Community Corner

Lollipop Farm Train Finds New Home

Kiddie train from 1950s Syosset attraction renovated and relocated to Huntington.

By Pam Robinson

The Lollipop Farm train, once a children's attraction in Syosset, will be unveiled Friday at its new home in Huntington.

Based on Jericho Turnpike, the farm opened as a petting zoo in 1950 and continued operation until 1967. The little train carried children across zoo property. When it closed, the train moved from owner to owner until it ended up at the Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities until its acquisition by the Greenlawn-Centerport Historical Society.

The renovated train will be in use at Saturday's pickle festival at the John Gardiner Farm at 900 Park Ave., Huntington. The society will unveil the train with a ribbon cutting at 5 p.m. Friday. 

The society quoted Eva Sweeny Mancuso as saying that Lollipop Farm was one of Syosset's main attractions for many years. It was developed by her parents, Harry and Alice Sweeny and opened in June, 1950.  

She went on to say "My dad was the assistant general director of the Bronx (Park) Zoo in the 40's and he designed their Children's Zoo."

Mrs. Sweeny authored several children's books about the farm, which were illustrated by Kathleen Elgin. After finding homes for all of the animals, the farm closed and her parents retired to Pennsylvania.

Society members have restored the train and added two additional matching trains from Elmira to bring the train back to its original
size.

You can see a slideshow about the acquisition and renovation project on the Syosset Library's website.


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