History Timeline

Gov Andros land grant to John Cornwall (later site of Treadwell Farm; now Soundview Village).

Cornwall buys additional land from Matinecock Indians.

Adam Mott builds Grist Mill on Cow Bay.

Dodge’s Inlet (Mill Pond) dammed by Town.

Caleb Cornwall builds gristmill at Mill Pond.

Henry Cocks comes to Cow neck from Locust Valley.

Henry Cocks becomes first person to plant oysters here.

Little Red School House,” first school in Cow Neck, built at foot of Pleasant Avenue.

Little Red School House,” first school in Cow Neck, built at foot of Pleasant Avenue.

First Church built on land donated by Henry Cocks at foot of Pleasant Avenue – “Little Red School House” moved across the street to make room for the church.

Henry Cocks buys Mott Grist Mill; his brother Solomon becomes the miller.

Hotel Renwick built by Lorenzo Smull (later known as “Gildo’s;” more recently as “Winston’s.”)

Mill Pond Model Yacht Club established.

Solomon Cocks’ son Jacob builds home at 75 Old Shore Road.

“Little Red School House” burns down.

Uninhabited strip of sand mine along Cow Neck Road annexed to Village. Manuel W. Levine appointed Nassau County District Court Judge, resigns as Village Attorney; his son, George D. Levine, appointed Village Attorney.

First Village Planning Board appointed.

First contested election in Village history; Henry Zebroski. defeats incumbent Mayor Martin Cocks by 1 vote out of 177 cast; Harold Thomas appointed Clerk in place of Judge Jones. Charles Zwerlein, one of original 1932 Trustees, resigns after 25 years in office. First report of sale of large tract of vacant land owned by Colonial Sand to developers.

H. Irving Cocks, Chairman of Board of Appeals since 1938, dies. He was a son of first Mayor, Jacob Cocks, and brother to second Mayor, Martin Cocks.

First section of Soundview Village approved; construction begins.

Petition for dissolution of Village rejected by Board. Michael Chester defeats Francis Smith for Trustee by 1 vote.Developers announce plans for five 6story elevator apartments in Soundview Village; Board amends Zoning Ordinance to limit any apartment development to 30 foot height.

Disputes rage over development of Soundview Village, proposed amendments to Zoning Ordinance, law suits; Mayor John Whaley, in office only two months, resigns, along with Trustees Fico and Chester and Clerk Thomas; George Kupper elected Mayor at Special Election; most members of Board of Appeals resign. Alice M. Edmundson appointed Clerk.

Polish American Citizens Association formed.

Mayor Cocks dies in office; succeeded by his son, Martin.

National Broadcasting Company given permit to build WEAF AM transmitter at crest of what is now Radcliff Avenue.

Transmitter building and twin 325 foot towers completed.

Village Hall moved from Cocks’ Barn to Jones residence, 41 Mill Pond Road.

Village Hall moved to Lewis Oil Company office, 65 Shore Road.

Referendum to change name of Village to “Port Washington” successful, but invalidated on technicalities.

John L. Bauer, Jr., elected Mayor.

Mayor Bauer resigns, Sumner Berkman appointed Mayor.

Joel H. Joseph elected Mayor.

Cornwall Cemetery dedicated by Town of North Hempstead. Application to build 2-family houses in Soundview denied; developer sues Village (Village wins law suit in 1967, affirmed on appeal in 1968). Extensive tree planting program begun by Village.

Planning Board adopts rule requiring future developers to dedicate 3 percent of their land or its equivalent value to Village Park and Recreation Fund. Village Board announces plan to purchase abandoned NBC transmitter building for use as Village Hall.

Residents force referendum on Village Hall plan; proposal defeated by 3-1 margin.

Village Landmarks Preservation Commission created. Board proposes building of bank by Security National Bank, with room for Village Hall; local law passed permitting meetings outside Village limits in interim; first meetings held at Manorhaven Village Hall.

Security National Bank building completed, first Village meeting held in new hall February 14, 1972. Resolution passed establishing Police Justice Court for the enforcement of Village Ordinances; proposal defeated at special Election by 2-1 margin.

Resolution passed declaring Mill Pond Historic District.

Bronze marker placed July 4, 1976, at Mill Pond Historic District; it disappears within 48 hours.

Board passes ordinance giving Village control of traffic in Soundview Shopping Center. Missing historic plaque found by Mill Pond resident, replaced by Village.

“Pooper-scooper” law adopted. Village grants Cablevision ten year franchise. Village obtains agreement between landlord and tenants of Wildwood and Soundview Gardens based on provisions of Emergency Tenant Protection Act.

Historian Joel H. Joseph appointed Chairman of 50th Anniversary Committee. Dr. George L. Williams, author of Walking Tour of the Mill Pond, appointed Landmarks Commissioner.

Eleven sites named .by Village Board as “Historic LandmarkS” in honor of 50th Anniversary; to be marked with . bronze plaques; Village holds celebration May 16, 1982.

Dedication of Robert Dayton Park (within Baywalk Park)

Fearon Marine property purchased from Barbara Belanich for Baywalk Park

Village’s Bay Walk Park Master Plan agreed upon by Town of North Hempstead and Villages of Baxter Estates, Manorhaven and Sands Point

Donation of Lewis Oil waterfront property for Baywalk Park upon building of Stop & Shop

Mayor Robert S. Weitzner is elected; Thomas J. Pellegrino retires, having served 34 years as Mayor since 1971;
– Village Justice Court is established

Eight acres deeded to Village upon building of Mill Pond Acres; Dedication of Thomas J. Pellegrino Park (within Baywalk Park)

First audible traffic signals in Port Washington installed along Shore Road

Baywalk Park groundbreaking

Village Pier completed