In an oral history interview in 2005, Stuart Vorpahl reminisced about Montauk’s historic fishing village on Fort Pond Bay, its former open grasslands, the travails of fishermen in severe storms, the heartbreaking “Pelican” disaster, and how World War II transformed the lives of many residents. Stuart, who died in 2016 at 76, was too young… Read more »
What do all these photos have in common? A couple of hints. Think of one’s dismay at seeing a receiver dangling uselessly inside – a pretty sure sign of malfunction. Or think of one filling with rising water while Agents 86 and 99 struggle desperately to get out. The phone… Read more »
Where were you in 1976? Did you get to witness the nation’s jubilant Bicentennial celebrations – all the tall ships and parades and Revolutionary War reenactments? Were you terrified by the release of the movie Jaws – and among the crowds who gathered on the Montauk docks to gawk at the massive creatures? Were… Read more »
“WHY, here is all the charm of England and Scotland, and less than three hours from New York!” The noted visitor, a traveler to many climes, stood high on a breeze-swept, green-clad hill at Montauk Beach, 125 miles out into the cool Atlantic on Long Island’s slender tip, and surveyed the alluring panorama before him…. Read more »
One of seven children, Sarah (King) Tuthill was sent at age 6 to Montauk to live with Loretta Dickinson, a friend of her mother’s who lived in “better circumstances” and had indicated that “she would like to have one of the girls.” In an oral history interview in 1967, when she was 81, Sarah… Read more »
Although cyclists ride year-round, springtime is the season associated with outdoor athletics. This photograph from the collection of Al Holden was donated with the information, “Bike race start at Gosman’s.” Although undated, most likely this photograph was taken in the late 1970s. George Watson, owner of the Dock, began launching annual athletic events from his… Read more »
“I love Montauk and don’t want to see it ruined,” said an advertisement in the July 16, 1970, issue of the East Hampton Star. The ad included a mail-in coupon for donations to the Concerned Citizens of Montauk, a group that had recently formed to resist a proposed 1,500- home development of Indian Field. April… Read more »
Vanished, it would seem, are the days when admission to any event cost less than ten dollars, as it did when Frank Borth designed this $1.75 ticket to tour the Montauk Lighthouse. A professional illustrator, he was a true friend to the Montauk Historical Society as well as other community organizations, including the fire department,… Read more »
We could all use some good role models … and guess what? We’ve had plenty of local heroes we can celebrate and perhaps even emulate on February 26, which is Set a Good Example Day. First is Richard Gilmartin, seen in front of the Montauk Lighthouse in the photo above. A dedicated historian and sport… Read more »
George Watson bought a dive bar he would later call The Dock from Bob Fitzgerald in 1973 after a handshake deal over 9 a.m. shots of blackberry brandy. “It was a cinderblock building. It was kind of raw looking,” he recalled during an oral history interview late last year. “And one of the first things… Read more »