Jones Beach Water Tower (2012)Beaches are an important part of the history of Long Island. Long Island was mainly rural and agricultural through the 19th century. The creation of the Long Island Rail Road in the mid 19th century paved the way for the suburbanization of the island. One of the earliest lines on the rail road serviced beach communities including Coney Island, The Rockaways, and Long Beach. By the end of the century, Long Island had become a summer refuge for the wealthy, including J.P. Morgan, The Vanderbilts, The Roosevelts, and John Paul Getty. 

Robert Moses Light House (2012)By the 1920's and 30's, Robert Moses had been commissioned to help develop New York State.  His first large project was the creation of Jones Beach State Park, which was void of housing developments and beach clubs and was open to the public.  Jones Beach has since become iconic and, for some, a symbol of Long Island.

In nearby Lido Beach, New York, public beach clubs were developed including Point Lookout, Malibu, and The Sands. These clubs allowed Town of Hempstead residents the opportunity to sign up for a cabana—a cinderblock lean-to type structure that included a shower, electricity, and, in some cases, a bathroom.

In Atlantic Beach, similar private beach clubs were established, including Atlantic Beach Club (ABC), Sun and Surf, Silverpoint, and Sands at Atlantic. These exclusive clubs, portrayed in movies such as The Flamingo Kid, included snack bars, summer camps, and cabana boys to help you set up all of your belongings. It was at one of these very clubs that LICCC founder Ben Barbarotto served as a cabana boy in his younger years.

Other famous Long Island Beaches include Main Beach in East Hampton, Montauk, Robert Moses, and Fire Island.
All are beautiful, and can be made even more enjoyable if you're sitting in one of Long Island Coastal Chair Company's comfortable chairs.