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As evidenced by this photograph taken during construction of the strip, the overall appearance of Syosset's downtown area has not changed much since the days when a small A&P Supermarket, a fruit stand, a submarine parts factory, a post office, and a car dealership lined Jackson Avenue.
While today's business tenants are of a much different nature, the strip itself - and the area surrounding it - have always retained a certain charm for old-time residents and new ones, as well.
Downtown
Syosset's beginnings can be traced back to 1854, when a planned
extension of the Long Island Rail Road from Hicksville to Cold Spring
Harbor stalled and left Syosset as the terminus of the new branch.
For the next decade, the railroad station on Jackson Avenue became a
central transportation hub for farmers and other business people from
all over the surrounding area. As a result, hotels, restaurants,
and stagecoach services sprang up along Jackson Avenue to service weary
travelers.
Toward the end of the 19th Century, as some of the country's most prominent families began building massive estates in Syosset, Muttontown, East Norwich, and Brookville, the downtown began to welcome new types of businesses, whose primary purpose was to service these new upper-class residents and their many servants. General stores, produce markets, and farm supply stores buzzed with activity all day long.
The downtown area's next big boost came in the form of a major world war. During WWII, Syosset and the surrounding area housed a number of defense manufacturers, all of which employed hundreds of men and women. One such facility was at the corner of Jackson and Whitney Avenues, which manufactured parts for submarines and aircraft. Needless to say, at lunchtime, Syosset's restaurants and pubs were very busy.
Over the years, Syosset's retail district has expanded significantly, its "hot spots" constantly shifting as new restaurants open their doors and new retailers enter the mix. Still, the downtown area just north and south of the Long Island Rail Road crossing forms the heart of the community.
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