On Aug. 11 there was a dedication and reveal of another historical marker in Bethpage for Swedetown. This is a tribute to Central Park Historical Society’s Executive Board Member, Bob Albertson and the story of Swedetown.
(Photo courtesy Central Park Historical Society)
Albertson was proud of the town where he was born, grew up, and when he married this was where he wanted to settle and raise his family. He was born in Central Park, but by the end of his first year, 1936, the town had a name change. The people had been looking for a more suitable name for the hamlet, and it was now decided Bethpage, the original biblical name of the area and the newly named state park was a good fit.
Albertson was full of pride when he acknowledged his grandparents-Robert and Alma (Salo) Knapp-as they purchased a home in Swedetown in 1915 as a summer home which later became their permanent residence. Here they raised their family Impi Ilma (Peggy), Annalisa (Betty), John and Helen and provided a home and loving family for Eino and William. Today, the fifth generation of the Knapp family still lives in Bethpage.
Those who settled the area of north Central Park, in the early 1900’s, were mainly from the Scandinavian area of northern Europe. The people of the Nordic countries shared strong cultural and historical traits and they bonded. The area where the Scandinavians settled was now referred to as Swedetown. The area recognized today would be north of Cherry Avenue, east of Stewart Avenue, west of Plainview Road (and today the 135 Expressway) and south of Plainview.
(Photo courtesy Central Park Historical Society)
A Scandinavian-American Club of North Central Park was organized in 1919, as a social group, and it was disbanded in November and reorganized as the Central Park North Civic Association. Here they celebrated with a Scandinavian-American Midsummer Dance. The celebration lasted for three days and people from neighboring towns joined in the festivities. The Midsummer Dance was an annual event.
The Central Park North Civic Association was responsible for improved roads, street lighting, improved water service, postal delivery and establishing the Annual Children’s Christmas Party with the Scandinavian Santa presenting each child with a gift.
The Central Park North Civic Association minutes came to a standstill in 1959 and the clubhouse, located on Stewart Avenue, is now the sanctuary of Saint Isidoro’s Greek Orthodox Church.
Over the years the area continues to flourish. No more open fields for children to play in, gather berries and wildflowers for the picking. Well planned homes have sprung up, parks for children to play in, neighborhood schools, and streets named for war heroes.
—Submitted by The Central Park North Civic Association
