1953 & 1958
Fort Massapeag site is Purchased by TOBAY

Official Preservation: Town of Oyster Bay Purchases Fort Neck from Developers

Recognizing the historical significance of the area, the Town of Oyster Bay (TOBAY) took decisive action to ensure the preservation of Fort Massapeag. On August 4, 1953, the municipality agreed to purchase the Fort Neck land from developers, with the goal of maintaining its historical integrity and establishing it as a focal point for the growing community.

The land acquisition was finalized in 1958, and a small sign was erected at the site, then located at the edge of an undeveloped community park. Interestingly, this initial sign incorrectly identified the location as the site of an "Indian defeat" by Captain Underhill.

The current sign still marks the area as Fort Neck but now provides a more accurate historical context, identifying it as the location of a Native American fort in 1640 and noting Sachem Tackapausha's sale of meadows to Oyster Bay Townsmen in 1658/59. The area was originally named Fort Neck by colonists due to the presence of these Indigenous fortifications.