HIstory

Are you a “clamdigger” or mussel sucker? These are terms used by the local residents of the island. If you were born on the island you are known as a “clamdigger”. Any other tourist or individual who moved to the island at a later date will always be a “mussel sucker”

Yes the neighborhood is part of the historic district with a interesting nautical history. Just a mile and half long, the island had European settlement around 1614. In 1655 the land was bought from the Siwanoy people. In the 1760’s the island was purchased and was referred to as New City and began to rival Manhattan commercial district. The island was known for its oyster fishers and ship builders and was renamed to City Island. In 1896 the Island detached from Westchester county and became part of New York City.

The island no longer exports oysters or any nautical ship building. The island is mostly residential with commercial seafood restaurants just located on the main ave. The island had two elementary schools, one public and one private. The island also has one museum.

The island is slowly moving away from private residential family homes to new tight close waterfront condo communities. These new developments and restaurants are destroying the history of the island and have significantly changed the islands theme.