Some interesting
information about where Patchogue derived its name from, is found in
a “Souvenir Book of Patchogue”, published by James A. Canfield of
the Patchogue Advance in 1896. The following bit of history is
quoted from this book.
“Historically, the
site of the village was one of the choicest hunting grounds of the
Indians. There is no foundation for the tradition that Patchogue
means “many little waters,” of “a place of many streams.” The name
in 1758 was applied to a neck of land containing some 300 acres, and
Pochoag Neck was number three in Avery’s lottery. The Indian word
Pachaug denoted a “turning place” or where two streams separate,” so
as Patchogue Neck was originally between two streams, the name
should be interpreted as the “turning place.” The Indians would
turn the neck in their canoes when paddling out of one stream into
the other. An Indian named Paushag once lived here, and he may have
taken his name from the neck or vice-versa. About 1753 the
surrounding country began to be settled by white men and in the days
of the Revolution there were but few houses here, but by 1800 there
were about 100 inhabitants. Patchogue was early chosen for
manufacturing center and before 1800 two cotton mills were
established here. The Sag Harbor stage ran through Patchogue as
late as 1844, when the main line of the Long Island Rail Road was
built to Greenport, and Medford was the stop for Patchogue.
“The village lies
directly on the Great South Bay, and its harbor and waterfront are
the finest to be found on this magnificent sheet of water. Through
the village flows the Patchogue river, its crystal waters sparkling
over sands and gliding under the bridge on the south country road to
the bay. Patchogue Lake, a beautiful wide pond of clear spring
water nearly a mile long lies within the village, while two other
pretty lakes are just on the outskirts. The background of this
natural picture are the groves of pine and oaks on the northern edge
of the village, and the blue outlines of the famous “Blad Hills,”
the backbone of Long Island, which are five miles north of the
village. Nowhere else in the country, except perhaps at Bar Harbor,
Me., does the summer southwest wind blow directly from the ocean.
This cool and bracing breeze that blows almost constantly day and
night is fresh with health giving ozone from the ocean and permits
Patchogue people to enjoy the tonic of a sea voyage without any of
its discomforts or expense. The autumn is a most delightful season
here, and when the hotels enclose their verandas with glass and keep
open until January or later. Patchogue will soon become noted as a
winter resort.
“Patchogue for
years has been noted as a summer resort and the population is always
doubled during July and August. The Great South Bay is perhaps the
especial attraction at Patchogue, and it is one of the finest inland
bodies of water in the world. A strip of sand separates it from the
ocean, where breakers roll high on the beach, yet hundreds of yachts
are comfortably sailing on the quiet waters of the bay, and the sail
across the bay is one of the charming features of the summer season.
“Patchogue has
long been an important cycling centre, and the paths that lead in
all directions are very attractive to wheelmen, and the Cross Island
Cycle Path between Patchogue and Port Jefferson has just been
completed. The “Patchogue Wheelmen” is a large and flourishing
organization, and its big race meets, on a superb bicycle track, are
very popular. The hotels cater to the cyclists, and because our
ancestors had the foresight to locate Patchogue 53 miles from New
York, it has become one of the chief points for century runs by New
York and Brooklyn clubs.”
“The “Cyclists
Paradise”, issued by the Long Island Rail Road in 1899, has this to
say: “Long Island with its beautiful scenery, through which runs
miles of good roads and cycle paths, is a veritable paradise for the
wheelmen. The many towns and villages, each with its comfortable
hotel or inn, make a wheel trip of any length a matter of comfort as
well as pleasure.”