Bayville

Here’s What To Do When You Visit

Home to beautiful scenic routes and culinary masterpieces, Bayville is the place to visit!

A Brief History of Bayville

Incorporated as a village in 1919, Bayville became home to over seven thousand residents! An English farmer who went by the name of Danielle Whitehead bought the land in 1658. He purchased it from the Matinecock Indians. Before this purchase, Bayville was named Oak Neck and Pine Island.

It wasn’t renamed until much later, in 1859, when the construction of the first Methodist church also took place. Development in Bayville was to begin sometime in the 1970s. A proposal of the making of a bridge connecting it to Rye came up. This idea was to be dismissed later on by Bayville’s residents.

Things To Do In Bayville

It’s rather easy to find things to do in Bayville, from visiting historical sites to dining at fancy restaurants, the list goes on. If you’re planning to visit the city sometime soon, it’s best to preplan your outings.

There are quite a few sights worth visiting in the city that make your trip more fun. If you’re planning to visit with friends, the best destinations include Double Trouble State Park, Tices Shoal, and William J. Dudley Park. You could take a day trip to any one of these sights. All of these attractions are not to be missed as they are rich in Bayville’s culture and truly express its glory.

If you’re into scenic views and long walks, consider taking a trip to Caumsett State Park. It has excellent sights all across and makes up for the perfect getaway. Bike riders are also welcome here.

Nearby Neighborhoods:

Parkville/Bensonhurst, Bayridge, Park Slope/ Windsor Terrace, Park Slope/ Gowanus, Kensington/ Windsor Terrace

Bayville incorporated as a village in 1919 during the incorporated village movement which allowed many larger estate owners on Long Island to establish political and security control over their domains.

Like many other Long Island communities, Bayville was first occupied by the Matinecock Indians and was known as Oak Neck and Pine Island. In 1658, Oyster Bay resident Daniel Whitehead purchased the land from the tribes. By 1745, the land was split among 23 men, who mainly grew asparagus. In 1859, Oak Neck was renamed Bayville and the first Methodist church was constructed west of what is now Merritt Lane. Multiple estates were built in the surrounding areas, and in 1898 a drawbridge was built, connecting Bayville and Mill Neck.

In 1909, the Bayville Casino opened for business, attracting beachgoers, and in 1919, Winslow S. Pierce was elected the first mayor of the Village of Bayville. When the Arlington Hotel, Bayville Casino, and Ritzmore Estate burned to the ground, it prompted the creation of the Bayville Fire Department. Bayville was put on the front page of many newspapers in 1927 when the rum rummer William T. Bell ran ashore at the Oak Point estate. Things were a little slow for a while, but after World War II, the community began to boom. A new church, post office, and school were built in the span of three years, and from 1950 to 1960, the population doubled.

The Bayville Bridge, one of two entrances into the village, opened in 1938 and is a major landmark and tourist attraction; it is the fourth bridge at that location.

The village celebrated its centennial in 2019.