Rockin’ Ronkonkoma

For centuries, New York has been a hot spot of settlers and travelers alike. Off of the bottom of New York sprouts a little island call Long Island and on Long Island is a little town called Islip and within that town is a little hamlet called Ronkonkoma.

Ronkonkoma has a lot of sweet history and stories associated with the rest of Long Island.

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Ronkonkoma is separated into 2 areas; Lake Ronkonkoma and Lake Hills Ronkonkoma. There is the lake that hosts the Princess of the Lake in Lake Ronkonkoma. The ancient legend of Lake Ronkonkoma is mystifying and scary. Ronkonkoma was a Setauket Indian Princess who died in the 1600s. The basics of her story was that she met her soul mate, Hugh Birdsall, across the lake and her father-the chief of the tribe-forbade their relationship and so for 7 years she wrote Hugh letters and sent them across the lake. After so many years of not being able to be with her love, she rowed to the middle of the lake and stabbed herself to death. Now it’s said that every summer one male dies in the lake because Ronkonkoma is looking for her love. There’s a strange force that just drags people in deep to the lake.

The famous Vanderbilt family is also strong is the history of Ronkonkoma. Vanderbilt was known for building railroad tracks. Cornelius Vanderbilt’s great-grandson, William Kissam Vanderbilt II, was a car enthusiast and wanted to race his cars. He built Vanderbilt Parkway as a private raceway to do such a thing. This Parkway is now known as Motor Parkway and is now contributed into major roadways. A section of Motor Parkway runs through Ronkonkoma.

In the 1920’s Ronkonkoma acted as summer vacation area and most houses here were previously beach houses.

Right on Rosevale Ave. is a little area that people call “The Cat Community”. Right near the lake are dozens and dozens of stray cats of all types. The locals who live in that area are kind enough and put out food for the fury felines to eat all year round.

Ronkonkoma is roughly 8 square miles and in that little area there’s not that much to do, but Ronkonkoma is close to a lot of other towns with things for people to do. The Smithhaven mall is only about 10 minutes away or you can go to Port Jefferson which is a little farther out, but worth the trip. In Port Jefferson is the Long Island Children’s Museum which is a lot of fun. If I suggested something for one to do, it would be to go try out Little Vincent’s Pizzeria. It’s been voted the best pizzeria in Long Island since 2010.

If you come to visit Ronkonkoma, you would most definitely enjoy yourself. All people from history buffs to beach babes.