Old Bethpage Village Restoration - Layton General Store

A Brief History: The Layton General Store is part of the Old Bethpage Village Restoration located at 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage New York. Originally built in 1866, it served as a department store of its time. It sold everything from groceries to bolts of cloth to serve Long Island farmers. The near-original building showcases the store in one half of the building, as well as the Layton residence in the other half. The Layton’s were believed to be financially well off, as they owned a hotel in East Norwich as well. If visited today, visitors have the ability to tour the classically restored Layton residence inclusive of two upstairs bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen with a sink-pump, which indicates indoor plumbing. The Layton General Store is the only building on site that includes the amenity of indoor plumbing. The general store was frequently visited by President Theodore Roosevelt who lived at his nearby Sagamore Hill estate.

Haunted History: Many visitors and staff have had paranormal experiences throughout the restoration village. Within the Layton General Store, visitors have claimed to have heard the sound of boots on the second floor floorboards, though no one was up there.