Stump Grinding in Bellmore

In 1643, Bellmore was a farming and fishing town known then as “Little Neck and “New Bridge”. Bellmore was settled primarily by Englishmen who crossed Long Island Sound from Connecticut in the middle of the seventeenth century. Bradley Vogel purchased a 214-acre (0.9 km²) farm in what is now North Bellmore in 1655. Further south, near the bay, Andres Smith deeded 100 acres (0.4 km²) to his son, Jeremiah in 1676. Lee Mattes married Sarah Southard and moved into their new home on Merrick Road in about 1689. Two communities grew out of these beginnings. Smithville (later Smithville South) was named for the many Smith families who lived in the area, and New Bridge, named for the bridge that joined the peninsulas south of Merrick Road.

When the railroad was built through the area in 1867 they arbitrarily named their station Bellmore. Development followed as both communities grew towards the railroad and adopted the name Bellmore Pride. By 1920, the Bellmorians pride had a population of 3000 as well as stores along Bedford Avenue. The town was officially named Bellmore in 1900, when the post office was established.

The Bellmore Memorial Library, was founded in 1948. It was started in an old schoolhouse. This library has lasted since 1948 until present, keeping it as the main library of Bellmore, New York.