Mount Sinai

History

Mount Sinai was founded in the 1664 as an early European settlement.[https://mpmshistoricalsociety.org/our-history/] The area now known as Mount Sinai was originally called Nonowatuck, or "stream that dries up", by the Seatocot family of Native Americans who lived here. The first European settlers were Colonial settlers living in what is now Setauket, who obtained a deed from these local Native Americans in 1664. The origin of the town's initial European name, "Old Mans", is not known. The most prominent telling concerns Major John Gotherson, an elderly Englishman who was supposedly swindled into incorrectly believing he'd bought land in the New World by Captain John Scott, an important leader in Long Island's early history. After Gotherson sent representatives who were quickly turned away, local residents started to jokingly refer to the land as "the Old Mans". During the American Revolution, the area and Old Mans Harbor were under British control. However, because of its remote location the British did not have troops stationed here. Many citizens moved their families to Connecticut during British occupation. During the course of the war, American agents visited local patriots and received information, clothing, supplies and money to support the cause. In 1780, American Major Benjamin Tallmadge and a detachment of Continental Army dragoons landed at Cedar Beach and traveled south to successfully attack the British at Manor St. George. The route he and his men took is now marked as an historic trail, called the Tallmadge Trail that runs from Mt. Sinai, to Mastic Beach, NY. [http://btdistrict.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Benjamin_Tallmadge_Historic_Trail_Walking_Guide.pdf] Building of houses occurred in spurts. Initially most building occurred within a mile…

Geography

Mount Sinai is located at (40.938532, -73.018668), bordering Long Island Sound on the North Shore of Long Island. According to the United States Census Bureau, the community has a total area of , of which is land and , or 6.53%, is water. Mount Sinai is bordered by Port Jefferson to the west, Port Jefferson Station to the southwest, Coram to the south, and Miller Place to the east. Mount Sinai has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa). The average temperature throughout the year is , with the highest average temperature in July being , and January being the coldest month with an average temperature of . The annual precipitation is . The northern part of Mount Sinai Harbor borders an active recreation area that is located on a 2-mile long peninsula. This includes Cedar Beach, one of the most popular North Shore beaches during the summer months. A marine sanctuary and nature preserve connects the various sections of Cedar Beach with scenic walking trails and serves to protect the remaining sand dunes. Commonly owned lands set aside in 1664 are being used for public recreation or have been rented for private use by a fishing station, yacht club and boatyard. A number of commercial fishermen work out of the harbor and fish in Long Island Sound. The peninsula, which is most directly accessible from the neighboring community of Miller Place, contains a number of historical vacation houses on both sides of the boundary line. The majority of these houses have since been converted to full-year use. The southern part of it is a more serene location. Clamming is a popular activity during low tide, as is fishing at high tide. Throughout its history, Mount Sinai Harbor has been utilized for the catching of shellfish, the fishing of snapper and flounder, the hunting of…

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• Blue Jay

  Cyanocitta cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  19,744
• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  18,465
• Song Sparrow

  Melospiza melodia (A.Wilson, 1810) · Aves
  17,920
• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  15,522
• Carolina Wren

  Thryothorus ludovicianus (Latham, 1790) · Aves
  14,676
• Red-bellied Woodpecker

  Melanerpes carolinus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  14,344
• Black-capped Chickadee

  Poecile atricapillus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  14,195
• Mourning Dove

  Zenaida macroura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  14,085

Largest nearby schools

• LONGWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
  High · MIDDLE ISLAND · 2,977 students · 13.5:1 ratio
• PATCHOGUE-MEDFORD HIGH SCHOOL
  High · MEDFORD · 2,443 students · 12.9:1 ratio
• SACHEM HIGH SCHOOL EAST
  High · FARMINGVILLE · 2,082 students · 11.9:1 ratio
• SACHEM HIGH SCHOOL NORTH
  High · LAKE RONKONKOMA · 1,923 students · 11.5:1 ratio
• NEWFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
  High · SELDEN · 1,559 students · 13.6:1 ratio
• WARD MELVILLE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
  High · EAST SETAUKET · 1,507 students · 10.8:1 ratio
• CENTEREACH HIGH SCHOOL
  High · CENTEREACH · 1,475 students · 13.1:1 ratio
• SMITHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL EAST
  High · SAINT JAMES · 1,475 students · 11.7:1 ratio

Most recent

• M 2.8 — 2025-08-05
  1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey
• M 3 — 2025-08-03
  0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey
• M 2.66 — 2014-08-14
  6 km SW of Deep River Center, Connecticut
• M 2.6 — 2001-10-27
  1 km NNW of Manhattan, New York