Whitestone

Book excerpt: Whitestone was named after a large limestone boulder found in 1645 by the Dutch on the virtually flat seashore. The Dutch recognized the great potential to establish the town as a major trading port due to its location by the East River. They purchased the town from the Matinecock tribe, who had been living on the fertile land, for the price of one ax for every 50 acres. The town prospered, and the population grew. In 1898, Whitestone became a part of New York City, and the area experienced a real estate boom. Beautiful estates and private homes sprung up overnight. Celebrities from the golden age of cinema, such as Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin, and Rudolph Valentino, established homes in the area. After becoming a major hub for the Long Island Railroad, Whitestone became the home of the famous Whitestone Bridge, which is regarded as the greatest suspension bridge ever built. Through historic photographs, Whitestone chronicles this town's transformation from a quiet Dutch settlement to a massive urban center.