St. John's University acquired the Oakdale location in
1999. The campus was the former estate of Frederick Bourne,
President of Singer Sewing Machine Company from 1877 - 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 boat
house.
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.
Today the Oakdale location is one of St. John's University's
premier centers for graduate
program study.