MASSAPEQUA SCHOOLS -- STUDENT MEMORIES
from the Historical Society of the Massapequas Newsletter
Volume IV, Issue III, August, 2009, page 2
Volume IV, Issue III, August, 2009, page 2
SKATING ON CAROONS LAKE
Among the memories of my years in the Massapequa Schools I recall our winter and summer activities after school and during vacations when we had woods, fields, lakes, streams and beaches to explore.
As nice as the summer activities are on the south shore of Long Island, many of us looked forward to winter. Ice skating on the big lake bordered by Merrick Road and Ocean A. He also venue. Current maps refer to it as Massapequa Lake, but we knew it as Caroons Lake.
On the eastern shore stood a huge white mansion with a long entrance from Merrick Road. The best view of the estate was from the lake while skating on that side. This was the home of the Caroon family who lived there until the late
1940s. I’m told by my ninety-two year old mother that Mr. Caroon was a stock –broker in New York City. He was an ardent baseball fan who enjoyed watching the local men, my father being one, play baseball on his private ball field. My mother remembers walking over, pushing me in a carriage, to watch the games.
One of the biggest events at the mansion according to my mother was the wedding of the Caroon’s daughter.
Interested neighbors, my mother being one, watched the limos drive in with various dignitaries including the Governor of New York, Herbert H. Lehman (of the Lehman Brothers banking family) who succeeded Franklin D. Roosevelt. Obviously, Mr. Caroon was well connected politically.
During the 1950s the half dozen or so estates along the north side of Merrick Road disappeared one by one, including the Caroon Estate, to be replaced for the most part by housing developments. The high school is actually on the property of one of these estates. Even though the surrounding area has changed significantly, the lake remains unchanged to be enjoyed by local residents. It’s where many youngsters, including myself, learned to skate which led to fond memories of pond hockey, warming fires on the island, and even falling through the ice when we tried to push the skating season a little too far. Fortunately, the lake is fairly shallow (less than five feet in most areas) which makes it relatively safe and a great place to skate and have winter fun.
As nice as the summer activities are on the south shore of Long Island, many of us looked forward to winter. Ice skating on the big lake bordered by Merrick Road and Ocean A. He also venue. Current maps refer to it as Massapequa Lake, but we knew it as Caroons Lake.
On the eastern shore stood a huge white mansion with a long entrance from Merrick Road. The best view of the estate was from the lake while skating on that side. This was the home of the Caroon family who lived there until the late
1940s. I’m told by my ninety-two year old mother that Mr. Caroon was a stock –broker in New York City. He was an ardent baseball fan who enjoyed watching the local men, my father being one, play baseball on his private ball field. My mother remembers walking over, pushing me in a carriage, to watch the games.
One of the biggest events at the mansion according to my mother was the wedding of the Caroon’s daughter.
Interested neighbors, my mother being one, watched the limos drive in with various dignitaries including the Governor of New York, Herbert H. Lehman (of the Lehman Brothers banking family) who succeeded Franklin D. Roosevelt. Obviously, Mr. Caroon was well connected politically.
During the 1950s the half dozen or so estates along the north side of Merrick Road disappeared one by one, including the Caroon Estate, to be replaced for the most part by housing developments. The high school is actually on the property of one of these estates. Even though the surrounding area has changed significantly, the lake remains unchanged to be enjoyed by local residents. It’s where many youngsters, including myself, learned to skate which led to fond memories of pond hockey, warming fires on the island, and even falling through the ice when we tried to push the skating season a little too far. Fortunately, the lake is fairly shallow (less than five feet in most areas) which makes it relatively safe and a great place to skate and have winter fun.
Submitted by Gordon Kelly, MHS Class of 1956
