Brookhaven National Laboratory site environmental report for calendar year 1995

Abstract

THE PECONK RIVER-'Teaconnuck" meaning the "the place to return'' and also the word "Paumanok", or "land of tribute" was first used by the Pequot Tribe of Connecticut, who occasionally raided what is now Long Islandand hence the word PECONIC. Three groups of Algonquian Indians frequented the area, the Setaukets, the Unkechaugs, and, mostly, the Yannococks. They wandered peacefully through the region, living in rounded wigwams covered with twigs, branches and grass. They banded together to mainly ward off the Indian tribes who invaded from Connecticut and demanded food and supplies. When the white men arrived, there was little conflict as both land and food were plentiful. A few skirmishes occurred, however, the local Indians already weakened from years of Indian invasions, had little chance. Prime land and local power quickly passed to the new comers. There were a number of Peconic River Mills and industries starting from 1695 till the early 1800s. The River Head (now called Riverhead) had a number of industries, such as; Saw mills (actually the first saw mill powered by River water in the NYS); Fulling millswhere flax and wool clothing were fulled and cleaned, and latter these mills became woolen mills, one of the most famous being the Perkin Mill; grist mills for flour and feed production from locally grown wheat and other grains; a large molding and planing mill where door work, flooring, scrolls, trims and structural members were manufactured; button factory and even a chocolat'e mill. All of these used the flowing River created by dams across the River to generate the needed power, however, these were supplemented by coal and oil fired engines. Mills were also constructed on the River to generate electricity, which supplied electricity to the Town of Riverhead till LILCO took over in 1922. Another big activity was the Forge Ice factory which collected and stored ice from the frozen Peconic River during winter, and even exported large quantities to New York City to be used in the very famous Reid's Ice Cream Company. The Forge Iron works was very active during the 1 700s) where iron ore from swamps and bogs were used to manufacture ship anchors, and other iron products like nails, chain links, etc. All of these industries were replaced when electricity was provided for such industries by LILCO. Unfortunately, almost all these early industries along the River were destroyed by fire and there is very little evidence left for one to see, other than the remnants of some dams etc. Artesian wells were also installed in the River and served as sources of pure drinking water in the early 1 7th and 18th centuries. These were also submerged under sediments when these industries were shut down. These industries were replaced by the only viable industry, which was cranberries. At Calverton, the Mills pond was converted to cranberry bogs or marshes. The River provided an ideal situation where the cranberries did not freeze during winter and were covered by sand during springboth ideal conditions for the survival and ripeni...