GREAT NECK

village, in the town (township) of North Hempstead, Nassau county, New York, U.S. It lies along the Great Neck cape and the north shore of Long Island in an area of summer estates. Settled about 1644, it is known as the "Old Village" and was incorporated in 1922. The writer F. Scott Fitzgerald once lived in Great Neck and used it and neighbouring towns as the setting for his novel The Great Gatsby. Nearby are the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (1943) at Kings Point and the Saddle Rock Gristmill (early 18th century), operated by tidal flow. Great Neck Estates and Great Neck Plaza are adjacent villages incorporated in 1911 and 1930, respectively. Pop. (1990) 8,745; (1998 est.) 8,874.