Shoreham

Like many coastal communities on Long Island, Shoreham started as a summer resort frequented primarily by wealthy New Yorkers. But it was also colonized year-round by industrialists who capitalized on the area's cordwood-producing forests. In the 19th century, the community cycled through a few names, including Woodville Landing, in honor of the local commodity. At the time, soft woods from Long Island were a crucial component of the construction industry. Before the village was incorporated in 1913, it settled on its current iteration, Shoreham—a combination of "Shore" for its coastal location and "ham" for one of the town's developers, Richard Upham. "There are several reasons why people like Shoreham today," says Norma Dispenza, real estate salesperson with Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty. "It's surrounded by beaches, parks, farms and cultural attractions. It's well diversified in the ways locals can enjoy spending their free time."

Residential real estate prices in Shoreham range from a low of $500,000 for a woodsy, ranch-style house to contemporary hi-ranches with manicured lawns starting around $750,000. A waterfront estate can list for $1.5 to $2 million. However, the average price for a home in Shoreham is $650,000, says Dispenza. It's just a matter of waiting for one to go on the market. "One reason Shoreham is so in demand is because it’s less congested compared to many other neighborhoods on this part of the island."

The north shore village is part of the Shoreham-Wading River Central School District. Niche gives the district an A for academics and college prep, and teachers score an A-plus. Wading River School, Miller Avenue School and Albert G. Prodell Middle School feed into Shoreham-Wading River High School. . For kindergarten through second grade, Miller Avenue School gets a B from Niche. Niche gives an A-minus to Wading River School, and it gets a perfect score from GreatSchools for student progress. The middle school receives an A from Niche, and from GreatSchools, it gets a nine out of 10 for test scores. The high school gets an eight for test scores and an overall A-minus from Niche.

Shoreham Beach is well maintained and has lifeguards on weekends between July 4th and Labor Day. Rocky Point State Pine Barrens Preserve is located south of the village and has trails that wind through wetlands, forests and orchards. The 100,000-acre park has one of the most diverse populations of plant and animal species in New York State. Visitors flock to the area for hiking, boating, fishing, camping, swimming, biking, jogging, bird-watching and more. Shoreham is also home to The Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe. The facility is about as old as the incorporated village. The organization's mission is to educate people about Nikola Tesla's accomplishments and vision for the future. They offer guided walking tours of the historic site, including the grounds surrounding the inventor's famous laboratory, the site where Tesla's transmission tower once stood and a portion of the North Shore Rail Trail.

There are a few restaurants on the village's south side, but it's far from a bustling Main Street vibe. Pellegrino's Pizza is a local favorite. You can order whole pies, half pies and slices. They also serve calzones, heroes, pasta and chicken entrees and desserts, including tiramisu and cannoli.

Since the village was incorporated, Shoreham's population has grown by a factor of 50. That may sound like a lot, but consider the perspective. In 1920, there were 11 full-time residents in the village. Today, there are about 560. Homebuyers interested in living in Shoreham need to keep their eyes peeled because properties do not hit the market that often, and when they do, they flip quickly.

Written By

Riki Markowitz

Photography Contributed By

Jeff Rainone

Video By

Paris Lape