Marconi's "Shack" - Babylon/Rocky Point

In 1902, Guglielmo Marconi set up a communications station and training school in Babylon for wireless ship to shore communications with ships approaching New York harbor.  This building housed the spark gap transmitting equipment. A large wooden pole was installed to serve as the transmitter tower and a small shed-sized structure known as “the shack” was constructed to serve as the transmission station.  While in operation the station often communicated with ships at sea. In May of 1905 the Marconi Station in Babylon was one of the only stations that received a message from the RMS Caronia stating it had run aground on a sandbar.

Wireless transmission operated for 10 years at this spot, until short wave radio was developed. The building was moved to Rocky Point in 1927 and was considered “Radio Central.” In 1930, radio pioneer, Edwin Armstrong, purchased the building and gave it to the RCA Radio Central Transmitting Station in Rocky Point as an historical artifact.

In 1969, due to satellite communication, RCA was planning to close the transmitting station when it again changed owners. RCA Station Engineer, Robert Lundquist presented the Marconi Station to the Rocky Point Free School District #9 at the suggestion of Mr. Frank J. Carasiti  and was moved from the barn across the street to the Joseph A. Edgar School where, in 1972, the building was finally renovated.

The building is maintained and restored by members of the Rocky Point Historical Society. Restoration was also completed by the Vincent Landi Sons of Italy Lodge. The building is used twice a year by members of the Radio Central Amateur Radio Club in April to celebrate Marconi’s birthday, and in October to celebrate the official opening of Radio Central at Rocky Point.

 

Sources:

“Babylon Station.” William G. Pomeroy Foundation, 13 Aug. 2025, www.wgpfoundation.org/historic-markers/babylon-station/.

“Marconi Historical Marker.” Historical Marker, 8 Nov. 2021, www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=174035

The 1902 Marconi Building, Rocky Point, LI, NY, 3 Apr. 2011, clydesguides.blogspot.com/2011/04/1902-marconi-building-rocky-point-li-ny.html.