Lake Ronkonkoma Heritage Declares Historic Landmarks

Two 19th-century beech trees will officially become the first historically landmarked items in Ronkonkoma, thanks to the work of the Lake Ronkonkoma Heritage Association.

Earlier this month Heritage Association officials issued a proclamation at the general meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature that helped preserve the 192-year-old trees, which were planted along Portion Road in 1820. According to a release from the Suffolk Legislature, the trees, originally four in number, were planted by the Newton family to commemorate the 200-year anniversary of the Pilgrims' arrival at Plymouth Rock in 1620.

Today they stand on the Homestead of Virginia Shutte and on Suffolk County property approximately 100 feet east of the 7-eleven on Portion Road.

According to the statement, Legislators John Kennedy, Tom Muratore, and Tom Cilmi will have the trees declared a part of the Historic Trust. The proclamation read into the legislative meeting will be on display at the Lake Ronkonkoma Historical Society on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Pictured above are Leg. Kennedy, Leg. Muratore, Helen Mulvihill (LRHA, Ellyn Okvist (LRHA president) and Leg. Cilmi.