1857 General Store Still OPEN for Business: Come Along With Us! + Maudie's Super Squash Scooper
Vložit
- čas přidán 14. 11. 2023
- 1857 St. James General Store in St. James, New York on Long Island is STILL OPEN for business. Come along with us and have a look!
Music: Room For Two by Dan Lebowitz
HISTORY OF THE ST. JAMES GENERAL STORE
The story of the St. James General Store is rich with the folklore and history found at the very core of Long Island's heritage. The story really begins with the Smith family, a colorful and inventive lot. Legend tells that early settler Richard Smith was known for his habit of riding bulls instead of horses and acquired the nickname "Bull" Smith. In the late 1600's, Richard Smith bought some land from Lyon Gardiner. Later, folklore claims that he added to his holdings by agreeing with the Nesaquake Indians to ride his pet bull around the property he desired to own. As much land as he could cover in a day would belong to him. Well, Richard Smith encircled what is currently the Township of Smithtown.
In the early 1840's, Ebenezer Smith, a descendant of Richard "Bull" Smith, lived within a hamlet of Smithtown known as Sherawogge. One day, Ebenezer left this idyllic, rural community with an assorment of goods packed on horseback. He set off for adventure and properity found by trading with the settlers and Indians in the Mississippi River Valley. As an enterprising young man, when he heard the news of the gold strike in California, Ebenezer headed for the West.
Ebenezer and Everett's Store Having some success, Ebenezer returned to Long Island to build a General Store in 1857. By that time, the name of Sherawogge was changed to St. James in honor of the local Episcopal Church.
The St. James of the 1860's was located north of North Country Road, where some thirty houses were concentrated, most of them along Moriches Road, Three Sisters Road and Harbor Hill Road.
The heart of the business district was on Moriches Road from its intersection with Three Sisters Road south to North Country Road. At this site, Ebenezer conducted his business until the St. James General Store, now the hub of the community, was inherited by Everett Smith, son of Ebenezer.
Much of the history of St. James during this period is associated with the store. Here, the residents purchased yard goods, kitchen wares, medicine, shoes, horse medicine, tobacco, groceries, hardware, and more. Since the Post Office was located within this store, it became a central meeting place where the townfolk gathered to wait for the mail, to catch up on the local gossip and to keep in touch with the world.
There were parties, dances and seasonal celebrations held in a large room upstairs. When the first telephone in the village was installed in the store, the establishment became even more of a community center.
Most of the early settlers of St. James were farmers. Their soil was rich in this area and crops thrived in the fields. Some families, however, made their living by cutting cordwood and hauling it down to the dock at the end of Cordwood Path, a site that is still a short distance from the store. Others harvested shellfish, particularly scallops, soft clams and oysters taken from Stony Brook Harbor. They shipped their catch by schooners to New York City.
Many men also served as captains and sailors on various trading vessels. A cargo of shellfish or cordwood was taken to New York City and traded for the City's abundant horse manure brought back to enrich the farmer's fields. There were also some who worked at shipbuilding. Whatever the labor, these families depended upon the General Store for their goods and services.
In 1873, the railroad arrived in St. James. Immediately, there was fear that the area would fall into the hands of land speculators. That dread, however, never materialized. Instead, an assortment of personalities from New York City discovered St. James.
Local history related that Willie Collier, famous slient actor and playwright was enjoying a bicycle trip from New York City with a few friends. They all stopped to rest in St. James and found the area to be charming. Mr. Collier eventually set up a summer estate and many famous personalities followed his lead.
The old store ledgers show the names of William Gaynor, Mayor of New York; Stanford White, world famous architect; Frank McNish, Lionel Barrymore, Virginia Lee and Joe Flynn. Later these early stars and personalities were followed by others such as Ethel and John Barrymore, Lillian Russel, Maud Adams, Buster Keaton, Myrna Loy, Ruth Roman, Irving Berlin and Heavyweight Champion James J. Corbett. These and many other celebrities signed in at the register of the old General Store, mingling with the farmers, fishermen and tradesmen of the town.
The rest of the history can be found here - www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Depar...
#travel #longisland #generalstore #history
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @grandmaferal
That little store was thrilling to see, it's just what I love about history! Thanks for taking us along. 😊😊
Glad you enjoyed it❤️Grandma👩🏻& Grandpa👨🍳
That was fun. Lots of hidden gems on Long Island. I want the hanging kerosene lights,! Thanks for taking us out to explore Grandma & Grandpa!!❤❤
Hi Marty Rose we do have lots of hidden gems on Long Island. We are glad we can take everyone along. At this little store I can always find something useful to purchase. Take Care! ❤️Grandma👩🏻& Grandpa👨🍳
WOW that is great this store is still opened. If the walls could talk the stories it would tell. I love going into old stores. I love hearing about history of places. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Debbie they use to have a TV show If Walls Could Talk and they would investigate old homes. I always enjoyed watching it. Glad we could take you along.❤️Grandma👩🏻& Grandpa👨🍳
I just love this little store,I used to love the little corner stores we had love you Grandma and Grandpa and the kitty's❤
Hi Diane glad we could bring you along. Grandpa and I often reminisce about the corner stores. Great memories❤️Grandma👩🏻 Grandpa👨🍳& the Kitty’s 🐈🐈⬛
You know, despite having gone to nearby Stony Brook University, and having relatives living in St. James, I've never been inside the General Store. Thanks for finally getting me there. Happy early Thanksgiving, Grandma and Grandpa! All the best to the family and kitties!
Hi Patricia we are glad you have now seen the inside of the store. A great little store to visit. I always find something useful to purchase. We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving❤️Grandma👩🏻& Grandpa👨🍳
Never new the store was there. I told my daughter about it and sent her your video. Thank you grandma and grandpa, I with you both a very happy Thanksgiving.
Hi George happy we could take you along. Glad you told your daughter. Great little store to visit. I always can find some unique items to purchase. We wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving also. Take Care❤️Grandma👩🏻& Grandpa👨🍳
Thank you Grandma and Grandpa! This was an interesting video and a treat to see happier times 💗
Hi Glad you enjoyed it❤️Grandma👩🏻
I love the old days. My grandmother would fondly speak of them. Even in the early 60s, when I was born, I appreciate being raised by a grandmother who knew and taught me the old ways. It definitely comes in handy with the times as they are.
Love and appreciate you both 😊❤
Well said! Thank you for your love and recognition❤️Grandma👩🏻& Grandpa👨🍳
That was fun! Thank you for showing us something so special and fun. Love to both of you! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! 💜💜
Our pleasure! Have a Happy Thanksgiving❤️Grandma👩🏻& Grandpa👨🍳
That's incredible Mrs. Feral! Always appreciate your good videos :)
Glad you like them! ❤️Grandma👩🏻
😊😊Wow I hope there are many more decades awesome history
Thank you so much for watching❤️Grandma👩🏻& Grandpa👨🍳
Love the squash scoop. I could use one of those. I'll have to check on line. Thanks for sharing.
Love the little store.
Hi Zoa Glad you enjoyed seeing the store. I like to visit the store as I always can find some unique items.❤️Grandma👩🏻
Thank you both for your wonderful videos. I enjoy your recipes and the journeys you take us on. God bless you both 🙏🕊️🩷
Our pleasure! Thank you for God’s blessings.❤️Grandma👩🏻& Grandpa👨🍳
I ran across this channel this week and have spent HOURS watching the videos.
These two are a special kind've no gimmick wonderful.
Much love.
Wow, thanks! ❤️Grandma👩🏻
We have stores like this in rural Australia, they haven't changed in 150 years, still have the old signs and hitching posts. They were often the post office also. I had a Duncan yo-yo as a kid, I would have picked one up. Thanks for the video Grandma and Grandpa.
Oh wow! Thank you for sharing about having stores like this in rural Australia. It’s like going back in time and very interesting. Grandpa and I also had a Duncan yo-yo as kids and I probably still have mine somewhere in the house. I still have my metal Roller Skates that attached to your shoes using a skate key. What memories! ❤️Grandma👩🏻& Grandpa👨🍳
@@GrandmaFeral My first skates were the ones you strapped to your shoes too.
Wow, I want one of those squash scrapers myself now!
I can always find unique items at the store. The squash scooper is the best. Thank you for watching❤️Grandma👩🏻
Thank you for taking us along.Such a nice store & enjoyed seeing this! 🍁🍂🍁
Glad you enjoyed❤️Grandma👩🏻& Grandpa👨🍳
Hi Grandma and Grandpa! Well I LOVE this video you both did and what a great job you both did on reviewing the store. You know there is a store very much like this back where I came from. I know for sure I would have grabbed candy and those sodas 😊. I like that tool you got, I really enjoy eating acorn squash. They are very tough to cut in half but once you cut them in half you take out the seeds and lay them flat down on tinfoil and put them in the oven once they’re done flip them over and then put butter and brown sugar on them and just broil them for a little bit. They’re absolutely delicious that way. It’s funny you should have this video out because I thought of you today as I came across the butter slicer when I was going through things and it reminded me of you. I hope you both will be with your family and friends next week for Thanksgiving. I will be coming home and cooking. My tradition consist of making a homemade quiche the day before and having that in the morning for breakfast ( easy no fuss heat up and clean up😊) over a big pot of coffee and just relaxing while we watch the Macy’s day Thanksgiving parade and then of course, after that’s done, I start cooking. Can you believe it’s the holiday already? Ad I get older it just flys by…… well , Happy Thanksgiving and God Bless you both …… Brian
Hi Brian always nice to know you are thinking of us. We are glad we could take everyone along and that you love this video. We always enjoy visiting the store and I seem to always find a useful kitchen gadget. Thank you for sharing how you prepare your acorn squash. It is very similar to the way I prepare mine. I am buying many different squashes this week as the supermarket is selling them for a very good price. We wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving. I usually never have breakfast on Thanksgiving so I can enjoy the large meal that day. Take Care and Have a great day❤️Grandma👩🏻& Grandpa👨🍳
I enjoyed this video SO much. Thank you!!!!
You are so welcome! Glad you enjoyed the video.❤️Grandma👩🏻
This was AWESOME !!! 🎉🎉🎉
Glad you liked it!!❤️Grandma👩🏻
I wish there was more history like this. Beautiful.
Glad you enjoyed❤️Grandma👩🏻& Grandpa👨🍳
Thanks so much for sharing this with us. The only things that seemed to be missing from this General Store were a pool table and barber's chair.
Your so very welcome! It was never a barber shop or a pool hall. Thank you for watching❤️Grandma👩🏻
@@GrandmaFeral I'm aware of that, just pointing out that some General Stores did have those in the "back room" as part of the business.
Love the oil lamps. We still use many when the power goes out or for lighting at Christmas. Thanks for your videos!
Glad you like them! Have a nice day❤️Grandma👩🏻
We use large and small tops from canned goods to scoop out squash. Their sharp edges work great, then just toss them :)
Hi thank you for sharing how you scoop out your squash. Great way to repurpose the tops from cans.❤️Grandma👩🏻
What a wonderful video, I love these so much. Thank you for sharing!
Glad you like them! ❤️Grandma👩🏻
This is awesome! I'm planning a bus trip to here soon! I'll tell them Grandma Feral sent me!
Hi How nice to hear that you will be visiting the store. Enjoy!❤️Grandma👩🏻
What a wonderful place, like stepping back in time!
It really is! Thank you so much for watching❤️Grandma👩🏻
I loved seeing the old store :) and it reminded me of an old store when I grew up in the south. Would go with empty pop bottles and get money to buy penny bubble gum. Wow that was back in 1965 and bare footed on gravel roads away we would go. An a lot of those meals my Dad would make us growing up. An I still make them today. Thanks so much. God Bless.
Glad you loved seeing the general store. In the 1950’s on Long Island we had dirt roads a lot of woods and not many stores or houses. Thank you for God’s blessings.❤️Grandma👩🏻
What a fun tour. Thank you for taking us along. No way would I have left there empty handed.
Glad you enjoyed it❤️Grandma👩🏻
That squash scoop reminds me of an Alaskan Ulu. I need to try mine on squash...
Hi it probably will work to scoop a squash. Thank you so much for watching❤️Grandma👩🏻
Thx!! This is so cool. I love visiting old general stores. I also love antiques. Nothing is as good as it used to be.❤
Glad you enjoyed! I totally agree❤️Grandma👩🏻
Thanks for the history lesson. Love seeing different items used from our past. 😊
Glad you enjoyed it! ❤️Grandma👩🏻
I loved touring the store with you both. History is so enjoyable and i love the background you give when going to these places. Thank you
Glad you enjoyed it❤️Grandma👩🏻
Wow, this is so fascinating! Thank you for showing us this little store Grandma Feral
Glad you enjoyed it❤️Grandma👩🏻
Wonderful story. Love the seed scooper.
Glad you enjoyed it❤️Grandma👩🏻
Thank you for taking us with you!! I loved this video getting to step back in time!!
You are so welcome! ❤️Grandma👩🏻
Hiya Grandma and Grandpa!! I love your field trips!! Awesome place and goodies. I enjoyed this trip! ThankQ both! Loved seeing old time toys/games/candy and all the rest! Oh and your new kitchen gadget is AWESOME, Grandma!!! Woohoo! I love spaghetti squash! Yummy! Big hugs! 🥰
Hi Grant we are glad you love the field trips and we could take you along. I can always find a useful kitchen gadget whenever we visit the store. I am buying more spaghetti squash this week as the supermarket has them on sale. Have a great day❤️Grandma👩🏻& Grandpa👨🍳
@@GrandmaFeral Take me away with you....encore encore! Haha
Any kind of gadget is FUN! When I was in my electronic engineering classes and labs...I was known as Mr Gadget! Lol I feel the better your gadgets work...the better the product you create!
That store was so interesting! I love digging thru places like that! I loved Grandpa's lil break on the porch! I love those 'sucker' stick things too! I always went for cherry, grape, cream soda or root beer flavors!
Interesting little store, lots of history there! Thanks for showing it to us. Love the squash scooper, I wish I had one!
Hi we are glad we could take everyone along. I always seem to find a useful item when we visit the store. Have a nice day❤️Grandma👩🏻
Hi Grandma and Grandpa, thanks for the trip, very interesting. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family. Stay well and safe.
Thank you! You too! ❤️Grandma👩🏻& Grandpa👨🍳
@6:37 That Squash🍆 Cleaner-Outer looks so neat! There’s nothing more messy than getting all those stringy fibers cleanly out of squash. I bet it’ll do a good job on pumpkins 🎃 too.
That store looks so interesting & so much fun to visit. 👍🏻
Hi I love the Squash Scraper it does a great job. It is one of my favorite kitchen tools. We like to visit the General Store. I always can find something unique to purchase. Happy New Year!!❤️Grandma👩🏻& Grandpa👨🍳
@@GrandmaFeral ❤️
I love that store! I'm living closer to it now in Mount Sinai, so its a good time to visit it. They used to have wonderful cd's of 19th century music playing.
Hi Glad to hear from another Long Islander. Thank you for sharing that you live closer to the store. I know at one time they sold CDs at the store. Thanks for watching❤️Grandma👩🏻
I watched you video later than I usually do-was busy last night. Thank you for the mini history lesson-what an interesting and charming store. Happy Thanksgiving Grandma and Grandpa.❤️🦃
Hi Glad you enjoyed it. Happy Thanksgiving❤️Grandma👩🏻& Grandpa👨🍳
I was a New Yorker all my life until I retired to Vermont a few years ago. But I never heard of the St. James General Store until I've seen your video. What a shame, because I love general stores. In Greensboro VT there is a sort of a general store called Willy's, and it's a favorite place for me to shop. BTW - Love that squash scraper. Since I baked stuffed pumpkin every year for the holidays, I wish I had one, especially knowing it was made in the U.S.A. Thanks for taking us on a tour! Wishing you both a cozy, happy Thanksgiving. ❤
Hi I am glad to hear you are a New Yorker but now live in Vermont. You would have enjoyed the General Store. I always find some unique items and this year it was the squash scraper. I was happy to see it was made in the USA. We wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving❤️Grandma👩🏻& Grandpa👨🍳
I love this!
Glad you liked it!❤️Grandma👩🏻
@@GrandmaFeral I've got to go there. It's not too far from my brother in East Setauket...
LOVE this ❤
Happy Thanksgiving Grandma and Grandpa ❤❤❤❤
Hi Glad to hear you loved this video. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving❤️Grandma👩🏻& Grandpa👨🍳
Thanks so much for taking us along for the visit! It's a charming place, and it's nice that it's also a thriving shop as well as a museum. Your gadget is pretty clever! Have you ever separated out the seeds and toasted them for a snack? A little more work, like whole sunflower seeds, but very tasty.
Hi Our pleasure! Glad we could take everyone along. I love shelled pumpkin seeds. I don’t have the patience to shell them myself. Thank you so much for watching❤️Grandma👩🏻
@@GrandmaFeral Haha! You're right, it's not easy. I used to do it sometimes when I grew acorn squash in my garden, but I've given up on growing veg and buy my pepitas now. If I were to try again, I'd plant Lady Godiva, which has undressed seeds.
How enjoyable. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving 🍁
Your so welcome and have a Happy Thanksgiving❤️Grandma👩🏻& Grandpa👨🍳
I grandma and Grandpa, I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I hope all is well as I haven't seen a Thanksgiving post. Be well, be safe, God bless.
Hi George we had a very nice Thanksgiving. We hope you did also. We have a Thanksgiving post on the community page. We are very thankful for all our CZcams friends.❤️Grandma👩🏻& Grandpa👨🍳
Happy Thanksgiving 🦃
Same to you!❤️Grandma👩🏻& Grandpa👨🍳
I want to wish you and grandpa a happy Thanksgiving. What will you and grandpa be making that day. I will be cooking the whole meal. There's only going to be 3 or 4 of us. But I love the leftovers so I do a huge bird and a half ham then after the meal it gets put up for casseroles, soups and sandwiches.
Hi we always have the traditional turkey dinner no matter how many people we have coming. We also love the leftovers. We wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving❤️Grandma👩🏻& Grandpa👨🍳
you are my everything
Thank you❤️Grandma👩🏻
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hi Tony Thank you for watching and have a great day❤️Grandma👩🏻