Larry's Landing

The name “Ronkonkoma” is derived from an Algonquian expression meaning something like “boundary-fishing place”. In fact, this lake served as a boundary between different tribal territories — including the Nissequogues, Setaukets, Secatogues and Unkechaugs.  According to local histories, some early land transactions recorded the Native peoples selling land rights but retaining—but memories of rights to fish, hunt or use the lake remained. 
By the 18th and early 19th centuries, European settlers began establishing homes near the lake, though it remained more of a rural area for some time. 
By the late 1800s and into the early 20th century, Lake Ronkonkoma had become a getaway destination. Visitors arrived, drawn by the water, the beach, and the belief that the lake offered refreshing or even “healing” waters. Hotels and boarding houses sprang up along the shore, and the arrival of the rail line via the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) made access easier. 
The combination of natural beauty, resort amenities, and local recreation turned the area into a summer escape.
No story of Lake Ronkonkoma is complete without its lore. One of the most enduring legends is that of the “Lady of the Lake” — a Native American princess who, according to the story, drowned herself in the lake in the 1600s after a forbidden romance. Since then, it is said her spirit haunts the lake, and that every year one young man meets his fate in its dark depths. 
There are also persistent tales that the lake is “bottomless” or that bodies disappeared into underground springs and channels. Studies have shown the lake is connected to the water table and may have unseen outlets.  Whether one believes the ghost stories or not, the mystique adds to the cultural character of the lake.
Along the eastern shore of Lake Ronkonkoma once stood a little landmark: a used-book store owned and operated by Lawrence “Larry” Holzapfel. For about 25 years, this small shop overlooking the water was a community spot. 
The building had its roots further back — originally a refreshment stand in the 1920s/’30s that became a concession stand, then eventually a bookstore. 
By the early 1980s, the land and building came under Suffolk County’s ownership, and the bookstore eventually closed. 
In 2017, the property was officially designated by the Suffolk County Legislature as “Larry’s Landing” in honor of Larry’s life, his bookstore, and his contribution to the local community. 
After years of neglect, that shore zone (which once housed the bookstore and earlier uses) became part of a broader push for remediation and public use. The local nonprofit Lake Ronkonkoma Improvement Group (LRIG) was formed in 2016 to promote cleanup and revitalization of the lake’s shoreline and surrounding lands. The burned-out bookstore building was removed, the land was remediated, re-graded, and eventually became part of the parks system as Larry’s Landing Lake Ronkonkoma is not just a body of water — it is a mirror of the evolving history of Long Island: glacial geography, Native heritage, colonial settlement, resort-era tourism, urbanization, folklore, and environmental change.
Larry’s Landing is emblematic of local, small-scale community history: a local business, a community icon, and a piece of lakeside memory transformed for public use.
Today, visitors to Larry’s Landing can reflect on the layers of time: the natural formation of the lake, the quiet stories of the indigenous peoples, the resort crowds of a century ago, the small bookstore that once sat by the water, and the modern efforts to reclaim and re-invite the community to the shore.
The naming of Larry’s Landing reminds us that places hold memory — and that local history often comes from the people, the books, the shops, the gatherings by the water. Future efforts for the lake include improved public access, habitat restoration, education about the lake’s ecology, and ensuring that the lake remains not only a place to visit, but a place to remember.

It's a nice place to park your car and watch a sunset over Lake ronkonkoma. The brush blocks a lot of the view, but if you get out of your car there are a few places you can sit and enjoy it

It was absolutely beautiful and calm here, There's also history here.

I remember the Book store from the 80s and how long it stood derelict and decaying. This is such a nicer spot now that the store is gone and these beautiful westerly view are in place. I am glad they made some sort of steps down to the waters edge as well. instead of just the eroded hill side - however it is still very much an eroded hillside with just large timber beams as steps that are way to steep for some to traverse of descend. Use caution going up or down. especially at the bottom. Also the traffic here races by - so use caution when near the road as well. A nice tribute to Larry and little book library are such a nice touch. 2x I stopped on my bday for a quick cast in the poring rain.

Great views that gives an intimate feeling with the lake. One of my favorite spots to relax.