Another Theory Is That the City Was Named After an Author of That Time, Named Herman Melville

MELVILLE NY

Melville NY is classified as a hamlet in the city of Huntington, NY. It has a population of 19,000 people. Its history is recorded back to the 1600s when it was called Samuel Ketcham’s Valley. Later it became known as Sweet Hollow. It wasn’t until 1854 that it was officially known as Melville. The name may have come from the Latin word for “honey”, due to the wealth of honey bees in the area. This may also explain why the area was named Sweet Hollow previously.

Another theory is that the city was named after an author of that time, named Herman Melville. He was just becoming famous at that time.

The oldest building in the town is the Presbyterian Church, built in 1829. In 1909 a trolley was established that connected the town to Huntington and Amityville. As motorized vehicles became more popular and prevalent, the need for the trolley abated.

The town is located on the Long Island part of New York, and covers about 12 square miles.

ECONOMY

The town of Melville is very much a suburban community, with the residents commuting to work in larger nearby cities. This means that the town has a fairly high median income, with a population of only 4% below the poverty line. This relative comfort allows the townsfolk to live with a more generous outlook toward those less fortunate, and they are often known for their good works. Noted philanthropist James Metzger is from Melville.

The school district has 11 campuses, and the school district is the largest employer in the area. Several famous athletes have come from the Melville school system, including Tobias Harris who plays with the Orland Magic. Melvin Fowler was the NFL center for the famous Buffalo Bills, and Stephen Bowen played defensive end for the Washington Redskins. Mark LoMonaco and Alex Rizzo are both professional wrestlers from the town, and James Jones and Joe Jones are both head basket ball coaches – for Yale and Boston Universities, respectively. Melville also has a famous lacrosse star who is also a military hero. Raymond Enners is from Melville, and is the inspiration behind the Lt. Raymond Enners Award.

CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS

The people of Melville share a strong commitment to helping the less fortunate. There are several charitable organizations in Melville, such as The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Habitat for Humanity (building houses for the needy), and many others. The citizens of Melville often donate cars for Heritage for the Blind. This helps people of all ages who have visual impairment and other disabilities. People can learn about eye disorders, find rehabilitation facilities, and get support so they can keep their independence. Heritage for the Blind accepts car donations on their website. Vehicle donations from the citizens of Melville help many blind people get the help they need to cope with the handicaps of vision loss.

Melville has a plenty to offer, and with the generous spirit of the residents, everyone is welcome. Melville is a lovely town.