Bald Hill

Written By Dino DiPietro

Here’s a detailed overview of the history of Bald Hill (Farmingville), Long Island:

🌍 Geology & Early Name Origin

  • Bald Hill sits at 331 ft (101 m) elevation, making it one of Long Island’s higher points on the Ronkonkoma Moraine—an ancient glacier’s terminal moraine marking where a glacier stopped advancing across the island

  • The summit's soil was sandy, rocky, and acidic—supporting fewer trees than surrounding lowlands—which led early settlers to call it the “Bald Hills”

🏞️ Early European Settlement & Naming

  • Land in the Bald Hill area was first settled in the late 18th century. Initial farms and homesteads emerged between 1783–1797, with families like the Terrys, Overtons, and Hammonds building homes

  • Farmers and educators like Elijah Terry helped establish the first school in the region, built in or around 1812, with the one-room Bald Hill Schoolhouse constructed in 1850

🛣️ Transportation & Infrastructure

  • In 1897, the cross-Island bicycle path was built, passing through Bald Hill and making it a recreational spot for cyclists

  • Around 1970–71, the construction of Patchogue–Mt. Sinai Road (CR 83) bisected the hill. Two overlooks were also built, complete with stone markers named “Danger Hill” and “Breakneck Hill”

⛷️ Bald Hill Ski Bowl (1965–1980)

  • In 1965, Brookhaven Town opened Long Island’s only downhill ski area at Bald Hill, thanks to a land contribution from developer Henry Taca

  • The resort featured an 800-ft main slope with 123-ft vertical drop, and included ski lifts—an overhead cable, T-bar, and rope tows—along with snowmaking

  • The Ski Bowl thrived—attracting thousands weekly—but by 1980, due to warm winters and insufficient snow, it was closed and repurposed as the Brookhaven Amphitheater

🎖️ Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park (1991)

  • In 1991, Suffolk County dedicated the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at the summit, a 100-ft obelisk made from Georgia Cherokee marble and aluminum, honoring veterans

  • Located at approximately 321 ft elevation, the memorial provides expansive views of Suffolk County and beyond

🏫 Historic Schoolhouse Preservation

  • The Bald Hill Schoolhouse, built in 1850 in Greek Revival style, served the community until 1929.

  • It was later restored by the Farmingville Historical Society and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988

🌱 Current Landscape & Amenities

  • Presently, Bald Hill is a mix of civic and natural assets: Brookhaven Town Hall and Sachem East High School sit on its eastern slope, while to the north lies the Glacier Ridge Preserve—home to nearly 11 miles of bike trails

  • The former Ski Bowl is now the Brookhaven Amphitheater and Cultural Center, hosting events and performances

🔁 Historical Timeline

PeriodNotable Events~20,000 yrs ago

Formation of the Ronkonkoma Moraine by glacial activity

Late 1700s European settlers—and naming of “Bald Hills”

1812–1850 Construction of early schools; 1850 schoolhouse built

1897 Bicycle path built across the hill

1965–1980 Ski Bowl operations, eventual closure

1970–71 Road built with scenic overlooks

1988 Schoolhouse added to the National Register

1991 Dedication of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park

Bald Hill blends glacial geology with agricultural beginnings, community learning, recreational innovation, commemoration, and preservation—making it a multifaceted landmark in the history of Long Island.

Dino DiPietro