Patchogue, entitled for the Native American Tribe of the same name, is a village within the Town of Brookhaven. Alongside other property, it was purchased by Connecticut Governor John Winthrop in 1664, who then sold the land to Humphrey Avery, who in turn sold the portion that would become...
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Patchogue, entitled for the Native American Tribe of the same name, is a village within the Town of Brookhaven. Alongside other property, it was purchased by Connecticut Governor John Winthrop in 1664, who then sold the land to Humphrey Avery, who in turn sold the portion that would become Patchogue by lottery. The land received its current designation in 1759 and became an incorporate village in 1893. Its three major streams, Swan Creek, Patchogue River, and Tuthill’s Creek, encouraged early industrial development that harnessed their power in the early-to-mid 19th century. By the end of the 19th century the village had developed a massive fishing and oyster industry, the success of which also led to and fed off a corresponding shipping business.
Schooling has become a high priority for the village, with the Patchogue-Medford Union Free School District maintaining six elementary, three middle, and one high school to serve the district. It is also home to two colleges—a campus of St. Joseph’s and Briarcliffe College. Both the public schools and the institutes of higher learning offer continuing education programs for adults.
The Patchogue Theater for the Performing Arts, once home to numerous Vaudeville shows and later transformed into a cinema, has been restored and reopened as a full-fledged performance theater and seats over 1,000. Despite being named for a neighboring hamlet, the Blue Point Brewing Company is also located in Patchogue. This microbrewery offers over a dozen craft beers and is the only commercial brewer on Long Island. Amongst the towns notable residents are Broadway Actor Franc D’Ambrosio (who was the longest running star of Phantom of the Opera), actress Leila Kenzle, film maker Giovanni Capitello, actress Renée Felice Smith, and Grammy winner Chrisette Michele. Famed Punk/Rock star Billy Idol also lived in the village for a portion of his childhood.
As of the 2010 census, Patchogue had a total population of 11,798 with 4,694 households and an average of about two and a half persons per house. The median household income was $55,929 with males making $49,046 and females making $42,953.
