Mid-Island Plaza 1957 - 1967
In 1957, Mid Island Plaza was granted permission to use Burns Ave. school's property for a right of way entrance from John Street into the Plaza parking field. Starting in July 1957, and for the next 10 years, Mid-Island Plaza was the home of the July 4th Hicksville Community fireworks display. At its height, an estimated 20,000 people oohed and aahed when the Mid Island Plaza Merchants Association presented their community fireworks display. That September of 1957, the nearly mile long truck tunnel beneath the mall was designated as a Civil Defense Operational Headquarters. This facility could have provided emergency accommodations for over 9,000 people.
Before the plaza was enclosed, some Plaza fans may reca
Metal Arch with Starll the metal arch, which suspended a large lit multi-color star. It stood as an iconic symbol of Mid-Island Plaza. When the arch was dismantled, it was stored in the rear of the plaza by the Burns Avenue School, next to the Nassau County sump. Some remember when the star was illuminated, it was so tall and bright, it could be seen at night from far away. Each Christmas season, Mid-Island Plaza would put a real large tree, dubbed “Christmas Around the World” directly under the star.
On September 28, 1960, Vice President Richard Nixon, while enroute to Grumman Aerospace, made a stop at the Mid-Island Shopping Plaza. He was running for President and gave a campaign speech there. The volunteer fire department members were part of a contingent that stood by and welcomed the Vice President. Over 10,000 residents greeted Vice President Nixon at Mid-Island Plaza.
In 1963, the New York Mets, sent three members of their newly crowned Baseball Team to Mid-Island Plaza. Baseball's all-time greats, Duke Snyder, Gil Hodges and the newly signed Ed Kranepool, appeared in person on June 6th between Gertz and Newberry’s. Duke and Gil had surprises for the youngsters, including autographed pictures and baseballs. On hand to help greet the Mets was Miss Rheingold 1963, Loretta Russell. The Hicksville High School band played the ‘‘Mets’’ theme and the crowds roared in approval as the guests arrived on the platform.
In 1964 about 300 shoppers were evacuated when a fire broke out in the huge Gertz department store. There was an estimated loss between $125,000 to $1,000,000 not only to Gertz but other Mid Island Plaza stores, including a total loss of the Brown Cow Restaurant. This stubborn fire broke out on the 5th floor stock room and the heat of burning foam rubber, carpeting and other goods set off 160 sprinkler heads in the windowless building.
1964 Fire
The first addition to the shopping center was built as a freestanding structure at the north end of the Plaza. The 2,000 seat Town & Count
Twin Theatersry Theatres, Twin Theatre North and South showed its first features on May 27, 1964 with Elizabeth Taylor in “Cleopatra” in the Twin North Theatre. It was one of America's first shopping mall multiplex venues. It was later taken over by Fox Eastern Theatres. A 1968 advertisement shows the South Theatre playing “2001: A Space Odyssey” in 70mm Cinerama exclusively on Long Island. In 1973 it was taken over by Mann Theatres.
Also in 1964, Attorney General, Robert Kennedy attended the Fire Department Labor Day Parade that ended at the Mid Island Plaza in September, and he addressed the crowd of thousands.
1964, Attorney General, Robert Kennedy
During the 1960’s Mid Island Plaza was host to Paul Miller’s “Big Top Animal Circus”. It was advertised as "The Greatest Show". It was a real big-time circus with wild animals performing in a caged outdoor arena, fabulous carnival rides, daring aerial, knife throwing and unicycle acts, and of course cl
King Bros Circus Flyerowns. The entire Circus was free to all, except for a nominal charge for rides. There were seventeen thrill rides including: two giant Ferris wheels; scrambler; roller coaster; merry go round; flying scooter; kiddie rides, and more. The circus continued for several years and was presented by Pickwick Magic Circus and King Bros Circus.
Circus
