Agriculture (Farms)

Between the post Civil War years up to about 1950, agriculture was an important industry in the area. Crops raised were: potatoes, string beans, lima beans, peas, carrots, beets, lettuce, rhubarb, tomatoes, parsnips, turnips, cucumbers and cabbage. Central Park was also known for kraut and pickle making. There were three krautworks in town: Schneider's and Feuchsal's located on the north side of the railroad tracks by Nibbie Lane and Osois Karp's was located across from what is now Charles Campaign School. Many farmers had livestock: cows, draft horses, chickens, geese, pigs, and turkeys.

The local farmers trucked their produce to the city markets. They first went by horse and wagon along Hillside Ave. later by trucks. The city markets were the old Wallabout, Hunts Point, and Bronx Market. The farmers took pride in their produce and animals and they entered them in the Mineola Fair. The 4-H enabled the children to compete also.

The local farmers included the following: Bergholds, Walshes, DeLallios, Retzlers, Catapano (along Hicksville Rd.); the McGunnigles, Abramowskis, Looney, (Hicksville Road, South Oyster Bay Road, Stewart Ave.); the Niemczyks, Podsiadlos, Bottos, Gerhards (near Haypath Rd.); Vogels, Pancirolis, Rottkamps, Hartmanns (Old Country Rd.); Brands, Koelschs, Schrimpes, Gellweiler, Rowehls (along Bloomingdale Rd.); the Zuks, Stymuses, Nibbes, and Gustavus Witte (in the town proper). Gustavus Zipple (farmed the land north of JFK Middle School); Daniel Margot farmed in the area of Skellington Lane.

The farmers utilized the services of Harry Seaman's Feed Store; the Benkert's Harness Shop; Baldwin's Blacksmith Shop; Norman F. Godfrey Farm Supply Store on the corner of Stewart and Central Ave. Most of the Central Park farmers were: Irish, German, Polish and Italian.

(information from BETHPAGE HISTORY BY Rosalie Walsh Niemczyk)