Roslyn, New York

Roslyn, New York
Village
Main Street and Old Northern Boulevard in Downtown Roslyn, looking southeast. The famous Ellen Ward Clock Tower is at right.
Nickname(s):  "The Village"; "Historic Roslyn"
Location in Nassau County and the state of New York
Roslyn, New York Location on Long Island Show map of Long Island Roslyn, New York Location within the state of New York Show map of New York
Coordinates: 40°48′0″N 73°39′02″W[1]
Country	United States
State	New York
County	Nassau
Town	North Hempstead
Settled	1643[2]
Incorporated	January 11, 1932
Named for	Roslin, Scotland
Government
• Mayor	John Durkin
• Deputy Mayor	Marshall E. Bernstein
Area [3]
• Total	0.66 sq mi (1.70 km^2)
• Land	0.65 sq mi (1.67 km^2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.03 km^2)
Elevation [4]	91 ft (30 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,988
• Density	4,632.56/sq mi (1,788.17/km^2)
Demonym(s)	Roslynian Roslynite
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes	11576, 11577
Area codes	516, 363
FIPS code	36-63770
GNIS feature ID	0962929
Website	www.roslynny.gov

Roslyn (/ˈrɒzlɪn/ ROZ-lin) is a village in the Town of North Hempstead in Nassau County, on the North Shore of Long Island, in New York, United States. It is the Greater Roslyn area's anchor community. The population was 2,988 at the time of the 2020 census.

History

Roslyn was initially settled by colonists in the year 1643.^[5] It was originally called Hempstead Harbor, but its name was changed to Roslyn in 1844 due to postal confusion regarding all the other "Hempsteads" scattered about Long Island.^[6] The name "Roslyn" was selected as the new name, as its location in a valley reminded officials of Roslin, Scotland.^[5][7]

Roslyn was incorporated as a village on January 11, 1932.^[7] Its first Mayor was Albertson W. Hicks, who was unanimously elected two days later, on January 13.^[8]

In the late 1940s, the 217-unit Roslyn Gardens co-op development was built.^[9] Located off of Warner Avenue, it was built in part with funding from Title 608 of the Federal Housing Administration and was the first major rental housing development built in the New York area under Title 608's then-new provisions.^[9][10] The complex was designed by architects Max M. Simon and T. E. Merrill.^[10]

The former Rubel estate in the village was developed as the Roslyn Pines subdivision in the 1950s, consisting of roughly 102 homes.^[11]

The Ellen E. Ward Memorial Clock Tower in Roslyn was designed by Lamb and Rich, and was completed in 1895.^[12][13] It was sold to the Village of Roslyn by the Town of North Hempstead for $1 for its centennial in 1995.^[14]

Also taking place in 1995 was the opening of the Village of Roslyn's current Village Hall on Old Northern Boulevard.^[15]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²), of which 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) is land and 1.56% is water.^[16]

Topography

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Geological Survey, the highest point in Roslyn is located near Piper Court, at approximately 253 feet (77 m), and the lowest point is Hempstead Harbor, which is at sea level.^{[17][18][19][20]}

Drainage

Roslyn is split between two minor drainage areas: Hempstead Harbor (part of the Hempstead Harbor Watershed) and Mill River (part of the Mill River Watershed).^[21][17][18] According to the Köppen climate classification, the majority of Roslyn is within the Hempstead Harbor Watershed, meaning water in those areas drains north to Hempstead Harbor and ultimately into the Long Island Sound.^[17][18][22] Meanwhile, the southwestern edge of the village is within the Mill River Watershed, meaning water in that area drains south to the Mill River and ultimately into Hewlett Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.^[17][18]

Additionally, all of Roslyn is located within the larger Long Island Sound/Atlantic Ocean Watershed.^[17][18][23]

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification, Roslyn has a Humid subtropical climate (type Cfa) with cool, wet winters and hot, humid summers.^[22][24] Precipitation is uniform throughout the year, with slight spring and fall peaks.^[22][24]

Climate data for Roslyn, New York
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	71 (22)	73 (23)	87 (31)	94 (34)	97 (36)	101 (38)	108 (42)	105 (41)	97 (36)	89 (32)	83 (28)	76 (24)	108 (42)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	40.4 (4.7)	42.9 (6.1)	51.1 (10.6)	61.2 (16.2)	70.6 (21.4)	79.6 (26.4)	84.5 (29.2)	83.3 (28.5)	76.0 (24.4)	65.4 (18.6)	55.7 (13.2)	45.1 (7.3)	63.0 (17.2)
Daily mean °F (°C)	33.4 (0.8)	35.0 (1.7)	42.0 (5.6)	51.8 (11.0)	60.8 (16.0)	70.1 (21.2)	75.2 (24.0)	74.1 (23.4)	67.2 (19.6)	56.5 (13.6)	47.8 (8.8)	38.2 (3.4)	54.3 (12.4)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	26.4 (−3.1)	27.1 (−2.7)	33.5 (0.8)	42.4 (5.8)	51.0 (10.6)	60.6 (15.9)	65.8 (18.8)	65.0 (18.3)	58.3 (14.6)	47.6 (8.7)	39.9 (4.4)	31.2 (−0.4)	45.7 (7.6)
Record low °F (°C)	−4 (−20)	−5 (−21)	5 (−15)	13 (−11)	34 (1)	43 (6)	50 (10)	46 (8)	36 (2)	27 (−3)	17 (−8)	−2 (−19)	−5 (−21)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	3.56 (90)	2.87 (73)	4.47 (114)	3.85 (98)	3.23 (82)	3.54 (90)	3.97 (101)	4.26 (108)	4.31 (109)	4.08 (104)	3.18 (81)	3.99 (101)	45.31 (1,151)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	5.5 (14)	7.8 (20)	3.7 (9.4)	0.3 (0.76)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0.2 (0.51)	5.7 (14)	23.2 (58.67)
Average relative humidity (%)	73	75	72	72	75	74	73	71	73	73	71	75	73
Mean monthly sunshine hours	177	153	172	167	202	213	237	241	215	190	210	171	2,348
Average ultraviolet index	2	2	2	3	5	6	6	6	5	3	2	2	4
Source: NOAA; Weather Atlas[25][26]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1940	972		—
1950	1,612		65.8%
1960	2,681		66.3%
1970	2,607		−2.8%
1980	2,134		−18.1%
1990	1,965		−7.9%
2000	2,570		30.8%
2010	2,770		7.8%
2020	2,988		7.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[27]

2010 Census

As of the 2010 census^[28] the population was 86% White (76% Non-Hispanic White), 2.2% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 8.85% Asian, 2.6% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.2% of the population.

2000 Census

As of the census ^[29] of 2000, there were 2,570 people, 1,060 households, and 603 families residing in the village. The population density was 4,082.2 inhabitants per square mile (1,576.1/km²). There were 1,124 housing units at an average density of 1,785.4 units per square mile (689.3 units/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 86.81% White, 2.33% African American, 0.08% Native American, 6.15% Asian, 2.02% from other races, and 2.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.34% of the population.

There were 1,060 households, out of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.1% were non-families. 37.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 18.2% under the age of 18, 3.6% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 22.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.4 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $72,404, and the median income for a family was $101,622. Males had a median income of $65,156 versus $45,221 for females. The per capita income for the village was $47,166. About 1.3% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 2.7% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

The Bryant Library in 2021.

The Bryant Library is located within the Incorporated Village of Roslyn.^[30] This public library, which serves large portions of the Greater Roslyn area, frequently hosts cultural events for the Roslyn community.^[31][32][33]

Government

Village government

Roslyn Village Hall in 2016.

As of March 2024, the Mayor of Roslyn is John Durkin, the Deputy Mayor is Marshall E. Bernstein, and the Village Trustees are Marta Genovese, Sarah Oral, and Craig Westergard.^[34]

Representation in higher government

Town representation

Roslyn is located entirely within the Town of North Hempstead's 6th council district, which as of March 2024 is represented on the North Hempstead Town Council by Mariann Dalimonte (D–Port Washington).^[35]

County representation

Roslyn is located in Nassau County's 11th Legislative district, which as of March 2024 is represented in the Nassau County Legislature by Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D–Glen Cove).^[30][36]

State representation

New York State Assembly

Roslyn is split between the New York State Assembly's 13th and 16th State Assembly districts, which as of March 2024 are represented by Charles D. Lavine (D–Glen Cove) and Gina L. Sillitti (D–Manorhaven), respectively.^[30][37][38]

New York State Senate

Roslyn is located entirely within New York's 7th State Senate district, which as of March 2024 is represented by Jack M. Martins (R–Old Westbury).^[30][39]

Federal representation

United States Congress

Roslyn is located entirely within New York's 3rd Congressional district, which as of March 2024 is represented in the United States Congress by Thomas R. Suozzi (D–Glen Cove).^[30][40]

United States Senate

Like the rest of New York, Roslyn is represented in the United States Senate by Charles Schumer (D) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D).^[41]

Politics

In the 2016 U.S. presidential election, the majority of Roslyn voters voted for Hillary Clinton (D).^[42]

Education

School district

The Village of Roslyn is served entirely by the Roslyn Union Free School District.^[43] As such, all children who reside within the village and attend public schools go to Roslyn's schools.^[30]

Library district

The Village of Roslyn is located entirely within the service area of Roslyn's library district, which is served by the Bryant Library.^[30]

Infrastructure

Transportation

Road

The William Cullen Bryant Viaduct connects with Flower Hill, Roslyn Estates, and Manhasset to the west.

The William Cullen Bryant Viaduct (carrying New York State Route 25A) passes through – and serves as a bypass of – Roslyn.^[30][44] Prior to the opening of the Bryant Viaduct, NY 25A traveled through the heart of the village's downtown (along Old Northern Boulevard) and was notorious for its traffic jams in the area.^[44]

Other major roads located either partially or wholly within the village include Bryant Avenue, East Broadway, Layton Street, Main Street, Mineola Avenue, Mott Avenue, Old Northern Boulevard, Railroad Avenue, Roslyn Road, Tower Place, Walbridge Lane, Warner Avenue, West Shore Road, and Wittes Lane.^[30]

Rail

Although no train station is currently located within village limits, the Long Island Rail Road's Roslyn station used to be located on the Roslyn–Roslyn Heights border.^[44] It is now located completely within Roslyn Heights – just north of said border.^[30] This station, located on the Oyster Bay Branch, is the nearest station to the village.^[30]

Furthermore, the Oyster Bay Branch forms much of the village's eastern border.^[30]

Bus

Roslyn is served by five Nassau Inter-County Express bus routes: the n20H, the n20X, the n21, the n23, and the Port Washington Shuttle.^[45]

Utilities

Natural gas

National Grid USA provides natural gas to homes and businesses that are hooked up to natural gas lines in Roslyn.^[46][47]

Power

PSEG Long Island provides power to all homes and businesses within Roslyn.^[46][48]

Water

The Roslyn Water District's business office, located within the Village of Roslyn.

Roslyn is located within the boundaries of (and is thus served by) the Roslyn Water District, which provides the entirety of Roslyn with water.^[30]

Sewage

The Village of Roslyn has a sanitary sewer system.^[30][49] The sewage from the Village's sewer system is pumped to and is treated by the Nassau County Sewage District's Cedar Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant via the East Hills Interceptor line, which connects the village's system with Nassau County's.^{[20][50][51][52]}

Prior to having the sanitary waste treated by Nassau County's facilities, the village's sewer system expelled the sanitary sewage locally into Hempstead Harbor, contributing to water pollution problems.^[52]

Notable people

• Deborah Asnis – Infectious disease specialist; Asnis reported the first human cases of West Nile virus in the United States in 1999.^[53]
• Nathan Banks – Entomologist and arachnologist.
• Michael Crichton – Author of Jurassic Park and creator of ER.^[54]
• Judy Steinberg Dean – Physician, First Lady of Vermont (1991–2003) and wife of former Gov. Howard Dean, and Roslyn High School graduate.
• Ken Hechler – Politician (D – West Virginia).^[55]
• Jesse Itzler – Entrepreneur, author, and co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks.
• Glenn Kurtz — Writer and author.
• Edward Lampert – Chairman of Sears Holding Company.
• Bernard Madoff – Banker, stockbroker, fraudster.
• Frank C. Moore – Artist and AIDS activist.^[56]
• Lilly Pulitzer – Socialite and fashion designer.
• Samuel Rubel – Executive.^[57]
• Whitney Tower – Former president of National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.^[58]
• Arthur Yorinks – Author and playwright, authored Hey, Al

See also

• Roslyn Landmark Society
• Main Street Historic District
• Roslyn Village Historic District

References

1. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
2. Sloam, Myrna (2006). "Timeline of Roslyn History". Nassau County Library. Archived from the original on July 4, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2008.
3. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
5. NY, Village of Roslyn. "Village of Roslyn, NY - About Roslyn". www.historicroslyn.org. Archived from the original on January 14, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
6. About Roslyn Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
7. Winsche, Richard (October 1, 1999). The History of Nassau County Community Place-Names. Interlaken, New York: Empire State Books. ISBN 978-1557871541.
8. "ROSLYN PICKS FIRST MAYOR; A.W. Hicks Unanimously Elected by Newly Incorporated Village". The New York Times. January 14, 1932. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
9. "217 Cooperative Suites in Roslyn Project Will Be Financed Under Title 608 of FHA". The New York Times. May 25, 1947. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
10. "FHA Approves Apartments for Roslyn; First Under New Rental Housing Rules". The New York Times. January 12, 1947. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
11. "Rubel Estate Overlooking Roslyn Harbor To Be Developed With 102 'Luxury' Homes". The New York Times. May 6, 1951. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
12. "The Ellen E. Ward Clock Tower: The Symbol of Roslyn | Roslyn News". roslyn-news.com. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
13. "Ellen E. Ward Memorial Clock Tower | Profiles | Roslyn Landmark Society". www.roslynlandmarks.org. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
14. Ackerman, Ruthie (October 27, 2006). "Despite Repair Hurdles, a Clock Tower Is Saved". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
15. "History of Roslyn – Roslyn Chamber of Commerce, New York". www.roslynchamber.org. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
16. "Roslyn Village, New York Profile". data.census.gov. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
17. "EPA – Waters GeoViewer". United States Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
18. New York Rapid Watershed Assessment Profile – Northern Long Island Watershed. Syracuse, New York: United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2011.
19. "The National Map – Advanced Viewer". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
20. "Comprehensive Plan of the Incorporated Village of Roslyn, 1996" (PDF). Incorporated Village of Roslyn. 1996. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
21. "WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR HEMPSTEAD HARBOR NASSAU COUNTY NEW YORK" (PDF). Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee. May 1998. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
22. "Interactive United States Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Map". plantmaps.com. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
23. "Atlantic Ocean/Long Island Sound Watershed – NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation". www.dec.ny.gov. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
24. "World Map of Köppen–Geiger Climate Classification". January 13, 2015. Archived from the original on January 13, 2015. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
25. "xmACIS2 (Applied Climate Information System) – Mineola 1991–2020 Raw Averages and 1938–2011 Extremes". NOAA. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
26. "Climate and monthly weather forecast Roslyn, NY". Weather Atlas. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
27. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
28. "U.S. Census website".
29. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
30. "Long Island Index: Interactive Map". Long Island Index Maps. Long Island Index.
31. Camurati, Amelia (April 30, 2018). "Roslyn students perform at Bryant Library reception for student show – Roslyn". The Island Now. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
32. West, Teri (April 30, 2019). "Bryant Library's makerspace mixes technology and arts – Roslyn Times". The Island Now. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
33. "Events on Long Island for Feb. 1-7, 2015". The New York Times. January 30, 2015. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
34. "Board of Trustees | Roslyn, NY". www.roslynny.gov. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
35. "Town of North Hempstead – Councilwoman Mariann Dalimonte". northhempsteadny.gov. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
36. "District 11 – Delia DeRiggi-Whitton | Nassau County, New York – Official Website". www.nassaucountyny.gov. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
37. "Charles D. Lavine – Assembly District 13 |Assembly Member Directory | New York State Assembly". nyassembly.gov. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
38. "Gina L. Sillitti – Assembly District 16 |Assembly Member Directory | New York State Assembly". nyassembly.gov. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
39. "NY Senate District 7". NY State Senate. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
40. Fandos, Nicholas (February 29, 2024). "Tom Suozzi Returns to Congress With 2 Words for House: 'Wake Up'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
41. "U.S. Senate: Contacting U.S. Senators". www.senate.gov. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
42. Welch, Will (November 8, 2017). "How Long Island Voted". Newsday. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
43. "Roslyn Public Schools". February 22, 2013. Archived from the original on February 22, 2013. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
44. Russell, Ellen; Russell, Sargent (2009). Roslyn. Images of America. Arcadia Publishing. p. 56. ISBN 978-0-7385-6505-7. LCCN 2008942609.
45. "Nassau Inter-County Express – Maps and Schedules". nicebus.com. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
46. "Long Island Utility Information – LIPA, Nat Grid, & Local Water Authorities". LongIsland.com. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
47. "Natural Gas & Electricity | National Grid". www.nationalgridus.com. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
48. "Home Page – PSEG Long Island". www.psegliny.com. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
49. "Public Works | Roslyn, NY". www.roslynny.gov. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
50. "Wastewater Management Program | Nassau County, NY - Official Website". www.nassaucountyny.gov. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
51. "Sewerage Map – Nassau County". County of Nassau, New York. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
52. Times, Roy R. Silver Special to The New York (February 2, 1975). "Nassau‐Roslyn Pact to End the Discharge of Sewage Into Hempstead Harbor". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
53. Colker, David (September 21, 2015). "Deborah Asnis dies at 59; helped detect West Nile virus in U.S." Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
54. Website, M. C. "For Younger Readers". MichaelCrichton.com. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
55. Donna Baxter. "the News-Leader". Archived from the original on May 1, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
56. Local History Collection, The Bryant Library (June 21, 2021). "Frank C. Moore, Class of 1971". Roslyn Local History. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
57. "RUBEL RESIDENCE DESTROYED IN FIRE; $1,750,000 Loss Estimated at Roslyn, Including Jewelry, Antiques and Paintings". The New York Times. April 16, 1946. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
58. Durso, Joseph (February 12, 1999). "Whitney Tower, 75, Writer And Leader in Horse Racing". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 23, 2021.

External links

• Official website