Old Burr Farm

Written By Dino DiPietro

Here’s a detailed look into the history of the Old Burr Farm in East Northport (near Commack), New York:

🏡 Early Establishment and Family Origins

  • The original Burr family arrived from England to America in 1630, settling on Long Island by 1656, initially in Hempstead and Commack, where they purchased around 166 acres

  • By approximately 1769, the earliest surviving house associated with this line was constructed—later commemorated by a historical marker as the Old Burr Farm, located at 423 Townline Road near Burr Road

Prominence in Farming and Harness Racing

  • The Burrs evolved from traditional farming into becoming a powerhouse in trotting horse breeding and training during the 19th century.

  • Smith Burr (1803–1887), based in Commack with farmland extending into East Northport, gained national acclaim for breeding champion trotting horses. He owned the "Indian Head Stock Farm" and co-owned a hotel near Townline & Burr Roads

  • He bred Engineer II, sire of the renowned Lady Suffolk, and became widely recognized for excellence in harness horse breeding

  • His son, Carll S. Burr Sr. (1831–1916), greatly expanded the farm, establishing the Burr Equine Educational Institution with its own half-mile training track. He built Suffolk County’s only one-mile racetrack near Commack (now the site of Commack North High School) and counted elite clientele like the Vanderbilts, Morgans, President Grant, and President Cleveland

Architectural & Land Estates

  • The main Burr family home began as an 1832 structure and was significantly enlarged around 1881 into an imposing French Second Empire-style residence with a mansard roof

  • A historical marker at 304 Burr Road marks the Site of the Carll Burr House, noting its origins c. 1830 and its transformation into a central hub for horse breeding and training

Cemeteries, Commemoration, and Later Developments

  • The Burr Family Cemetery, located now within a Home Depot parking lot in Commack, contains graves from the late 18th and 19th centuries. Two War of 1812 veterans—Jacob Burr and Israel Scudder—are interred there

  • The cemetery was preserved during a period when the surrounding land became Brindley Field, an Army Airfield used in World War I. After its closure in 1919, most of the land returned to private ownership

  • In 2020, the Town of Huntington erected a marker recognizing the farm’s earliest house (circa 1769)

  • A local nonprofit, Paws of War, has undertaken restoration efforts on the Burr Family Cemetery—replacing fencing, landscaping, and repairing headstones—highlighting its historical significance and honoring military veterans buried there

Summary of Historical Significance

  • Origins: Colonial settlement (~1769 farmhouse) and long-standing Burr family presence.

  • Farming & Horse Breeding Legacy: Smith Burr initiated nationally recognized breeding; Carll Burr Sr. took it to new heights via training institution and racetracks.

  • Historic Architecture: The French Second Empire-style Burr residence remains a notable landmark.

  • Cultural Preservation: Cemetery site and multiple markers ensure the Burr legacy endures amid suburban development.

These layers of heritage—from colonial architecture and pioneering equine achievements to ongoing historical preservation—make the Old Burr Farm a compelling narrative in the history of East Northport and Suffolk County. Let me know if you'd like details on specific individuals or preservation efforts

Dino DiPietro