Overlooking the south shore of Long Island, St.
John’s 175-acre Oakdale, N.Y., campus is a growing center of
graduate academic opportunities for Nassau and Suffolk
Counties.
The Oakdale campus combines the benefits of a St.
John's University education with the convenience and beauty of
studying at a magnificent former estate on Long Island's south
shore.
Today Oakdale is one of St. John's University's
premier centers for graduate
study.
Oakdale History
St. John's University acquired the Oakdale
campus in 1999. This campus was the former estate of Frederick
Bourne, President of Singer Sewing Machine Company from 1889 to
1905. Mr. Bourne purchased the property to use as a summer estate
and constructed his mansion in 1900.
The mansion houses over 100 uniquely designed rooms, most with
working fireplaces. In addition to his corporate duties, Mr. Bourne
was Commodore of the New York Yacht Club and had as many as seven
of his yachts docked in the basin in front of the existing
boathouse.
In 1926 the property was purchased by the
De LaSalle Congregation of Brothers who transformed it into the La
Salle Military Academy which they ran successfully for over 75
years.
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