Babylon in Suffolk County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Conklin House
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, August 5, 2010
1. Conklin House Marker - south facing side
Conklin House
The Conklins named Babylon
in 1803 when this house
was built on Main Street.
Moved to this site in 1871.
Inc. Village of
Babylon, N.Y. 1990
Erected 1990 by Village of Babylon.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1803.
Location. 40° 42.04′ N, 73° 19.35′ W. Marker is in Babylon, New York, in Suffolk County. Marker is at the intersection of Deer Park Avenue and George Street, on the left when traveling north on Deer Park Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 280 Deer Park Avenue, Babylon NY 11702, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. South Side R.R. (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Babylon Railroad Company Trolley Route (about 400 feet away); Suffrage Study Club (approx. 0.2 miles away); Babylon's Heros World War I Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Auto Races (approx. 0.3 miles away); Babylon Town Hall (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Babylon Village Fountain (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hawley's Pond (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Babylon.
Also see . . .
this page online
1. A New Babylon. Town website entry:
The Town of Babylon's History webpage. On how Babylon was named:It was Nathaniel's mother who first termed her new home "BABYLON". Some say this was prompted by a reference to the quotation from the Psalms: "By the water of Babylon there sat we down; yea we wept, when we remembered Zion", for she was most unhappy when she compared this lonely place to the fine home in Dix Hills which they had left. There is a tradition in the Conklin family however, which assigns the naming of the town to another quality of that same biblical Babylon. They say that Mrs. Conklin, probably with the peace of the inland hills fixed in her mind, was not happy in a spot where her grandchildren would be brought up with a posting tavern as their neighbor, and compared their lonely lot to that of the Babylon captivity of the exiled Judeans. Mr. Conklin was not as troubled at the prospect here as was his mother. It is reported that he replied to her wailing comment: "Oh, no Mother! It will be a New Babylon" and gave evidence of his faith in his new home by placing a stone tablet in the chimney front of the house inscribed: NEW BABYLON THIS HOUSE BUILT BY NATE CONKLIN 1803 (Submitted on August 16, 2010.)
2. Historic American Building Survey (HABS) record for the Conklin House. Library of Congress entry:
Includes extensive
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, August 5, 2010
2. Conklin House Marker -- north-facing side
The wording of the marker is identical on both sides.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, August 5, 2010
3. Conklin House - wide view
The marker is visible here, mounted a pole in the front yard, with the Conklin House in the background.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, August 5, 2010
4. Conklin House - View of side yard
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, August 5, 2010
5. Conklin House - view of entrance
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, August 5, 2010
6. Conklin House - National Register of Historic Places
This plaque, mounted to the right of the front door, indicates that this property has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Unknown, image courtesy of the Historic American Building Survey
7. Inscribed tablet mounted by Nathaniel Conklin on chimney front
New Babylon This house built by Nate Conklin 1803
Photographed By Unknown, 1936
8. Conklin House - front view (Image courtesy of the Historic American Building Survey)
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, August 5, 2010
9. Conklin House (1803) - front view
From the National Register of Historic Places Statement of Significance: The Nathaniel Conklin House is architecturally significant as a distinguished, largely intact example of Federal Period domestic architecture on Long Island. Built circa 1803, the Conklin House is the oldest remaining house in the town of Babylon....The building exhibits distinctive features of the regional building tradition on Long Island,...The dwelling is a well-recognized local landmark and rare surviving example of early-nineteenth century architecture in the built-up modern community of Babylon.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,292 times since then and 61 times this year. Last updated on August 17, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 15, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on August 16, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
