Mangano, Civic Leaders And Historic Society Rededicate Historic Hicksville Eagle

Combined Effort Saved One of Few Remaining Symbols of Original Penn Station; Renamed in Honor of Late Hicksville High School Teacher

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano was joined today by Robert Koenig, President of the Hicksville Historical Society; Representatives from the Long Island Rail Road; the family of former Hicksville High School teacher Samuel A. Goldberg; and local community members at a ceremony to rededicate the historic 100-year old stone eagle that sits at the Hicksville Long Island Rail Road station’s North entrance.

Under County Executive Mangano’s direction and using funds from the County’s hotel/motel tax, Nassau contributed $2,500 towards restoring the eagle, which was completed this month after a year-long fundraising effort coordinated by the Hicksville Historical Society.

The Hicksville eagle arrived at the train station on May 15, 1965, thanks to teacher Samuel A. Goldberg, who requested one for the town when the eagles became available. County Executive Mangano unveiled a plaque that officially renames the eagle after Goldberg, who was Hicksville High School’s Latin teacher.

“I am proud of the part that Nassau County played in saving our Hicksville eagle from extinction,” said County Executive Mangano. “This eagle is truly a part of New York and Hicksville history. Because of the combined efforts of everyone involved, we were able to preserve this wonderful piece of artwork so that it can be enjoyed by generations to come. I am especially pleased that we also honor Samuel Goldberg, brought the eagle to Hicksville, ensuring that it became a beloved member of the community.”

After greeting commuters for 45 years, the eagle had been badly damaged by the elements; the beak had deteriorated heavily over the years and a previous attempt at a repair was unsuccessful. The Northwest Civic Association and the Hicksville Historical Society coordinated a major fundraising effort to cover the eagle’s restoration costs. The Long Island Sunrise Trail Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society pledged the first $1,000, and an additional $2,500 came in donations from the local community. Sculptor Steve Tatti was commissioned to do the restoration work due to his experience in restoring similar statues for New Jersey Transit.

Designed in 1910 by sculptor Adolph A. Weinman, the eagle was one of twenty-two eagles that graced the original Pennsylvania Station in New York City before the station was demolished to build the current Madison Square Garden. Each weighed 5,700 pounds and only eighteen of the twenty-two that were produced are known to have survived.

Two surviving eagles currently sit on the Seventh Avenue side of Penn Station, and another one calls the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in downtown Manhattan home.