Mount Sinai

About Mount Sinai

Situated in the town of Brookhaven on the north coast of Long Island, Mount Sinai is a fairly small hamlet in Suffolk County, New York. It's home to one of the area's most popular public beaches, Cedar Beach, as well as Mount Sinai Harbor. Largely an agricultural and shipbuilding area in its early years, Mount Sinai retains much of this original charm.

The History of Mount Sinai

As is true for most communities in this area, Mount Sinai's first residents belonged to the Setauket and Unkechaug tribes. English settlers purchased the land around Mount Sinai in 1655, and more purchases a few years later led to quick development throughout Long Island.

Up until the late 19th century, development in Mount Sinai occurred mostly in short bursts, generally within a 2-mile radius of the harbor. There were some homes and several farms in the area, and in 1840, the community applied for a post office. The town was called Old Mans at the time, which the government deemed unacceptable. It was temporarily named Mount Vernon, but it was changed to Mount Sinai when locals realized there was already a town called Mount Vernon in New York. A thriving shipbuilding industry was born, due largely to the numerous trees throughout the area. This helped fuel population growth, but commercial development lagged far behind.

Through the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Mount Sinai was a popular resort town and vacation destination. Growth increased to keep up with the influx of new visitors, which included famous people including Marilyn Monroe. The community turned quiet once again as development slowed, and it remained that way for some time. However, the 1960s brought suburbanization, which led to the construction of a number of housing developments. Today, several private communities have replaced the farmland that was a part of Mount Sinai for so long.

Living and Working in Mount Sinai

Today Mount Sinai has a diverse commercial and industrial center, with a focus on education, information technology and business services. The appealing waterfront view and easy access to Greater New York City make Mount Sinai a desirable place to live and work.

Mount Sinai and Suffolk County are home to countless small businesses and dozens of large companies. Major employers in the area include health care providers The North Shore - LIJ Health System and Winthrop Health System, grocery retailer Stop & Shop and Suffolk County government agencies.

One of the most popular local attractions is Mount Sinai Harbor, which encompasses Cedar Beach, an extremely popular North Shore beach during the summer. Scenic walking trails connect the beach with a marine sanctuary and natural preserve, and clamming is a popular activity at the southern portion of the peninsula. There are many historic beach houses in the area, many of which are now homes for full-time residents.

Mount Sinai Schools

Students who live in Mount Sinai enroll in the Mount Sinai School District. Currently, all three public schools within the district are combined on a single campus.

Resources for Moving to Mount Sinai

Here are a few handy resources for planning your move to Mount Sinai:

• Utilities: The Suffolk County Water Authority and National Grid are the primary utility providers in Mount Sinai.
• Garbage and Recycling: The town of Brookhaven provides trash and recyclables collection for homes in Mount Sinai.
• Transportation: Like most of Long Island, the Mount Sinai area offers public transit via the Long Island Rail Road.

Mount Sinai Housing

The most affordable homes in Mount Sinai are located on the southern side of the village along Patchogue Mount Sinai Road. The village's priciest homes are along Mount Sinai Coram Road and near Hamlet Willow Creek Golf and Country Club, in one of several private communities in the area. You can expect home prices in Mount Sinai to be significantly higher than the national average, especially as you get closer to the beach.