Taken in July of 1937, this evocative photograph came to the Montauk Library Archives as part of a collection from the late Ellie Prado. She was a longtime Montauk resident whose husband, Marshall, was at one time Carl Fisher’s chauffeur. The railroad has played a significant role since it steamed into Montauk in 1895. People… Read more »
In the spring of 1981, Rick Whalen was a couple of years out of college, “knocking around East Hampton trying to find work.” Somehow he hooked up with Stuart Vorpahl for a few months fishing pound traps in Napeague Harbor, and he recalls a good run of weakfish. In this photo Rick is flinging a… Read more »
Richard T. Gilmartin and Frank Tuma Sr. certainly enjoyed surfcasting, as they were doing on this day in the early 1940s on the ocean west of Montauk Point. Tuma in particular was a pioneer of the sport, developing “a snap cast that was extremely efficient at catching striped bass,” according to the Images of America: Montauk book… Read more »
Ladies Auxiliary Christmas Dinner, circa 1974 Six color photographs Montauk Library Archives Can you identify these members of the Ladies Auxiliary at their Christmas dinner at the Blue Marlin in, we think, 1974? Twenty-eight women founded the Montauk Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary in 1949, mainly to provide food and water to volunteer firemen – mostly… Read more »
“The Borths’ Christmas Card,” 1948 Photograph by Dave Edwardes Illustration by Frank Borth Black and white photograph with illustration and holiday greetings added Dave Edwardes Collection Montauk Library Archives Frank and Barbara Borth sent a laugh along with their Christmas cards in 1948 – no surprise from a cartoonist and a wife with the good… Read more »
Meals at the Montauk Manor, 1940s Manor staff carry buffet trays, 1940s Manor dining room, circa 1940s Two black and white photographs depicting the splendor of meals at the Montauk Manor in the 1940s, and the enthusiasm of diners at the time. Al Holden and Richard T. Gilmartin Collections Montauk Library Archives Seconds, anyone? In… Read more »
“Wild Turkeys,” 1923 Black and white photograph Montauk Library Archives Wild turkeys, once nearly extinct, have had a rebound, including in Montauk, as anyone who drives on “the new highway” in Montauk and spots them on the roadside will attest. They were highly prized by Native Americans and European colonists alike, and formed the… Read more »
“A herd hits trail out Montauk way,” May 6, 1955 Photography by Times photographer Patrick A. Burns Scanned New York Times clipping Craig Tuthill Collection Montauk Library Archives Cattle drives are part of the collective memory of people who live in Montauk. For over 300 years, cattle and sheep fed off the moors, shearing the landscape into smooth mounds… Read more »
Pictorial maps enjoyed great popularity from the 1930s to the 1950s, and partnered beautifully with tourism and the travel industry. This gem was designed by Harry A. Chandler, a popular creator of bird’s eye views and pictorial maps whose ads could be found in NYC papers during the early part of the 20th century. This… Read more »
“The Fisherman,” ca. 1960 Original artwork by Bob Paganucci, graphic designer Illustration for the New York Mirror; Ink and poster white on brown chipboard Bob Paganucci Collection Montauk Library Archives Bob Paganucci, who pens poetry and wrote the song Montauk, shows equal artistry in his graphic design. The founder of Paganucci Design in New York City built a… Read more »