'''Amityville''' is a village in the south west part of Babylon in Suffolk County, on Long Island in New York. Set on the Atlantic Coast, Amityville has been a popular tourist destination since the early 1900s. However, it is perhaps best known as the setting for the novel, and subsequent films, ''The Amityville Horror'', which was based on the 1974 murders that occurred in the town; though the scene itself tries hard not to be a tourist attraction for that reason alone.

'''History'''

'''''

Amityville

''''' is an upscale village in the town of Babylon in Suffolk County, New York, in the United States.

The population was 9,441 at the 2000 census.

Huntington settlers first visited the Amityville area in 1653 as a source of salt hay. Chief Wyandanch granted the first deed to land in Amityville in 1658.

The area was originally called Huntington West Neck South (it is on the Great South Bay and Suffolk County, New York border in the southwest corner of what once called Huntington South but is now the Town of Babylon. According to village lore, the name was changed in 1846 when residents met to find a better name for its new post office. The meeting turned into bedlam and one participant was to exclaim, ``What this meeting needs is some amity." Another version says the name was first suggested by mill owner Samuel Ireland to name the town for his boat the Amity.[2]

The place name is strictly speaking an incident name, marking an amicable agreement on the choice of a place name

The village was formally incorporated on March 3rd, 1894.

In the early 1900s Amityville was a popular tourist destination with large hotels on the bay and large homes.

Annie Oakley was said to be a frequent guest of vaudevillian Fred Stone. Will Rogers had a home across Clocks Boulevard from Stone. Gangster Al Capone also had a house in the community.

'''Amityville Memorial High School'''

Hip-Hop group De La Soul also got their start here, as students of Amityville High School, and released their debut LP 3 Feet High and Rising soon after (1989). Most were still high school students when their first album was released. Also hailing from Amityville, is Taking Back Sunday founder, Eddie Reyes. Amityville is also the home of legendary high school football coach Lou Howard. In the 1950s and 1960s, Howard's Amityville teams were nearly unbeatable.

Amityville is also the home of the Amityville Warriors Basketball team. The warriors won the New York state championship four years in a row from 1999 to 2003. The warriors also made the trip in 2004 attempting to make US history as the first team to win 5 state titles in a row, but lost to the would be champions, Jamesville- Dewitt. The roster included, AJ Price, Mark Johnson, Craig Stewart, PJ Smith, Courtney Cooke, Mat Devot, Sam Duncan, Keith Burgess, Ray Jones, Darrell Young, Brian Clinton, and Gamble Dickerson. Notable Warriors include NBA player Mike James, Shelton Jones, Jason Fraser, and current UCONN starting point guard AJ Price.

'''Attractions'''

Amityville is know for many tourist attractions. Ammityville has amusement parks, historic sites and alot of state and local parks and playgrounds. Amityville also has its own beach that has been very popular in the past.

'''Crazy Donkey'''-A popular night club that any celebrities go to and perform or just go to to have a good time.

'''Dave and Busters'''- Dave and Busters is a very popular gaming place and restaurant around the U.S.A but it is very popular in Amityville and has been there for years.

'''Fun Zone'''-A indoor amusement park and arcade that many people enjoy going to to have a good time.

'''Adventure Land'''- A amusement park that has been very popular in Amityville and is a popular attraction to tourist.

'''Tanner Park'''-A famous park in a town right outside of Amityville which has basketball courts, football fields, baseball fields, tennis courts, a beach, skateboard park, playgrounds and many other things. Tanner Park is definitely a place you would want to visit if you came to Amitville

'''Famous People'''

Henry Austin

Mae Capone - Wife of Mobster Al Capone

Benjamin Britten - world renowned British classical composer from 1939-1942. Tony Graffanino - MLB Player

Mike James - NBA Player

Kevin Kregel - Astronaut

Donnie McClurkin - Gospel Singer

Robert Phillips - classical guitarist

George Ross

Eddie Reyes - Founder of Taking Back Sunday

Ronald DeFeo, Jr. - Convicted mass-murderer

George Lutz- Former owner of 112 Ocean Avenue from 1975-1976

De La Soul- Hip Hop trio

Amityville has many popular places to dine at. Broadway a.k.a Route 110 has many food places tourist go to. A few places you can eat at are:

-Applebees -Brooklyn Fish -Chilis -Dave and Busters -Various Diners -Fridays

Sleep

If you are visiting Amitttyville you will most likely want to stay overnight to get the best experience so here are some places you can stay:

Sayonara Motor Inn - www.saynoramotel.com - (631) 789-0400 Colonial Motel - maps.google.com - (516) 691-0097 Days Inn Long Island/Copiague - www.daysinn.com - (631) 841-4700 Best Western Bar Harbour Motel - www.bestwesternnewyork.com - (516) 541-2000 Courtyard Republic Airport Long Island/Farmingdale - marriott.com - (631) 847-0010 Melville Marriott Long Island - marriott.com - (631) 423-1600 Pines Motor Lodge of Suffolk - www.pinesmotorlodge.com - (631) 957-3330 Sky Motel - www.sky-motel.com - (631) 957-3500 Budget Inn - maps.google.com - (516) 795-2689 TownePlace Suites Republic Airport Long Island/Farmingdale - marriott.com - (631) 454-0080