The early Dutch settlers named Flanders in the late 18th Century as it reminded them of a region in their Holland homeland. Cordwood was produced here and Flanders was used as rest stop for loggers heading towards the South Fork wood lots. Families from New York City and Western Long Island would spend their summers in this resort town.
In the 1950s and 1960s small ranch style summer homes were built along Flanders Road, most are now occupied year round. Pleasure Drive shows new, upscale homes with mansions, rolling hills and beautiful horse farms.
On Route 24, the 20 foot high white Peking Duck has become a symbol of Long Island's once productive duck farm industry and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
**Flanders Hamlet is part of Southampton Town and part of Riverhead School District.