Cow Harbor

Written By Dino DiPietro

Cow Harbor—originally known as Great Cow Harbor—is the historic name for the area now called Northport, NY. Here’s a detailed look:

🐄 Name & Early Settlement

  • In 1656, English colonists purchased the land from Chief Asharoken of the Matinecocks tribe. The fertile meadows around the harbor were ideal for grazing cattle, leading settlers to call the area “Great Cow Harbor.” Nearby Centerport was dubbed “Little Cow Harbor.”

⛵ Transition to Northport

  • While initially a farming community, by the 1830s the area had only eight dwellings. With the rise of shipbuilding in the early 19th century, growth followed, and by 1837 the village adopted the name Northport

🎉 Cow Harbor Day Festival

  • The historic name lives on through the annual Cow Harbor Day, held every third Sunday in September:

    • Begins with a parade down Main Street at noon.

    • Includes live music, artisan vendors, food booths, rides, and a “crazy boat race” in Harbor Park.

    • Often paired with the Great Cow Harbor 10K race on Saturday

🌟 Community Significance

  • Cow Harbor Day is a major local tradition, marking the end of summer and celebrating the area’s maritime history and community spirit

The name "Cow Harbor" connects modern-day Northport to its colonial roots—when its pasture-filled shores echoed with grazing cattle. Today, the Cow Harbor festival preserves this legacy through lively celebration each fall.

Dino DiPietro