Edwin Hawkins, the son of Edwin and Christina Overton Hawkins was born April11 1918 in Coram, member of the Coram F.D. serving as Chief from1948-1949 and Commissioner for four years. Died November 22 1999, 81years old. "Ed" started working as a boy at a rug factory which he would later become the owner and operated of what would be called the Coram Rug Works located on the corner of Mill Road a
nd Route 112.
The Coram Rug Works quickly became one of the largest distributors in New York State until they closed in the 1970's. He also loved racing and raced midget cars, once topping 150 miles per hour and would later become the owner and operator of the Riverhead Raceway.
I went to interview Mr. Hawkins in 1997 at his Florida home. As you walked in you couldn't help but notice his midget race car in the middle of the living room. His wife seeing the surprise on my face replied that the car was the only vice he had so it’s allowed a place in the home. Mr.Hawkins smiling proudly responded that it was the midget racer that he-had set the speed record at Daytona Raceway with at 150 mph.

View of where the Coram Rug Works was located, 2015.

Sketch of the original building where the rag carpets were made.