Lakeview’s Finest

Welcome everyone to the beauty and wonders of Lakeview, NY! While this may be a little sarcastic, I am here to fully display the magical and very historical setting of Lakeview, New York. I chose Lakeview because for starters, it is where I currently reside so it would be easiest to capture pictures of and describe in full detail. Lakeview also has a very historical and deep background dating all the way back to the civil rights era which I feel as though would be interesting to share with everyone. Aside from this however, Lakeview is a very populated place with all different types of people coming from Caribbean and Hispanic backgrounds. Everything from the bodegas, to the parks and basketball courts and the buildings have a special meaning here and it all displays the everyday life and interaction between everyone here. You must be strong out here, stand your ground and know how to get around. I hope Lakeview is somewhere I can inform you on and have you interested about wanting to know more! At the top you’ll see the local bodega, Lakeview Deli or “Samos” as the kids call it, the local spot for everything.

The pictures below are some of my favorites places in Lakeview, and also a local legend. That man is known by many as the best and on top basketball player we have to offer. Places from the Tanglewood Preserve and the way the sign is both made and hung makes it very noticeable to the human eye, something that Nassua County had in mind when placing the sign. The Middle Store deli is also a very appealing sign because is serves in many bilingual ways and makes the overall feeling of entering the store. The different signs and forms around town that all say “Lakeview” but in different forms, fonts or colors makes Lakeview the interesting and diverse place it is. They all give out different vibes, different feelings and different interpretations that each person can view differently. From the sign on the firetruck to the sign in front of the LIRR sign, they make Lakeview feel warm and welcoming. The signs on the playground setting, makes the area feel safe and sound and welcoming to many people who intend to show their kids the beauty of Lakeview.

From the civil rights era all the way to the present, Lakeview, NY has been a prominent part of history and has many unique features about it. From the march of the famous Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. across the infamous Ocean Ave and Woodfield Road in an attempt to desegregate the then all black Lakeview High School and the all- white Malverne High School, Lakeview has many other features that make it very appealing and interesting to those not familiar with the area. From the many uses of the visuals such as various signs, logos and fonts pertaining to Lakeview, it is clear that this area is one of very unique, diverse and historical significance.

Figure 1, Town of Hempstead welcoming sign/Figure 2, Lakeview Public Library

These pictures have a very important historical context pertaining to Lakeview. This is the school referenced to above. The Lakeview Public Library (Figure 2), which was then the all black highschool is a very vital part of Lakeview’s historical significance. The Town of Hempstead sign (Figure 1) and its location and wording illustrates a very welcoming gateway into the community, while being placed right in front of the now public library and various public attractions, such as the local basketball courts, pool and playground set.

Figure 3, Dominican Barber Shop

Figure 4, A u Y Grill and Convenience Corp.

Figure 5, Middle Store Deli & Grocery

The locations located above are some of the businesses in our small town. These places, different delis and barbershops/salons have their own meaning and background. This Middle Store Deli (Figure 5) is one of Dominican decent and according to the sign it shows off its Hispanic side and wording for the high population of Hispanics in the area. The color makes the overall atmosphere feel very warm and welcoming and makes the community feel as one. The A u Y hour Deli (Figure 4) is right down the block, perhaps 3 mins away from each other but whats interesting about this is that this one has no spanish wording nor any spanish works/background despite being down the block from each other, which displays the high diversity in this area. The Dominican salon (Figure 3) is one of the many salons on this mall strip and its workers/customers are of course of Dominican decent, appealing to the high Dominican and Hispanic population here, which also keeping it in English to welcome all types of people as stated before, this area is highly populated. Looking at the sign in particular its very interesting to see how a highly populated and cultured store has such a plain black and white background. Its very interesting to see how such a plain logo with no colors or any Spanish lettering or phrases have such a welcoming and large mix of traditions and cultures fused into it.

The school depicted below is the now desegregated Malverne High School, (Figure 6) located in the literal last block of Lakeview. This school which in the civil rights era was deemed the all white school, is also very historically significant and although it is not very clear in the visual, the sign in front of the school next to the flag illustrates a very welcoming and warm entrance into the new school culture and helps being more people together and even provide a little historical context about the school.

Figure 6, Malverne Senior High School

The Tanglewood Preserve (Figure 7), a very decorative, welcoming and interesting place to say the least is one that everyone comes to see, especially around the holiday time, much so Halloween. This is evident in the making and depiction of this sign, a bright green to stand out to the human eye with the Nassau County stamp on it to indicate that it is something that draws a lot of attention. The large words in white to make sure you don’t miss it also stating the preserve is beneficial in helping to draw attention and eyes to the beauty of the perserve and the nature surrounding.

Figure 7, Welcome to Tanglewood Preserve

Proceeding is the grand Welcome to Lakeview (Figure 9) sign, similar to that of the preserve in that its nice green bold and large nature helps attract people to this town and to come and see what the hype is all about. This sign is also placed right outside the LIRR stop on Woodfield Road, right down the block from the Library and Park attractions stated before. This helps welcome people in and with the logo embedded in the middle, signifying the culture and overall aura of the place. The reason for the placement of the firetruck in this specific region is that as soon as you enter the town, the first attraction you will see past that sign is the truck (Figure 8). Although the truck is significant, yes, it’s the logo and sign on the end of it signifying “Lakeview” that shows the overall diversity and style of Lakeview. Lakeview has a reputation and is known for having large green signs with all white bold large letters to help attract people while also giving them something to look forward to, while this one is red, in a different font, one similar to maybe Times New Roman, and located on the side of a rescue vehicle, signifying how united we are and how culturally and racially diverse Lakeview really is.

Figure 8, Lakeview FD

Figure 9, Welcome to Lakeview

These last two attractions and signs are very crucial and important to the overall depiction and description of Lakeview. The Harry’s Car Wash (Figure 10) and Mid Island Collison Center (Figure 11) are two car based centers where people can take their cars for numerous reasons, thus also being located right across the street from eachother. The reason these are so significant is simple. Look at he boldness, size and structure of the signs, logos. It is clear that in Lakeview, everyone is working, the town works like a motor and that Lakeview means business. What’s ironic about this all is that right across the street from both of them there is both a repair shop and a car rental place so it is obvious that cars are a big part of the town but the signs are what’s important. The signs indicate a stronger, more together and strict tone that helps others know that although yes it is very welcoming, business means business and that cars are business. The automobile business is a flourishing one in Lakeview and from the signs and boldness of both the color and letters it is clear that that message is out there for everyone to know. (Below)

Figure 10, Harry’s Car Wash

Figure 11, Mid Island Collision Center

From the looks of the visuals it is clear that Lakeview provides a variety of different cultural, historical and diverse backgrounds and interpretations, which is left up to the public to analyze. The use of logos, fonts, colors and different sizes helps illustrate Lakeview, NY as one of the most culturally diverse places in New York with a pleathora of different methods to help its people feel warm and welcoming. From the historical civil era marches to the present day unity and togetherness, there is always something spurring up in Lakeview for both town people and outsiders.