Town of Oyster Bay Information

The Town of Oyster Bay is often described as Long Island's Pearl. Our beautiful Town stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Long Island Sound. There are a variety of distinct communities all throughout our Town, which boast diverse resources such as museums, historical sites, shopping, fine dining, nature preserves, and hiking trails. The Town of Oyster Bay enjoys a rich history. The first known European to sail past Long Island’s south shore was Giovanni da Verrazzano in 1524. David deVries was the first to record the name of Oyster Bay for the beautiful harbor on the Town’s north shore in 1639. During the Revolutionary War, British troops used Raynham Hall in Oyster Bay hamlet as their headquarters, the hall being the home of patriot Samuel Townsend and currently a museum. Theodore Roosevelt’s home in Sagamore Hill, served as the “summer White House” from 1902 to 1908. This huge Victorian mansion was dedicated as a national shrine during the administration of President Eisenhower. With the advent of World Wars I and II, the Town’s primarily agricultural economy began changing to one of industry and business. Today, Oyster Bay enjoys a well-balanced blend of commercial, residential and recreational development, leading to the Town’s slogan that “Oyster Bay is a great place to live, work and play.”