As many often refer to this collection of communities as ‘The Roslyns’, it is really comprised of the following towns and incorporated villages: Roslyn, Roslyn Heights, East Hills, Roslyn Harbor, Roslyn Estates, Searingtown, Flower Hill, and Greenvale. All were located within the Town of Hempstead which was originally settled in 1643 but post-revolutionary sympathies caused a split in 1784 dividing North and South. Now known as the Town of North Hempstead, these townships independently evolved into hospitable communities due primarily to the opening of the Long Island Rail Road through to Great Neck and the inauguration of steamboat service from Manhattan in 1836. Today, these suburban gems represent a melting pot of cultures and lifestyles quite similar in demographics to many of the upscale communities across the North Shore.