Information, News, and features from Montauk Library’s local history collection.
Joan Lycke conducted an oral history in 1995 with Elizabeth Job, a Montauker who, along with her husband, became a caretaker for the Carl Fisher estate after the war. Job spoke of Fisher’s brilliant mind, overflowing with ideas to bring wealthy vacationers to Montauk. The carriage with white horses that strode down to the Montauk… Read more »
Ira M. Lewis was a Coast Guard chief who was in charge of the Montauk Lighthouse from February 1957 to August 1959. Chief Boatswain’s Mate (BMC) Lewis, who grew up in a “waterman” family on the east coast of North Carolina, was an accomplished swimmer and boatman, who became a Surfman at the age of… Read more »
This week’s Throwback Thursday gets much explanation from the description that also appears in the image, information that was supplied by Gert Murphy, who donated the photograph and who also, unknowingly, donated the clothes to her sister, Peggy Murphy Connery. Kevin McCann, a photographer who grew up in Montauk, is currently doing research on the… Read more »
Some of his happiest days were spent in Montauk, Mary L. Trump relates in her recent book, Too Much is Never Enough, about her father, Fred Trump, and his family. Fred C. Trump, the first-born son of Fred Trump, Sr., was expected to take over the family business, but flying was his passion. After guiding… Read more »
This photograph, which probably dates from the early 1960s, was taken by Margaret (Peg) Joyce, a teacher at the Montauk School. The fabulous headgear designed by her students utilized paper cups, cardboard, and other paper throwaways. The extremes of these innovative headpieces distantly recall traditional or “folk” headwear, discoverable on historic-costume sites that make us… Read more »
On September 15, 1998, Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders were officially disbanded, or “mustered out.” Many had recuperated from the ills of the Spanish-American war at Camp Wikoff in Montauk, or were still recovering there when the news came through. No doubt this unit’s trek away from Camp Wikoff was filled with emotion. The Rough Riders… Read more »
The Ford Times was a publication produced between 1943 and 1993 by the Ford Motor Company of Dearborn, Michigan. An entertaining potpourri of travel articles, automotive tips, and gadget news (plus recipes from America’s great inns on the road), the Ford Times was also noteworthy for its illustrations. Artwork commissioned by art director… Read more »
Sportsman’s Shows were attended by Montauk fishermen on a regular basis throughout the heyday period of trophy fishing, from the 1930s to the 1960s. These trade shows took place in New York City, often in the armory in the Bronx. In this image from 1947 we see Frank Tuma (1899-1961) in the Montauk booth, and… Read more »
Chip Duryea’s compiled writings have recently been published in a book entitled Full Circle. Perry III is the official name, but Chip, as he is called, was instrumental in bringing the Lobster Deck restaurant into successful fruition alongside his father, Perry II. “He was the visionary and I was the implementer,”… Read more »
There has been a resurgence of interest in the two auto races that took place in Montauk during the summers of 1939 and 1940. Sponsored by the American Road Racing Club, this event filled Montauk with excited spectators who set up chairs at strategic positions to experience the action firsthand. This… Read more »