Articles Tagged "Long Island Landmark"

Heritage Treasures Day was established in 2017 in the UK as a way to explore and preserve historical sites. It takes place every year on January 11 and has grown in popularity worldwide. There are many great places to celebrate this unique day near Suffolk County homes for sale and Nassau County homes for sale, with museums and preserved historical sites dating back to American history's earliest days. Our REALTORS® have all the details on five fascinating destinations for Heritage Treasures Day around Long Island.

1. Oheka Castle Hotel & Estate – 135 West Gate Dr., Huntington, NY 11743
   The Oheka Castle Hotel & Estate is one of Long Island's most famous historical treasures and is conveniently located near Huntington homes for sale. Oheka Castle is a slice of historic Europe in the heart of Long Island, serving today as a luxury hotel, wedding venue, dining destination, and event space. Enjoy a luxurious overnight stay at the amazing hotel, grab a meal at the OHK Bar & Restaurant, or stop by for a tour to experience all that the estate has to offer.
   
   
2. Country House Restaurant – 1175 N. Country Rd., Stony Brook, NY 11790
   The Country House Restaurant was built circa 1710 near Stony Brook homes for sale, and it's still in operation today. Sit down for an amazing meal in a beautifully preserved historic home, and experience Long Island history in the present day. The menu changes monthly with new things to try, and there are also special menus available for many of the year's biggest holidays.
   
   
3. Cradle of Aviation Museum – Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530
   Located near Garden City homes for sale, the Cradle of Aviation Museum tells the story of how humanity took to the skies and beyond. It's a great place to learn all about the history of flight in the United States and features some excellent space travel exhibits. The museum features eight galleries with more than 75 air and spacecraft, along with fun exhibits on retro games and a state-of-the-art planetarium that has unique shows all day long.
   
   
4. Stony Brook Grist Mill – 100 Harbor Rd., Stony Brook, NY 11790
   The Stony Brook Grist Mill was built in 1751 and served as an active mill for local farmers until the 1950s. Today, it has been converted into a historical site where you can learn about the mill's history and discover how wheat was processed in the past. It's open every Sunday for guided tours, with a miller on-site and a gift shop where you can find fun souvenirs.
   
   
5. Long Island Traditions – 382 Main St. #G02, Port Washington, NY 11050
   If you're interested in getting involved with preserving local heritage sites yourself, then Long Island Traditions is the perfect organization to help you pursue your passions. Located near Port Washington homes for sale, Long Island Traditions works to preserve historic architecture, historic sites, and structures that tell the story of Long Island, as well as amplifying the voices of local artists who create works about historical sites. Long Island Traditions also has the Honoring Traditions program, which focuses on the music, dance, crafts, and art of cultures that have called Long Island home.

Are you searching for a home that makes it easy to explore all of the fascinating historical and cultural destinations around Long Island? Let our local real estate team help. Contact us to buy and sell homes in your favorite Long Island communities.

When most people envision New York City's iconic places, many of Manhattan's landmarks come to mind, but there are so many other wonderful sites just across the East River. If you love New York then our REALTORS® believe you'll love visiting these historical sites on Long Island.

1. Sands Point Preserve – 127 Middle Neck Rd., Port Washington, NY 11050
   Sands Point Preserve is also known as the Gould-Guggenheim Estate as well as the Hempstead House. No matter what you refer to it as, the Sands Point Preserve is a truly impressive sight to behold. The preserve takes up 216-acres on the Guggenheim Estate, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor activities, educational programs, cultural events, and a perfect backdrop for anyone who loves a walk in the park. Close to many of our Port Washington homes for sale, we always recommend visitors to the area tour the mansion and stroll the Sands Point Preserve to gain insight into the rich history of the famed "East Egg" as described in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby.
   
   
2. Oheka Castle – 135 W. Gate Dr. Cold Spring Hills, Huntington, NY 11743
   If you're planning on purchasing one of our Huntington homes for sale, it's only a matter of time until you discover Long Island's iconic castle. Oheka Castle is an astounding Gold Coast Mansion that sits atop the highest point on the island. A popular destination for weddings, celebrations, and other events, Oheka Castle is one of the most remarkable sites on Long Island. When you're house hunting in the area, consider visiting Oheka Castle for a historic tour, grab a bite to eat at their OHK Bar & Restaurant, or even stay the night in one of their hotel suites.
   
   
3. Stony Brook Grist Mill – 100 Harbor Rd., Stony Brook, NY 11790
   Part of the Ward Melville Heritage Organization, the Stony Brook Grist Mill is still a fully-equipped and operation mill on Long Island. Located in the Mill Pond, it was once the center of the community where residents would gather and gossip. Today, you can take a guided tour during the weekend to learn more about the Mill's history. As you tour Stony Brook homes for sale, be sure to visit the other historical places listed with the Ward Melville Heritage Organization.
   
   
4. Queens County Farm Museum – 7350 Little Neck Pwky, Floral Park, NY 11004
   Also known as Queens Farm, this site dates back to 1697 and is still New York City's largest remaining tract of undisturbed farmland. As a major metropolitan city, it's easy to forget how much of NYC was once home to miles of farming communities. The Queens County Farm Museum is open daily for visitation and offers an opportunity to grab a breath of fresh air in between Floral Park homes for sale appointments.
   
   
5. Northport Historical Society and Museum – 215 Main St., Northport, NY 11768
   The Northport Historical Society Museum and Shop is a wonderful destination where you can learn about the history of the area. Their museum and research library displays a collection of artifacts and the society hosts education programs for visitors of all ages. As you consider Northport homes for sale, make a stop at this historical building to discover just how rich with heritage the Northport area is.

Would you like to call Long Island home? We can help. Contact us today.

At Coach REALTORS®, our real estate agents know curb appeal when they see it. The Pepsi-Cola sign in Long Island City is one of our hometown's favorite head-turners, lighting up the East River with its neon red letters. The sign is a beloved part of the Queens waterfront area does a great job making its neighborhood feel more distinct. But do you know the history behind the billboard that beckons Long Islanders home?

An iconic throwback that waves "hi" to Manhattan every night, the Pepsi-Cola sign is the perfect welcome if you live on Long Island. It's also a point of pride with deep roots in local industry and art. Here's what you need to know about the Pepsi-Cola sign:

Most of the Sign Was Replaced in the 90s

The original sign looked a little different… because it was a different sign. The sign has had a few different looks and homes since it was first erected. In 1936, Pepsi installed the Art Deco billboard on the rooftop of their Hunters Point bottling plant. When they modernized their logo with a single dash in 1942, the sign changed too. And when they redesigned their bottles in the 1970s, they also redesigned the hand-painted metal bottle on the sign, which originally had a bottle cap with a 5-cent price tag.

Unfortunately, a winter storm did serious damage in 1992, after decades of neon outages, electrical problems, and corrosion. After an extensive rebuild, a reconstructed version was back in place two years later, complete with new paint and primer for the support structure, new ruby red curlicue letters, and a brand new bottle that faithfully replicated the details of the original. Finally, when Pepsi closed and sold their plant in 1998, they had a stipulation: the sign would have to be part of any new construction.

New Apartments Were Built Around the Sign

Long Island neighborhoods are constantly evolving, but sometimes New York history doesn't clear the way for new real estate. When developers picked the site of the Pepsi-Cola sign for a new 25-story apartment tower, the city, and the Landmarks Preservation Commission made sure they kept their promise and modified their plans to accommodate it.

The sign now backs up to the building, which is hollowed out behind it to create a "shadow box" effect and keep the first eight floors of apartments at a safe distance. Today, its front yard is scenic Gantry Plaza State Park, a riverfront recreational area with 12 acres of gardens, piers, athletic courts, and one more restored piece of the area's industrial past. Namesake gantries, originally used to load and unload rail cars from barges, are the perfect complement for the historic Pepsi-Cola sign on the far end of the park.

Whether you want to live behind the Pepsi-Cola sign or find your next family home somewhere else on Long Island, our real estate team at Coach REALTORS® can help. Contact us to learn more about buying or selling a home here in New York.