Known as Penataquit among the Secatogue Indians, Bay Shore was established in 1708. Since then, the hamlet of Bay Shore has developed a rich heritage through embracing the tapestry of multiculturalism and utilizing its natural resources to build a vibrant, enduring community. Residents have borne witness to the American Revolution, the rise and fall of the fishing industry, the boom and bust of the Gilded Age, the impact of deinstitutionalization, and community revitalization. From Bay Shore's beginning, the community has birthed artists, activists, athletes, industrialists, laborers, and politicians. The heirs of this 26,000-person hamlet's heritage continue to build and define the place as a viable community in the 21st century.