Selden

Early settlement

The early settlers of what is now Selden, moving there in the mid-18th century, originally called the area “Westfield” or sometimes “Westfields.” Among the prominent early residents was Captain Daniel Roe (1740–1820), a veteran of the French and Indian War and a captain in the Revolutionary War. Captain Daniel Roe Highway bears his name. Roe constructed a house in Selden along Middle Country Road prior to the Revolutionary War. He is interred in a small family cemetery located south of Middle Country Road behind the Old Westfield shopping center

Nineteenth-century farm community

In 1815, a school district was established for the Westfield area, carved out from the districts of New Village (now Centereach) and Coram. Initially designated as District 25, it was later renumbered as District 12 in 1842. This designation persisted until the formation of the Middle Country Central School District in 1957.

When a post office was established in 1852, it was discovered that the name “Westfield” had already been claimed by another community upstate. Henry Selden, an attorney and later judge from upstate New York, offered to provide a generous gesture if the community named itself after him. Although it’s uncertain whether he fulfilled his promise, the community adopted the name “Selden.” While some sources suggest that Selden had no apparent ties to the area, a newspaper reported in 1858 that Selden, along with attorney Edward Boyle (the namesake for Boyle Road), acquired a large tract of land in the hamlet shortly before the opening of the post office and commenced development efforts.

Twentieth century and growth

In 1916, the Suffolk County Tuberculosis Sanatorium was established on land initially considered part of Holtsville. By 1961, this site, along with some of its original structures, became the main (Ammerman) campus of Suffolk County Community College, which presently boasts an enrollment of over 11,000 students.

Between 1919 and 1959, Telescope Hill, situated on the south side of Selden, served as the location for a fire lookout tower. During World War II, a German U-boat that was spotted from Telescope Hill was eventually captured, though not immediately identified.

In 1935, a new public school building was constructed near the same site as the previous one, close to the intersection of Bicycle Path and Middle Country Road. This building underwent renovation in the 1980s and was repurposed as a branch of the Middle Country Public Library.

Commercial development

The main thoroughfare in Selden, where much of the commercial activity is concentrated, is New York State Route 25 (Middle Country Road), which extends from east to west. As with neighboring areas, Selden features several shopping centers along Middle Country Road, reflecting the suburban expansion towards the east.

In 1972, the inaugural Westfield Shopping Center debuted at the junction of Middle Country and Blue Point roads, hosting a Hills Supermarkets outlet.

Three years later, in 1975, College Plaza was established at the northeast corner of Middle Country Road and Boyle Road. Its original anchor tenants included King Kullen, Builders Emporium, and Genovese Drug Stores.

Additionally, Selden Plaza, situated at the crossroads of Middle Country Road and County Route 83 (in Coram but falling within the Selden ZIP Code), commenced operations in 1978.