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Gail Hessel
“When the new Brooklyn County Farm (later to become the Kings Park Psychiatric Center) came to the area in 1885, James saw an opportunity to sell them something they needed, which was water and ice from his pond.” The Obadiah Smith House by Gail Hessel
Have you ever driven down St. Johnland Road in Kings Park and wondered about the old house with the sign indicating that it is a historic location? Kings Park resident Gail Hessel drives past the house all the time and admits to not really seeing “it” for a very long time. The house, according to Gail, was “simply part of the road.” Yet something compelled her to learn more about the Obadiah Smith House and after doing research she realized, “I learned that this house is the beginning and the foundation, if you will, of the hamlet of Kings Park.”
Gail Hessel has penned a book, “The Obadiah Smith House” in which she gives an in depth look at the Obadiah Smith home and the people who have lived there. The Obadiah house was continuously occupied for 300 years with 232 years being occupied by the descendants of Smithtown’s founder, Richard Smythe. Imagine its history and its significance to Kings Park and all of Smithtown. In addition to the Obadiah home, the book includes the history of what we call “Harrison Pond”.
Gail has written this 35-page book to raise awareness to the significance of the Obadiah house as part of Smithtown’s history. A second goal is to raise funds to maintain the Obadiah Smith House which is deteriorating and needs many repairs and regular maintenance. The Smithtown Historical Society, in an attempt to preserve the home, took ownership of the house in 1960 but maintaining the property has been a challenge. The Society is hoping to preserve the house and to someday open it to the public and school groups.
You can be a part of preserving Kings Park’s history by purchasing “The Obadiah Smith House” through the Smithtown Historical Society. The book, which was published by the Historical Society, sells for six dollars. You can contact Gail through the Smithtown Historical Society at info@smithtownhistorical.org.