1903 Map of Babylon

About this map

Babylon and the surrounding south shore of Long Island are captured here during a period of steady growth along the Long Island R. R. corridors. The landscape is defined by the transition from inland settlements like Farmingdale and Pinelawn to the complex estuarine network of South Oyster Bay and Great South Bay. The map reveals a pre-suburban era where numerous creeks, such as Santapogue River and Carl's River, dictated the placement of early mills and ponds like Belmont Pond. Coastal life is heavily emphasized through the presence of multiple Life-Saving Stations, including Jones Beach L.S.S. and Oak Island L.S.S., protecting the shifting sands of the barrier islands. Notable landmarks like the St. Dominic Convent and the Kennel Club near Babylon highlight the social and religious institutions establishing themselves in Suffolk County at the turn of the century.