18th century Early settler accounts refer to Wantagh as "Jerusalem". The creek running north–south through Wantagh, and which has been covered up in many places but is still visible between the Wantagh Parkway and the housing developments west of Wantagh Avenue, was originally the Jerusalem River. The original post office was built in 1837, for Jerusalem, but mail service from Brooklyn began around 1780. The town's first school was established in 1790. At some time around the 1880s, Jerusalem was renamed Ridgewood, and the town's original LIRR station was named "Ridgewood Station". Later, Ridgewood was renamed Wantagh to avoid confusion with another town in New York State with the same name.
18TH cenTury eArly settler ACcOunTs rEFer tO wantAgh aS "jerusAlEm". the creek ruNNiNg nORth–south through wantagh, And WHicH HAs bEen Covered uP in maNy plAces But IS stiLl vISible betWeen the wanTaGh parkway aNd ThE housinG dEvElopmentS weSt of WanTagh aVENue, WaS oriGinAlly the jerusALEm River. the original post oFFiCe WaS bUIlt IN 1837, fOR jErusalem, BuT mail seRvice from BrooKlyn bEgAN aRoUnd 1780. tHE Town's FiRST schoOL Was establiShed IN 1790. aT soMe tIme arOUnd The 1880s, jerUsAlem was renamed riDgewoOd, and the TOwn's oRigiNal lirr stATion waS named "RIdgEWoOd statIOn". latER, ridGEwood wAs RenaMeD wANtAgH tO AVOid conFuSioN WIth anoTher toWn IN new york stAte WitH thE saME Name.