• The Two Sisters Nature Preserve.

    We’ve passed it many times over the years. Stretching our necks as we drove by to get a small glimpse of what lay beyond the trees. An eight acre parcel of undeveloped land lying right in the middle of the Ronkonkoma business district. Offers of millions of dollars have been offered and refused; the land still remains the same. A small mystery of suburbia.
    Joseph and Nellie bought the 100 year old home and farm in 1926. Their daughter Victoria was having health issues and the country was the perfect place for her to recover and revive. Joseph found work as a carpenter helping build the Sayville High School and mother Nellie worked the farm. Originally a poultry farm, Nellie expanded to include a selection of fruits, vegetables, poultry and dairy.

    (an animal pen hidden in a wooded area)


    To supplement her family’s income, Nellie worked jobs waitressing at a favorite area restaurant “Busch’s” (Now Windows on the Lake) and cooking for their neighbor, famous theatrical star Maude Adams. The sisters, Vicky & Ginger would pedal their bicycle all the way to the Lighthouse Bowling Alley (now the Beach Club Estate on Lake Ronkonkoma) daily to deliver two quarts of fresh milk. For their effort they were paid 15 cents a quart.

    (The remains of father Josephs wood piles)


    The arrival of World War II brought changes to the families land and lives. Father Joseph began work at the Republic Aircraft factories in Farmingdale making Thunderbolt airplanes for the military and mother Nellie continued taking odd jobs to help get the family through. The farm ended during this period and nature began to reclaim it.

    (In 1929, a small engine airplane attemted to make an emergency landing at this spot, the old corn field. The pilot judged this field to be too well grown to make the attempt. Instead, he landed in the field of Maude Adams farm a short ways away.)


    The 1950’s – 1970’s found the sisters caring for cast off domestic animals. The land was alive with the sound of happy, well cared for critters. Goats, Sheep, Ducks, Chickens, Cows, Horses and even Peacocks enjoyed the beauty of this place.

    (The garage built from the concrete forms used to build the nearby Cenecle Retreat.)



    (The old Tool Shed)



    Today, the two sisters still remain, slowed by age but adamant that this land will remain undisturbed and undeveloped. A testament to the years gone by and a needed refuge for the areas wildlife.


    (c) Bygoneli.com 2011

VSA Addons by Inflikted