Remembering West Hempstead's Island Garden, where the Nets, Bob Dylan and pro wrestlers all played
Most people are aware of the world's most famous arena in Manhattan — Madison Square Garden and some may even have heard about Beantown's Boston Ga...
Most people are aware of the world's most famous arena in Manhattan — Madison Square Garden and some may even have heard about Beantown's Boston Garden, but did you know Long Island once had its own Garden? Back in 1957, the Island Garden was erected in West Hempstead on the corner of Hempstead Turnpike and Cherry Valley Avenue. This venue preceded Nassau Coliseum, which opened in 1972 and the Long Island Arena in Commack, which began in 1959. Nestled in the middle of suburban Nassau County, the 5,200-seat arena, owned by Arnold 'Whitey' Carlson of West Hempstead, provided entertainment for Long Islanders until it was torn down 50 years ago.