1956 Map of Central Islip

About this map

Central Islip State Hospital and Kings Park State Hospital dominate the mid-century landscape of central Suffolk County, reflecting the era's significant institutional presence in the region. The Long Island Railroad cuts horizontally across the territory, connecting established residential hubs like Brentwood and Smithtown to the wider island network. This 1956 survey captures the area during a period of rapid post-war suburbanization, evidenced by the emerging grid of residential streets encroaching upon large estates and the private grounds of the Wyandanch Club. Along the Nissequogue River, the landscape transitions from the developed Village of the Branch to the expansive Bayard Cutting Arboretum in the south. Notable local landmarks such as the Smithtown Aviation Country Club and Ross Sanatorium provide insight into the social and medical infrastructure serving Long Island's growing population.