Stony Brook

Stoney Brook, which it was called until 1884 is believed to have been established in 1660. The native American name was Wopowog…meaning “land at the narrows” referring to the narrow inlet from the Sound into Stony Brook Harbor. The area was a land of opportunity for many New England settlers. It offered great farmland and safe harbors for fishing. A grist mill was built in 1699 by Adam Smith. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by a storm in 1751. It was rebuilt shortly after and it is still standing to this day. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Around that same time, the Old Homestead…which is now known as the Three Village Inn was built.

For many years Stony Brook became alienated and isolated. There were no churches, amenities to attract growth. Stony Brook “slowly drifted backward.” After the Civil War was over in 1865, Long Island started to grow. In the 1870’s the Long Island Rail Road was constructed and the quiet atmosphere of Stony Brook brought many travelers.

In the early 1900’s shoe manufactures Jennie & Frank Melville Jr. started spending summers in Stony Brook. They built a home for themselves there in 1919. They also developed a plan to improve the Stony Brook village, soon after they arrived. Their son Ward and his wife Dorothy followed in their footsteps. In 1940…Ward Melville, founder of the Thom McAn shoe chain invited 80 guests to the Three Village Inn. He offered to rebuild the town’s business section. He persuaded 35 merchants to sell them their properties and become renters by offering them low rents. Town clearances were easily obtained and Melville spent $500,000 in the early 1940’s. Melville gave permanent control of the project to the nonprofit Stony Brook Community Fund, which was renamed the Ward Melville Heritage Organization.

See below for Sold properties in Stony Brook

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