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History · Stony Brook University

Stony Brook University dates to 1957

Below: maps from 1902 on.

1957founded
0on the National Register
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Quick answers

How Stony Brook University began

When was Stony Brook University founded?

1957

Stony Brook University dates its founding to 1957 (Wikidata).

2020 census: 10,40969 years
Founding year: Wikidata.The full story ↓

What stands out about Stony Brook University’s past

Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.

A history waiting to be writtenNo old photos of Stony Brook University are in the public archives yet. The rest are in attics and albums.On the map since 19025 editions of the USGS map, 1902 to 1967. Watch Stony Brook University change.
★ What stands out · Help out

Start Stony Brook University’s collection

The first neighbors to add old photos shape how Stony Brook University’s history is told.

Decades since 1900 with photos
00s10s20s30s40s50s60s70s80s90s
0 of 10 decades. The empty ones are waiting for someone’s album.
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On the map

Stony Brook University on the map, 1902 to 1967

Every edition of the U.S. Geological Survey’s map of Stony Brook University. Tap a year, or press play to watch the town change.

Stony Brook University on the 1902 USGS mapStony Brook University on the 1919 USGS mapStony Brook University on the 1947 USGS mapStony Brook University on the 1955 USGS mapStony Brook University on the 1967 USGS map1902Setauket sheet · 1:62,500

U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (public domain), via Esri’s collection of the scans. The red ring marks the center of Stony Brook University.

The story

How Stony Brook University came to be

From Wikipedia’s history of Stony Brook University.

Read it all →

The State University of New York at Stony Brook was established in Oyster Bay in 1957, as the State University College on Long Island (SUCOLI). Established almost a decade after the creation of New York's public higher education system, the institution was envisioned as a college for the preparation of secondary school teachers.

Leonard K. Olson was appointed as the first dean of the institution and was instrumental in the recruitment of faculty staff and planning of the later Stony Brook campus. SUCOLI opened with an inaugural class of 148 students, on the grounds of the William Robertson Coe Planting Fields estate. These first students were admitted on a tuition-free basis.

ChaptersOrigins in Oyster BayMove to Stony BrookGrowthFurther expansion into the 21st centuryFlagship status era

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

By decade

Stony Brook University, decade by decade

Today3 recent
SUNY on Long Island2019SUNY on Long IslandSBU copy2015SBU copy2010 10 23 lhr-iad-bos 17920102010 10 23 lhr-iad-bos 179
Famous people

Famous people close to Stony Brook University

Nobody well known was born in Stony Brook University itself, so here are the best known from just nearby.

See all →
AwkwafinaAmerican actress, comedian, and rapper · b. 1988
Melissa Joan HartAmerican actress · b. 1976
J
Jodi PicoultAmerican author · b. 1966
Ted ChiangAmerican science fiction writer · b. 1967
J
Joe ScallyAmerican soccer player · b. 2002
Dan GurneyAmerican racing driver, constructor and team ow… · b. 1931
Stories next door

History across the town line

Each neighbor’s History grade, on the same three inputs.

Stony Brook7 historic placesnot graded: under 1,000 residents or part of its townEast Setauket2 historic placesnot graded: under 1,000 residents or part of its townSetauket5 historic placesnot graded: under 1,000 residents or part of its town

Questions about Stony Brook University’s history

What year was Stony Brook University founded?

In 1957, according to Wikidata.

Memory lane

What the archives can’t tell you, neighbors can.

Town Square →
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Sources

Where this page comes from

Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021). How TownRatings grades history →

From Wikimedia Commons (3), Wikipedia and U.S. Geological Survey historical maps. Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.