A look back at historic Rockville Centre

Marie Wilkens, who was born and raised in Rockville Centre, died in 2014. Recently, her daughter was going through some of her things and found an essay about life in Rockville Centre she wrote for a college class as a freshman at SUNY Geneseo in 1945.

The family shared the essay with the Herald, and we have reprinted it here. The only change we made was taking the liberty of typing it, since Marie’s original essay was hand written.

When one is bustling back and forth on Main Street shopping or just passing through, there is little time to meditate about what kind of village (I should say people, because a village is what its inhabitants are) surrounds it. However, as I sit here, how quickly I travel over the four hundred miles which separate me from Main Street, and how vividly I am able to visualize it and the sundry other things which spell home. Let me see if I can describe Rockville Centre for you.

Situated on Long Island’s south shore, Rockville Centre is a large, prosperous, energetic modern incorporated village with a population of roughly 16,000. It is largely a residential place and, although it does possess a shopping district, the majority of people prefer to shop in Hempstead (only two miles away) or in New York City (distance of twenty five miles from Rockville Centre).

As one strolls casually down any Rockville Centre street, and look at the clean gutters and the well-kept lawns, he does not hesitate to agree with the statement that the people, on the whole, have great pride in their homes and village. These people are proud when, at Christmas time, the main streets are decorated with festive lights and ornaments. How they throw out their chests and straighten up as they ask you to look at their honor roll! It is indeed a beautiful and worthy monument to their beloved sons and daughters. This magnificent tribute is shaded by St. Agnes Church, which is almost of cathedral proportions and which plays a vital part in the lives of the God-conscious people of R.V.C. (abbreviation of Rockville Centre). Its resounding bells bong out each hour, and on Sundays they peel forth an invitation, and many reply. Rockville Centreites may also boast of having one of the best-equipped, most efficient fire departments in the state, to say nothing of a well-organized, effective police department functioning independently of the county (Nassau). I mention all of this only to prove that R.V.C. is an energetic, progressive, modern young village. Does anyone need further proof?

Now lets come a little nearer to some of the typical Main Street people and see by analyzing them what Rockville Centre really is. Behind a streamline soda counter is a tired, conscientious German (or possibly Irishman) who, at one time, had a very simple, unattractive wooden counter. As times changed, he wisely enough changed and here lies the secret of his prolonged existence. On the other side of this counter, one usually finds a young girl, typifying the students of R.V.C.’s public high school — South Side. She’s well dressed in a sporty sort of way, she’s aware of everything; she’s quick and clever. She may seem sophisticated at times, but she really isn’t. She’s sincere, well mannered, peppy, attractive and independent. She’s really someone to be proud of, and R.V.C. parents are proud of their children. Her parents are people to know, too.

“Dad” is one of the many of thousands of businessmen who commute daily to New York. His job goes on from day to day, with little deviation from its prosperous course, and at night, when he is covered with city dust and his fingertips are blackened with newspaper print, he is “full of talk” about a conversation he had with some of the “boys on the train.” Then, after he has consumed a hearty meal, which more than satisfied a hearty appetite, he is ready to spend an hour with the children. How they love their Dad! Dad describes this perfect hour spent in the bosom of his happy family as the nearest thing to heaven on Earth. Good old Dad!

Then there is Mom, who is untiring in her work, unchanging in her love, strong in her interest, unfailing in her courage and constant in her spirit. She wants her family to be happy, no matter what sacrifice she must make in order to achieve this goal. Although the home comes first, Mom has a few other interests. She’s an active member of the Mother’s Club in school and she also takes part in several church and Red Cross activities. She isn’t ever guilty of a shopping spree for herself (in fact, every time she goes to the store, she brings home something for everyone her herself). Yet she always makes a good, fashionable appearance, even in last year’s dress. That’s Mom!

The few people I have described are (I feel) representative of, and the originators of, the prevailing spirit of Rockville Centre. Liberalism slowed down to reasonable measures by conservatism — a rather slow but sure advance toward the ideal — an ever-present awareness of God in his omnipotence, a keen concern for the welfare of the next fellow in all his simple being. All of which say Rockville Centre is a real American village — my home.