Now officially 100 years old, the Village of Saddle Rock kicked off its centennial year celebration by blowing out the candles on a small birthday cake last week. A larger celebration is planned for later in the year.
Village Mayor J. Leonard Symanski said he is excited to be in office during the Saddle Rock’s centennial year.
“I think it’s great,” said Symanski. “It’s something that happens once in a lifetime.”
According to its longtime mayor, Saddle Rock is both the oldest and youngest village on the Great Neck peninsula.
“It’s the oldest village in time and the youngest village in terms of serving the community,” said Symansky, also the village historian.
Established on Jan. 3, 1911, the area now known as Saddle Rock was once inhabited by Mattinecock Indians, according to the village website. And just 20 years after the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, Ann Heatherton took over the northern part of the peninsula from the Indians who had lived there for centuries.
“She’s my best friend,” joked Symanski, now in his twentieth year as mayor.
In January of 1911, the state of New York authorized the first village on the Great Neck peninsula and Saddle Rock became the first of the nine Great Neck Villages.
In 1926 Louise Udall Skidmore Eldridge became the first female mayor of Saddle Rock and the first female mayor in the state of New York When upon the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920 giving women the right to vote, and to hold elected office in the state.
Symanski said the centennial celebration planned for April at Village Hall will celebrate Saddle Rock’s integrity and character “in which all the mayors and trustees have done their best to protect.”
He said the village would wait until after village elections are held March 15 to plan the centennial celebration. He also said the village was open to suggestions from the public on when the anniversary should be celebrated.
