baseball, Multi-Purpose Fields, Playground, Game Tables, Play Equipment, Outdoor Pools, Indoor Ice Rink, Horseshoes, Sitting Area |
[edit] Libraries
Each of the Bellmores has its own public library. They are operated by the Nassau Library System. All patrons of the libraries in the system, currently 54, are able to take out a book or any other library material from any of the libraries in the system, unless they are new or special. Patrons may have a book at another library brought to their local library in a very short time, usually under 3 days. Patrons, may also return a book to any library, even if it wasn't taken out at that library.
| Library | Address |
|---|---|
| Bellmore Memorial Library | 2288 Bedford Avenue |
| North Bellmore Public Library | 1551 Newbridge Road |
[edit] Notable Bellmore/North Bellmore Natives
- Lenny Bruce, progressive comedian.
- Paul S. Katz, graduate of Mepham High School, public intellectual and renowned neuroscientist. Noted as the scourge to Georgia intelligent-design advocates.
- Tatyana Marisol Ali, graduate of Saw Mill Road School and Harvard; actor and singer. Was in the creative arts program. Was in the television show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
- Theressa Ferrara, a distant relative of Milwaukee mob boss Samuel Ferrara, from Ferrara, Italy. She was a beauty salon owner and hair dresser that doubled as a cocaine trafficker and mistress of Lufthansa heist suspects Thomas DeSimone, Paul Vario, Jimmy Burke and girlfriend of Richard Eaton.
- Amos Zereoue, graduate of Mepham High School, New England Patriots running back.
- Daryl Palumbo , born and raised in Bellmore, Lead singer in the rock groups Glassjaw and Head Automatica
- Vision of Disorder, the popular hardcore/rock n' roll act, hails from Bellmore.
- Eric Chester
- George Kennedy, Actor
- William Casey, CIA Director from Bellmore
- Roone Arledge, Creator of Monday Night Football and 20/20
[edit] Sources
Fred Travalena, Comedian, 1960 Graduate of Mepham High School Paul Miller, Director, 1967 Graduate of Mepham High School
[edit] External links
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
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| County | Nassau County, New York |  |
| Villages |
Atlantic Beach · Bellerose · Cedarhurst · East Rockaway · Floral Park · Freeport · Garden City · Hempstead · Hewlett Bay Park · Hewlett Harbor · Hewlett Neck · Island Park · Lawrence · Lynbrook · Malverne · Mineola · New Hyde Park · Rockville Centre · South Floral Park · Stewart Manor · Valley Stream · Woodsburgh |
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| Hamlets |
Baldwin · Baldwin Harbor · Barnum Island · Bay Park · Bellerose Terrace · Bellmore · East Atlantic Beach · East Garden City · East Meadow · Elmont · Franklin Square · Garden City South · Harbor Isle · Hewlett · Inwood · Lakeview · Levittown · Lido Beach · Malverne Park Oaks · Merrick · North Bellmore · North Lynbrook · North Merrick · North Valley Stream · Oceanside · Point Lookout · Roosevelt · Salisbury (South Westbury) · Seaford · South Hempstead · South Valley Stream · Uniondale · Wantagh · West Hempstead · Woodmere |
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| Website: toh.li | ||
