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A Few Clouds Recognition for the Denton homestead in East Rockaway
E-Rock house added to the National Register of Historic Places
The Historical Society of East Rockaway & Lynbrook presented a National Register of Historic Places plaque to Denton Homestead owner Ellen Morrison on Oct. 8 during a special ceremony held at the house on Denton Avenue in East Rockaway.
Morrison did the research to have her home, which was built around 1795, placed on the NY State and National Register in 2014, and she recently received local landmark status from the Town of Hempstead.
HSERL purchased an official plaque designating the National Register of Historic Places status that will be displayed on the home.
The house’s history
Delamater Denton II has a long and interesting story within the confines of the development and growth of East Rockaway. His given name goes back to his great, great, grandmother, Delamater Gautier, a woman who fled France for religious freedom.
Denton Avenue in East Rockaway, of course, stems from the Denton family. Oliver; an ancestor purchased a tavern building in 1808 and remodeled it into the homestead which still stands on Denton Avenue. One of the traditions of East Rockaway was moving houses to new locations — they were moved, not razed.
Del’s father was the creator of Denton Avenue. In 1903, he cut the street through the middle of his farm northward from Main Street to the Woods Avenue School. The Denton Home was in the way of the new road so it was moved 100 feet westward on Main Street. Oliver, the first Denton to own the homestead, was the largest taxpayer in in the Town of Hempstead in 1837: he paid $27.93 on assessments of $14,700.
The Denton Homestead was originally located on the corner of Main Street and Denton Avenue and was moved up the block to its present location in the 1920’s. The house had been a former tavern and farmhouse.
One of our members, Betsy Davison recalls as a girl each Sunday after church visiting Delamater Denton. She particularly remembers the beautiful corner cabinet whose glass windows are memorable and the old fireplaces and mantels, along with the hand forged gate latches on the doors.
Having the Denton Homestead on the National Register is a great recognition for our community and for Long Island.
