Young-Doroszka House

220 East Main Street

Narrator: Mrs. Arlene Doroszka

Hello, this is Arlene Doroszka. I was born and raised in South Jamesport, but I’ve lived in this house since 1961 when I married Dr. Doroszka. I love this old house. Wish I could take you inside, it still looks just like it did back when it was built in 1902. And, don’t you like my beautiful roses out front?

We were both children of Polish immigrants and both grew up in South Jamesport. I graduated from Riverhead High School in 1940. Vincent graduated from Don Bosco High School in 1922, Villiinova in 1926 and Yale Medical School in 1930. Pretty good for the son of Polish immigrants, don’t you think?

My husband bought this house in 1933 and practiced medicine here for 50 years.

But my husband didn’t build this house. It was originally the site of the Riverhead Union School. That building served as the elementary school for Riverhead village and also as the high school for the whole town – although they only offered two years of high school back then. Would you believe there were less than a dozen students in each class?

After they built a new High School in 1898 on Roanoke Avenue and started offering a four-year program, they tore down the old building. Dr. H.H. Young bought the property and built this combination home and office in 1902.

According to the Brooklyn Daily Eagle this “handsome dwelling,” was “one of the most expensive and best-appointed residences in the town.”

Unfortunately, Dr. Young only lived another four years. But this was a great house for a doctor. That’s why my Vincent bought it. His office and waiting room were on the left side of the porch, with their own private entrance. There was even a separate entrance from the back so his other patients could come in without being seen.

I do love this old house. And don’t you love my roses in the front yard. You know, I won’t tell anyone my secrets for keeping them so nice.