Decades Decoded: The 1970s

In our Decades Decoded series, we share touchstones of Northport history from the 1940s to the 1990s

Northport/ East Northport in the 1970s

1970

1971

Ocean Avenue Elementary School caught fire; reports later confirm that the blaze was arson.
The new building for Jones Drug Store was constructed.

1972

The Watergate Scandal, which would topple the Nixon administration, began this year with Nixon trying to cover up the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington D.C.

1973

September saw the first Cow Harbor Day Parade, which was organized to help stimulate business for a struggling Main Street.
Northport Diner was purchased by Otto Hess and renamed Shipwreck Diner.

1974

Jack Campbell is elected Mayor of Northport. He served until 1978.
The Northport Historical Society held a ribbon cutting ceremony for their new home at the Carnegie Library on Cow Harbor Day. They were given the building permanently in 1976 with a donation by the Cavagnaro family.

1975

1976

Year of the American Bicentennial: School curriculums are developed around the anniversary of America’s independence- the theme of all major events from Memorial Day to Cow Harbor Day.

1977

First Cow Harbor Day Race organized by John Rakucewicz- 1,002 people finished the race that year.
The Northport trolley gets used again in an attempt to offset Main Street’s parking problems.

1978

1979

Capt. Dexter Cole Seymour, grandson to oyster baron Dexter Cole and founder of Seymour's Boat Yard dies. He was Northport's Harbor Master for 46 years.

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