Hixnews - Ancient Hixtory

Wonderful articles about the history of Hicksville, researched and written by Ron Wencer. This complete monthly series spans 4 years, from May 2018 until April 2022. Enjoy!

Details: Ron Wencer, Class of 1964; Category: Ancient Hixtory; Hits: 18829

Introduction

Welcome to the third part of our look back at the past through the stories of Hicksville’s diners. Last month’s article ended on a sour note: it was 1958, and New York State had unveiled its misguided response to the increased traffic generated by the Mid-Island Plaza: widen Broadway and flatten whatever is in the way. The first phase of work, the road north of the LIRR tracks, was imminent. The next phase – demolishing buildings on the west side of Broadway between the tracks and Old Country Road -- would come later.

Click here to continue reading October 2024: Little House on Jerusalem Avenue

Details: Ronald Wencer; Category: Ancient Hixtory; Hits: 9322

Introduction

July’s Ancient Hixtory discussed the Hub Diner on East Marie Street, which appears to have been the first “dining car” eatery in Hicksville. That was nearly a century ago. In contrast, the latest incarnation of Hicksville’s Empire Diner is shown above. While this article is not going to cover the entire 90-odd years since the Hub began, it should get us, at least superficially, through the 1930s and 1940s, and then use the Empire as a lens for looking at the fast-changing world of 1950s Hicksville.

Click here to continue reading September 2024: Another Diner Article

Details: Ronald Wencer; Category: Ancient Hixtory; Hits: 16146

Introduction

When the Hixnews team decided to write about “diner memories,” I volunteered to do an Ancient Hixtory article about Hicksville’s early diners. I limited myself to true diners: coffee shops, luncheonettes, ice cream parlors, Howard Johnson’s restaurants, etc. were beyond my scope. My research yield was sparse (evidently, diners were not considered inherently fascinating back then), but I did conclude that the Hub Diner was Hicksville’s first. In addition, my research shone light on a Hicksville-boosting PR campaign of a century ago – a campaign into which the Hub’s name dovetails perfectly.

Click here to continue reading August 2024: Hicksville's First Diner

Details: Ronald Wencer; Category: Ancient Hixtory; Hits: 13558

Ron Wencer

Over two centuries ago, the murky image you see headed a composite schedule of Long Island stagecoach services. It appears to depict a four-horse stage. With a bit of whimsy, the artist has placed the end of the coachman’s whip perilously close to a man's head on horseback.

Long Island Star, July 30, 1817

Click here to continue reading January 2024: Riding the Hicksville Stage

Details: Ronald Wencer; Category: Ancient Hixtory; Hits: 12346

Hearst Newspapers’ American Weekly, December 29, 1946

Introduction

This is history, not a fairy tale. There are no glass slippers or poisoned apples – but there is a tragic princess who forgoes much of her wealth, and who eventually settles down in a quiet, happy marriage with a one-time stable hand from Hicksville.

Click here to continue reading August 2023: A Very Unlikely Turn of Events