,------,

HISTORY

OF THE ROCKAWAYS

From the year 1685 to 1917

Being a complete record and review of events of historical importance during that period in the Rockaway peninsula, comprising the villages of Hewlett, Woodmere, Cedarhurst, Lawrence, Inwood, Far Rockaway, Arveme, Rocka·way Beach, Belle Harbor, N eponsi t and Rockaway Point

BY ALFRED H. BELLOT

PUBLISHED BY BELLOT'S HISTORIES, INC., FAR ROCKAWAY, N. Y. Copyright 1917 by Bellot's History of the Rockaways, Inc. All rights reserved

Copyright 1918 by Bellot's History of the Rockaways, Inc. All rights reserved CONTENTS

PAGE 5 Foreword .. Poem, "Indian Names and JJ,f emo1·ies" . 6 General Characteristics of the Peninsula 7 Early History . 9 Interesting Old Records· . 15 Cornell Partition Suit in 1809 . 20 Sales and Divisions of Lots 21 Rockaway During the War of Independence 27 Transit Facilities from the Earliest Period . 34 ,Water Supply ·. 36 Gas and Electric Supply 38 Banking Institutions 39 Fraternal Orders, Civic and Business Associations 40 Educationa,l Facilities-Past and Present . 41 Religious Life, Including a History of Every Church and Synagogue 47 Cemeteries 59 Jamaica Bay and Its Fisheries 61 Honor Roll of "Our Boys" . 82 -Histories of the Villages: Woodmere and Hewlett 64 Cedarhurst 70 Lawrence 73 Rock Hall, Lawrence · 76 The Rockaway Hunting Club 78 Inwood . 80 Far Rockaway 83 Edgemere 96 Arverne . 98 Rockaway Beach . 102 The Secession Movement . . 109

Foreword

"What's past is prologue." -Shakespeare's Tempest.

N preparing this first issue of the History of the Rockaways it has been my I earnest endeavor to complete a work containing only well authenticated facts and to search diligently into tradition, wherever possible, in order that sur- mise and guesswork may be totally eliminated. The present work is the result and is the product of considerable research and inquiry, extending over a period of several years. Portions of Colonial, State, County and Village records have been copied and many officials and old residents, whose knowledge and informa­ tion I have availed myself of, have been interviewed.

A review of past events is not only a monument to the achievements of our forefathers, but it is a healthy mental exercise and a guide. It should prove to be a beneficent influence inasmuch as we may learn from their actions and ex­ periences and fit ourselves accordingly during our own brief span of life before our time comes, as theirs did, to pas:3 over into the Great Beyond.

This work would be incomplete without a heartfelt tribute and acknowledg­ ment being paid to our brave sons, so many of whom have gone from our midst, with little warning., to risk their lives on behalf of their country and the free­ dom of mankind, and who are heroically doing their share to hasten the end of the present terrible world conflict.

Cordial thanks are extended to all who have assisted me, and particularly to l\'Irs. Sarah C. Lockwood, ex-Judge Edmµnd J. Healy., the late Watkin W. Jones, James Caffrey, Edward Roche, Divine Hewlett, William Scheer, J. W. Wain­ ,vright, Charles A. Schilling, David J. Felio, Dr. J. Carl Schmuck, Carleton Macy, W. S. Pettit, W. H. E. Jay Junior, Charles R. Bettes, Andrew McTigue, The Tablet and others. ALFRED H. BELLOT.

Far Rockaway, N. Y., December 7th, 1917.

INDIAN NAMES AND MEMORIES ·

Long Island winds are blowing fair and free As when of old, a thousand years ago They swept the shining sands, o'erleapt the highest tree, And through the sandy barrens· trampled slow.

Was there no poetry in those wild days When India.n braves their love songs murmured loiJJ? When the young mother held her babe in arm, And Indian lullabys sang sweet and slow?

Was there no poetry in those old days When lifted skies at sunrise arched the dawn? Where sparkling 'waters dimpled all the day And darkling midnights hovered close and warm?

Reckowhacky, that "lonely 'Qlace," that "place Of waters bright." Kisseena, "it •is cold.'' Ronkonkoma, "the wild goose', resting place." Manhattan "island hill," and Maspeth "overflowed:'

Gowanus "here the sleeper rests,'' Canarsie "Fenced place,'; and Merrick "here is barren Land," "devoid of trees it stands." Massapequa "Great ioate1· land"-how few, how few they are.

THEIR poetry was Nature's. Deep within The heart they held it, but all unexpressed In wreathed numbers was the joy they felt, So silent, grave, they lived their lives, and passed.

From shore and river, forest-land and plain, They passed away. Of all they saw and u;rought, Of all their stately life and utterance, A few names glimpse for us their every thought. -Jessie Fr£mont Hume.

History of the Rockaways

0 there are Voices of the Pasi, Links of a broken chain, Wings that can bear me back to Times Which cannot come again; Yet God forbid that I should lose The echoes that remain. -Procter.

WEPT along its entire south side passage te China from Europe. In the by the rolling breakers of the At• log book of Hudson's ship the "Half S lantic Ocean, the narrow -neck of Moon" bearing date September 3rd, land now known as the Rockaway Pen­ 1608, his mate, Robert Juett of Lime insula, thickly populated and attracting House (England), notes that in attempt­ millions of visitors annually, was taken ing to enter the "Northermost of the over from the Indians by the first white three great rivers" he was deterred by settlers t,vo hundred and thirty years the sand bar and shallow water and ago. turned toward the narrows. The "north­ At the present day a large part of ermost" referred to was the old Rock­ the peninsula, which somewhat resem­ away inlet to Jamaica Bay. A year later bles in shape an elongated, toeless hu­ a boat's crew from the "Half Moon" man foot pointing to the west, is part landed on Coney Island, near the inlet, of the Greater City of New York and is for the purpose of burying one of their one of the most popular summer play­ comrades who had been killed by grounds and breathing spaces on the Indians while they were exploring the Atlantic seaboard. bay and river. In addition to being a summer resort, .. rrhe greatest assets of the Rockaw~y it is a collection of villages, each of peninsula are its proximity to the At­ which has its own permanent resident lantic Ocean and its easy accessibility. population, its own religious, civic and Served by a frequent and fast electric social centres and activities and its own train service connecting with Manhat­ pride, achievement and aspirations. _ tan, Brooklyn, Long Island City, Beginning with Hewlett and proceed­ Jamaica and all Long Island, the entire ing south and west, the peninsula in­ section affords a haven of rest whose cludes vVoodmere, Cedarhurst, ·Law­ health-giving properties are eagerly rence, Inwood, Far Rockaway, Edge­ taken advantage of · by tired city mere, Arverne and Rockaway Beach, dwellers anxious to escape the city tur­ which latter is sub-divided into the sec­ moil and summer heat. Bathing, boat­ tions of Hammels, Holland, Seaside, ing, yachting, fishing, tennis, golfing Rocka,vay Park, Belle Harbor, N eponsit and horse racing are amo·ng the princi­ and Rockaway Point. Of these villages pal summer outdoor sports and pas­ the most important and thickly popu­ times. There are several\_country clubs lated is Far Rockaway in the centre. with large memberships, admirable golf The peninsula is bounded on the south courses, hundreds of public and private by the Atlantic ocean, on the east by tennis courts, numerous private yacht, Woodmere or Brosemere Bay and Nas­ . shooting, and bowling clubs, a large sau County, and on the north by summer variety or vaudeville theatre Jamaica Bay and Nassau County·. The and numerous moving picture theatres. westerly extremity is a point of land Hotel and home life provide every con­ terminating at the junction of the ocean ceivable branch of social activity par­ and bay, south of Coney Island, there ticipated in by residents in the various forming the well-known treacherous sections. Society leaders, princes of

Rockaway Inlet. finance. politicians1 members of the It was at this point that Henry Hud­ diplomatic service, leading men in the son, the famous discoverer of the Hud­ legal, clerical and medical professions; son River, was delayed in entering thm the stockbroker, manufacturer, factor, river on hi~ search for the northwest business man, salesman, clerk, stenog- 8 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS rapher, and laborers; in fact, the world, The fishing industry forms by no his wife and his sweetheart, have a re­ means an unimportant part in the pro­ curring or permanent regard for th~ vision of employment. Blackfish, weak­ Rockaways, which they make their sum­ fish and bluefish abound, while the mer resort or regular home. Rocka,vay and Woodmere oysters and The resident population of the Rock­ clams have a nation-wide reputation. away Peninsula in the months between Oyster beds are numerous and profit­ October and May is estimated at 36,000 able and the number of men who "fol­ persons. The distribution of national­ low the bay" is considerable. ities of the inhabitants is typical of a County Boundaries great city. The American born are everywhere, but mostly live in the The whole of Far Rockaway and all 11ortheasterly, or Nassau County, end of ether villages westward to Rockaway the peninsula. Irish, Jewish and Ger­ I•oint form the Fifth vVard of the Bor­ mans are found in large numbers, and ough of Queens, which is one of the five there is a considerable sprinkling of boroughs constituting the city of Great­ English, Scotch, French, Italians, er New York. The remaining villages Swedes and Norwegians. From May to of Inwood, Lawrence, Cedarhurst, October, which is the season when Woodsburgh, Woodmere and Hewlett botels open and cottages and tents are are in Nassau County, which bounds rented, it is almost in1possible to esti­ Queens· County on the east. Nassr,u County was created out of Queens mate the number of residents. Strictiy speaking, the "season" is from July 4.th County when Greater New York was to Labor Day, but these dates are only elevated on January 1st, 1898, and the peninsula, which has its own geograph­ observed ·in the Seaside section, where ical and communal entity, was then there is a popular amusement colony. It is probable that during a good sum­ divided and governed in the arbitrary mer season the population reaches as manner-so far as the Queens County high as a quarter of a million souls, and portion of it is concerned-under which • it is governed today. The reader is re­ to these must be added an enormous number of "day trippers" and week-end ferred to the maps published with this visitors. Yolume for a more complete und~r­ Occupations standing of boundaries and locations. Many residents of the Rockaways are Geological Characteristics of the class known as "commuters." The geological formation of the pen­ The men have their employment or bus­ insula is as varied as can be desired. iness in other parts of the city, and The settlement of Edgemere and all of travel back and forth daily. Every vil­ the westerly end consists of sand, much lage contains up-to-date stores of all of ,vhich has been pumped in to make descriptions where food, clothing and a 1nore solid f cundation than was af­ merchandise of all kinds, and in any forded by the sandy marshes, which retail quantity, may be purchased at existed before real estate developers favorable prices. Far Rockaway and and builders took a hand in the matter. Rocka,vay Beach are very well equipped The other villages are on solid terra in this respect. firma and lakes, woods and streams There are not many factories in the abound. There is no rock formation or Rocka,vays, and the small number strata. "t.vhich exist give employment to very Climate few persons. During the summer The climate is at all times extremely months employment generally is plenti­ bracing and this is one of the principal fu 1, mostly being in connection with reasons for the great popularity of the hotels, boarding houses, bathhouses and peninsula. The summer heat is always retail stores. It is the usual practice tempered with gentle breezes from the for owners of cottages to rent them out ocean and the bay, and the severity of for the summer months and reside there the winter~s cold is greatly alleviated, during the remainder of the year. Con­ and often made pieasant, by warm sideTable quantities of land are under winds blo,ving over water heated by the cultivation and mostly_ produce vegeta­ Gulf St:-eam, which flows past these bles, for ,vhich there is ever a ready shores in its journey from the Gulf of market. l\ilexico to Ireland. BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 9 EARLY HISTORY ONSIDERABLE interest has been the paleface people. Accordingly they and is displayed in the origin of sent three delegates from the wigwams C the ·word "Rockaway." Reliable of their great chief, Penhawitz, to Fort historians agree. that the name is a cor­ Amsterdam. (Manhattan Island), where ruption of the word "Reckouwacky," the Governor Kieft ,vas stationed with his Jatter being the name chosen by a tribe forces. They bore a white flag, but the of the Carnarsee Indians when they Hollanders did not trust them and only established themselves at Rockaway two of their number volunteered to go :i.~ eek. "Reckouwacky" means "the place out of the fort to meet the Indians. of our own people," and was used by These were De Vries and Jacob Olfert­ this sub-tribe to distinguish their place sen. :from other places, such as Mispat (now "Ou'r chief has sent us," said the sav­ Maspeth), and J ameco (now Jamaica), ages, "to know why you have killed his which were occupied by tribes they had people, who have never laid a straw in conquered. If the reader will enunciate your way nor done you -ought but good? the name in the gutteral tones used by Come and speak to our chief on the sea Indians it will readily be seen that the coast." Setting out with the messen­ altered spelling is easily accounted for. gers, De Vries and Olfertsen in the Another name used by some writers evening came to "Reckouwacky," or js Rekanawahaha, "the place of laugh­ Rockaway, where they found nearly ing waters," but the reason for ascrib­ three hundred savages and thirty wig­ ing the former use of this name, which gams. The chief, who had but one eye, is certainly an admirable one, appears invited them to pass the night in his to have had its foundation more in cabin and regaled them with oysters poetry than reliable data. and fish. The Carnarsee tribe ,vas part of the As the years passed, life between the 1\'.lohegan tribe of the great Moha,vk settlers and the Indians became more nation. This tribe inhabited the whole peaceful and the number of white of Long Island, and sold it to the Dutch settlers at Hemsteede (now Hemp­ in 1640. Although they parted with stead), meaning "homestead," Jamaica title to their land they still occupied and Flushing greatly increased. portions of it and paid annual rents, In 1685 the Reckouwacky or Rocka­ usually in the form of a specified nun1- way tribe had their headquarters at . ber of bushels of wheat. Hog Island, now known as Barnum's Aithough all titles to Rockaway prop­ Island, in Woodmere Bay. Tacka­ erty are properly carved out of the poucha of Madnan's N eek (now Little· Palmer patent, granted by the English N eek), was tribal chief, and the Rock­ Governor Dongan to John Palmer, and away sachem or sub-tribal chief was that grant is the earliest recorded docu­ Paman. At that time the Indians were ment in relation to the Rockaways, it paying to the English Governor an an­ is not correct to conclude or suppose nual rent of "five bushels of good win­ that this is the earliest historical men­ ter wheat" and of course their title was tion of the Rpckaways. merely one of occupancy. They agreed In 1642 a conference was held in "the to sell their interest in Rockaway Neck, woods near Rocka,vay" between Dutch as it was then called, for the sum of envoys, headed by one De Vries, and six­ £31-2-0 in British money. teen sachems, representing Indian A deed ,vas drawn on October 6th, tribes, who complained of wrongs in­ 1685, and executed with due ceremonies flicted upon them by the Dutch. At two days later. This deed was a con­ this n1eeting, we are told,, "addresses of veyance by the tribe of Indians through silnple pathos were made and the Ind­ their chiefs, Tackapoucha and Paman, ians emphasized the wrongs complained of "the whole of that tra.ct of Rockaway of by laying down a twig for each com­ N eek and beach extending from a line pl3.int." Appa1·ently the Indians were on the West, kno,vn as Wells Line, not not satisfied, and reprisals were made far from the turnpike~ to the point of during the winter, but in the spring the beach on the west at the inlet at they relented as they desired to plant Jamaica Bay." This "point of the their corn and wished for peace with beach" was at that time a short distance 10 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS west of what is now known as Wave favorite, Palmer, without any good con­ Crest. To-day the "point of the beach" sideration. This accusation was for­ or, as it is now called, Rockaway Point, ally made in a long indictment of owing partly to the action of the ocean charges which caused his removal as and partly to artificial means, is about Governor and subsequent disgrace. Be­ seven miles further west than it w2.s fore his removal he made a categorical · in 1685. . I The deed, which is on record, was executed by the two Indian chiefs in the presence of seven witnesses, three white men and four Indians. The white men wrote their names and the Indians marked their symbols.f' A copy of the signatures and marks attached to the historic document is re-produced in this volume. - At the time of the execution of the deed the Rockaways consisted of meadow and marsh land used occasion­ ally by a fe,v Indians for grazing their SIGNATURES TO EARLY DEED. horses and cattle upon. ., The sale by the Indians to Palmer was licensed by the English Governor reply to his accusers and the charge of and confirmed by him as the King's rep­ favoritism in disposing of the Rock­ resentative, in the form of a warrant or aways, ·which reply shows that he grant on November 3rd, 1685. In return thought the territory of small value. for the privilege Palmer agreed to pay The answer reads as follows: Gover­ a quit rent of a bushel of ,vheat. an­ nor Dongan's -reply to the sixteenth ac­ nually. The same Governor was after- cusation concerning Rockaway Neck, given to the British Government on February 22nd, 1687. . "Mr. Stanten" (his accuser), _"poor man neither understands his own nor others concerns, he was one of the C()un­ cil himself when Capt. Palmer peti­ tioned for license to purchase this land, lying without the meers & bounds· of Hempsted & when the same was grant­ ed & before he had his patent granted, the people of Hempsted were summoned to appear to show ca use, if they had any ,vhy it should not be granted. There­ upon one person came to mee & told mee that it was his land & that it was within the meers & bounds of Hempstead on which I ordered him to put a Caveat into the Secry's office against the passing of Judge Palmer's patent, and then the sur­ veyor went to survey the lands accom­ panied by some of the inhabitants ·of IIempstead, to show him their bounds who returning th.is land to be without their. meers & bounds the patent was TACK-A-POU-CHA. passed in which Captn Palmer is ex­ pressly bounded where hee adjoins to l-TPnin<::tP~ h~r fl,p;~ linP An'1 "'u"ho ... oin wards attacked by His lVf ajesty's Gov­ ----·-~- ... - ...... ,..,,, ""'·•""""-- ...... """". _ .... ,A ...... ernment for showing favoritism, and bee says· the Hempsted people were one of the acts alleged against him was frighted to let their Suits fall, its quite that in abuse of the power reposed in otherw'ise, for the Pearsall, upon the him, he had given Rockaway N eek to his granting of this Patent got into pos- BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 11

Bession of this land, inasmuch as Judge ahvays been closely associated with the Palmer was forced to commence suits history of Hempstead and Jamaica. against him Where after it had some­ Two years after Palmer obtained his time depended, Pearsall finding that to grant or title to Rockaway, from the insist on his pretense would not avail British Government, he sold the prop­ him, and as for his being frighted into erty to Richard Cornell, an ironmaster it by Captn Palmers being Judge, of Flushing. The consideration or there's noe such thing for on purpose price, contrary to the custom of those he himself withdrew & left the manage­ days, was not mentioned in the deed of ment of that Court to his Collegue, conveyance, dated August 23rd, 1687, Judge Nicolls and as for the lands being which refers to it in a simple manner the only pasture for the town its wholly by calling it "valuable." false for its no pasture at all, being all This is of special interest in view of woodland, and that town having a plain the record that on August 20th, 1687, of upwards of 40,000 acres of good Richard Cornell and his wife, Elizabeth, pasture without a stick upon it & as for sold to ~T ohn Palmer one-third of a tract its value I believe Judge Palmer would at lvladnan's N eek, formerly granted by think himself obliged to Captn Santen Governor Nicholls to Thomas Hicks, and or any others that ,vould give him two which was sold in 1666 by Hicks to hundred pounds for it." Cornell. The foregoing \vill show that from the The name Cornell was also spelled earliest days the Rocka\vay Title formed Cornwell and Cornwall, the family the subject of dispute and many Rock­ being one of the most prominent and a·way men living to-day will agree that_ ,vealthiest on Long Island. CGrnell in son1e sections, mostly near the water­ University, New York, ·was founded by front, disputes are still continued. Ezra Cornell, who was a lineal descend­ The Town of Hempstead objected to ant of the original Rockaway Cornell. the sale of .Rocka,vay N eek in 1685, It is interesting also to note, in pass­ alleging that Tackapousha had no au­ ing, that in 1667, Palmer was appointed thority to sell as the 'land belonged to by . Governor Nicholls to en~oll the the town. They commenced an action militia in Queens County, and that to upset the grant and conveyance to Richard Cornell in 1670 was "permit­ Palmer and asked for possession. They ted to sell liquors and powder to the ·were defeated and had to pay costs of Indians." the action. The following notice call­ Richard Cornell was born in the ing a town meeting to approve the ac­ County of Essex, . England, in 1625, counts and payments is worthy of re­ came to America with his parents and production: settled later at Cornbury, Flushing, "John Smith, where he purchased considerable prop­ "Justis of ye Peace. erty. In addition to the Rockaway pur­ chase the records show that in 1684 "At a towne meeting held in hemp­ Tackapousha and other Indians sold to stedd november ye ,27. 1699 it was Richard Cornhill (Cornell), and others, voted and concluded by a maior vote all the land called Flushing, bounded yt Justis Smith, Isack Smith, John west by Flushing Creek. south by the Pine, John ff oster and william Willis Jamaica line, east by Hempstead a11d shall heare ye accoumpts of those yt north by the Sound. demand mony of ye towne Conserning ye tryall aboute · Rockaway and macke Returne to ye towne for theire The First White Settlers aprobation in yt matter. Richard Cornell settled at Ro~kaway "By order with his family in 1690. It is a matter "Joseph Pettit. Clerck." of great doubt and one upon which no In those days Rockaway was consid­ definite information or data exists as to ered an outlying portion of the Town whether any houses were here before of Hempstead, an important Long Island 1690, 1vhen Cornell erected a large town even then. Being also close to frame structure for the use of himself Jamaica, its communications with that and his family. It seems a safe pre­ town were among the earliest to be sumption that except for a few hut_s, opened. The history of Rockaway has probably used by Indians, the Cornell 12 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

house, of which we herewith give a re­ ship-wrecked settlers supposed to _be production, was the first ever built at pioneers in this section may be treated Rockaway. as mere gossip and the legitimate and In addition to the purchase from clear line be established of the very Palmer, Cornell also purchased adjoin­ much alive and real persons who were ing property to enlarge his holdings. the actual pioneers and active settlers On December 26th, 1690, John Smith of and cultivators of this highly impor­ Hempstead, sold and conveyed to Cor­ tant, if outlying section, of the great­ nell a large tract adjoining the easterly est and most progressive city in the end of Cornell's property. world. The Cornell homestead overlooked the The name of the first settler has been Atlantic Ocean and was at Far Rock- the cause of considerable confusion,

FIRST HOUSE IN ROCKAWAY-CORNELL HOMESTEAD-1690-1833.

away. A picture of this house was owing to the faulty orthography of the painted by Rebecca Hubbard Cornell, a period. Cornell is the real name. By a grand-daughter of the first Cornell. The cc-rruption of the name in common use house was demolished in 1833 to make it was made Cornwell and Cornwall. way for the Marine Pavilion, on the site For a number of years Richard Cor­ of which it formerly stood. nell lived at Rockaway with his wife, The Cornells were the original set­ five sons, three daughters, negro serv­ tlers in Rockaway and all titles to prop­ ants and farm hands. As the family erty here are deduced from theirs. For gre,v, additions were made to the house that reason we have thought it advisable which at last became the rambling to dwell at considerable length on the structure depicted. On the 7th day of history of that family, believing that November, 1693, shortly before he died, by so doing, the traditional stories of Cornell made his will, which we repro- .BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 13 duce in the following pages. It will pay and satisfye the said debt to ye be -noticed that his eldest son, Richard, said children as it shall become due received very little under the document. according to the tennor & the true The reason for this was not lack of intent of the Will and Testament of affection on the part of the father for ye said John Washburne deed. It is .his son, but was o,ving to the fact that my minde and will that the overseers the father had made very considerable of this my Will and Testament may presents of land to his eldest son, and shall sell and alienate the afore­ during his lifetime, and ,vished his re­ said lands for ye payment of ye said maining children to have a fair share. debt & return the overplus to my Cornell had property other than his four sons, William, Jacob, Thomas Rockaway home. and John Cornell. Item. I doe give The will, ·which discloses much faulty and bequeath unto my son William spelling, although obviously prepared Cornell and his heirs for ever a cer­ by a lawyer or "solicitor" as the pro­ tain part of my lands and meadows fession was known under the English situated att Rockaway as aforesaid regime, is filed in the Surrogate's office as hereafter is mentioned (to witt) of New York County at the Hall of bounded on the north side with the Records, Chambers Street, Manhattan, old fence upon the South side of the and reads as follows: last years wheat fields so running Easterly to Hempstead line Souther­ ly by the new sea including all lands Cornwall's Will of Rockaway broken lands, Marshes, beaches, ex­ In the name of God, Amen: the sev­ cepting such preservacons as shall be enth day of November Anno ye Dom­ hereafter menconed (that is to say) iny 1693 and in the fifth year of the my now dwelling house with orchard reign of our Soveraigne Lord King and the pasture thereunto adjoining William over England, Richard Cor­ with the barns and lands in tillage nell of Rockaway in Queens County about it with the gardens & springs in- ye Island of Nassau in America and all other outhouses the which res­ being sick and weeke but of goode ervacons I do give and bequeath to and perfect minde and memory praise my dear and loving wife Elizabeth . be given to God Almighty, yet call­ Cornell during ye time .of her widow­ ing t0 minde the uncertainty of this hood and my will is that after my said Life and how certain wee are to· dye wife's death or marriage ye said re­ and yet the time of our death most servacons shall descend to my son uncertain, do make publish and de­ William Cornell & to his heirs for­ clare this my Last Will and Testa­ ever. Also my "'·ill is that improve­ n1en in manner following that is to ments that he shall make upon that say. First and Principally I com­ share or portion of land & meadow .mend my soul into the hands of Al­ bought by me of John Smith of mighty God, my Creator & my body Hempstead commonly called Little I commit to the Earth to be Qecently Smith after his entry upon the pos­ buried at the Discretion of my Ex­ session of ye above -men coned reser­ ecutors herewith named and as for vacons shall immediately depend upon touching and concerning all & every my son Thomas Cornell and his heirs such worldly Estate which God of his forever with all the lands & meadow infinjte goodness has blest me with which I bought of the aforesaid John all in this Life. I give bequeath and Smith. devise in manner following. Im­ Item. I give and bequeath to my son primis by. this my Last Will and Thomas Cornell & his heirs forever Testament and doe binde and make another part of my Land & meadows over all my Lands and Meadows sit­ being bounded Southerly with my son uated .and lying at Rockaway upon William Cornell line Northerly by ye the South side of ye island of Nassau middle of ye fresh cove that Robert t"ho _.c in___ ~ •• -.., .,._p"""""".: .-.vv.&..&..1.'-'c; ...... V.1. .L.'t~,..T __ w """.,..or"'Ke.l. • 1-n Beadels Meadow was laid out in and America for the paying & satisfying so running easterly to the three rails a certain Debt oweing by me to the fence and further if it should happen children of John Wash burne Deed., and my will is that the said gift shall and in case my Executors do not duly include all meadows broken meadows 14 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

and marshes lying within them Lynes with colter & cheins which I give to to the middle of the fresh cove afore­ my son William also excepting twelve said. two heifers which I give to my Item. I doe give to my sons Jacob twelve grandchildren to be delivered and John Cornell all my Lands & when they become of age that is to meadows & to their heirs forever ly­ ye children of my sons Richard, n1y ing to the northward of Thomas Cor­ son Washborn & my son John Law­ nells lyne situate att Rockaway afore­ rence. said bounded northarly with the Item. I do give to my daughter Sarah Great River or Cove Easterly by the Arnold two cows. Further my will raile fence to equally divided be­ and mind is that if any of my said twixt the said Jacob and John Cor­ sons William, Thomas, Jacob & John nell according to quantity, quality or my daughter Mary shall happen to except such reservacons as shall be dye without heirs male to their own hereafter menconed (to wit) to my bodys that then the lands shall re­ sons Richard and his heirs forever I turn to the survivors to be equally give and bequeath ten acres of mead­ divided amongst them. ow joining to Wells his line to run Item. my mind and will is that if North & South upon an equal lyne. my wife should see cause to marry Item. I do give to my son William again that then she shall have one Cornell & to his heirs forever tenn hundred pounds paid by the Execu­ acres of Meadow j oyning to my sons tors out of my Estate with one half Richards tenn acres & to run in the of the moveables within doors (mon€;y same manner north & south upon an excepted) and one negro girle called equal lyne. by the name of Jane that she shall Item. I doe give to my daughter not continue Executrix any longer hut Mary Cornell One hundred pounds surrender up the whole of the estate curr. money of this province of New personall to my other Executors which Yorke or equivalent to money to be I will be equally divided amongst my payd att three payments (to wit) one­ four sons, Willm., Jacob, Thomas & third part at the day of her marriage John. Excepting my negro man or when she shall attain the age of James and my negro ,voman Diana eighteen years & the other two-thirds which I give & bequeath to my son to be paid yearly successively. I doe William after the death or marriage also give and bequeath to my said of my said Wife and the lands given daughter Mary the one half of my by me to Thomas, Jacob & john after moveables within doors, money ex­ the death or marriage of my wife. cepted. I will that it be returned also to my Item. l\Iy mind and will is that executors to be improved for the pay­ ,Nhilst my wife remains a widow that ment of debts and bringing them up shee shall have the ,vhole & sole use till they come of age of all my lands & meadows att Rock­ Item. My will and mind is that the away excepting such lands & mead­ lands upon Cowneck and Crab ows as I have already given & be­ Meadow be sold to the value thereof queathed to my son William which and be equally divided amongst all said land :ts to be employed, improved, my children in general. . for ye payment of the debt due to the Item. It is my will that my right to children of the aforesaid John Wash­ the undivided land in ye bounds of burn the maintaining & bringing up Hempstead shall descend to my five of the children during their nonage. sons to be equally divided amongst Item. I doe give and bequeath to them. my loving ,vife while she continues Item. My will and mind is that my unmarried the ,vhole and sole com­ four sons, Richard, Thomas, Jacob & mand and use of all my negroes and .T ohn shall have liberty to put up stock with all utensils of husbandry horses upon the beach if they see n- ••,....,..,, +\..- ,..,,.- r-- .: +~~,.,,. .;~ ~n.:~+n.;,,.,;,...... n- now in my possession to be used and ~a,UO::,C l,UCj' a.SS.1S l,.1.1.1~ J..1.1. J.J.J.Gl,J.J.J.1,Gl,J..lJ..L.U,6 imployed for payment of all my the fence & Thomas shall have liberty debts & the maintenance of her chil­ to put on swine upon the beach with dren during their minority excepting his brother Willm., and that Jacob & six cows and calves & one plow share John if they see cause to build by BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 15

the pa th syde of ye eastward of my houses and the place became a rural dwelling house & on ye land pur­ community. chased of Little Smith. I doe give to The old method of fixing boundaries each of them & their heirs two acres is interesting, but it was far from satis­ of said iands. my will is that all factory and led to many disputes. money in the house at my decease and In the early part of the eighteenth all my debts due either by bill or bond century, other owners of lands at Rock­ or any other account shall be im­ away are mentioned, the earliest record­ ployed to the payment of ye children ed names being those of Mott, Hicks, of the deed., John Washburn and Brower, Smith and Hewlett. Residents Captain Charles Ledwick. I doe or­ of Hempstead town interchanged visits dain & make my loving Wife Eliza­ with Rockaway residents. The old beth Cornell and my sons Richard & church of St. George's Hempstead was Will Cornell to be my whole & sole the nearest place of worship and the executors of this my last will & Testa­ records state that publication of the ment as also my trusty and loving "bans of marriage" of Richard Corn­ friends Coll. Thomas Willett, Lieut. well and Miriam Mott was duly made Coll. Thomas Hicks, & Capt. Daniell by the Reverend John Thomas, on Feb­ Whitehead as overseers of this my ruary 8th, 1712. When the Rev. Thomas will desiring them to see ye severall died, in 1726, his will was proved by articles & clauses, therein mentioned John Cornell of Rockaway, one of the performed according to the true in­ executors. tent and meaning thereof and it is The following names are some of my ,vill that my sayd executors shall those who married children and grand­ not act as Executors without the ad­ children of Richard Cornell: John Law­ vice and approvacon of my said over­ rence, John Washburn, William Creed, seers hereby revoaking all former Richard Betts, Mirriam Mott, Joseph wills by me made and declaring this Doughty, John Carman, Nicholas Stil­ to be my last Will & Testament the well, Thomas Hicks, Elizabeth Smith, day & year first above written. In Hannah Van Wyck, Abigail Whitehead, witness whereof I have hereunto sett Patience Oakly, James Denton, James my hand and seale." Stringham, Jonathan Hazard, Susannah The Cornell lands were divided ac­ Willett, Henry Foster, Abigail Eldred, cording to the will. Other settlers to Elizabeth Abrams, Daniel Waters and whom land was sold or leased, erected Margaret Hicks.

INTERESTING OLD RECORDS

HE following document, which ap­ ther Ordered, That Mr. John Hicks, pears on the records of the Town George Hewlett and John Jackson, do T of Hempstead, goes to prove that go downe to Rockaway tomorrow, and there were no white men resident in the forewarn all Indyans to depart thence, Rockaways in 1671, and the relations except such as do really belong to that between the colonists and the Indians place. And that the said Rockaway were far from being of a friendly Indyans do give no Encouragement, nor nature: suffer any other strange Indyans to re­ At a- To,vne Meet.!ng held the 25th side or continue with them, upon any April 1671. pretense whatsoever. And that the Per­ By a generall Vote it was Ordered, sons aforenamed do lay out the quantity That no Person or Persons inhabiting of about ff orty Acres of Land for plant­ within this Towne or the Liberties ing of Corne for the supply of such a thereof, shall plow or break up any Number of ffamilys of Indyans, as are Planting Land for the Indyans, nor belonging to the said place, being about. shall no way aggjgt them therein, under ten. It being so formeriy Ordered by the Penalty of £forfeiting for every the Govern our. day, or part of a dayes work, so by any By Ord. of the said Towne Court. sone as aforesaid, twenty shjllings, to Rich'd Charlton, the use of the Towne.• It is also fur- Clark. 16 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

At a town convention held in Hemp­ Division of Hempstead Lands stead on February 28th, 1665, laws for On account of troubles and disputes governing the town were made. One over titles and boundaries in the Town interesting edict declared that all horses of Hempstead, a general town meeting and cattle belonging to residents of was held at Hempstead on October 14th, Hempstead should be branded with the 1723 to en.deavor to arrive at a method capital letter "G." This was no doubt whe;eby future disputes might be to guard against thefts by the Indians. avoided and proper and unmistakable boundaries of lands within the town defined. Motts Were Early Residents As a result of the meeting it was "voted and agreed by the major part Adam Mott sen and Adam Mott Junr and Mary Mott wife of Adam Mott, of the freeholders and inhabitants" to lay out their lands in a manner to be. senior and Elizabeth Mott wife of Adam arranged by the fallowing persons Mott Junr. living at Rockaway for con­ elected and commissioned for that pur­ sideration of three hundred pounds to pose: Colonel Isaac Hicks, James Sear­ us paid heirof by John Mott. for Tract ing, James Jackson, William Willis, Sr., up Lott of land situate and Lying at a Benjamin Seaman, Jr., Joshua Carman place called Rockaway bounded as fol­ and · Abel Smith. These men started lows:- Beginning at a White Oak Tree ,vork and decided on fifty proprietors to standing near the fence of John Corn el whom the lands should be allotted. marked on four sides and with the let­ They divided the town into plots of one ter "A" and from thence South forty hundred acres, fifty acres and twenty­ five degrees Eastward eleven chains to two acres each and apportioned thirty a Black -oak marked on four sides and shillings worth of land for every shill­ from thence East thirty two Degrees ing paid by the proprietors toward the Seventy Chains to a Red Oak Marked general patent of Hempstead of Octo­ on four sides Standing by the Road and ber 14th, 1723. The commissioners from thence North Fifteen Degrees chose the names of the most ancient West Eight Chains and from thence and authentic inhabitants from the best Northwest thirty four Chain along the records they could find and after sev­ Road to a Black Oak Marked on four eral vears of labor upon the divj_sion sides and from thence West twenty six made.. their report. During the time oc­ Chains and from thence West Nineteen cupied by their re~earches, delibera­ Degrees South Eleven Chains to a tions and decisions, several of the White Oak marked on four sides and elected com.missioners died, and their report was signed by the fallowing sur­ from thence South fifteen Degrees east vivors: Isaac Hicks, James Searing, twenty three chains to a white Oak Joshua Carman and Abel Smith. Marked on four sides etc. The report, known as tlie "Division of One Lott of said meadow Lying at Hempstead lands 1723," was presented the said Rockaway bound east by ~he to and approved by the town on ".Janu­ Highway West by the said John Mott, ary 23rd, 1741-2." The report, which north by the great Cr_ick and South by may be seen on the records of the town, the aforesaid Bargained and Demised gives the names of the proprietors, lo­ Lands all within· the said bounds both cation and size of lots, but space pre­ salt meadow and Bogs upland and cludes us giving more than the names swamp be it more or Less as it shall be of the proprietors in the following list: found with the appurtenances and the Abel Smith, George Hewlet, Lewis other Lott of Salt meadow ground Lying Hewlet, Daniel Hewlet, John Pearsall, on Hungry Harbour Neck Bounded East John Langdon and his widow, Thomas Langdon, John Durland, George Balden, by Samuel Williams Meadow North by James Jackson, Arthur Alburtice, John the Core and west by the Core and Abrams. John Elderd~ Benja.min Hicks; South by the aforementioned Creek. Thomas· Hicks, Silas Titus, Henry Pear­ This twenty Eighth Day of Novem­ sall, Jonathan Coe, Samuel Coe, James ber, seventeen Hundred and Nineteen. Searing, John Searing, Elias Baley, Solo­ (1719). mon Seaman, Mary Demot, Daniel Pine, BELLO T'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 17

John Pine, John Ales on, William Van Samuel Titas Rich' d Seamans Velser, Peter Losee, Jonas Flower, Thomas Pearsall. His Thomas Doxey, Thomas Gildersleave, George Pearsall Abel : S : Smith John Combs, Captain Joseph Langdon, Mark Benjamin Dusen borrow, John Lining­ his ton John Stits, Daniel Bedell, Richard Obediah : 0 : Valh,ntine sodthard,. Colman Combs, Robert Mitch­ mark el Williams Huchings, Henry Alen, William Thorne, Joshua Barnes, Michael The original grant was made to Demot, Nathaniel Oakley, George Ever­ Thomas Hicks, who, in 1660, obtained itt John Smith, Lewis Hewlet, Joshua a patent from Madnans (Great) Neck ca'rman, Anthony Demott, John Hicks, from Governor Nicholls. This was later divided and disputes arose. A John Mott. court decision in 1680 divided this land equally between Captain John Hicks, Richard Cornell and one Haviland. Grant of Hicks Beach An important grant of beach lands to Captain Jacob Hicks was made on The Welles Line. June 7th, 1725. We reproduce the docu­ The Welles ( or Wells) line, mentioned ment Yerbatim: in many deeds relating to property in Wee Whose Names hereunto Sub­ Rockaway, and other parts north of scribed have Given and Granted and by Rockaway on Long Island, was so called these presents do freely Clearly and Ab­ from the name of the surveyor, Phillip solutely Give and Grant from us and our Welles, who laid the line in a survey Heirs Exets Admrs and Assigns Unto he made for Cornell's company in 1684. Capt Jacob Hicks of Rockaway in ·ye Owing to the fact that the boundaries Bounds of Hempstead in Queens Coun­ and points of measurement named by ty his Heirs Executors Admrs. all our Welles were difficult or impossible to Right Title Interest Part or share be­ identify in later years, the true line is longing to a Beach Lying on ye South a matter of surmise. The method of Side of ye Island in ye Bounds of Hemp­ · surveying being so primitive and lack­ ~tead aforesd. att a place called Rock­ ing permanency, has occasioned many a way, Bounded as followeth, West by disputes as to title, and innumerable Whelses Line South by the sea East by expensive law_ suits have resulted. Brockelface Gutt and North by ye The Welles report is detailed here­ Great Creek, together with all ye with, verbatim: Marshes and other Privilidges There­ "Survaied· and laid out for Mr. unto belonging or in any "rise Apper­ Richard Cornwell Sener and Com­ taining to him ye said Jacob Hicks his paney A certaine tract ·of land be­ H~irs and Assigns forever. Given Un­ ing siteuat and lyeing on the east der our hands and seals ye Seventh Day side of Cow N eek upon Long Island of June in ye Eleventh year of his According to An Indian purchase lVIajestys Reign Anno Domini 1725 baring date begin­ his Peter Tilas ing at A Red & white aoke Trees one Joseph : J : Mott. Isaac Smith the North side a small Creek knowne mark Christifer Dinger by the Indian name of Snakeroe vVilliam Willis Silas Titus. Creek one the West side of Long N eek William Stits Benjamin Seamans from therre into the woods South East his Joshua Barns & by East two degrees and fifteene George : B : Balden Ben Hicks minits southerly ninety six Chaines to mark John Treadwell the Indian Line in the Midle of the Samuel Jackson Joseph Pettit. N eek then by said Line South foure Jacob Seaman Samuel Seamans degrees Easterly twentey to a WhitP ~Tnoq ~ 0 VT ...,...... vt.J ,-.,,,J'-'~.&.A..&..,"""a'"S "-.&. Jacob Smith. oake tree neare the head of a small Benjamin Birdsall his Swamp from therre East by North John Birdsall Rich'd: x: Elison. one degree and fortey five Minnits, Henry Pearsall mark Northerly seventy-six Chaines to the Epheraim Valentine. James Jackson. Bay, twelve Chaines to the south of 18 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

the poynt wheare Tulans sloope was An Early Jury Verdict Cast away and from therre by the On September 15th, 1768, a judicial Sound to the first small Creek Includ­ decree signed by jury and judges, laid ing A small Island with Meado,vs out highways and defined gateways, 20 Conteining in all nine hundred sixty"'· feet wide, at Rockaway in the township Akers performed this 25th. Day of of Hempstead from "the late Land 1684. Commonly Called and known by the "Philip Welles, Survr." Name of Rocks' Point Running through the Land belonging to Mrs. Gloriana The 966 acres surveyed adjoined the Foster. Also another gate way on Road land purchased from Tackapousha in twenty feet Wide Runing through Said 1684, as previously mentioned, and asso­ Mrs Foster's Land begining Easterly ciates of Cornell in this purchase were from the House where John Foster Now John Lawrence, his son-in-law, John Lives at the above mentioned Gateway Washburn, Captain John Hicks and or Road from thence Runing Northerly Elias Doughty. as the path or Road Now Runs untill it Comes to East End of Mrs. Helena Cornells Meadow at Finger Island So In an attempt to re-locate the Wells Called always allowing the Said Mrs Line the easterly boundary of the Gloriana Foster and her heirs and As­ Rockaways, which had been referred to signs to pass and Repass Along Said in many deeds and sales of land but Ways without any hendrance whatso­ which even then could not be located, ever. the following commissioners report in The Justices and all the Jury have 1727 throws some light: agreed an Order that Mrs Helena Cor­ May the 8th and· 9th 1727. Then wee nell Shall pay unto Mrs Gloriana Foster Justice John Treadwell, Cap. Benjamin fourteen pounds for the lands laid into Hick, John Allison Jacob Smith, Highways as above. Thomas Williams, John Mott J uner and Witness our hands the 15th day of Thomas Gildersleeve did pursewant to September 1768. a voat made by the mager voat of the Isaacs Smith freeholders of Hempstead did aid and l S. Clowes S assist Doctor Calding ye jeneral sur­ Justices vaior of the province of New York. In The Jury's names were also signed Runing of our West Line which is our by them. west bonds according to our purches Richard Hewlett, and patians which is a direct South Leffurt Hougovout, line due south from the head of Mat­ Jen Stephens, thewgarisons bay to the South Sea. be­ Isaac Hendrickson, ginning at a burch tree at ye sd bay Frederick N ostrandt, head did run thrao Samuel Smiths barn Hendrick Hendrickson, on the South side of the Little plains Benjamin Carmon, and thrao Thomas Cornels barn on Nathan Smith. Rockaway and so to the sea that same Michal Demot. cors as a fore said. John Oakly. This entered by me. Harmon Hendrickson. Thomas Gildersleeve. John Montoney. Clerck. Judges in Queens in 1693 The Civil List of the Province of New By his will dated January 16th, 1741, York contains a list of all officers em­ John Cornell of Rockaway, Colonel of ployed in civil offices on the 20th day of Queens County militia, who died in April, 1693. 1745, left a life interest in his estate Justices in Queens County. to his widow Letitia, with a reversion Thomas Hix, Esqr., Judge of the Com­ to their daughter Gloriana. On Aug­ mon Pleas. ust 1st. 17 48: the widow gave a bond for ------Rit>l-i~rn- l:n-rn~;11r~ll...... ,.._,_..,.., '' __ .,, ~lli~~__.,....,_.,...._,, nnno-lihr..._,V....,0.6.4-...J, the value of the estate, gave her late Dan. Whitehead, John Smith and Tho. husband's eight slaves their freedom Stevensant, Esq rs., Justices. and next day married Captain John John Harrison Esqr., Sherriffe. Brown. Andrew Gibb, Clerke. BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 19

RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD IN 1673.

The following is a complete list appearing on record of the inhabitants of the Town of Hempstead in the year 1673: ----

John Smith(Blew) John Lange Elbert Hubssen Richard Geldersly, Sen Jonathan Semmes Lewis Liot Richard Geldersly John Bordes John Ellison jun Vrolphert Jacobs Robbard Marisseu Thomas Seabrook Jan Carman Mos. Hemmery Samuel Jackson John Symons jun John Beets carpenter John Pine Robert Jackson Samuel Embry Peter Jansen Symon Troy Matthew Beedel William Ware John Smith Comes Solomon Semmar Peter Janse Schol Thomas Ellison Teunis Smith Richard Gildersly Philip Davis Richard Valentine jun Robbert Beedill ---Hopkins Joseph Wood George Hallet Herman Flouwer Samuel Allen Adam View William Dose Richard Valentyn Edward Titus Symon Foster~ Kaleb Carman Richard Ellison Henry Mott John Williams John Seavin Wm. Fourmer Thomas Richmore Thomas Teas~y Joseph Small John Elles son Thomas Ireland Walter Pine Edward Spry Thomas Ellison J osia Carmen William Osborne Joseph Gem John Peacock Edward Remsen Thomas Champion John Quakenson John Fossaker Joseph Pettet Thomas Daniels John Sorram Richard Flotter John Napper James Payne John Beddell Richard Osborn \Villiam Fixton Thomas Southward George Robbert Samuel Denton John Beates Charles Abram Robberd Hobbs Calvet Goullet Thomas Appelbe Thomas Sodderd Christoffel Yeomans Samuel Smith John Smith jun John Woully --- Persell Joseph Williams Edward Banbury Adam lVIott, Jun Ralph Haal Thomas Gowes Daniel Beedell John Mavein Samuel J aekson John Jackson Wn1. Thorne Joseph Truax Johnathan Smith Joshua Watske John Hoyt and John Champion Benjamin Symensen Nine others whose John Hobbs Jan Roelssen names are lost.

A commission as surgeon in the on May 14th, 1836, when Benjamin C. Queens County regiment of militia was Lockwood sold to Joseph Abrams of g:ranted to Dr. Ebenezer Lockwood of Hempstead, fifteen acres of good land Far Rockaway on March 30th, 1809, by for $170. Governor Daniel D. Tompkins, and the On September 1st, 1803, Richard Cor­ surgeon's son, Benjamin C. Lockwood, nell leased his sixth share of his also of Far Rockaway, was commis­ father's estate for a period of three sioned by Governor Enos T. Throop on years and eight months to Joel Overton. October 30th, 1832, as Adjutant of the In return, Overton paid Cornell $25 a Second Regiment of New York Horse year in cash and provided him with his Artillery. board, washing, lodging and mending, The Lockwood family was very prom­ which he valued, according to the lease, inent at Rockaway. A sale is recorded at the additional sum of $55 annually. 20 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

THE CORNELL PARTITION SUIT IN 1809

IIE Cornell Partition Suit was the Plot 2, Ruliff Duryea, Jr.; Plots 3 and result of disputes having arisen 13, Henry Mott; Plots 4 and 14, T ,vith regard to the ownership and Alice Martin; Plot 5, John Cornaga; division of lands in the present Far Plots 6 and 7, Thomas and Rachel Ban­ Rockaway to Rockaway Beach area of nister· Plots 9 and 15, John Cornwell; the peninsula. The Cornell heirs pe­ Plot 10, Nathaniel Ryder for John Mott; titioned the Queens Court of Common Plot 11, John Nostrand, and Plot 12, Pleas, and the Court appointed commis­ John Abrams. sioiiers to map out and divide the sec­ Second division: tion. Plots 1, 6 and 14, William Cornwell; On receipt of the Commissioners' re­ Plots 2 and 7, John Cornwell; Plot 3, port the Judges, on June 14t~, 18~9, John Cornaga; Plots 4 and 5, Thomas made their award. At that time tne and Rachel Bannister; Plot 8, Nathan­ ¥1estern end of the beach reached only ial Ryder for John Mott; Plot 9, John to a point about where Eighth avenue, Nostrand; Plot 10, James Abrams; Rockaway Park, now is. . Plots 11 and 15, Henry Mott, and Plots The partition was made by John Van 12 and 13, Alice Martin. Nostrand, Uriah Pearsall and Law­ rence Denton, "commissioners appoint­ While this partition suit established more definite boundaries than had be­ ed bv the Honorable the Judges and fore existed the division lines were not assistant Justices of the Court of Com­ sufficiently definite to prevent many mon Pleas held at the Court House in quarrels and much litigation as to the North Hempstead in and for the County exact boundaries of the various lots. of Queens on the second Tuesday of By a curious oversight, the centre line November in the year of Our· Lord, on which all surveys were based was in­ 1808 to make partition of all and singu­ definite and thereby led to all the con­ lar that certain tract of beach or hill tention which followed. Although the covered with cedars . . . situate at numbers of the various lots and the ex­ a place called · Far Rocka ,vay in the act dimensions of each lot, the grant town of ·Hempstead, County of Queens of which included all beach and under and State of New York bounded south bay rights, was beyond question, it was by the Atlantic Ocean, westerly by the f ouncl impossible to decide upon the gut or Jamaica Inlet, so called >north­ exact location in the absence of a basis erly partly by the bay and partly by line from which to compute distances. creeks, easterly partly by land belong­ This muddled state of affairs was con­ ing to John 1\1:ott, Cornaga and Ezekiel siderably added to by the disagreements Jennings, then northerly by land and . of surveyors who failed to agree ur:0n meadows belonging to Benjamin Corn­ a common method of deciding upon the well, then easterly by the west line of line. In a title suit in 1878, Justice the patent of Hempstead and contain­ Barnard appointed Henry D. Meyers ing by estimation 2,000 acres." of Poughkeepsie, Singleton Mitchell of Of this area ihe commissioners made North Hempstead and Ezra. W. Conklin two divisions known as First division, of Jamaica, a commission to locate the the western section of the beach, and line of division between the lots. Even Second division, the eastern section. these judicially endorsed knights of the The first section was divided into six­ theodolite failed to agree after making teen plots and the second into fifteen, a survey and gave the matter up. all of them as nearly equal in value as it was considered possible to make The difficulty was afterwards finally them, and a division of the marsh land overcome by common consent of the to the north went with the division of owners through their lawyers, who the beach to the same proprietor. The agreed upon a certain boundary line allotments of plots were made as fol­ running north and south between lots lows:- 1 and 2 of the first division of the 1809 First division: partition as a base for determining the Plots 1, 8, 16, William Cornwell; location of all Rockaway property. BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 21

It ·would be a difficult and tedious task actions and many interesting events at­ to endeavor to trace the many divisions tending them during the past two gen­ and subdivisions of lots to date, in de­ erations will be found recorded in the tail, but the principal real estate trans- following chapter.

SALES AND DIVISIONS OF LOTS

OHN L. NORTON, who had pur­ him from the premises by force and the chased nearly all of division two, matter ,vent before Justice George ,v. J died in 1848, and in 1868 his heirs Smith at Far Rockaway, who granted sold to the Wave Crest Land Company a warrant of ejectment against. Ver­ and to Wm. Caffrey, Samuel L. B. Nor­ nan1. Mr. Vernam appealed to the ton and Henry Mott and others the land county court, but Justice Garretson sus­ lying in the front portion of Wave Crest tained the decision of. the lower court, and the village of Far Rockaway, com­ ·without giving an opinion upon the prising part of lot No. 11 and the whole question of boundaries and title, upon of lots Nos. 12, 13, 14 and 15. ·which the Supreme Court must decide. The three sons of Samuel L. B. Nor­ An order of affirmance was entered in ton-John L. and B. Franklin and the Queens County clerk's office May George C.-afterward sold the plots 23rd, 1896. where Edgemere now is. Patrick Glea­ In December, 1895, S. Packard of son also purchased about forty acres Brooklyn, a. creditor of Vernam fore­ from the same heirs. The companies closed a mortgage of $30,000 on lot No. mapped out their tracts, ran streets 9 and the lot was sold to Charles ·S. through the property and put up a num­ Mackenzie of Brooklyn. The new pur­ ber of handsome cottages for wealthy chaser, upon examination, found that New York people, and a number of lots Mr. Vernam's title was defective and ·were sold, with restrictions as to the Justice Wilmot M. Smith upheld all the character and size of buildings to be objections. He released the purchaser erP-cted, none of the buildings to cost of his obligations to take the property, less than $3~000. and ordered the referee, Henry A. Mon­ Remington Vernam, a New York la,v­ fort, to refund all payments made on yer, took a great liking to the beach the property and directed the plaintiff and having great faith in its future at the sale, Mr. Packard, to pay to from time to time bought from the Cor­ Mr. Mackenzie several hundred dollars, nell heirs or their successors lots 1 to being cost of search as to title and the 9 of the eastern or second di vision. expense of surveyors. Mr. Vernam disposed of the greater por­ Mr. Vernam also bought of the Cor­ tion of lots 1, 2, 3 and 9. Although the nell heirs lots 14, 15 and 16 of the west­ Norton heirs sold lot No. 9 to Mr. Ver­ ern division and all of lot 1 of the nam, there was a dispute between Ver­ marsh except that portion purchased nam and Norton as to the exact location by Louis Hammel, where Hammel Sta­ of all the lots between 1 and 9. Nor­ tion of the Long Island Railroad is now ton claimed that the boundaries of all located. This marsh lot No. 1 extends the lots except his own had been moved from Beach channel on the west along over 400 feet to the eastward of their the northern boundary of all the lots true lines. of the western division from 3 to 16. Mr. Vernam from time to time fenced Th_e Village of Arverne extends over in all the lots of his property west of lots 15 and 16 of the western division No. 9, and had commenced to fence in and part of the eastern division. that lot in the spring of 1894 when J)r. Brandreth was the final pur­ Franklin Norton appeared o:n the scene, chaser of lot No. 12 of the western di­ and a dispute arose as to the boundary vision, and he sold off a number of line. handsome residences and a number of Norton tore down the fence and a· building lots. John Kreuscher, a pur­ small building Mr. Vernam had put on chaser of a large portion of No. 13 of the premises. Mr. Vernam then ejected the same division, put up a large hotel 22 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

there called Atlantic Park House, which closure sale years ago for $2,000. This immediately became a popular resort ·whole tract was afterward conveyed by and a rail way stop. him to Garret V. W. Eldert. l\Iany years ago "Aunt" Abby Ryder, widow of Nathaniel Ryder, kept a little hostelry on the shore of Jamaica Bay. Plot 1-A Wonderful Creation by the Ocean Hundreds of city visitors used to go The history of plot 1 of the western over there in row boats and sail boats, division is the story of a wonderful .and landed to get a good clam chowder. creation by the sea. Going back to the In 1850 Garrett V. W. Eldert married last century in the time of our revolu­ "Aunt" Abby's daughter, and erected a tionary ancestors, when the British hotel on the spot known as Eldert's forces occupied the present territory of pavilion in Eldert's Grove. This was Brooklyn, after the Battle of Long on plot No. 2. The pavilion is still in Island, they set to work a number of use although much of its spacious their unemployed engineers and survey­ grounds is· now covered by cottages, ors at making a complete map of the stores, boarding houses and hotels. west end of Long Island. From that In the year 1857 Michael P. Holland map it is learned that the old gut. or of Jamaica, bought the eastern portion inlet to Jamaica Bay, was inore than of lot No. 1, upon which was a large half a mile east of the point of the inlet hotel known as the Carhart house, and as it existed at the time of the 1809 par­ made extensive improvements thereon. tition suit and the ocean tides flowed The house ,vas afterward called the into Jamaica Bay through a broad deep Holland House. Mr. Holland died in and unobstructed channel. The tides 1859, before he had a chance to receive and currents and the heavy seas first any of the benefits of his investments, formed the long bar; then the heavy but after his death the whole of that southeasterly storms and pounding seas section of the beach received the benefit year after year forced the shifting of a boom, and the wido,v, Fannie R. sands up into ridges and hillocks, in Holland, sold off a large number of some instances fron1 25 to 30 feet above building lots, and a village was soon the water. In older sections of the built up. l\'Irs. Holland also sold a site beach where the cedars had grown, the for a school house, and donated a site cedars would hold the sand until finally for a church. When the line of the New the hillocks covered the trees complete­ York, Woodhaven and Rockaway Beach ly and when, in after years, the sand Railroad was extended through the was shifted by a powerful gale from beach in 1877, a station was established another direction these hills would be at Holland, on land donated by the blown almost entirely away and in the~e Hollands. places the dead cedars, with their Lots 9, 10 and 11 in the western di­ gaunt forms naked to the blas\s, could vision ,vere purchased by Remington be seen scattered over the beach. The~e Vernam. beaches were added to continually and Lot 8 was purchased by Lewis K. stretches of land, which, in 1809, were Dodge, who sold to various parties, Dr. only 200 feet in width from bay to ocean Brandreth, Philip Closs and others. are now half a mile across. At the Lot 7 a:1d the larger part of lot 6 time of the Partition Suit the Point or were finally purchased by a Mr. Har­ ,vesterly end of the peninsula was about per and Garret V. W. Eldert, and were where Eighth avenue, Rockaway Park, sold out in small plots for building pur­ now is. poses. In a westerly direction the beach has Lots 4 and 5, and a small part of lot extended year by year until to-day it 6, were conveyed to Alfrederick S. has reached a point south of Coney Hatch, a New York Banker. This sec­ Island and several miles west of the tion was once known as Oakley Park, old inlet. called after Senator James Oakley. Lot 3 was purchased by Louis Harn­ The Old Block House mel. In 1809, plot No. 1, which extended Lot 2, known as Ryder's tract, was from the old gut to the new inlet, com­ purchased by Benjamin Ryder at a fore- prised about 200 acres and was con- BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 23

veyed by Richard Cornell to Nathan­ John McGowan, William Phillips, Peter iel Ryder for $200 and the marsh to the Patterson, Edward Roach, John Smith, north went with it. It was upon this Augustus Williams, John Williams, plot that the old United States block Joseph Ward, and David Wilson, all sea­ house was built, and the boundary of men; Abraham Fowler, waiter to cap­ the United States land seems to have tain, and John Posier, waiter to lieu­ been a definite boundary and a base tenant; Hugh Sweener, surgeon's mate, line from which to con1pute the division and Patrick Leaden, doctor's waiter. between lots 1 and 2. Total, 32. In 1814 Nathaniel Ryder conveyed to The old block house was pulled down the United States for the sum of $100 in 1818. a tract of land of about forty or fifty In 1866 the federal government gave acres, comprising the westerly point of Aaron A. DeGrauw the right to use and the beach, for the purpose of building to occupy this property for $1 per year, a block house or wooden fort thereon. payable the first day of May in each This land was afterwards purchased year until it should be wanted by the by the State of New York, and, acting government, ·when the lessee was to va­ under the authority of Governor Daniel cate the premises and remove all build.: Thompkins, the state commissioners ings at his own cost and expense when paid $100 for the land and expended requested to do so by the government. "$30 for carriage hire, etc., first deed re­ The franchise was signed by George S. lease mortgage, searching records, Bout,vell, Secretary of the Treasury, acknowledgment, etc." The bill of and William W. Belknap, secretary of Adam and Noah Brown for building the war. The title to the property, however, block house was $2,381.65; Benjamin was in the State of New York, who paid Cornell was paid £10 15s. ld. (about $100 for the same. This grant by the fifty-four dollars), "for transportation Federal Government has been the cause by boat and carting the gun over the of much confusion as to the ownership beach." The commissioners reported of the land. that a strong block house had been built An act was passed by the State Legis­ at the entrance to_ the bay and a single lature, which was signed by the Gover­ twenty-four pound-gun mounted upon nor June 13, 1887, releasing to John Y. it, and that this block house had been Attrill upon the payment to the State taken charge of by an adequate force by Attrill of $20,000 and all expenses of United States troops. incurred by the Controller and Attorney It was stated in the report that this General in their investigations as to the inlet ,vas "near the Brooklyn Na";y title of the State and as to its claims Yard, that an enemy could land from upon these lands. The expense of these Rmall boats in Jamaica Bay and that it proceedings amounted to $10,000 and ·was highly important that this section, Mr. Attrill was compelled to pay to the which was also a refuge for coasting. state $30,000 to secure the piece of land vessels, be protected." ·which the State obtained in 1812 for The fallowing is a list of names borne $100. As this land was situated at the on the muster roll of a company of New point of the beach and as all subsequent York State S2a Fencibles, under the accretions to the westward were held to command of Captain Josiah Ingersoll, belong to the owner of this tract the from December 29th, 1814, to March 1, bargain was considered a good one for 1815~ in the service of the United Attrill. States, statione·d at the block house When Nathaniel Ryder purchased of which was then named "Decatur." Cornell lot No. 1 he gave the latter Josiah Ingersoll, captain; Isaac a mortgage of $300 and it is presumed Waite, lieutenant; Daniel Leger, gun­ that Cornell thought that he was well ner; George Bass, great gunner; John rid .of this tract that today gives titles Arthu'r, John Brainer, Matthew Craig, to the whole western portion of the beach, worth millions of dollars. Silas Coleman, Henry Clason, William He assigned the mortgage to David T. Dixon, John Francis, John Finnegan, Jennings, who, as the interest had not John Gould, Joseph Gale, Joshua B. been paid, foreclosed the claim in 1830 Hall, Jesse Lewis, Charles Loundes, and the tract was bid in by Rothery Ry­ Adoniah Mansfield, Patrick McGuire, der and Henry Hewlett for $181. 24 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF TlIE ROCKAWAYS

Robert Iv.Iott, who obtained a judgment plots, one from William Caffrey, kno,vn against Rothery Ryder, sold the latter's as the Stringham tract, and others interest in the plot under an execution lying to the eastward of the piece in 1839, and it was purchased by Henry named. He gave back mortgages in Hewlett, who also purchased other part payment for the tracts purchased. large_ portions of lot No. 1, which had The vendors reserved the cedar trees, been parted with and he thus became which were then considered the most the sole owner of all of this lot, except valuable, if not the only valuable, part the Stringham tract. In 1853 Nellie of the property. The Stringham tract, Lewis and Abraham Hewlett sold a part consisting of about sixty acres, had of their father's (Henry Hewlett's) been acquired by \Villiam Caffrey, who claim to Samuel J. Soper and Samuel J. gave about one acre of his land in the Soper's interest was afterwards con­ Bays"rater section of Far Rockaway to veyed through grantees to Michael P. Joseph Stringham in exchange. String­ Holland. ham, called "the hermit," was a fisher­ Soper, on August 20, 1853, conveyed man, and needed the acre of upland to the property to John Carhart and James reach his beach fronting Jamaica Bay, H. Pullis, and they conveyed to William and he evidently thought his property M. Pullis. In 1854 Carhart and Pullis at Rockaway Beach of very little value. sold the larger portion of their pur­ Dr. Thompson died suddenly in No­ chase to Schenck W. Furman, and Fur­ vember, 1864, leaving a will by which man sold it to John Carhart. The latter he gave all this property, and property sold t,vo-thirds of the whole tract, in­ purchased in Rockaway Park, to his cluding the western portion, to Charles daughters, i\Irs. Frederick A. Ward of G. Covert. In 1853 Covert conveyed to Brooklyn and l\iirs. William P. Judson John M. Johnson and James S. Remsen of Oswego, and named DeWitt C. Little­ both parcels of land bounded on the john, then prominent in political life as ""est by the United States land, on the speaker of the Assembly of the State of east by land of Joseph Stringham, and New York, as his executor and trustee the other tract east of Stringham. Levvis and guardian of his children. and Abram Hewlett also sold to Rem­ Soon after Dr. Thompson died, Little­ sen in 1855 the western portion of the john, who said he deemed it unwise to tract, which was left to them by their pay $3,000 out of the funds of the estate father, containing about three hundred to complete the purchase from Remgen~ acres, for the sum of $485.50. over and above the ferry agreement, In February, 1858, James S. Remsen conveyed this very valuable property to bought out Johnson's undivided half in­ a dummy of his, named Francis B. terest or share for $20,000, and in 1863 Dane, who later conveyed it to the wife Remsen conveyed all the tract east of of Littlejohn. The title remained in the United States tract, excepting a Mrs. Littlejohn's possession undis­ strip 1,150 feet in width stretching turbed for many years, and after her across the beach and known as Seaside death in 1872 her children conveyed the Park, to Dr. Richard H. Thompson, who present Rockaway Park to H. Y. Attrill, was at that time health officer of New who with his associates formed a cor­ York City. The main consideration poration and built the great hotel, named was a stipulation on the part of ,vhich proved a financial failure. Little­ Dr. Thompson to build a railroad from john also, as administrator of his wife, East New York to Canarsie, and to sold other portions of the beach and maintain a steam ferry route between received large rentals therefrom. In Canarsie and the foot of First street, 1888 the heirs of Dr. Thompson, _Mrs. Seaside landing. In addition to this he Ward and lVIrs. Judson, discovered that, w·as to pay the sum of $3,000. The rail­ by fraudulent transfers of the guardian road ,vas built to Canarsie and an old and trustee, they had been despoiled stern wheeler was purchased in Phila­ of the property, and in an action delphia for the ferry route. Sometimes brought by them against DeWitt C. Lit­ the steamboat landed at the pier at the tlejohn and his children, recovered f cot of First street and son1etiines on judgment, estabiishing their claim and the beach, if the tide or wind were too title to the entire property bought by strong to make the other landing. Dr. Dr. Thompson in 1862 from J;?,emsen. Thompson also purchased other small All of the unimproved portions of the BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 25 beach lying near Holland and Seaside public auction and was bought by and also the property west of Seaside Charles H. Southard, dealer in second­ known as Rockaway Park, by this judg­ hand materials, for $30,000. It was rr1ent passed to Mrs. \Vard and Mrg. torn down, much of it sold to local men Judson. and used by them in constructing houses Littlejohn, in an action brought while and hotels. It has often been said that the title was vested in his wife against nearly all the hotels built in th~ place Henry Y. Attrill, claimed that the en­ at that time were built of lumber out tire western portion of the beach, run­ of the big hotel. The land was after­ ning to the westerly boundary of Rock­ wards conveyed to the Rockaway Beach a,vay Point to Barren Island inlet, be­ Improvement Company. The entire longed to his wife by accretion, for the tract was laid out in streets and sewered reason that there was an old inlet which and a large number of houses erected. divided the beach for many years and in Rothery Ryder died in 1838 and his the course of time had been filled in. wife Abby died in 1863. She left as Judge Gilbert decided that there was heirs l\'.Iatilda, ,vife of Garret V. W. no merit in the claim, and his decision Eldert; Amelia, wife of· James V. was affirmed by the Court of Appeals. Brown, and four sons, Charles, Henry, In 1879 the heirs of Alida l\L Little­ Benjamin and Uriah. Matilda died in john conveyed 140 acres to Henry Y. l 872. .These heirs of Rothery Ryder and Attrill. This comprised the entire west­ the other heirs of Nathaniel Ryder ern portion of plot No. 1 as far west as (father of Rothery) claimed all - the the site of the old United States fort, western portion of the beach west of and ,vas a tract west of the Dr. Thomp­ Rockaway Park, which had been added son tract, which Littlejohn had con­ to the tract by the ocean while their veyed to his wife, Alida M. Littlejohn, father held the 200 acres between the through Dane. The 140-acre tract was year 1809, when he purchased of the known as Rockaway Beach Park, and Cornell heirs, and 1830, when Jennings upon it a company composed of At­ foreclosed his mortgage. This new trill and Smith ( the latter president land had by 1872 grown to be 610 acres of the Cleveland, Columbus and In­ and vv-as not covered by the Jennings diana Central Railroad, Ohio) and mortgage. A great deal of new land others associated with them built had been made to the south of the New the mammoth and handsome Rockaway York State property, which tract, ac­ Beach Hotel, a structure 1,200 feet cording to the area described in the long, costing over a million and a quar­ original purchase, only occupied the ter dollars and which was finished Ju 1y northern part of the beach, while the 11th, 1879. On April 1st, 1880, the tract greater portion was to the south of the was conveyed by Attrill to the Rock­ tract, and from this the growth of the away Beach Improvement Company. beach westward was all claimed by the This hotel proved to be a financial heirs of Nathaniel Ryder. failure and the thousands of workmen • Shortly after the death of Matilda who had received nothing but a lot of Eldert, George Durland of Jamaica receiver's certificates in pay for their bought out a number of the smaller labor, at one time threatened to burn it holdings of Nathaniel Ryder heirs and down. It was with the utmost difficulty began a partition suit against the other they were satisfied. Drexel and J. Pier­ heirs. Edward M. Shepard of Brooklyn pont 1\-Iorgan bought up a large number v1as appointed a referee to sell, and at a of the receiver's certificates and paid sale held on October 26th, 187 4, the off the men. premises were conveyed to Alonzo B. Charles Raht, as exec~r of Julius Wright. Alonzo B. \Vright conveyed to Benjamin Smith on August 15, 1879, C. Raht, who held a mortgage of $76,000 the whole tract of 610 acres ( except on the tract, assigned to him by Little­ two small tracts sold to Aaron A. De­ john, foreclosed his claim and the prop­ Grauw, Jr., and a site for a United erty was struck off at a public sale on States life saving station) for $200,000. February 3, 1883, to Francis C. Barlow Smith executed back to Colonel Aaren for $175,000. Mr. Barlow sold the prop­ A. DeGrau,v, who ·was Wright's finan­ erty to J. Pierpont Morgan. The hotel cial backer, a purchase money mortgage building was sold by l\fr. Morgan at for $170,000. 26 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

Benjamin Smith, on the 25th day of On April 7, 1900, Francis H. Wil­ August, 1879, conveyed the tract to son, "\\Tho had been appointed Master in Henry Y. Attrill for $200,000, who ex­ Chancery to straighten the chain of ecuted a purchase money mortgage for title and decide on the proper owner or $180,000 to Colonel Aaron A. DeGrauw. owners, ordered the entire proper~y _to DeWitt C. Littlejohn, as executor of be sold by a referee and Edward · P. his wife, as heretofore noted, claimed Hatch became the purchaser of the land the title of this tract as being a portion as far westward as and including of the Dr. Thompson purchase by execu­ N eponsit. Hatch conveyed the property tion. The Court of Appeals decided he purchased to the West Rockaway against him. While the case was pend­ Land Company on June 13, 1903, and ing he built two or three shanties en this company still owns a considerable the beach and put armed m~n in them portion of that section, now known as to maintain possession of the premises. Belle Harbor, which it laid out, de­ On the 30th of January, 1880, a steamer veloped and sold in plots. conveyed 200 men hired by Attrill, The section known now as N eponsit Smith, Wright and other defendants ,vas conveyed to the Neponsit Realty over the beach, where they made an at­ Company by the West Rockaway Land tack on the Littlejohn guards and Company, in December, 1908, and the routed them without a battle. They N eponsit Company has mapped it out, tore down the buildings and fences and sold plots, built houses and made of it maintained a guard over the premises. the well-populated well-restricted and Alfrederick S. Hatch, a banker, filed desirable ocean front development for judgments of $15,142 and of $164,835.32 which the name N eponsit has already in the Queens County Clerk's office at become well and widely known. A section l amaica on December 21, 1885, against of Neponsit was purchased by New York Attrill. Collis P. Huntington, president City from the West Rockaway Land of the Central Pacific Railroad, filed a Company a few years ago, at the price judgment of $99,193.01 against Attrill of about one and a quarter million dol­ on April 22, 1886, and another of $100,- lars. The site ,vas intended for a pub­ 240.03 on June 15, 1886. lic park at the seashore, and is called On April 25, 1890, Alf rederick S. the Jacob Riis Park. It remains unde­ Hatch had the property sold by Sheriff veloped as a park up to the present time. Matthew Goldner under an execution to A large city hospital for tubP.rcular satisfy his judgment of $164,835.52. It patients has been erected on a portion ·was sold in 1891 to William Parkin for of the land. $208,000. Parkin afterwards trans­ The ownership of the end of the pen­ ferred the property to Isaac E. Gates of insula known as Rockaway Point, ex­ East Orange, N. J., as trustee for the tending from N eponsit to the western creditors of Fisk and Hatch. extremity, was confirmed in Collis P. Aaron A. DeGrauw, the financial Huntington under the partition deed backer of Wright, who purchased this given by Gates in 1897. Huntington section of the beach at partition sale, died in 1900 and the estate was inherited then attempted to foreclose his mort­ by his widow Arabella, who, in Febru­ gage of $180,000 against the property. ary, 1901, sold Rockaway Point to An­ Attrill, as a citizen of Baltimore, Md., drew K. Van Deventer, the present obtained an order allowing him to have owner. the case removed to the United States Rockaway Point is the site of a branch courts. of the Coast Guard and Life Saving In 1897 Gates executed a partition Station, and adjoining N eponsit in 1916 deed, whereby he conveyed his interest a fine modern fort known as Fort Til­ in the property to Collis P. Huntington. den, mounted with a battery of guns At this time several actions involving commanding New York Harbor and ap­ title questions were before the United proaches, was hurriedly constructed. States District Court, some of them A company of United States soldiers having been there for several years. is always stationed there. These cases included Wright versus Many persons spend the entire sum­ Phipps; Attrill versus Wright; De­ mer at Rockaway Point (which is some­ Grauw versus Attrill; Attrill versus times called Roxbury) and tents and DeGrauw, and Gates versus DeGrauw. shacks are there in large numbers. BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 27

ROCKAWAY DURING THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE

HE part played by the residents of 5. We sympathize. with our brethren the Rockaways during the Revolu­ of Boston under their sufferings. T tionary War, is identical with that 6. We approve the measures of the of the majority of the inhabitants of late General Congress of Philadel­ Jamaica and Hempstead, most of whom phia. were Tories and remained royalist. 7. We appoint for our committee of However, a goodly number of ·residents correspondence and observation voted for the first American Congress Rev. Abraham Ketaltas, Waters, and sided with the "Americans," which Smith, Capt. Ephraim Bailis, Capt. term came into existence then. Benja­ Joseph French, William Ludlum, min Cornell of Far Rockaway, was a Capt. Richard Betts, Dr. John lieutenant in the American Army, and Innes, Joseph Robinson, Elias on June 23rd, 1787, after the war, was Bailis. commissioned in the New York State This meeting would have been held Militia by Governor George Clinton. much sooner but for the refusal of While Jamaica was headquarters for the Captain Benjamin '\Vhitehead, super­ military regulars, patrols were estab­ visor, to show the townspeople the let­ lished to and in Rockaway, where sen­ ter he had received from the Whig com­ tries were stationed. The armed marine mittee of New York. force found plenty of service in search­ Abraham Keteltas, though a clergy­ ing for and capturing their enemy, and man~ said that sooner than .pay the numerous minor encounters took place duty on tea as required by Parliament on the peninsula. he ·would shoulder his musket and fight. On the passage of the Bill in the Eng­ The Jamaica committee met again lish Parliament shutting up the port January 19th, 1775, and after thanking of Boston on account of throwing of the the New York delegates to the General tea overboard, some persons in Jamaica Congress for their important services, assembled at the Inn of Increase Car­ said: "We joyfully anticipate the penter, a mile east of the village, and, pleasure of seeing your names enrolled after an interchange of opinions re­ in the annals of An1erica and trans­ quested Othniel Smith the constable, to mitted to the latest generations, as the warn the freeholders to a meeting at friends and deliverers of your country the Court House, for the purpose of and having your praises resounded from considering the state of public affairs. one side of this continent to the other." A number of the inhabitants met on . This early anticipation has since been December 6th, 1774, and constituted the wonderfully realized. local American party. The following Only eight days after the committee resolutions were passed and recorded: had thus endorsed the action of their 1. To maintain the just dependence delegates, 136 inhabitants of Jamaica of the Colonies upon the crown of signed a protest stating "that a few Great Britain and to render true people of the town had taken on them­ allegiance to King George the selves the name of a committee. We the Third. never gave our consent thereto, as we 2. That it is our right to be taxed disapprove of all unlawful meetings only by our own consent, and the We resolve to continue faithful sub­ taxes imposed on us by Parliament jects to his Majesty George the Third. are an infringement of our rights. our most gracious king." 3. We glory to have been born sub- On March 31st following, being the .: ~ ,.. L L ,.. L 1- ,.. ~., ,.. ---•- ,.. -- ..:J - -- - ,.. 1 1 ,.. -- L J~~t., l,U l,.11~ \;1UWH c:U1U ~X\,;t:11~Ht, day appointed for the taking the sense constitution of Great Britain; we of the freeholders of Jamaica on the ex­ are one people with our mother pediency of choosing a deputy to the country, and lament the late un­ Provincial Congress at New York, a poll happy disputes. was opened at the court house. The 28 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

result was that the town remained roy­ are determined not to choose any depu­ alist and refused by a majority of nine ties, nor consent to it, but do solemnly to send a deputy. bear our testimony against it. At Hempstead, April 4th, 1775, the in­ "Sixth, That we are utterly adverse habitants assembled and passed the f al­ to all mobs, riots and illegal proceed­ lowing resolutions in which they em­ ings, by which the lives, peace and prop­ phatically declared their intention of re­ erty of our fellow subjects are endan­ maining loyal to the British Crown:­ gered; and that we will to the utmost "First, that, as we have already borne of our power support our legal magis­ true and faithful allegiance to His trates in suppressing all riots and pre­ Majesty, King George the Third, our serving the peace of our Liege sover­ gracious and lawful sovereign, so ,ve eign." are firmly resolved to continue in the . Notwithstanding these resolutions, at same line of duty to him and his law­ a meeting of freeholders of the county, ful successor. held at Jamaica, May 22nd, 1775, "Second, That we esteem our religious Thomas Hicks and Captain Richard and civil liberties above any other bless­ Thorne were elected to represent ings, and those only that can be secured Hempstead but on June 26th, Thomas to us by our present constitution; we Hicks, of Little N eek, declined taking shall inviolably adhere to it, since de­ his seat, "because he was informed by viating from it and introducing innova­ several leading men that the people of tions would have a direct tendency to Hempstead seemed much inclined to re­ subvert it, from which the most ruinous main peaceable and quiet." consequences might justly be appre­ An address was presented to Governor hended. Colden at Jamaica on May 18th, 1775, "Third, That it is our ardent desire to requesting him to intercede with Gen­ have the present unnatural contest be­ eral Gage and with the King to stop tween the parent state and her colonies their violent measures. His reply was amicably and speedily accommodated un unsatisfactory though given with tears. principles of constitutional liberty; and On September 2nd, 1775, Congress that the union of the colonies with the granted Joseph Robinson leave to re­ parent state may subsist till time shall ceive 100 pounds of gunpowder for the be no more. ase of the Jamaica militia, on his pay­ "Fourth, That as the worthy mern­ ing cash for it. bers of our General Assembly who are By a test paper issued by the General our only legal and constitutional rep­ Association, the signers pledged them­ resentatives. have petitioned selves to stand by each other in the his most gracious Majesty, sent a me­ great struggle for their rights and to morial to the House of Lords and a re­ support the Congress. On September monstrance to the House of Commons, 16th, 1775, Congress having need of we are determined to "'.. ait patiently the arms for the soldiers in the constitu­ issue of those measures, and avoid tional service, sent troops to Jamaica everything that .:.night frustrate those to impress them from those who refused laudable endeavors. to sign the General Association. Abra­ ,·,Fifth, That as choosing deputies to ham Skinner, of Jamaica, reported to form a provincial Congress or Conven­ Congress that but few arms had been tion must have this tendency, be highly collected for want of a batallion of disrespectful to our legal 'representa­ soldiers to intimidate the royalists. He tives, and also be attended in all proba­ said, "The people conceal all their arms bility, with the most pernicious effects of any value, many say they know noth­ (in other instances, as is now actually ing about Congress and don't care for the case in some provinces-such as their orders and they will blow out any shutting-up courts of justice, levying man's brains that attempts to take their money on the subjects to enlist men for arms." the purpose of fighting against our sov­ Companies were detailed to visit ereign, diffusing the spirit of sedition Hempstead. Considerable difficultv wa~ - w among the people, destroying the au­ encountered, but later, in January, thority of con·stitutional assemblies and 1776, we find the following: "The bat­ otherwise introducing many ·heavy and talion left Colonel Heard at Hempstead oppressive grievances), we therefore last Wednesday with 600 or 700 militia BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 29

where great numbers of Tories were of American Liberty in Jamaica were every hour coming in and delivering up entreated by Elias Bayles, chairman of their arn1s." Again, "Colonel Heard the committee, to aid the committee. crossed Hurl (Hell) Gate ferry and pro­ Announcement was made that should ceeded through Newton (Newtown), to any officers in the service of Congress Jamaica, at Bett's tavern, and left on a meet with insults in the discharge of Sunday for Hempstead. There was their duties the offenders were ordered great talk of opposition in Hempstead, to be treated as enemies to their coun­ but it was at last concluded to submit. try. His quarters were at Nathaniel Sam­ It being ordered on May 17th, 1776, mis's." that the county committee form and On December 13th, 1775, as some dis­ regulate the militia without. delay, we affected persons in Queens County had find the following regarding Hemp­ been supplied with arms from the Brit­ stead: South Hemppstead :-Foster ish ship of war "Asia," and were ar­ Meadow Company, 98 men; officers, ranging themselves to oppose the meas­ none. Far Rockaway Company, 90 men, ures taken by the united colonies for de­ Peter Smith, captain; Benjamin Cor­ f ending their just rights, it was ordered nell, lieutenant. South Hempstead that Captain Benjamin Whitehead, Dr. Company, 110 men; officers, none. Charles Arden, Captain Joseph French The total number in North and South and Captain Johannes Polhemus, all of Hempstead and Oyster Bay was 1,028 Jamaica, appear before the Congress men. The following were the higher on the 19th inst., to give satisfaction officers: Colonel. John Sands: lieuten­ in the premises and that they be pro­ ant-colonel, Benjamin Berdsall; majors, tected from insult, coming and return­ Richard Thorne and John Henderson. ing. During the n1onth of July, 1776, pre­ The following associated themselves cautions were taken for saving the cat­ as "minute men" for the defense of tle and crops from the British, should American liberty, and engaged to be they attempt to land on the island. obedient to the Congress :-John Skid­ Colonel Birdsall, with a command of more, captain; Jacob Wright, first lieu­ recruits, was sent to Far Rockaway, tenant; Nicholas Everest, second lieu­ where sentinels were placed in the most tenant; Ephriam Marston, ensign; pri­ advantageous positions for observing vates, Cornelius and Derick Amberman; the approach of the enemy. In Augu8t, Isaac, Nehemiah, Daniel, and John Captain P. Nostrand was also stationed Bayles; John Bremner, Richard and at Far Rockaway with forty-six men to Robert Betts, vVilliam Cebra, Peter guard the coast. There was a guard Canile, Benjamin and Nemiah Everet; at David Mott's and at Hog Island Inlet Samuel, Joseph, Thomas and Daniel ·was a guard boat. Higbie; James Hinchman, Hendrich, According to one account, "Nelly Aaron and Abraham Henderson; John Cornell, looking out of an upper ·win­ Innis, William Nehemiah and Nathaniel dow of a house, called to the American Ludlum; David and Waters Lambert­ officer and told him s~ saw trees ris­ son; Andrew Mills, Andrew Oakley, ing from the ocean." He looked, called Urias and Stephen Rider; Hope, Rich­ another officer and said, "That's the ard and Nathaniel Rhodes; Joseph Rob­ British fleet. Down with the tents and inson; Richard, Nathaniel, Walter, let's be off to the ferry." Wagons ·were John, Obadiah, Simeon, Sylvester, then impressed to convey· the baggage Nicholas and Benjamin Smith; Daniel and all the cattle were driven off. Skidmore, John and William Stin; August 25th, Congress resolved that William and Benjamin Thurston; all horses and horned cattle and sheep Thomas Wiggins, and Jesse Wilson. south of the ridge of hills in Queens On March 27th, 1776, a military com­ county be removed to Hempstead pany of 40 men associated themselves plains; that the inhabitants remove all as Defenders of Liberty. The officers grain then in barns or barracks to a were: Ephriam Bayles; captain; In­ distance from buildings, that it might crease Carpenter, first lieutenant; Abra­ be burnt, if necessary to prevent its ham Van Osdell, second lieutenant; falling into the hands of the enemy. A Othniel Smith, ensign. few days later the regiments were or­ On April 26th, following all friends dered by General Washington to with- 30 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

draw from Long Island. Afterward a This was the punishment of the light large portion of the militia returned to horse. The Hessians ( German troops Long Island and took British protec­ hired by King George the Third) ran tion, to save their property and pro­ the gauntlet. An apple tree east of the tect their families. burying ground was used as a whipping When the American army abandoned post. In this connection it is interest­ Long Island to the British after the ing to note that Joseph Prue was battle of Long Island on August 27th, chosen "Town Whipper" in April, 1772. 1776, the more active Whigs fled. Rev. Along the brook east of Hempstead Messrs. Ketaltas and Froeligh crossed village there were huts for the soldiers,' to the mainland as did John I. Skid­ built of sods. Boards were very scarce, more, Increase Carpenter, John Robin­ and the Presbyterian Church at Foster's son, Nehemiah Carpenter, sen. and meadow and the Presbyterian Church others. The property of those who fled at Islip were taken down and conveyed was seized by the British authorities. to Hempstead, where the lumber was Most of the Whigs stayed home with used in making barracks and stables. their families and took their chance. From 1778 until peace was declared The more obnoxious were arrested and the light horse made Hempstead their taken to the British Camp in Kings headquarters during the winter and County. Among these were Elias occasionally they recruited in the sum­ Bayles, an aged and blind man, an mer, allowing their horses to wander elder in the Presbyterian Church; into the fields of grain and clover fields, David Lamberson, Abraham Ditmars, which in many cases were entirely de­ Robert Hinchman, John Thurston, and stroyed. A fixed price was generally others. allowed for such damage, whtch was The more quiet Whigs were not dis­ paid in New York. These horsemen, turbed. They took the oath of alle­ called the "Queen's Own" it is said, giance to the crown, signed a paper of were well disciplined and finely submission, prayed to be restored to equipped. the royal favor and wore a red ribbon From 1778 the militia was called out on their hats. several times to capture "Americans" The village of Hempstead was se­ or "rebels," and made excursions to the lected by the British as one of their out­ island in search of cattle and plunder. posts, "as convenient quarters for their We copy a contemporaneous account of light horse, who would be near New one of these raids which occurred off York City in case of attack and could the beach at Far Rockaway: "Last Sun­ also make excursions to gather forage, day (about July 1st, 1779) two rebel etc., for the city and scour the country whale boats, on which · were seventeen when the rebels landed from the main." men, made their appearance at Hog Houses were patrolled and soldiers Island, near Rockaway. The militia were to be found for many miles around were soon alarmed and a party was Hempstead and sentry boxes were scat­ despatched in two boats while the tered all about what is now Hempstead others marched along shore and se­ village. The Presbyterian Church was creted themselves among the brush at used as a barracks for soldiers and later the entrance of and along the creek at the floors were taken out and the build­ ing was used as a riding school for which they entered. The rebels had drilling horses. The grave-stones were scarcely landed when they observed the used for fire backs, hearths and oven two pursuing boats coming into the bottoms. On the outside of the church inlet. They endeavored to escape, but were rings, to which soldiers were sus­ finding they were surrounded and fired pended by one hand and with one foot upon from all quarters, they sur­ resting on a sharp stake set in the rendered. Some time after, three others ground, the remaining hand and foot of the same gentry came rowing along bejng tied together. These points un­ shore and, observing their own two der foot were occasionelly of iron and boats made into the in let and fell into by writhing of the sufferer would some­ the hands of the militia. These boats times pierce through the .foot. The ..were fitted out at Saybrook, Conn., with ~ulprit was then sent to the hospital a brass two-pounder in the bow of each, and ,vould often be lame for weeks. and had a commission from Governor BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 31

Trumbull to plunder the inhabitants of Some of the officers had their ladies Long Island. The prisoners, forty in with them, others married American number, were brought to town yester­ girls. Some of the soldiers brought day." their ·wives with them from the old In July, 1780, near Hog Island, Rock­ country, especially the Hessians away, the American sloop "Revenue," (Dutch) and Scotch. Their children privateer, of New London, W. Jagger, were baptized in the Presbyterian commander, fitted out by Joseph Wool­ Church. ridge, carrying twelve guns and fifty­ Hog Island was the residence of two men, was driven ashore by the Colonel Richard Hewlett during the British ship "Galatea." The vessel war. He was an English officer, and bilged, the men jumped overboard and had a small regiment of English sol­ swam ashore with their arms, and were diers at his residence and under his captured by the militia stationed at Far command. The only monument now ex­ Rockaway. Several other captures were isting of their doings is the remains of made of Americans who believed Long a ditch and an embankment thrown up Island and its people were not loyal to by the soldiers around a piece of wood­ the crown. land then owned by him. Rockaway and Lawrence Beach resi­ Whitehead Cornell of Rockaway sup­ dents would sometimes take a spyglass plied meat to the British fleet during and climb to the roofs of their houses, the Revolutionary war, and in 1784 his and, if they saw any whale boats in the son William went to England to collect bay, they would remove their valuables payment of his father's bill against the to a nearby hiding-place, leaving only British government. a few articles in their houses. When An interesting document, probably the robbers landed they would ransack the first New York State bond ever is­ ihe houses, curse the residents for their sued, appeared during the war wherein poverty and depart. Houses and farms Governor George Clinton, being in need ~-ere often nearly emptied of an after­ of money for the State, and learning noon by their owners, and the goods re­ that Long Island friends of the Ameri­ placed next morning, but if the owners cans were willing to advance one thou­ were once caught they were likely to sand pounds to further the cause of be tortured till the goods were forth­ freedom, pledged the faith of the State coming. The aiarm was spread by guns with repayment of that sum and inter­ or horn blowing. est at si~ per cent. He sent a messen­ Though the farmers and laboring ger, who obtained the money, and in ex­ classes had to live frugally and on change gave the Governor's bond, which homely fare during the war it was dif­ reads as follows : ferent with the British officers. They spent their money freely and loved good "State of New York, ss,-I hereby eating and drinking. A little boy once pledge the faith of said State for· the got a dollar for a quart of strawberries. repayment of the sum of one thousand A fat turkey would fetch a guinea pounds, current money of said State, in (twenty-one . shillings) and eggs six specie, with interest at the rate of six cents each. Here is a note from a per cent per annum, to John Sands, British officer to a farmer: "Sir: If Esq., or order, within one year after you can get me a good quarter of veal, the conclusion of the present ,var with or a good pig, or half a dozen good Great Britain. Given at Poughkeepsie, chickens, pray do so, for I can't live on this 1st day June 1782. salt meat every day, and you'll oblige, "Witness Geo.- Trimble. yours, Cort Van Horne." "Geo. Clinton." The standing toast at an officer's table was "a long and moderate war." The amount was raised as follows: The out-door amusements were fox Maj or R. Thorne, 200 pounds ; John hunting, shooting grouse and other Thorne, 200 pounds; John Sands, 400 game, horse racing, cricket matches, pounds; Daniel Whitehead Kissam, 200 hurling matches, billiards, cards, etc. pounds. The notes were paid. They indulged in music also, for we On the 22nd of August, 1776, a British read of pianos, harpsicords, organs, etc., force of 20,000 men under Lord Howe besides military bands. landed on Long Island, and on the 27th 32 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS the battle was fought, resulting in the and he assumed the duties of that of­ defeat of the Americans, who on the fice on the 31st of the following July. night of the 29th, favored by a dense He remained Governor of New York fog, retreated to New York. The British State after the conclusion of peace be­ plan had been formed to capture New t,veen America and Great Britain, whieh York, ascend the Hudson, effect a junc­ happy event occurred in 1783. In De­ tion with a force from Canada, under cember of the same year, by act of leg­ General Carlton, and thus cut off co1n­ islature, town meetings were. held, and munication between the patriots of New officers for the Town of Hempstead, un­ England and those of the middle and southern colonies; but the movements der the new American Republic, were of Washington and the failure of Carl­ elected. ton frustrated the plan. This section had remained in the On the 21st of April, 1777, a State hands of the British from the time of constitution was adopted, and under it the Battle of Long Island until peace George Clinton was elected Governor, ,vas concluded.

MAURICE E. CONNOLLY. PRESIDENT, BOROUGH OF QUEENS, NEW YORK CITY. BIRD'S EYN VIEW OF SURROUNDING TERRITORY FROM EASTERLY END OF ROCKAWAY PENINSULA, SHOWING RAILROAD CONNECTIONS BETWEEN LOCAL VILLAGES AND BROOKLYN AND NEW YORK CITY. 34 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

TRANSIT FACILITIES FROM THE EARLIEST PERIOD

LTHOUGH the Rockaway peninsu­ Wednesday and Friday morning, at eight la cannot in any sense be consid­ o'clock, and returns on Tuesday, Thurs­ Aered as a section which grew up day and Saturday, leaving the house of overnight, as the saying goes, it is an Coe S. Downing, Fulton street, Brook­ indisputable fact that the most impor­ lyn, at precisely 2 o'clock p. m. Ar­ tant steps in its modern development rangement is made to carry passengers were synonymous with the establish­ to and from Rockaway by the above line. ment of modern transit facilities. "Curtis & Mervin, Proprietors." Several railroad routes commenced to '\\t.,.ith the opening of the Marine Pa­ operate throughout the peninsula in the vilion at Far Rockaway in 1834, and the early "seventies" when tip.ere were not construction of the turnpike road in the many residents and the ~eal and rapid same year by the company formed for advance and progress were then made. that purpose, traveling became easier. During the eighteenth century Rock­ Stages were run from. Brooklyn direct away had two roads connecting with to the Pavilion and coaching to Rock­ Jamaica and Hempstead. The first road away became extremely fashionable. was a mere path,vay, formerly used by Beautiful teams of horses attached to the Indians, and formed the foundation elaborate "tally-ho" turnouts made the for the present Jamaica and Rockaway journey in fine time, and noted sports­ turnpike. That part. of the path pass­ n1en vied with each other in the excel­ ing 1 ound the head of the bay, now lence of their equipages. These coach­ known as Hook Creek, was frequently im­ ing parties survived until a few years passable owing to floods. The Rockaway ago, but the "four-in-hand" seems, in pass, mentioned in Field's "Battle of these parts at least, to have passed into Long Island," over which William How­ oblivion. ard and his fourteen-year-old son were A scheme to construct a steam railro:1d compelled to guide a detachment of Brit­ to Rockaway was launched as early as ish soldiers, was a bridle path over tht 1833, four routes being surveyed and hills situated where Evergreen Cemetery estimates obtained. The accepted esti­ now is and led to the northerly end of mate for the Rockaway branch for a the present Rockaway Boulevard in single track was placed at $110,000, but Brooklyn, there connecting with the pres­ up to the year 1868 the line had been ent turnpike road. constructed only as far as Valley Stream. The other and better road was the main In 1868 the South Side Railroad of road corresponding with the present Long Island started construction work Broadway. This road led to Hempstead on a branch line from Valley Stream and branched also to Jamaica. What­ and completed the road to Far Rockaway ever journeys were made to or from in the following year, under the charter Rockaway Neck by the ·small number of of the Far Rockaway Branch Railroad. settlers, had perforce to be made either The trains were, of course, drawn by by one of these roads-in which case steam locomotives. In 1872 the same man's faithful friend the horse was the company extended the line by construct­ only assistance available-or else by boat ing the "Rockaway Railway" from Far across the bay. As time went on, stage Rockaway, along the ocean front after coaches, which also carried the mail, leaving Wave Crest, to the Neptune connected with the Rockaways; and it is House at Rockaway Beach, a distance of evident from the following interesting four miles. advertisement, copied from the Long A time table for this route, dated May Island Telegraph, published at Hemp­ stead in 1830, that it took several hours 27th, 1872, lists the stations on this to rPach B't"ooklvn. The advertisement Rockaway Branch as follows : reads as fo11ows: Valley Stream.. Hewletts.. ~ Woodsbur2"h.- ,, "The Hempstead stage leaves the vil­ Ocean Point, Lawrence, Far Rockaway, lage of Hempste;:i d, starting from the South Side Pavilion, Eldert's Grove, house of Davis Bedell, every Monday, Hollands, Seaside House. BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 35

Previous to this the Brooklyn and New York and Rockaway Beach Rail­ Rockaway Beach line had, in 1866, com­ way Company, now a leased line of the menced to operate trains from East Ne'\\1 Long Island Railroad Company. Ele­ York to Canarsie, from which point pas­ v~ted trains of the Brooklyn Rapid Tran­ sengers were taken by ferry boat across sit are operated over this route in the Jamaica Bay to Rockaway Beach. summer season. Another line, known as the Spring­ This trestle road, known as the Ja­ field "cut-off," was built in 1873 by the maica Bay route, has been a most poten­ Long Island Railroad Company from tial factor in the development of the Rocka ·way Junction (nO"w Hill side, J a­ Rockaways. The operation of trains n1aica) by way of Springfield Junction. through the Steinway tunnel under the This line entered the Rockaways at East -River· direct to Pennsylvani~ Sta­ Oceanpoint (now Cedarhurst) where the tion,. Manhattan, began in 1910' and made first station \vas located, and tracks ran 1t possible for Rockaway residents to parallel with the South Side tracks. The reach the heart of the greatest city in new line of the Long Island Railroad was the world within half an hour. in opposition to the South Side line and The present stations at Rockaway was a shorter distance by seven miles. Beach are Hammel, Holland, Steeplechase The Long Island Railroad Company later Station, Seaside and Rockaway Park. on acquired the interests of the South There are several stations on the trestle Sid~ Railroad, and operations of trains the names being Broad Channel, The over the shorter route has ceased for sev­ Raunt, Goose Creek and Howard Beach. eral years past. The double track re­ The Rockaway Village Railroad Com­ mains untouched but is overgrown with pany was incorporated in March, 1886, weeds and other signs of neglect abound. and operated horse-drawn cars between Two of the Long Island Railroad Com­ the railroad station and beach at Far pany's presidents, Oliver Charlick and Rockaway. This line was succeeded bv Havemeyer, paid considerable attention a new electric corporation in 1897 known to Rockaway Beach at that period and as the Ocean Electric Railway Company, several additional routes were suggested, which in addition to the Far Rockaway but not built. The idea of connecting village route, commenced a trolley ser~-: Rockaway Beach with Brooklyn by a road ice over the Long Island Railroad tracks across Jamaica Bay was then conceived, through · Edgemere, Arverne and Ham­ ~.nd several plans suggested but not act­ mels ; thence along the Boulevard on ed upon until 1880, in which year the its own tracks under a city-franchise present trestle across Jamaica Bay was through Holland, Steeplechase, Seaside, built. The route was called "the air and Rockaway Park, and thence over line." The writer wonders whether a its own right of way and tracks through real "air line" will be established in the Belle Harbor and N eponsit, the fare for near future, when airplanes will be the the whole distance being only five cents. means of locomotion. All the lines before described are now The trestle route owed its existence owned or controlled by the Long Island to Senator James M. Oakley and his as­ Railroad Company, and all are electric­ sociates, incorporated in 1877 as the ally operated. New York, Woodhaven and Rockaway Another electric trolley route is oper­ Ra ilr0ad Companv. which operated ated between Jamaica and Far Rockaway trains from Brooklyn, Bushwick and· by the Long Island Electric Railroad Long Island City terminals (owned by Company. This line opened about twen­ the Long Island Railroad Company) on ty years ago, passes through the north­ its own tracks to Glendale Junction. This erly sections of Cedarhurst, Lawrence line was extended from Glendale through and Inwood, and has its terminal near Woodhaven across the Jamaica· Bay tres­ the railroad station. tle, as far as the present terminal at Although there have been numerous Rockaway Park, making the total length fatalities through persons being run over of the route fifteen miles. by trains, there has been only one very The trestle route was opened in Au­ serious railroad traffic accident on these gust, 1880, but the 1ine was not suc­ lines, and that occurred on July 5th, cessful financially, and, after operating 1875. On that occasion eight persons until 1887, through foreclosure proceed­ lost their lives and many others were ings,. it passed into the hands of the injured, when two trains, crowded to ca- 36 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

pacity with Fourth of July crowds, met within its own taxable area and provid­ in a head-on colision at Far Rockaway. ing an enormously increased tax assess­ The scene of the accident was on the ment justified by the increment in valu':'. tracks of the South Side road on the There are several plans before the au­ curve near the gas house, and was caused thorities at the present time to meet through the engineer of one of the trains this requirement. The first is to extend ignoring a signal against him. Flatbush avenue, Brooklyn, over Barren During the summer season large pad­ Island and connect with the west end of dle steam boats operate between Rock­ the peninsula. Another and more desir­ away Beach and Coney Island and l\:Ian­ able, is to build a boulevard or road hattan and are always crowded with across the bay on a route almost parallel passengers. There is also a frequent with the existing railroad trestle. ThiR steam launch service between Rockaway would terminate at the center of the Beach and Sheepshead Bay. peninsula and shorten the distance be­ There is a taxicab service at every tween the city and the Rockaways by railroad station. eight miles. It would appear on ac­ A little more than two years ago an count of continued delays in developing attempt was made to establish a motor and dredging Jamaica Bay, for which omnibus service from Far Rockaway purpose a large appropriation was made to Rockaway Park. After running for by the government several years ago, and several months the service stopped and is still available, that the game of poli­ the company has since surrendered it; tics has its own objects to serve first charter, but the rapid growth of the com­ and the needs of the community must munity and the need for additional con­ wait. However, the immediate construc­ nections from end to end of the penin­ tion of this cross bay road is being eager­ sula predicate the belief that the at­ ly pressed by Rockaway residents and tempt will be revived before many years ci vie bodies. elapse. Work has been started on the improve­ Automobile owners and drivers and ment of the Jamaica turnpike road, .others proceeding by road complain of which, up to the present tir.ae, has been unfit for traffic other than the trolley the distance between New York City and line operated over it. It is proposed to Brooklyn and the Rockaways. Because widen this road for its entire length. there is no direct land connection be­ raise the grade, making it in some places tween the city and the peninsula a long six feet higher, and to lay double track~ detour is occasioned. Direct connection for the trolley service, so that the jour­ between the mainland and the Rock­ ney to Jamaica will consume consider:­ aways across Jamaica Bay would prove ably less time than at preent. It is of inestimable value and benefit not only hoped to have the improvement com­ to the Rockaways but to the city itself, pleted before the beginning of the 1918 establishing as it would, a .new outlet season.

WATER SUPPLY

The water supply obtained by resi­ a small way for a year or more. It was dents of the Rockaways until the year eventually purchased and dismantled in 1881 was by sinking individual wells, 1890 by the Queens County Water Com­ users dra,ving their own supplies di­ pany, which company came into exist­ rectly from the ground. In that year ance on March 20th, 1884. The first a Holly pumping engine was installed attempt to inaugurate a public supply and a well specially sunk to supply system was the result of constant local ,vater to the famous mammoth Rock­ agitation to abolish the well system, away Beach Rotel. This well or in­ which, it was urged, was extremely dan­ choate waterworks was located north gerous in a growing section where the of the hotel on the site of the present only means of sewage disposal was by 6l'ho-r-f-s Ul"\f-ol .,+ ~i-4?.f-"h ".)"f'rO'Y'lnO Pl"\~1,_ .&..A..A'-J'-'.L'-" ..L.&..VV'-'.I,, Gi-u -L .LJ..V.A.4 ""'°'-"'.&..L\A.V, ~"'V\...•J,.:.., away Park. Water was sold to a few the use of cesspools, which in time consumers in the district and the pump­ would be bound to contaminate the ing station continued doing business in wells. BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 37

John Lockwood and six associates ap­ poration, the Queens County Water plied to the authorities of the Town of Company of Long Island. The inter­ Hempsetad on October 11th, 1883, for relations and subsequent combination authority "to organize a water works of the two companies are obscured by company with a capital stock of $50,- the mists that hang over those early 000 to supply the town of Hempstead days of the Rockaway water supply. The and its inhabitants with pure and original company had to issue scrip to wholesome water from wells sunk in the pay the interest on its outstanding ground." The town granted a franchise bonds. Between the new company and on October 22nd, 1883 but excepted the old, the mains were extended to from it the territories of Garden Rocka1'ray Beach. City and the Village of Hemp­ The ,vater company's first pumping stead. The Queens County Water station and well system was construet­ Company was incorporated on March ed in Far Rockaway on a parcel of land 27th, 1884, and issued its capital stock bordering Carlton avenue, just south on May 1st, in the sum of $40,000, 'to of the Long Island Railroad right of R. I. Mullins and others for the con­ way. The water supply at this point struction of works at Far Rockaway. proved to be insufficient and another On June 3rd, following, $40,000 worth station was established on Remsen of bonds at 6 per cent interest were a.venue, north of Long Island Railroad issued to l\'.Iullins in part payment for right of way. This new source of sup­ building equipment, and for completing ply also proved inadequate. The prinei­ works at Far Rockaway. Soon after­ pal stockholders of the Company, about wards, the capital stock was increased 1890 or 1891, acquired a tract of land from $40,000 to $50,000 and the addi­ near Valley Stream and thereafter put tional $10,000 was also issued to Mul­ down ·wells and constructed a pumping lins for extension of construction work station. The source of supply proved at Far Rockaway. to be satisfactory and the new plant was The system built by Mullins was leased to the Company on February completed and accepted December 15th, 1st, 1893. -For eighteen years, su ose­ 1885. Seven months later a five-years' q uent to 1893, the company secured its contract was entered into by Queens entire water supply from the Valley and _Nassau County supervisors with Stream plant, but, by 1911, the .inGreas­ the water company to supply water --to ing demand for water on the Rockaway tlie fire district comprising the unin­ peninsula during the summer months, corporated village of Far Rockaway. In induced t;h.e Company to establish an 1887 the company's capital stock was aul(iliary station at Washington avenue, again increased to $100,000 and the ad­ Rocka-way Park, for use for a few hours ditional $50,000 was issued to Mullins each day during the heaviest summer in part payment for money due for load. construction of the extension of the sys­ During the early period of its exist­ tem to Rockaway Beach. R. V. W. Du­ ence the Company was in continual Bois and others, interested in the Com­ financial straits. From 1884 to 1900 pany, applied in June, 1887, to the local no dividends ,vere paid and operating authorities of Hempstead for a renewal expenses ,vere seldom earned. In 1893 of the franchise granted in 1883. The judgments amountingjto about $150,000 renewal was asked for in order to en­ were secured against the Company, and, able the company to reorganize its about that time, Franklin B. Lord, of financial affairs. DuBois stated that Lawrence, became interested. He suc­ the business had extended beyond what ceeded in putting the Company on a was contemplated at the time of the sound financial basis. original organization and in particular The Valley Stream Supply is taken that the continuation of the mains to from 7 4 shallow wells and from 52 wells Rockaway Beach required an enlarge­ ranging in depth from 140 to 210 feet. ment of the Company's financial basis. The capacity of these wells is fifteen On June 13th: 1887: a new franchise million gallon~ daily, The Company v,as granted, not directly to the Queens also have four wells at Lynbrook which County W.ater Company, but to DuBois are held in reserve for future need. At and his associates, who proceeded in Rocka,vay Park they have three wells October, 1887, to organize another cor- ranging from 760 to 780 feet in depth. 38 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

The water at Valley Stream is filtered tion by the City of New York and the by three slow sand filters of a daily ca­ Company also has independent analysi$. pacity of about seven million gallons. The ,vater is very soft and pure and (•f The pumping capacity is twenty million a most excellent quality. gallons daily. At the Rockaway Park The area supplied by the Company auxiliary station there is a mechanical consists of the Fifth Ward of the Bor­ filter of a daily capacity of about one ough of Queens; the incorporated vil­ and a half million gallons and the pump­ lages of Lavvrence, Cedarhurst, Lyn­ ing capacity is two million gallons daily. brook, East Rockaway and Woodsburgh; All water is filtered before being pumped into the distribution system. and the unincorporated sections The Company has about 200 miles of known as Inwood, Koodmere, Hew­ mains, of which 90 miles are in Queeus lett, Valley Stream and Oceanside. County, and 110 miles in Nassau Coun­ There are now approximately eleven ty. The district supplied is a long nar­ thousand individual water consumers in row neck of land and the distance from the area of supply and the work of the the pumping station to the extreme end company is most efficiently done under of the distribution area is over 13 miles. th_e able supervision of the engineer, The supply is under constant inspec- Charles R. Bettes.

GAS AND ELECTRIC SUPPLY

The development of the present ex­ and the office building, containing nll cellent lighting, heating and power the company's records, was totally de­ equipment in this locality, is in itself stroyed. The Rockaway Gas Light Com­ a most interesting history. pany sold its entire busjness on May Prior to the year 1880, all local 20th, 1882, to the To"'n of Hempstead houses and the streets, which were then Gas and Electric Light Company. The lanes, were illuminated-in the few principal directors and officers in the lanes ,vhich boasted artificial light-en­ latter company Vlere Edward W. l\iieal­ tirely from oil lamps. Contemporan~ous ey, president; Henry Stack, secretary; advertisements informed the public that Henry Y. Attriil, William A. Kenne!, "Best Test oil was 12 cents per gallon." George L. Geran, Frederick ...4... Phipps, Before this time inhabitants made and William K. Saulter and Charles F. dipped their O"wn candles, the only arti­ Dieterich. ficial illun1inant they knew. This company ·was more businesslike On February 19th, 1880, the Rock­ than its predecessor and went ahead away Gas Light Company was in­ manufacturing gas, ·which it sold to con­ corporated for the purpose of manufac­ sumers resident in. the Rockaways, un­ turing and supplying artificial gas to til July 1st, 1902, when it "ras merged Attrill's new monster hotel at Rock­ in the present Queens Borough Gas and away Beach. This w~s the first attempt Electric Company. ,, of its kind by any body of local men Another company, known as the to provide gas lighting. A thirty-thou­ Rockaway Electric Light Company, was sand foot gas holder was erected on the formed in 1890, but this had a short and plant then located at Rockaway Park on unsuccessful existence. This company the present site at \Vashington avenue. was incorporated on l\tlay 8th, 1890, by Of this company Henry Attrill was Henry E. Hawley, John A. Seeley, president and James A. Taylor, treas­ James A. Taylor and Horace K. Thur­ urer. The hotel was never properly ber for the purpose of operating at opened, but gas was manufactured at Rocka,vay Beach under a franchise the plant and supplied to local consum­ granted to Samuel R. Myers in 1889. ers. The original gas tank is now used This franchise and the business of the for storing tar by the Queens Borough Rocka·way Electric Light Company is Gas and Electric Company at their now owned by the Queens Borough Gas Rocka'-vay Park plant. and Electric Company, with which it The old company had a very short ex­ was merged on July 26th, 1897. istence. Fire broke out on the plant The next local combi-nation was BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 39

formed by Far Rockaway men on of doing business, which has done a March 12th, 1892, under the name of great deal to assist the rapid advance­ the Citizens Lighting Company. The ment and desirability as a place of resi­ stockholders were Thomas Henderson, dence of all parts of the peninsula. Samuel B. Althause, Jr., James Caffrey, Carleton Macy was elected president Smith M. Decker, Edward Roche, Rich­ in March, 1904, and has continued so ard L. Gipson, Frederick M. Richmond, until the present time. Under his able Newman J. Pettit, Delmar L. Starks, and painstaking guidance, the concern David H. Jennings and Joseph C .. Big­ flourished and became of real public lin. This company operated at Far service and is the largest permanent Rockaway until June 29th, 1898, when employer of labor in this section. For the business was sold to the Que~ns efficiency of service and promptitude in Borough Electric Light and Power handling the enorn1ous demands made Company, incorporated for that purpose upon it at the beginning of each season, on February 28th of the same year. The the con1pany has no superior. Its area stockholders in the new corporation of service is from Oceanside on the east, were ·van Wyck Rossiter, president; to N eponsit on the west. There are 180 David H. Valentine, Royal C. Peabody, miles of gas mains in the street and 165 Q. L. Rossiter, T. S. Williams, Frank miles of electric pole lines. The main l\'.IcGovern, Joseph C. Biglin, Isaac l\iL electricity generating station is at Bays­ Sutton and H. Hobart Porter, Jr. water, Far Rockaway, and the principal The Queens Borough Gas and Elec­ gas works are at Rocka-way Beach, tric Company, the present supplier of ,vhile there are sub-stations at Far light and power to the entire Rockaway Rocka,vay, Rockaway Beach and Lyn­ peninsula, was incorporated on July brook. There a~e about 8,000 all-year­ 1st., 1902, and acquired the business of round consumers at.gas and 4,500 users the Electric Light and Power Company on that date. The first directors were of electricity in the Rocka-ways. ·v. Everit Macy, G. D. Gregory, Eugene The present directors of the Queens D. Hawkins, Alfred H. Bronson, Nelson Borough Gas and Electric Company are C. Thrall, H. Hobart Porter, Jr., George ·v. Everit Macy, George D. Gregory, Eu­ Crocker, and Carleton Maey. gene D. Hawkins, James A. Mooney, This company at once initiated a pro­ Carleton Macy, Alfred H. Bronson, and gressive and sound businesslike method Ira R. Stewart.

BANKING INSTITUTIONS

The first banking institution was the president of the Bank of Long established in the peninsula on May 1, Island, was then cashier, bookkeeper 1888, at Far Rockaway, on Catherine and clerk, and the only active man in street (no,v Central avenue), near the business. The need of a bank im­ Cornaga avenue, in the front part of a n1ediately became obvious and its serv­ frame building used by J. 1\1. Kraus as ices were at once utilized by residents a dry goods store. The growth and throughout the peninsula. Two months progress of that little bank have been after opening Valentine "\V. Smith of remarkable. Merrick joined Samuel R. Smith as an George Wallace and Charles L. ~ssistant. Business increased rapidly \\r allace, residents of Freeport, and and the Far Rockaway Bank was ~amuel R. Smith, also of Freeport-who. formally organized on January 1, 1889, had just returned after an absence of with a capital of $25,000. Deposits at ten years spent in conducting a general that time were approximately $75,000. store business in Drayton, North Da­ Officers of the new bank were Peter N. n'"l"l'.T0,,.,.,...,...... -4- "".,,.~s; rl ~....,-4-. "{Xr A "{xr... ~ ...... kota, ,vhe:re he 1v2.s president also of ~'-1,W\.,.l..l_l:JV.I.\I' _l:J.I.\., .I.U.\.,.1..l\,' '' • ""1, '',.)'J..I.J.J.' the State Bank-comraenced business vice-president; Samuel R. Smith, cash­ as private bankers in the village of Far ier, and Valentine W. Smith, assistant Rockaway, with a capital of five thou­ cashier. The first directors ,vere: sand dollars. l\Ir. Smith, who is now Peter N. Davenport, W. A. Wynn, San1- 40 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS uel R. Smith, S. B. Altha use, Jr.; Ed­ tered on October 21st, 1908. Business mund J. Healy, William Scott, Dr. J. was commenced on November 8th of the Carl Schmuck, George P. Bergen, same year in leased offices in the old Thomas Henderson, Thomas F. White, Wynn Building, near Cornaga avenue, and Henry Craft. on Central avenue. The first president The handsome brick building at the ·was Harry G. Heyson; Jacob Lauch­ corner of Cornaga and Central avenues heimer was vice-president, and James was erected in 1890 and the volume of L. Stanley cashier. The same gentle­ business transacted jumped up by men continue in office and are assisted leaps and bounds until this became the by a board of directors consisting of only bank in the State with a capital Joseph Fried, Charles A. Brodek, Max of $25,000 having deposits exceeding Katz, E. J. Decker, Lewis H. May, one million doJlars. William S. Pettit and Philip P. Scott. The Far Rockaway Bank was merged The Bank of Lawrence was organized in the ne-w Bank of Long Island on Jan­ under that name in the fall of 1902 by uary 1st, 190_3, which latter establish­ Talbot J. Taylor, Robert L. Burton, John ment ,vas formed by the amalgamation H. Smith and Dr. J. Carl Schmuck, who of the Flushing, Jamaica and Far Rock­ commenced business in February of the a way ba~ks. Samuel R. Smith became following year at the present bank. The president, with headquarters at J a­ first directors were Edwin Abrams, maica, and Valentine W. Smith was, and is, vice-president in charge at the Far Richardson Brower, John A. Ruth, Dr. Rockaway branch. The Bank of Long J. Carl Schmuck, Origen Seymour, John Island now has twelve branches in the IL Smith and L. Stuart Wing. The capi­ Borough of Queens, with a capital and tal of the corporation was $25,000 and surplus of $1,600,000, and deposits ex­ there was a subscribed surplus of ceeding thirteen million dollars. Local $10,000. branches of the Bank of Long Island The Bank of Lawrence has greatly as­ have been established at Hammels, now sisted the development of the westerly in charge of William S. Milan, and at end of the peninsula by its consistent Seaside, now in charge of William H.· policy of encouragement of local and Reynolds. deserving business men and concerns The National Bank of Far Rockaway and the aid it has lent to them. The is housed in the show building of the . ~ present directors are: Dr. J. Carl village. The ornate three-story marble finished structure, which immediately Schmuck, president; John H. Smith, attracts one's attention ,vhen arriving vice-president; John A. Ruth, cashier; at the railroad depotr was opened on Morris F. Craft, Divine Hewlett, James July 1, 1912. The National Bank of Far W. Safford and Winfield S. Vandewater. Rocka-\vay is an off shoot of the Queens The capital is now $50,000 and there is County Trust Company and was char- a surplus of undivided profits of $65,000.

FRATERNAL ORDERS, CIVIC AND BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS

Among the Fraternal orders estab­ Masonic Temple on Mott avenue, Far lished in the Rocka";vays, the ,vealthiest Rocka1vay. The 01·der having the is Olympia Lodge, No. 808, of the largest membership is Rockaway Aerie, Ancient Order of Free and Accepted No. 1544, Fraternal Order of Eagles, I\1:asons, which owns the handson1e ,vhich meets at Arion Hall, Rockaway BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 41

Beach. The aerie has a considerable the permanent home since that date. nucleus for a building fund, with ,vhich The present membership is about 350 it intends to build its own home at an men. early date. The membership of this Other orders with branches estab­ order is at present about 500. lished in the peninsula are the Inde­ Certain local Masons, now deceased, pendent Order of Odd Fellows, Forest­ were granted a dispensation on June ers of America, Junior Order United 24th, 1893, valid for one year, to enable American lYiechanics, Sons and Daugh­ them to form a new lodge for the Rock­ ters of Liberty, Exempt Firemen's As­ a-ways, and their efforts were so suc­ sociation, Knights of Pythias, Knights cessful that the Grand Lodge of the of Columbus, Catholic Benevolent Asso­ State of New York, on June 7th, 1894, ciation, Loyal Order of Moose and Red issued a full charter, authorizing the . 1\1:en. The Boy Scouts of America have formation of the present lodge. The numerous branches throughout the officers named on the charter were Peter Rocka-ways. N. Davenport, master; J. Carl Schmuck, The business associations include the senior warden, and Archibald Mutch, Civic Federation of the Rockaways, junior warden. The first meetings were Progress Society at Far Rockaway, Board held in a brick building near Cornaga of Trade at Rockaway Beach, Far Rock­ avenue on Central avenue, Far Rocka­ away Business Men's Association, Rock­ way, where Mullen & Buckley now do away Beach Business Men's Associa­ business. lvieetings were held there for tion, Rockaway Park Citizens Associa­ about six years, when headquarters tion, Rockaway Beach Liquor Dealer's were changed to the fourth floor of the Association, West End League, Somer­ Horton Building (now Teddy's), also on ville Improvement Society, Women of Central avenue. The lodge continued Arverne, Far Rockaway Women's Club, there for eleven years. The present Women's Suffrage Party, Half Way Masonic Temple was built and first used House Improvement As·sociation, and by the Masons in 1910, and has been the Edgemere Taxpayer's Association.

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES, PAST AND PRESENT

HE admittedly high standard of the Superintendency of Schools Act in free education provided for chil­ 1906, "\\"ith Fred De L. King superin­ T dren in the Rockaway peninsula tendent, which position he stills holds. is a most important factor in the suc­ cess and prosperity of the place. · In these days of hustling energy and aggressive efficiency one's educational attainments form one's chiefest qualifi­ cations in the battle of life. Parents seeking the best for their children have no hesitation in choosing schools in the R.ocka,vays as having the highest stand­ ards. This chapter deals exclusively with the various public schools and the his­ tory of each is given in the village or school district ·of which it now forms a SCHOOL BUILDING AT LAWREN CE. part.

Mr. King has under his superintend­ Lawrence-Cedarhurst-Inwood ency the -Lawrence High School, T ,aw­ The villages of Lawrence, Cedarhurst rence Grammar School, Cedarhurst and Inwood form Union Free School Grammar School and two grammar District No. 15 of the Tov\rn ·of Hemp­ schools at Inwood, all of which have stead. This district was placed under a present registration of about 1,650 42 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

pupils, forming sixty classes. There teacher, in the Abram's building at are sixty-four teachers. Lawrence. Two years after the move The imposing brick and stone school to Central avenue Mr. King was author­ building in Lawrence was erected in . ized and instructed to organize a high 1913 at a cost of about $125,000, on the school for the district, which he did on site of the former frame school build­ June 26, 1895. ing. The latter was built in 1893, and The old Broadway school was the later torn down to make ,vay for the first public school ever used in Rock­ present building which is at once the away. Old men living in the Rockaways home of the high school for the district remember when they attended the and the grammar school for Lawrence. school at Lawrence before the first Far The principal of these two schools is Rockaway school was opened. The late Cecil C. MacDonald, and the present Peter N. Davenport and George Wal­ registration of pupils is about 140 in lace, then young men, were once teach­ the high school and 436 in the grammar ers there. school. 'The equipment includes a well The members of the Board of Educa­ chosen library for use of scholars and tion are Leslie L. Beach, president, and the public, a fine gymnasium, domestic John McNicoll, George B. Simmons, Gil­ science rooms, laboratories and shops. bert E. Horton and John Ruth, trustees.

--i 1'- ',. ')

:-, ... ,... ' .

CEDARHURST PUBLIC SCHOOL.

The Cedarhurst school (No. 3) was erected in 1902 and has a present reg­ istration of 207 pupils. The principal is Willard B. Gardner. The Inwood school (No. 2) has a registration of 343 pupils, the principal SUPERINTENDENT FRED DE L. KING. being Frederick S. Slack. The large public school (No. 4) at The officers are: Fred De L. King, su­ Jn,vood, the principal of which 1s perintendent; N e"rman J. Pettit, clerk; Robert G. Horn, has a registration of J. Russell Sprague, treasurer, and 514 pupils. This building has an a udi­ Lewis P. Dexter, Jr., truant officer. toriom capable of seating 700 persons. The f ollo,ving is a list of those who When Mr. King first took charge, in have been members of the Board of 1892, the total registration of pupils Education since the year 1890: The was only 286 in the whole district, and late Franklin B. Lord, Theodore A. the principal school ~:as then situated Gauntt, the late John vV. De Mott, Sa1n­ at the corner of Frost Lane and Broad­ uel D. Abrams, Freeman Sprague, Jr., way, Lawrence. This building now Julian D. Fairchild, John H. Smith, the 'stands near West Broadway, Wood­ late Theodore Sprague, Garrett C. Van mere. The Central avenue building Dine~ William Player. Jr.~ Edward J. ·was occupied in 1893. At that tin1e Horn, .Joseph H. Foster, James W. Saf­ there was a branch school with one ford, the late vVilbur B. Wood, Morris teacher, in the Comb's building at In­ F. Craft, John G. ~1cNicoll, Andrew wood, and another branch, also with one Weston. Percy C._...-½nde,vater, George BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 43

B. Simmons, Theodore Bowker, the late and at the fire house, pending construc­ Oliver S. Davison, Franklin B. Lord, Jr., tion of the new and imposing building George A. Johnson, Leslie L. Beach, on Broadway, which is almost completed Gilbert E. Horton, John A. Ruth. and expected to be ready for occupancy The school district assessment for the early next year. The cost of the new present year is $8,589,212. school is estimated at $140,000, and it will accommodate both high school and grammar school pupils. There is to be a gymnasium in the build1ng. The present registration at the Wood­ .: mere-Hewlett Grammar School is about 300 scholars, and at the high school 40 scholars. There are fifteen teachers. The school board consists of William H. E. Jay, president; Smith Carman, Garry Brower, Emil Darmstadt and Dallas Brower. The school district assessment is now $3,344,000. INWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOL NO. 4. Far Rockaway Schools Woodmere and Hewlett The first Union District Free School Woodmere and Hewlett villages form was erected in Far Rockaway about the Union Free School District No. 14 year 1861 on land now occupied by the (Town of Hempstead), of which Charles lVIagistrate's Court House, a small part S. Wright is principal. In earlier days of which building is part of the old in those parts children went to school school house. The land was given for first at Valley Stream, then to Lawrence and afterwards to a school house built in Hewlett, near Grant Park. In 1898 this building ceased to be used for school purposes and ,vas sold. It was later moved to near Woodmere Bay, and is now used as the home of the Wood­ mere Yacht Club.

\VOODMERE SCHOOL, DESTROYED 1916. SANFORD J. ELLS,VORTH. A new school ,vas built in 1898, when the purpose by. Benjamin B. Mott,_ the district was made a separate Union kno,vn as "Little Ben." The school Free school district. High school train­ house stood back in the woods and was <1'n''l'Yt"l"\"lr>hor1 -f-.ot"\..-v> 1\IT'"'++·s 1...... 1-, .... ,...... ,..+l,.. ing was begun in 1903 and the school .;.,.t:J.t:J .... v....,...,..,..,...,IA ...... v.u. .1. ..,,.Lvvv .1a.u.c 1.J,Y a jJQ.ll.l.l building enlarged in 1910. This build­ no,v covered by the public library. The ing ,vas totally destroyed by fire in name of the first teacher was Patrick September, 1916. Since that time Burns and he lodged first at Caffrey's classes have been held in various stores hotel on Greenwood avenue, and later 44 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS at Lawrence Duncan's house. About 25 Rockaway Beach and Arverne Schools boys and girls, several of whom are still The public schools of Arverne and living, attended. There were also two Rockaway Beach, in the Borough of or three private schools, one being con­ Queens, consist of public school No. 42 ducted by Mrs. Mary Hartford at at Arverne, public school No. 44 at Hol­ Broad,·vay and Cornaga avenue. land and public school No. 43 at Rock­ Prior to the erection of the public a way Park, all under the capable man­ school those children of residents who agement of one principal, William M. \vent to school attended the old. school Gilmore. house on Broadway in what is now Law­ rence, to receive their teaching. As time passed on and the village gre-\v, more teachers ·were employed and bet­ ter school accommcdations became necessary. A fine new public school building was erected on State street in 1893, the number of pupils then being about 250. A high school was estab­ lished in the same building in the year .. 1895. Two years later the school was ··::r •.,, considerably enlarged and in 1907 the ~~•~.'v. annex was built. Plans are riow being :i{Zs{.:;:-. prepared for an additional story of eight rooms to be erected at an esti­ mated cost of $55,000.

WILLIAM M. GILMORE.

The first public school at Rockaway Beach was conducted by Mrs. Julia Hol­ land (wife of Michael P. Holland), who was appointed schoolmistress for that Union Free School district of the Town FAR ROCKAWAY PUBLIC SCHOOL. of Hempstead in 1878. Mrs. Holland taught in her own home at Holland and Railroad avenues and started with ten The primary school is known as pub­ pupils. She remained schoolmistress lic school 39, Borough of Queens, and until 1881, when the large school the present number of pupils is about house, now the Rockaway Beach police 800. The high school has a registration station, was erected, and Mr. Candee of about 500 pui,ils. Both schools are became the schoolmaster. Others suc­ under the highly efficient management ceeded him and Mr. Gilmore was ap­ of the principal, Sanford J. Ellsworth, pointed by the local Board of Education who has held that position since 1895, in the spring of 1894. At that time when he organized the high school. The . there v.rere five teachers in the central schools employ forty-five teachers and school house, and two "annex" or provide a complete course from kinder­ branch schools were bejng used, one on garten to college. About fifty pupils Washington avenue and one on Lincoln are graduated ·yearly and many of them avenue, Rockaway Park, each under the go to college or training schools for direction of one teacher. The total reg­ teachers. istration was then less than 300 pupils. In connection with the school there The schools became part of the public is a well equipped gymnasium, a library school system of Greater New York at and laboratories. the time of consolidation, on January BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 45

1, 1898, in June of which year there been called to the urgency of the need, were ten classes and a total registration no provision for extension has yet been of 438 pupils. made. In April, 1901, the new building near All of the foregoing schools which Holland Station (public school 44) was existed before consolidation of Greater opened and all the classes in the o] d New York in 1898 ,vere at one time buildings were transferred to the new Union Free schools under the Town of building. There were then ten classes · Hempstead. To emphasize their growth and a total registration in June of the the author quotes the following inter­ same year of 551 pupils. esting extract from minutes on the rec­ The ne,v building at Rockaway Park ord book of Common School District 15, (public school 43) was opened in De­ Town of Hempstead (in which district cember~ 1903, with three classes, and a the peninsula was included), dated Jan­ total registration of 102 pupils. In June uary 1, 1849: of 1904 these two schools had a total "To the superintendent of Common registration of 812 pupils, and in De­ Schools of the Town of Hempstead, we, cember of the same year the new build­ the trustees of the school district num­ ing at Arverne, public school 42, was ber fifteen in the said town in conform­ opened with three classes and a regis­ ity with the statutes relating to com­ tration of 97 pupils._ mon schools do certify and report that The average registration of the three the whole time our school has been in

'. /., •< ···.', '";·.~:~ .• :·:_ ~.:..:;,.~ff\:

THE OLD UNION FREE SCHOOL AT LAWRENCE.

schools is now about 1,600 pupils in the session since the date of the last report winter months and this is increased to for the said district is eleven months, and approximately 2,200 in the summer since the date of said last report our months, when many summer visitors school has been kept by teachers after register their children for school at­ obtaining a certificate of qualifications tendance in this district. according to law for eleven months, that In addition to the foregoing, two bone the amount of money apportioned to our tubercular classes are taught at N epon­ district by the Town SnperiI1tende!!t cf si t Beach Hospital. Schools during the said year and since Additions are sorely needed to the the date of the said last report, except Holland school (No. 44), and although library money, is one hundred and twelve the attention of the city authorities has dollars and twenty-five cents, and that 46 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS the said sum has been applied to the Parochial schools in the Rockaways payment of compensation of teachers are fully described in another chapter employed in the said district and li­ containing the history of the various censed as the statute prescribes. That churches to ,vhich they are attached. the amount of library money received in our district from the town superintend­ ent of common schools was twenty­ Public Libraries eight dollars and six and one-fourth The establishment of a free library cents, and that the said sum was on or building in Far Rockaway was made before the first day of October last ap­ possible by the Carnegie donation, for plied to the purchase of a library for in 1903 the sum of $240,000 was allotted the said district. That the number of to the Borough of Queens for the erec­ volumes belonging to the district tion of library buildings. It was at first library and on hand on the last day of proposed to expend this sum on the con­ December is three hundred and sixteen. struction of three buildings, but, owing That the number of children taught in chiefly to the suggestion and energy of said district and during said year and Peter J. McGinnis of Far Rockaway, since last report is one hundred and then member of the Library Board of twenty and the names and ages of which Queens, it was finally decided to erect are as follows:- ( Oldest-21. Youngest six buildings in the borough, at a maxi­ -5.) mum cost of $40,000 each, one such "That of the said children thirty-nine building to be erected at Far Rockaway. attended less than two months. Thirty­ The present site of the library build­ six less than four months and more ing at the corner of Central -and Mott than one. Ten for four months and less avenues, which had been given by than six. Twenty, six months and less Benjamin B. Mott with the old school than eight. Seven, eight months and house site, and was then owned by the less than ten. Eight, ten months and city, was utilized for the building and less than twelve. And that the number the latter was opened on August 18, of children residing with their parents 1904. jn our district on the last day of De­ The local library committee then con­ ~ember last, who are over five and un­ sisted of Peter J. McGinnis, Rev. Mr. der sixteen years of age is one hun­ Demarest and John A. Loope. dred and ninety. ( Complete census is About the same time a store was given.) leased and a small branch library "And ,ve further report that our opened at Hammels. This branch was school has been visited by the town su­ removed in 1912 to more convenient perintendent twice during the year pre­ quarters in the McKennee Building, ceding this report and that the sum near Holland Station. paid for teachers' wages over and above The local libraries have been a great the public money appropriated to said boon and educational a id. The cour­ ciistrict during the said year amounted teous treatment of library employees to $175.25. That the amount raised by is a constant encouragement to use the taxes during the said year was for re­ excellent collection of books, which is pairs, etc., $30. That the school books constantly increasing. A special in use in said district during the said feature is the frequent "story hour" year ,vere as follows: Porter's Rhet­ for children, whose minds. are thus orical Reader, New York Readers No8. trained in an interesting manner to look 1 and 2, Websters' Dictionary and to books for aid in their search for Spelling Book, Walker's Dictionary, knowledge. Smith and Browns' Grammar, Colburn's and Smith's Arithmetics, Morse and Newspapers Mitchell's Geography. . "January 1, 1849. The first newspaper ,vas published on "SAMUEL DOUGHTY, June 23, 1883, at ·Far Rockaway by the "G. D. CRAFT, late Watkin W. Jones. It was called "J. H. JENNINGS, ··The Rattier,': for the first year of its "Trustees. existence, but the name was then "JOHN BROAD, changed to the "Rockaway Journal." ''District Clerk." The paper was issued weekly and was BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 47

successful for a number of years. It "'Vave" and the "Argus." Far Rock­ greatly aided the growth of the place, away possesses three similar publica­ but later went out of existence. tions, viz., "Rockaway Life," "Far There are now two weekly papers Rockaway .Journal" and the "Rockaway published at Rockaway Beach, viz., the News."

RELIGIOUS LIFE

VERY section of the peninsula is the site of the first Rockaway church, ,vell cared for from a religious near the Long Island Railroad crossing E standpoint. and large congrega­ on the Jamaica and Jericho Turnpike tions attend the services of Roman road. The present edifice, valued at Catholics, Hebrews and Protestants of $40,000, is the centre of religious life at all denominations. Churches, syna­ Lawrenc.e, and the pastor, the Rev. gogues and social centres are numerous, Henry Blatz, has the care of an ever­ well founded and, in general, on a sound increasing and devout congregation, f.nancial basis. The worship of God is among which are many of the leading regular and devout and this religious residents of Lawrence and Cedarhurst. spirit and the guidance of the ministers On November 13th, 1831, this church has been greatly instrumental in the was founded and officers were elected at veaceful and successful development of an organization meeting held at the the peninsula, and the means of train- · home of lohn Baylis. The new church ing the minds of some of New York's ·was called lV[cThendre's Chapel, and foremost citizens, who live or lived was part of the Hempstead Methodist here and had the advantages of that Episcopal Circuit. guidance and training. A description The first church building, erected dur­ and history of each church or syna­ ing the year of its foundation, 1831, was gogue ,vill be found in the succeeding chapter.

. An Early Sunday School The fallowing letter, ,vritten by Jane Cornaga i:Q 1818, shows the early estab­ lishment of a Sunday school at Far Rockaway. The writer possesses the criginal letter: "Far Rockaway, May 2, 1818. "Sir, I am happy to inform you that our Sunday school here has a very promising appearance; but the Scholars labour under many disadvantages from the want of books. I am therefore re­ LA WREN CE M. E. CHURCH. quested by our Superintendent, Mrs. B. Cornell, and the teachers, to request you (if you please,) for ten or fifteen testaments, the receipt of them will be a plain frame structure ,vith a double acknowledged in the most grateful man­ pitch roof, supported by four large pil­ ner. lars. It was illuminated by candles. J..ANE CORNAGA, Seery. The church was rebuilt in 1866 at a cost "To Mr. Lewis A. Eigenbrott of $8,000. The cornerstone was laid by "Jamaica." the Rev. Edward G. Andrews, who later became Bishop Andrews. Shortly after this the parsonage was built on land Lawrence Methodist Episcopal Church opposite the church. Since then it has The present beautiful Methodist Epis­ been modernized and reconstructed. copal Church at Lawrence is erected on The cemetery attached to the church 48 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

contains the graves of many Rockaway and Clinton Pettit and George Hewlett, settlers. were appointed a Committee to take the The present church building was necessary steps to carry this resolve erected in 1907 during the Rev. John J. into effect by securing funds and a Forist's pastoracy. The old structure suitable plot of land on which to plac~ is nO"\V used as a Sunday School. The a Chapel, "to be under the jurisdiction beautiful memorial ,vindows of the of the Vestry of St. George's Church, church represent scenes taken from Hempstead." A plot of ground con - Hoffman's famous paintings depicting taining about three acres was given by incidents in the Life of Christ. They Major Cornelius Van Wyck and his sis­ include "Christ and the Doctors," ter, Miss Van Wyck. Another acre was "Christ Blessing the Little Children," purchased from the same parties, and "Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane" on the third day of May, 1836, the and "The Resurrection." corner-stone was laid by the Rt. Rev. Affiliated with the church is the La,v­ B. T. Onderdonk, Bishop of the diocese. rence Chapter of the Epworth League, Donations of timber and stone were re­ the Ladies' Union, the Women's Foreign ceived; about $1,500 in cash was raised Missionary Society and the Lincoln by subscriptions, and a gift of $500 Military Band. The Sunday School is particularly ,vell supported, the membership exceed­ ing 400 children.

Trinity Church, Hewlett

The Protestant Episcopal parish of Trinity, Hewlett, was first known as Trinity Chapel, Rockaway, and was part of the ancient parish of St. George's Church, Hempstead, a patent and char­ ter of which were granted by King George the Second, July 23, 1735. Occasional services were held at Rockaway prior to 1817 by the Reverenci OLD TRINITY CHURCH, HEWLETT. Seth Hart. In August of that year the Governor of the State, Daniel D. Tomp­ kins, while visiting Far Rockaway, do­ was made, on the application of the nated to the inhabitants, on petition of Committee, by the Corporation of Trin­ Benjamin Cornwell and others, a small ity Church, New York. These facts building called the block-house for use were duly reported to St. George's Ves•• as a place of worship. The Rev. Mr. try; also that while the cost of the Hart held services in this building Chapel had been about $2,300, there every fourth Sunday afternoon. The was left an indebtedness of only about Rev. Dr. Gilbert H. Sayers, Rector of $90, which the Committee would imme­ Grace Church, Jamaica, also officiated diately seek to obtain. They requested occasionally. The exact location of the the Vestry to take the proper steps to block-house is not now known. This have the building consecrated, by the arrangement continued until the need name of "Trinity Chapel, Rockaway.~: of a more convenient and befitting The Chapel was consecrated by house for worship was generally felt. Bishop Onderdonk on Saturday, July 8, The question of erecting a Chapel, while 1837. The next day the Bishop admin­ often considered, did not result in any istered the rite of confirmation to a positive efforts to obtain one until Sep­ class of fifteen. The chapel and tember, 1835, when a consultation of grounds continued to be the property the friends of the church was held, of St. George's, Hempstead, until 1844. ",, ◄ n,,, f"T""\ , ◄ g•n and, at a subsequent meeting, it wad un ine J.~in uay 01 vecemoer, .1 ':::1:6, resolved to build a Chapel. The Rev. at a meeting of the congregation of the Wm. M. Carmichael of St. George's Chapel, Clinton Pettit, George M. Church, who presided at the meeting, Hewlett and Peter T. Hewlett were ap- BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 49

pointed a committee to obtain from the consists of about 130 families in Hew­ corporation of St. George's a separa­ lett and Woodmere and the present tion from that parish preparatory ·to rector is the Reverend Arthur Lewis its organization as a separate parish. Bumpus. This committee waited upon the Vestry, The parish officers are: Divine Hew­ January 22, 1844. But the Rev. Dr. lett and Benjamin C. Vandewater, Carmichael having resigned the rector­ wardens; Clinton Locke, Stockton Buz­ ship and there being no rector, the by, Henry 0. Chapman, Edward C. Vestry deferred action until they were Smith, William H. E. Jay, Eugene P. duly organized with a rector, and it Bicknell, Carleton Macy and Joseph S. was not until October 9, 1844, that the Hewlett, vestrymen. Carleton Macy is matter was disposed of. At that date, also treasurer and Joseph S. Hewlett at a meeting of the Vestry, the Rev. clerk. Orlando Harriman, Jr., rector, in the chair, was passed the following: "Resolved, That the Corporation of St. John's Church, Far Rockaway St. George's Church, Hempstead, con­ vey all their right, title and interest The Protestant Episcopal Church of in Trinity Church, Rockaway, and th~ St. John at Far Rockaway was first lands appertaining thereto, to the opened as a chapel or mission from rectory and Vestry of said church, by Trinity Church, Hewlett, in 1860, by deed of gift, to be held by th em and the Rev. Samuel W. Sayres, rector of their successors, for the purposes of an that parish. It was opened to meet Episcopal (Church) and no other pur­ the wishes and convenience of tht:! pose. largely increasing population of Far "Resolved, That the rector and senior Rockaway, who previously had to jour­ warden be a committee to prepare the ney to Hewlett to attend divine service. deed and the rector be authorized to The opening of the new chapel was sign it and affix thereto the corporate made possible through the generosity seal." of Far Rockaway parishioners who sub­ Upon this favorable action of St. scribed funds to build the present George's Vestry, a meeting of the con­ church on land donated by Benjamin B. gregation was held on February 14, Mott. One of the most zealous workers 1844, and the organization of Trinity was Mrs. F. H. Bolton, a sister of Church, Rockaway, perfected. The fol­ Augustus Hewlett of Rock Hall, wh,) lowing persons were elected its first had for a considerable time previously Vestry: Foster Nostrand and Clinton conducted a Sunday School in her home Pettit, wardens; George Hewlett, Jacob on Jarvis Lane. Lawrence, John L. Morton, Aledger The Far Rockaway chapel was con­ Hewlett, George M. Hewlett, Jacob secrated by Bishop Potter in N ovem­ Stringham, George R. Rhodes and Dr. ber, 1860, and was ministered to by the Robert B. Baisely, vestrymen. Rev. Samuel W. Sayres and grew stead­ Through the liberality of Joseph ily in numbers and faith. In 1882 St. Hewlett a rectory was built on the John's was created ·a separate parish church grounds in 1854 and in 187G with the title "St. John's Church, Far preparation for building a new and Rockaway," and Mr. Sayres became its larger church was begun, the corner­ first rector, leaving Hewlett for that stone being laid by the Bishop on July purpose. The present church building 19, 1877. The present beautiful edifice, embodies the original structure, which which marked great advance in archi­ has been added to at both ends. The tectural style, was consecrated by chancel has been rebuilt and enlarged and a memorial window installed to Bishop Littlejohn on May 2, 1878. honor the memory of the late George C. The chapel of St. John's was opened Rand. at Far Rockaway in 1860 during Rev. The parish house was erected in 1900 Samuel W. Sayres' rectorship and wa'; for lectures and Sunday School, which later created a separate parish. latter is now attended by about 150 The old Trinity church building has pupils. The congregation of the church been converted into a Sunday school now numbers about 500 and is minis­ and lecture room. The congregation tered to by the rector, the Reverend 50 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

William A. Sparks, who was appointed school superintendent 1s Mr. J. E. in May, 1911. Davies. The mission of All Saints from St. John's Church was opened at a store St. Mary's Star-of-the-Sea, Far Rockaway on Central avenue, Lawrence, in 1904, RIOR to the year 1847 Roman Catholics in Rockaway who wished P to attend lVIass had to make the journey to J a111aica, where the nearest church of that faith was then situated. The first l\1:ass in Far Rocka,vay was telebrated at Willian1 Caffrey's Hotel in 1847 by the Rev. Michael Curran, Jr., ,-vho, in 1838, had been sent by Bishop Dubois from Astoria to found the Jamaica parish of St. Monica. Father Curran later on opened up several mis­ sions, one of them being. at Far Rock­ away. His work was continued by his successors in the· Jamaica pastorate, the Rev. John McGinnis in 1844 and Rev. Anthony Farley, Sr., in 1854. The~e clergy visited Far Rockaway and cele­ brated 1"1ass in various homes of their parishioners, and in a tent in the sum­ n)er time. In January, 1851, the in­ creasing number of Catholics making Far Rocka,vay their summer home in- REV. ,vILLIAM A. SPARKS. by the Reverend Henry Mesier, then rector, and regular Sunday services ar~ held there, the congregation numbering about eighty persons and the Sunday School being attended by about fifty scholars. The parish officers of St. John's are Harold Herrick, clerk and warden; Daniel Whitford, warden; Edward M. Bentley, Jonathan T. Lanman, Peter B. Olney, 0. S. Seymour, Albert Francke, Ed·ward C. Lord, William S. Pettit and Thomas Willian1s, vestrymen. Edward M. Bentley is treasurer.

St. Andrew-by-the-Sea, Belle Harbor The Episcopal Church of St. Andrew­ by-the-Sea at Belle Harbor is a mission from the Cathedral at Garden City, and was established in 1906 when the REV. HERBERT F. FARRELL. church was erected at a cost of $8,000, duced Andrew Brady to donate a plot of on five lots donated by the VVest Rocka­ ground as a site for a church, which ,vay Land Company. ,vas built by local men, some of them Divine service is held every Sunday contributing money and others helping throughout the year, the Reverend R. F. in its construction. The building, which Duffield, the Archdeacon, officiating. A is show;n in the accompanying illustra­ Sunday school service is also held regu­ tion, ·was located on ground adjoining larly. The seating capacity of the the present St. Joseph's Convent on church is about 150, and the Sunday Central avenue, and vvas first reached BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 51 from Broad1,vay. It lay back from the altar, artistic Stations of the Cross, and road and attendants climbed over a a beautiful oil painting over the altar, "stile" to get there. Far Rockaway con- "The Star of the Sea," presented by .tinued to be a mission of Jamaica, and John Kelly, all gifts of the loyal parish­ Father Farley ministered to it until ioners. Father Zimmer turned over the 1868, ·when the Rev. Joseph Brunneman, parish to his successor, the Rev. G. M. 0. F. l\L, ,vas appointed as the first resi­ Flannery, LL.D., e:ratirely free of debt, dent pastor. He was followed in No­ and ,vith several thousands of dollars in vember, 1872, by the Rev. M. J. Murphy, the treasury. Dr. Flannery continued ·who ca used the rectory to be built, the good ,vork during eight years. He which later ,vas remodelled into the improved the school building, beautified present convent for the Sisters of St. the church by decorating the sanctuary; Joseph. In October, 1879, Rev. Henry installed a large church bell, the gift J. Zimmer assumed charge, having been of Edward Roche, and a new pipe or­ appointed by the Rt. Rev. John Lough­ gan; a beautiful brass and onyx sanc­ lin, D. D., to succeed Father Murphy, tuary rail, a lectern and pulpit, the

THE FIRST ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN FAR ROCKAWAY. who had been sent to Brooklyn to build gifts of James Caffrey. In September, a church in the Greenpoint section. 1904, Father Flannery was transferred Father Zimmer continued as rector un­ tc the pastorate of St. Paul's, Brooklyn, til the year 1896, when ill health forced and the present incun1bent, the Very him to resign. During his administra­ Rev. H. F. Farrell, V .F., was sent by tion an attractive new church and rec­ Bishop McDonnell to succeed him. Dean tory were erected in 1884 on a more Farrell had been a member of the Pub­ central site purchased for the purpose, lic School Board of Education at West­ and the old church ·was converted into a bury, and later on its president, the. parochial school. When Father Zimmer first Roman Catholic priest to occupy gave up his charge he left what today such a position in the State of New is terrned a "complete ,vorking plant" 1-ork. This experience strengthened his supplied ·with all essentials. The conviction that an up-to-date parochial c ,.. i.. '"''"' 1 .; s + i. ,...... ,...... ~ .:-~ - - ...... ,_ - ·- L -~ea· t' ure 1· n school~ as a building; was rather a peer ...:...... u.vv.L .L 1.1.u.c .u.1v.::, t, .l.111!-'U.l U:U1 l, 1. " . - affair, but as to results, the success and a successful parish. His first efforts present strong faith of its former pupils ·were to raise funds to realize this need. do Father Zimmer great credit. The Sensing considerable prejudice against church contains a handsome marble the scheme, he began the publication of 52 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS a Parish Monthly to create a sentiment of organizing and arranging for regu­ favoring Catholic education. The little lar prayer meetings. Temperance Hall periodical, aided by pulpit talks, quietly on Mott street was engaged until May but effectively did its work, and in the 1st, 1888, for Sabbath services and fall of 1908 work was begun on the new ,veekly prayer meetings, and the first school, a;n acre of land on Broadway prayer meeting took place there on De­ having been secured. The building, cember 29th, 1887. On January 15th which is of Tudor Gothic design, is of following the first regular service with brick and terra cotta and is known as sermon was held and a Sunday School the Lyceum. It· contains twelve class- organized. The Presbytery of Nassau .._rooms, a completely equipped theatre, was petitioned for a charter, which was seating 800 persons, teachers' room, a granted on January 30th. The same library: gymnasium and meeting-rooms. day the church was organized with The entire cost, including land and thirty-nine charter members. The Boai·d equipment was one hundred and forty of Home Missions contributed $500 a thousand dollars, of which one hundred year for support of a pastor, until June, thousand have been paid. The teaching 1891, when that contribution ceased. staff includes four Sisters of St. Joseph, In l\tlay, 1888, the congregation wor­ three brothers of the Sacred Heart, and shipped in the present Magistrate's four lay teachers. Drawing, vocal mu­ Court Building on Central avenue. It sic, and physical culture are taught by "-'as then the Public School. They prac­ specialists. There are now about four ticed their devotions there for the hundred children in attendance. period of one year. ·on September 12th During Dean Farrell's administration the entire church has been decorated, handsome English oak stalls and an organ have been placed in the sanc­ tuary, and many beautiful gothic vest­ ments have been added to the original collection. These improvements have been n1ade possible largely through the generosity of Mr. F. N. Dowling, a parishioner. The resident congregation of the Far Rockaway parish numbers between seventeen and eighteen hundred souls. In the sun1mer time this number is doubled. In the spring of 1JL05 the Holy Name Society and the Blessed Virgin's Sodal­ ity were establi\shed, and both have 1 :fl.ourished. The former no,v numbers t'.vo hundred members, composed of men in all walks of life. A St. Vincent de Paul Conference ,vas created in 1910. From St. Mary's the Italian church of Our Lady of Good Counsel at In­ REV. J. MILTON THOMPSON, D.D. \vood and the summer mission of St. Gertrude at Edgemere were founded by the present rector. of the same year the cornerstone of a new church was laid at Central and Neilson avenues by the Rev. Dr. T. De­ The Presbyterian Church at Far Rockaway Witt Talmage. The new church was dedicated in June of the following year. The first steps were taken by Presby­ The trustees were delighted in Octo- 'ho-.. ".; 10{)Q +,... .,,.l")l'>l");.,..I") .;.,,.,...... , 1\lf",...s 1\11"~-- terians in Far Rockaway to band therr1- IJ'v.4. V.L. 4VVV o.,v .Lvvv.l\'"-' .L.LV.l.l.l ~•.&..L o ~•.&.'-".L selves together on December 23rd, 1887. garet Olivia Sage, widow of the late On that day a meeting ,~as held at the Russell Sage, a donation of a new home of l\tlrs. Mary D. Wells of White church site, where the present beautiful street, Far Rockaway, for the purpose structure now stands, together with the BELLO T'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 53 sum of $250,000 in cash. Of this sum The present church ,vas considerably $150,000 was to be used "for the erec­ damaged by fire when the roof and tion of a suitable group of church tower were destroyed last year, but they buildings, and the remainder held as a have been thoroughly repaired since. permanent endowment fund, the income to be used for church purposes, but the The First Congregational Church principal to be kept intact under an appropriate deed of trust." The First Congregational Church at The cornerstone of the new church Rockaway Beach was founded in the was laid on December 12th, 1908. year 1881 at the residence of the late Seventeen months later, on May 11th, Mrs. Fannie R. Holland, on what is now 1910, the new Russell Sage Memorial Holland Avenue, by a number of resi­ Church was dedicated and the Presby­ dents who held weekly meetings for di­ terians have held their services there vine services. At that time there was ever since. The present minister is the no permanent preacher and addresses were made by visiting ministers. A Rev. Dr. John l\Iilton Thompson and his congregation numbers among its mem­ bers many of Far Rockaway's leading business men and residents from In­ wood, Lawrence, Cedarhurst and Wood­ mere. The church has a Sunday School with about 250 scholars; Ladies' Aid Society; Home and Foreign Missionary Society, and branches of the Christian Endeavor, Westminster Guild, King's Daughters and Boy Scouts.

Woodmere Methodist Episcopal Church The l\'Iethodist Episcopal Church at ,roodmere is pleasantly located in the centre of the village facing Broad,~lay and is a frame building with accomn10- dation for about 200 worshippers. The church was established 46 years ago. The church property, with the adjoin­ ing parsonage, is O"\vned by the church body, represented by five trustees. There is also a Sunday School, a branch oi the Epworth League and Ladies' Aid REV. JOHN C. GREEN. Society. The Rev. Smith A. Sands is parson. The church trustees are F. D. meeting was held in the public school­ Brower, G. H. Carman, Dallas Brower, house on December 29, 1885, when it Charles D. Combs, George D. Horton was resolved to formally organize and and Robert Graef. join the Congregational Denomination. The members then numbered eleven. The charter members were John J. St. Joseph's (R. C.. ), Hewlett Jamieson, Mrs. Amelia Jamieson, Mrs. St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church C. Ward, James R. Cruickshank,- Mrs. at Hewlett is a small frame structure Kate M. Cruickshank, Miss Sarah Belle on Broadway, erected in the year 1874. Cruickshank, Mrs. Angeline Furlong, The parishioners number about t\vo Mrs. Henrietta Fisk, Mrs. Josie Estelle hundred. Sunday School services are Persch, Miss Louise Fisk and Miss held in the church. The Rev. John F. Edith Ward. John J. Jamieson was Farrell officiates and resides in the par­ moderator and the late 1\1:ichael P. Hol­ ish house on Broadway. A bµilding land was secretary. On February 22 ·~ hPiTIO' -r~ic::!~rl ~,,rl it- is 4!o .... ,. ... ".) .... ~l ... _e J...l .P 1'1 - • ...,""'"',..._~ ''"' • - fund· 1 ~- ·- ----o - ___ .....,_ ~•..,."-4 ... w ~ ..a. \,,,,J. W V.1J.\IJ~ O..t. t,11e .touow1ng year, .1~~0, tne church hoped that a large enough nucleus will was admitted to membership and at the be accumulated in the near future with end of 1887 work was commenced on a which a modern church and school church building, a site for which was buildings may be erected on that site. presented by Mrs. Fannie R. Holland. 54 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

The building cost $4,000 and was dedi­ the present handsome structure, with cated on February 22, 1888. In 1899 the the old building as a nucleus, erected, present site of the church at the Boule:. with a seating capacity for about 600 vard and Academy Avenue was donated persons. by Mr. and Mrs. John J. Jamieson and The growth of Inwood has necessi­ the church building was shortly after­ tated more additions and improvement~ wards moved there. The present pas­ and a Sunday School accomodating· 500 tor, Rev. John C. Green, chosen March children has been erected, adjoining 26, 1896, devoted himself to his duties the church, with a frontage to Lord and during his ministry the church has avenue. The present Sunday School made wonderful strides. The building attendance is about 400 and the church has recently been considerably enlarged, congregation consists of 222 members the congregation now number about 500 and their families. and the average Sunday school attend­ The present parson is Rev. Roby F. ance is about 300. A handsome resi­ Day. The church property, which in­ dence for the Pastor is owned by the cludes the parsonage, is valued today church and there is no debt on any of at $30,000. the buildings. The Ladies' Aid Society has been of St. Rose of Lima, Rockaway Beach inestimable value to the congregation. The parish of St. Rose of Lima, Rock­ The membership of that society, under away Beach, was established on August the leadership of Mrs. Frances F. Davis, ~0th, 1886, ·when Bishop Loughlin dedi­ now numbers about 150. cated the first Roman Catholic church St. Paul's (M. P.), Inwood there to the service of God. The present Methodist Protestant Church of St. Paul, Inwood, was found­ ed in 1879 at the home of Henry Wan­ ser of Inwood, when and where the first Divine service was held. After .,;-:--.t religious services a meeting was held :,;.. 4 by the twenty-two members present, l.l_)~; who then formed the local church body. The original twenty-two charter -..• members were: David H. Merritt, Sarah M. Merritt, John H. Abrams, Samuel Wanser, Freeman C. Bowker, Frances Bowker, Samuel J. Horton, Henry Wanser, Sarah Wanser, Isaac Wanser, Henry Abrams, H'iram Abrams, Elizabeth Wanser, Smith Mott, Harriet Mott, Lucinda Sprague, Charles A. Wanser, Morris Hicks, Hope Hendrick­ son, Adelia Abrams, Jarvis Hicks and Charles Jones. The first pastor was the Reverend H. S. Hull. At that time services were conducted ST. ROSE OF LIMA CHURCH. in the various homes of the worship­ pers, but in the fall of 1879 the first Before the year 1884 Catholics at­ church building was erected at the tended mass at Far Rockaway. In that corner of Lord. and Redwood avenues year Father Farley of St. Monica's and opened on December 12th, 1879. Church, Jamaica, celebrated mass at This building was used for a num­ various places at the beach, first at ber of years, during which the congre­ Datz's Hotel, then at Curley's Hotel, gation grew steadily in numbers and in next at the old schoolhouse. Residents .;..,.;+1,, S" +i.. ... + O",ro ,;:, lAr>~1 nl,n-..nl, .L'-"J.\IJ.J. V VU,'4,V v V '-'J.J. Vt.A.'-"J.J..)' VJ.J. V.L J.e,J.J.J.'-1,J. •I.....,,..,_""' ..,_..,..__.-.,,...._,, -- .,....,, >,.A."""" 'f' '-' """' 4V...... ,CA,,.t. '-'~.1.\.A..L \,.,,,&..&, accomodations were insufficient for the and the first contribution of $150 needs of the worshippers. Then it was towards a building fund was donated by that the old building was moved and Seraphina Magliola. This was quickly BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 55 followed by other amounts, and suf­ clic population during the first six years ficient money was raised to buy two of his pastorate was so great that a new lots on North Fairview Avenue and church was an imperative necessity. build the first church. The cornerstone was laid July 1, 1906, The first resident pastor, in 1886, was and Bishop McDonnell pontificated at the Rev. E. J. Connell, who caused the the dedicatory services September 27, rectory to be built. He was succeeded 1907. It is a magnificent, fireproof build­ by the Rev. Thomas F. Horan as acting ing of brick, stone and steel, with a pastor until the arrival of the Rev. seating capacity of over a thousand, and with three marble altars, a marble altar rail, marble statuary and all other ac­ cessories, all gifts from parishioners. St. Rose of Lima is the mother church of the Seasiqe church of St. Camillius, the mission of St. Virgilius at Broad Channel, and St. Francis de Sales' Church at Rockaway Park, to whose building St. Rose's congregation con­ tributed $1,100. On Father Murray's transfer to the city he was succeeded by the Rev. James J. Bennett, the present p·astor.

St. Camillius, Seaside ST. VIRGILIUS MISSION, BROAD CHANNEL. The Roman Catholic Church of St. Thomas J. McCaffrey., who continued Camillius de Lellis was established as the improvement of the church prop­ a mission from St. Rose of Lima Church, erty, secured additional ground, and his Rockaway Beach, by Rev. Henry F. Mur­ death on September 9, 1900, was sin­ ray in 1909.. In January, 1912, Rev. cerely mourned. Joseph P .' Brady was appointed the first The next pastor was the Rev. Henry resident pastor and St. Camillius ,vas F. Murray, now pastor of St. Mary's, established as a separate parish. Father Bensonhurst. The increase of the Cath- Brady is still the present rector.

CHURCH OF ST. FRANCIS DE SALES, BELLE HARBOR. 56 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

St. Francis de Sales, Belle Harbor nounced that he had secured a store The parish of St. Francis de Sales, in the Schoolbred Building, Inwood, Belle Harbor, which includes Belle Har­ where he proposed to start a Sunday bor, Rockaway Park and N eponsit, was School and Settlement for the Italian formerly a mission attended from Ham­ children of that section. The Sunday mels, Rockaway Beach, and in July, School was opened that day and Cate­ 1906, this newly developed residential chism was taught every Sunday there­ section was organized into an inde­ after and sewing every Saturday morn­ pendent parish under the Rev. Francis ing for about two years. The Settle­ J. McMurray as first pastor. During ment was then transferred to a house the first year he celebrated Mass in the owned by Michael O'Rourke, more cen­ gymnasium of St. Malachy's Home, but trally located, where the work contin­ Father l\'.IcMurray soon secured fifteen ued until 1909. In that year Father lots desirably located in Belle Harbor, Farrell purchased six lots on Henry five of which were donated by the West and Madison streets, and erected a Rockaway Land Company. Ground was Chapel thereon, using as far as possible broken for the church and rectory on all the brick and lumber taken from December 8, and the cornerstone of the the first Roman Catholic Church in Far new church was laid by Vicar General Rockaway. The first mass was cele­ i\1cNamara on Sunday., May 19, 1907. brated in the Chapel on Christmas The Very Rev. Dean Farrell of Far morning, the celebrant being Rev. Luigi Rockaway preached the sermon. Salamoni, S. M. M., who was intrusted Work was pushed so rapidly that the with the care of the mission until the church was ready for dedication Sun­ following July. day, July 21, when the Rt. Rev. Bishop On April 26, 1910, the Chapel was officiated, the Rt. Rev. Chancellor Mun­ dedicated by Rt. Rev. Charles E. Mc­ delein, now archbishop of Chicago, Donnell, D. D., under the title of Our being celebrant of the lVIass, assisted Mother of Good Counsel. There being by the Rev. Henry F. Murray as deacon no parochial residence for the priest, and the Rev. John J. O'Brien of New the Rev. Luigi Salamoni and Rev. John York as sub-deacon. The preacher on J. Mahon each resided with Michael the occasion was the Very Rev. Mons. O'Rourke until the present rectory was James J. Coan. secured in September, 1911. As the number of the parishioners On July 28, 1910, the present rector, rapidly increased they desired a parish John J. Mahon, was appointed first school, and as a nucleus for a school rector of the newly formed parish. fund Robert J. Cuddihy, 'Edward Wren The property consisted of six lots, and Charles Troutman each contributed on Henry and Madison streets, with a $500. Seven additional lots adjoining small Chapel erected thereon at a cost the church property were secured at a of $3,000. A mortgage for same baa cost of $9,900, and ground was broken been secured but was liquidated during for a school and convent in March, 1913, the year 1912. and they were ready for occupancy and In the spring of 1911, another mort­ were dedicated by the Right Reverend gage of $6,000 was secured to pay for Bishop on October 28, the same year. certain lots, bounded by Wanser avenuE: The school is a fireproof structure and and Henry and Madison streets, pur­ is thoroughly equipped and in charge chased from the Horton Estate on of sixteen Sisters of St. Joseph. It has lVIarch 30, 1911, for the sum of $7,500. been most successful during its brief This mortgage was paid off in 1912. In existence and reflects credit on both the meantime, Edward J. Loughman of teachers and pupils. Lawrence presented the parish with a Father McMurray was succeeded by furnished rectory valued at $10,000. Rev. James M. Foran, the present pas­ The building had to be removed from tor, in 1916. Central and Lawrence avenues to its present site, and the moving of this big house occasioned considerable interest Our Lady of Good Counsel (R. C.). Inwood and admiration. A ~mall portion of the On Sunday, June 11th, 1905, the Rev. rear, used as a laundry, had to be left Herbert F. Farrell, rector of St. Mary behind, owing to the narrowness of Star-of-the-Sea, Far Rockaway, an- the streets. Up to this time, the par- BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 57 ishioners had no special place to hold The church settlement school for meetings, sociables, lectures, etc., and Italian children at St. George's place a decided want was happily gratified is doing excellent work under the su­ when the spacious and beautiful resi­ perintendency of Miss Irene Slachta. dence was set on its new foundation The usual church societies have strong and thoroughly renovated. Thereafter branches at Good Counsel Church, and it served not merely as a parochial have done much to live down and over­ residence, but also as an assemblage come the former unenviable reputation place for the promotion of various possessed by the village. church activities. Already the Inwood parish had St. Joachim's, Cedarhurst grown to such proportions that the little Chapel on Henry street became The first church built in Cedarhurst entirely inadequate to accomodate the ·was in 1899, when St. Joachim's Roman people. During the winter of 1914, Catholic Church was erected and conse­ steps were taken to prepare for the crated. The building stood on the site erection of a new church building. The of the present structure and was at first digging for the foundation was done a branch of St. Joseph's parish church almost entirely gratis by loyal parish­ at He,vlett. Cedarhurst was afterwards ioners. The actual work of construc­ made a separate parish. During a vio­ tion was begun early in August, and lent thunderstorm about ten years ago completed shortly before Christmas, at the church was struck by a bolt and a cost of $24,000. caught fire. It was totally destroyed The installing of altars, pews, stained and the parish house adjoining was glass windows, organ and other fur­ considerably damaged. The present nishings remained to be done and it handsome structure was erected a few was deemed advisable to await the ar­ months later, the funds having been rival of spring before dedicating the raised by parishioners. The present church to Divine service. church seats six hundred persons. The In compliance with the bishop's man­ rector is the Rev. Henry C. Jordan. date, the parish was incorporated The Cedarhurst parochial school was April 8, 1914, under the title of "The erected in 1916 on land opposite the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady church. It is a fine looking terra cotta of Good Counsel, at Inwood, in the brick and stone structure, three stories County of Nassau, in the State of New high, and is under the direction of the York," ·with the fallowing officers: Rt. Sisters of St. Joseph, four of whom, Rev. Charles E. McDonnell, D. D., aided by two lay sisters. instruct the president; Rt. Rev. Mgr. George Kau­ two hundred pupils daily. pert, V. G., vice-president; Rev. John J. Mahon, treasurer and rector; Edward German Evangelical Church J. Loughman, and Timothy D. Mulcahy, The First German Evangelical Church lay trustees. at Far Rockaway was organized in that The building up of the spirit in the village on January 24th, 1909, by a lives of the people during the past five small congregation, who worshipped at years has been the chief work in process Hope Mission on Mott avenue. The since the inception of the parish. Diffi­ first pastor, the Rev. Paul A. Hopf, was culties untold, privations, discourage­ elected on February 21st of the same ments and even hostility were met. On year. Shortly afterwards a small chapel the other hand, there will be found few was built on Carlton and John streets, places where a larger amount of good­ Far Rockaway, where services were will, co-operation, zeal and sacrifice held until June, 1910. In that year the have been displayed, although -che peo­ Presbyterian Church on Central avenue, ple of the locality are not favored with · vacated by that body when the Russell a superfluity of worldly possessions and Sage Memorial was built, was pur­ the population of Inwood consists in chased. The present pastor, Rev. John the majority of Albano-Italians, who G. Bosshart, preaches to a large and number at ieast i,000 of the present devout flock. The Ladies' Aid Society congregation of 1,800 Roman Catholics. has been especially helpful in the good There were originally only fifteen fam­ work of the church, which also main­ ilies of American origin. tains a Sunday School. 58 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

Christian Science then held in private homes, first at A society supporting the practice and Joseph Gottlieb's, then at Lechtman's teachings of Christian Science was or­ laundry building and later at I. Frank­ ganized at Far Rockaway in August, lin's house. After that the basement of the church was made into the pres­ 1915, and up to April 1st, 1916, held ent children's school. There are now regular services at the Christian Sci­ eighty members and their families in ence rooms in the '\,Villett Building on the congregation, which is led by Rabbi Sunday n1ornings and Wednesday even­ H. Germansky. ings. Since that date services have The officers of the congregation ar~ been held at the Masonic Temple. The S. Weisskopf, president; H. Weiner, n1embership is steadily increasing and vice-president; Emil Rothschild, treas­ the body, which is no,v known as the urer; Arnold Wetzler, recording secre­ First Church of Christ, Scientist, has tary, and Henry Shalin, financial sec­ numerous and enthusiastic workers and retary. ,vorshippers, among ,vhom are prom­ The trustees for 1918 are: Dr. inent residents of every part of the E. L. Friedmap, M. Berkowitz and peninsula. Alex. Wiener.

Beth Israel, Rockaway Beach Derech Emunoh, Arverne The Temple Israel now at Fairviev.7 a ven u~, Hammel, Rockaway Beach, was The Hebrew Synagogue at Arverne, organized as the congregation Beth known as the Congregation Derech Israel on September 15th, 1896. Up to Emunoh, or the Road to Faith, was the year 1893 Hebrews residing at erected at the corner of Ocean and Rockaway Beach ,,,,.ent to Brooklyn or Vernam Avenues in the year 1905 A. D. New York to attend religious services (5666 Hebrew style). The structure, but in the fall of that year, at the sug: which is of handsome and lofty design, gestion of Joseph Gottlieb, a number cost $36,000 to build and has seating of local Hebrews arranged to hold their capacity for about 600 persons. The religious services together at Hammel. Rabbi is Rev. Hyman Meyer of Arverne Through the kindness of Max Lewy, and the teaching of the orthodox faith one of the prime movers, a dining room is extended to a religious school also of his hotel was utilized by the small conducted by the congregation. band of worshippers, some of whom at The cornerstone has just been laid for times conducted the services which at the Hyman Memorial adjoining the other times were ministered to by visit­ synagogue, with a frontage of. Vernam ing Cantors. Matters progressed in Avenue. 'The memorial will be a social that manner for about three years, centre as well as religious school and when Mr. Lewy moved-' to the Atlantic is to be erected in memory of the late Park Hotel and provided room for the Samuel I. Hyman of Arverne, at an worshippers there. estimated cost of $25,000. There is no It was at that place that the congre­ debt on any of the property of the con­ gation was organized with ten mem­ gregation, the officers of which are: bers, as follows: Joseph Gottlieb, Max Samuel I. Unterberg, president; Samuel Lewy, Al~_x Weiner, Max Abrahams, S. Bayer, vice-president; Elias Surut, Weisskopf, -Jacob Kohn, Benjamin B. treasurer, and Victor Friedman, hon­ Lechtman, Bernard Edelstein, Simon orary secretary. Simon and Morris Langensen. From that time the congregation Temple Israel, Far Rockaway grew steadily and the building of a Synagogue was projected. Lots were The Temple Israel, Far Rockaway, acq_uired on Fairview avenue and a was organized as a Reform Hebrew cornerstone laid in 1900. A public sub­ synagogue about ten years ago, and has scription list was opened and freely made great strides since. The first contributed to by local Jews and Gen- meeting place of a handful of devout J.-! 1 ,.. - ~ -- _, J_, - , ' ' 1.,ut::.::;, c::t.11u t..ne present structure was Jews was in the Horton Building. When built and opened, with religious serv­ the Masonic Temple was erected a move ices on Sunday, June 24, 1900. Chil­ was made there. The cornerstone of dren's religious school services were the present handsome temple, at the BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 59 corner of State and Roanoke Streets, held and in which a rapidly increasing was laid in 1908, and the building, congregation took part. which has a seating capacity for about In 1911 the Congregation requested 600 persons, was completed and dedi­ Dr. Benjamin A. Lichter, of Pittsburgh, cated in July, 1911. The congregation to become their Rabbi, and in February, now consists of 183 men1bers and their 1912, Rabbi Lichter accepted and be­ families, and a religious school, with came their minister. The Congregation 227 pupils, is conducted in connection ,vith the synagogue. The Women's Auxiliary is of great value and assistance in the conduct of the affairs of the congregation, and its members have done splendid work in the establishment of the Children's Haven at Hollywood Avenue, Far Rock­ away. Rabbi Isaac Landman is the present rabbi and the officers of the congrega­ tion are: Joseph Fried, president; Wil­ liam Rosenbaum and Benjamin Beit, vice-presidents; Saul L. Migel, treas­ urer, and E. Louis Jacobs, secretary. In addition to the foregoing gentlemen, Philip N. Aronson, Adolph Elsas, S. J. DR. BENJAMIN A. LICHTER. Steiner and David Goodman are trus­ Vlas incorporated on May 24th, 1914, tees. and at once set about providing funds to build the present handsome and com­ Congregation Shaaray Tefila modious building on Central avenue, The gro,vth of the orthodox Jewish which has seating capacity for 500 per­ Synagogue called Congregation Shaaray sons, and ·was completed, dedicated and Tefila, Gates of Prayer, at Far Rock­ occupied in September, 1915. The struc:­ away, has been remarkably rapid and is ture and site cost $47,000 and is owned evidenced in various fields of activity by the Congregation. The present '._of­ and advancement. ficers are: I. Lidz, president; Max The Synagogue· was formed in 1910 Rubin, vice-president and treasurer; by ten men, who first held services in Cecil B. Ruskay, secretary; A. Seidt, the hall of the Horton Buildjng (now treasurer of building fund; Benjamin Teddy's). The first board of officers C. Shapiro, financial secretary, and Max consisted of Maurice Cohen, president; Rubin, Max Goodman, J. Stone, A. Seidt, I. Lidz, vice-president; l\iax Rubin, H. L. Simmons, Julius Lichter, I. Lidz treasurer; Cecil B. Ruskay, secretary, fl.nd I. Ginsberg. and A. Seidt, Maurice Cohen, Max The Congregation now numbers up­ Rubin, I. Lidz and H. Lesser, trustees. wards of 350 persons and its work is A move was made to the Masonic greatly assisted by the Sisterhood Gates Temple in 1913, where services were of Prayer and the Junior Congregation.

CEMETERIES

HE burying grounds in the Rock­ The old Cornell burying ground in aways are not numerous. The Far Rockaway is of especial interest. T cemeteries at Lawrence and Hew­ It contains the bodies of most of the lett are the last resting places of many first white settlers here. The plot is v.rhose names are recorded by past peacefully secluded and lies between t l, '3 "rt) 9 "r I"\ ,f •Fh O ~.., h 1 ,... h n :1 ,:J ! - ~ - •- ~ •• - -• :1 events of local importance~ and of many w __ ...., ~ ...... V.J...... , '-''4.k/.lC JJUJ..lU.llJ.~ U11 uranu- whose descendants and relatives are liv­ view avenue and a residence fronting ing here and actively doing their duty Green""ood avenue, 100 feet from Rue in that state of life unto which it has de St. Feli~. The size of the plot is 75 pleased God to call them. feet by 70 feet. It is railed in on all 60 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

sides by a good iron rail fence and adjudged to be those of Indians, notably sheitered and shaded by well gro"1 n those found in Bays water section and and ancient pine trees. l\'.Iany of the near La,vrence Station about thirty Cornells mentioned in this book lie years ago. buried in this half-hidden God's acre, There is a small burying ground on the existence of "\\1 hich is unknown to "-:--est Broad,vay at Cedarhurst, near many Rockaway residents who regu­ l\iiadison avenue, where several head­ larly pass in the neighborhood. stones bearing the name of Mott are Several of the old stones still stand w"ithin a few feet of the sidewalk and and bear record of lives that are passed, entirely unprotected. but many more, which had become un­ decipherable through age, were buried in the ground some years ago when the The Victims of the Mexico and Bristol fence ,vas erected. Inscriptions on some of the stones The cemetery of the old "sandhol-e" still standing state the following facts: church at Lynbrook, as the Methodist church ·which once stood there was To the Memory called, contains the bodies of 120 of the of victims of t"\\1 0 emigrant ships, the THOl\fAS CORNELL, ESQ., "Mexico" and the "Bristol," which were His weeping widow erects this monu­ ,vrecked on the Rocka·way shores eighty ment of her affection and his age. years ago. Born the 28th of July 1703. The bodies are buried in one large Died the 24th of March 1764. g-rave, called the mariners' plot, 35 feet v\7hat he was to the Poor and to the by 161 feet, and lie side by side in t~"O Public the last of which he served long rows. Mr. Wright of Woodmere, 27 years in the General Assem- now 90 years old, told the writer he was bly of New York, is en­ present at the interment of 43 of the graved on tablets more victims of the Mexico, whose bodies enduring than were interred a few weeks after those · this stone. of the 77 victims of the Bristol, and he vividly recalls the memory of the large "Here lyes the body of Abigail Cornell number of pine box coffins, the crowds who departed this life April 20th day of people and the eloquent funeral ser­ 1762 in the 57 year of her age." mon. The plot is marked by a marble monu­ "Jane McPherson, Died August 5th, ment about twelve feet high and four 1816, Age 33 years." feet square at the base, which bears inscriptions telling the sad story. The "Benjamin Cornell, died June 8th, 1821. grave and monument were partly paid Age 71 years 25 days." for by money found in belts on some of the unclaimed bodies, and partly by do­ "Rebecca H. _Lockwood, wife of Dr. nations. The inscriptions read as fol­ Ebenezer Lockwood, only child of lows: Benjamin and Abigail H. Cornell. On the front side is the following: Died October 20th, 1807. "To the memory of 77 persons, chiefly Age 23 years 6 months." emigrants from Eng land and Ireland, being the only remains of 100 souls, "Ebenezer Lockwood, Died July 5th, eomposing the passengers and crew of 1813. Age 40 years, 1 month, 2 days." the American ship 'Bristol,' Captain l\icKeown, wrecked on Far Rockaway "Henry Foster and Gloriana, his wife. beach November 21st, 1836." He was born July 8, 1718, On the second side: "To commemo­ Died June 1768. rate the melancholy fate of the unfor­ She ,vas born August 26th, 1721. tunate sufferers belonging to the 'Bris-=­ Died April 25, ]. 7~7. tol' and 'Mexico' this monument wa~ erected; partly by the money found Numerous skeletons have been dug up upon their persons and partly by the at various times and places in the pen­ contributions of the benevolent and hu­ insula, and some of them have been mane in the county of Queens." BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 61

On the third side: "To the memory upon the Rockaway shoals, a few miles of sixty-two persons, chiefly emigrants west of the lVIarine Pavilion, and a half from England and Ireland; being the mile from the shore. The roughne8s only remains of 115 souls forming the of the sea by the continuance of the passengers and crew of the American gale rendered it impracticable to afford Barque 'l\tiexico,' Captain Winston, any assistance from the shore until wrecked on Hempstead beach January' after midnight of the 22nd, when a boat 2nd, 1837. from the shore succeeded at imminent "In this grave, from the wide ocean, peril in rescuing thirty-two individuals doth sleep from a ·watery grave. The other eighty­ The bodies of those that had crossed f our, three of whom were cabin passen­ the deep; gers and the others emigrants and sea­ And instead of being landed safe, on rnen, perished. the shore, The Mexico was an American barque In a cold frosty night they all were no cf 300 tons, manned by a crew of twelve more/' men, including officers, and having on On the fourth side: "All the bodies board 112 steerage passengers, as as­ of the 'Bristol' and 'Mexico' recovered certained from her papers certified by from the ocean and decently interred the collector at Liverpool. She left near this spot; were followed to the Liverpool October 23rd, 1836, only a grave by a large concourse of citizens ,veek after the Bristol, but did not ar­ and strangers, and an address delivered rive off the Hook until the 31st of De­ suited to the occasion from these cember. Not being able to find a pilot ¥lords : 'Lord save us, we perish.' she stood off to sea; but. on returnillg to I,Iatth." the Hook on the 2nd of January, 183-,, The writer has gathered some details and atten1pting to enter the bay, she of the wrecks from various sources pub­ was driven on Hempstead beach, about lished at that time or shortly after­ ten miles east of the spot where the wards. The frozen bodies washed up Bristol had been wrecked. The weather from the wreck of the Bristol were tem­ being extremely cold, and the waves porarily laid, as they were recovered, constantly breaking over the ship, most f{t the plot of ground corner of Broad­ of the passengers and crew perished ,vay and Cornaga avenue, Far Rock­ in the succeeding night. On the follo,v­ away, ,vhere \Vynn's stables now are. ing day a boat, in charge of Raynor Some were identified and claimed by Smith, set out from the shore and suc­ relatives or friends and the others later ceeded in reaching the vessel and buried ,vith proper respect and the rescued the captain, four passengers funeral cortege was followed by nearly and three of the crew, who dropped all the residents to Lynbrook. from the bowsprit. The boat was un­ The Bristol was an American ship, able to return and the few survivors nearly new, manned by a crew of six­ were necessarily left to their fate. The teen officers and men, and having one ,vhole number that perished was 116. hundred passengers, about ninety of On the 11th of January forty-three whom \Vere in the steerage. She sailed bodies were buried at the place where from Liverpool October 16th, 1836, and the monument is erected and several arrived off Sandy Hook November 20th. others that were afterwards recovered. Not succeeding in obtaining a pilot she A few of the bodies were recognized ·was driven on the 21st by a violent gale, and taken for burial elsewhere.

JAMAICA BAY AND ITS FISHERIES

AMAICA BAY, which washes the few are composed of dry land. These include Broad Channel, The Raunt, ~:;~\K~::~~~~~sr:n~sf ";h:T?R~ni~s~:~ ,/ss ~""S" ~ ... ,...,...1~ ... ,..,~ D ...... ,...... Ts1 ...... ,.::i ,...-,1-,,.. ..,J IJ.1..1..1.'-' ~.I.J' .1..1.llJ'-'.l. ,tJ''l;...l. \;;U. WW .l.lJ.l..l. .l. .l<-1,.&..lU. • u vv c '-'.1. cc.n. a. ..u.u .L)a,.1. .1. CJ..1. .1.. J.a.J.J.u.. ..1. J.J.v lVIost of these islands are simply has­ sand bars are destitute of vegetation, socks or sand bars, completely ~~b­ and those which are at times overflowed merged at high tide; some are over­ produce a coarse grass called sedge. flowed by the highest tides only, and a The Bay is navigable through Broad 62 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS and Beach Channels for vessels dra\v­ times in subsequent years. At the same ing six or eight feet of water, and town meeting it was "voted that no per­ through many of the other channels son or persons other than inha.bitants and in its northern portion at high tide of the township and paying taxes with­ ·by vessels of lighter draft. It is crossed in the same, presume to cut any sedge near its middle by the Long Island on the marshes in the bay of this town­ Railroad trestle~ \Vhich is built on piles ship on the penalty of 40 shillings for across it, and has dra \Vbridges over each offence." two of the principal channels. In 1863 the trustees of the town, for This bay has always been a place of the consideration of six cents, granted resort for procuring clams, crabs and to D. H. Waters "the privilege of plant­ oysters. The first recorded action of ing oysters under the waters of Jamaica the town prohibiting the indiscriminate Bay to the extent of one hundred square taking of these shell fish was in 1763. In yards, under said waters known as Hell July of that year the following notice Gate l\!Iarsh." \Vas given: At the annual town meeting in 1869 "Whereas divers persons, without any the exclusion of non-residents from the right or license to do so, have of late, fisheries in the bay was recommended, with sloops, boats and other craft, pre­ and at the town meeting in 1871 the s urned to come into Jamaica Bay and trustees were instructed to remove all taken, destroyed and carried away quan­ stakes or other obstructions illegally tities of clams, mussels and other fish, standing in the waters of the bay, or to the great ~ --image of said town, this in the marshes thereof. is tc give warni:ig to all persons who In 1871 an act was passed by the /. have no right or liberty that they do Legislature authorizing the board of for bear to commit any such trespass in auditors to lease to actual residents of the bay for the future; otherwise they the town, on certain prescribed condi­ will be prosecuted at law for the same tions, portions of land under the waters by Thomas Cornell, Jr., and Waters of the bay for planting oysters, and Smith. By order of the town." prescribing penalties for any trespass The following is found in the Colonial on the lands so leased. manuscripts: In 1875 a vote on the question of "May 31st, 1704, Tunis Johnson, these leases was taken by ballot, re­ Derick Johnson, Amberman and Derick sulting as f ollo,vs: "For granting ex­ Longstreet, fishermen, of Flatlands, cI usive privileges in the waters of were brought prisoners to Jamaica for Jamaica Bay, 167; against the same, trespassing in Jamaica Bay by fishing 808." N ot\vithstanding this emphatic ,vith nets without consent of the free­ protest of the people, lessees are still in holders. They were let off on their giv­ the enjoyment of the rights they ac­ ing a bond for 100 pounds not to do so quired under the law. again. But in May, 1707, Governor The following appeared in the N cw Cornbury ordered them. to attend him York l\fercury of January 27th, 1754: at Rockaway Beach, with their boats "Last l\fonday morning, the weather be­ and nets, and bid them, when there, to ing uncommonly pleasant and warm, fish and draw their nets. After Corn­ many people were induced to go into bury was out of office (lVIay, 1709) the J arnaica Bay for oysters and clams, etc.; people of Jamaica sued the fishermen but about noon such a severe gale of for the penalty of their bond which wind arose from the northwest, with a they had forfeited. The prisoners peti­ sudden change from warm to cold, as tioned for a release from their bond." \Vas scarce ever kno\vn here, when all In 1791 it was "voted that all persons the small craft put off to gain the shore be precluded from coming with boats in the best manner they could. A num­ and pettiaugers in the bay of this town ber of canoes and pettyaugers came on for the purpose of getting cla1ns or shore at a point of meadow south of oysters, without paying to the co:rrtm1s­ Jamaica, and with the utmost difficulty sioners authorized to receive the same the people belon~ing to them traveled the sun1 of one shilling for every thou­ up to a house two miles from the place sand so taken as aforesaid, on pain of of landing. All got safe to the house, paying 40 shillings for each offence." though much benumbed and several Tcis regulation was re-enacted several speechless, except Daniel Smith, a BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 63 young man, ·who perished on the mead­ boats from one or other of the innumer­ ows a half mile from the house, his able docks along the bay, and so pass ·companions not being able to help him the time. In the summer months the any further, having dragged him a miie bay is dotted with boats of all sizes; the after he lost the use of his feet. The old flat-bottomed rowing punt, the same day the crews of two canoes in swiftly flying cat boat, the small, noisy Jamaica Bay, consisting of eight people single engine motor boat, the luxurious from Newtown, not returning at night n1odern motor launch fitted with cabin ,vere sought for next day, but the ice and rest rooms, houseboats, heavy being so thick it was impracticable to rigged sailing dories, motor ferry boats go far in quest of them until Friday, and large excursion steamers accommo­ when one canoe was found driven on dating several thousand passengers. an island of sedge, in which were found The villages of Broad Channel, The the bodies of Samuel Leveridge, Amos Raunt and Goose Creek are now popu­ Roberts, William Salier, and Thomas lar and thriving villages and well­ Ivforrel, alias Salier, all frozen to death, known summer resorts, accommodating the steerman sitting in an erect posture n1any thousands of persons in the sum­ at the helm. The three former were mer time. There is also a considerable married men, leaving distressed fam­ permanent year-round population. ilies behind them. Today another canoe Thousands of pleasure boats are owned was seen but could not be come at by and rented out from thest.- three resorts reason of the ice, in which, it is sup­ alcne and the excellent fishing av·£il­ posed, are the other four missing per­ able attrac~s an ever increasing num­ sons, one white man and four valuable negroes." ber of enthusiastic followers of Isaac At the present day there are more Walton, who meditate on the philosophy anglers at leisure than fishermen for of life and other and lighter themes, profit on the bay. While several hun­ · ·while awaiting the not infrequent tugs dreds of men gain a livelihood by the which give promise of the landing of I ure of the rod and line, the net, and scaly victims. Many residents eke out breeding oysters and 1digging clams, a livelihood by digging for clams and many thousands who come and go hire oysters and afterwards vending them.

--·· .... · ..;,, ~-:-t-;-~:~--£·'

FAR ROCKAWAY FROM THE OCEAN FRONT. 64 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

HISTORIES OF THE VILLAGES

WOODMERE AND HEWLETT

HE villages of Hewlett and Wood­ wide running from the present station to mere at the north-easterly end of Trinity Churchyard, on condition that T the Rockaway peninsula have inter­ the station shall be for ever named and ests in common and might well form a known as Hewlett." single village. The history of the picturesque Trinity Each possesses a separate post office Church, and that of all other churches and railroad station-the5e being the in the Rockaways, will be found in de­ only signs of civic individuality. The tail in the special chapter in this book stores of both villages form a continu- devoted to the history of local churches. 0:.=..3 iine in Broadway, the main street, There is a large private school for girls and the Town of Hempstead, within and many fine residences in the village whose corporate limits the villages are, of Hewlett and one of the best known assesses the villages together as one steeplechase courses in the country, school district. which every year attracts leaders in the The writer has been unable to discover world of sport and fashion. The course any mention of Hewlett as a community is known as Hewlett Bay Park and owes before the advent of the railroad in its existence to the efforts of Carleton 1869. . Up to that time and for many Macy who conceived the idea of laying years before a few farmers lived there out the present beautiful course. This and the entire section down to the ocean gentleman acquired large holdings to the ,vas kno-wn as Rockaway. For several east of the main road and is mainly re­ generations several farms in the locality sponsible for the high class and pictur­ had been owned by persons bearing the esque development which has taken place. name of Hewlett. The earliest mention The estimated population of Hewlett is of Hewlett in the Rockaways is on the 1,000 souls. records of the Town of Hempstead which Considerable local pride is taken in the tells us that on January 2, 1718, George well equipped Hewlett Volunteer Fire Heulitt of Hemstead, a husbandman con­ Department, which has rendered good veyed to his grandson John Heulitt a service in the community. Its officers hous and land containing 50 acars and are: President, William H. E. Jay; Chief, other meadow and wood land on west side John Keating; Secretary, Levvis Mul­ of Rockaway, knffwn by the name doon; Treasurer, J. H. Howe. The equip­ "George Heulitt's poynt." ment is thoroughly modern and consists. A church, an inn and a country store of a powerful motor pumping engine and existed, but residents were stirred from hook and ladder · apparatus which are their lives of peace and quiet when steam kept in the Hewlett fire house. trains put in an appearance. A stop was The assessable value of Woodmere and made and the station received the name Hewlett is $3,344,000.00, but to this sun1 of Hewlett, after the leading family. must be added the assessable value of the About the year 1893, for some unex­ incorporated village of Woodsburgh, plained reason, the name of the station which is $651,370.00. The village of was changed to Fenhurst. Residents ob­ · Woodsburgh is a small exclusive colony, jected to this name as being likely to being that part of the old village proper give visitors a poor impression of the which is nearest Woodmere Bay and was place and the name was again changed incorporated a few years ago by the to Hewlett. On June 21, 1897, Augustus thirty or forty owners of fine residences J. Hewlett gave to the Long Island Rail­ there in order that they might not be road Company "a strip of land 31 feet assessed in the Woodmere-Hewlett dis- BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 65 trict. ln this \vay the old name of Woods­ from the sale of the products of the burgh is used by one of the most recent meadow and marsh lands. It was then developments. An old landmark is the called in the neighborhood Brower's (or building standing at the corner of Broad­ Brewer's) Point. In place of the high way and Franklin avenue. This was for­ class suburban development Woodmere merly the only store between Jennings now is, having in its environs some very corner and East Rockaway. It was first picturesque and costly residences, the used as a regular country store by Rich­ section ·was a rural part of Far Rock­ ard Hewlett and later by Frank H. Wey­ away, and then in the County of Queens. ant, father of David Weyant, president It was reached by a roughly-made road, of the village of Cedarhurst. the present Broadway, leading from Val­ . The oyster and clam beds in Hewlett ley Stream to the Far Rockaway Beach, and Woodmere Bays, which have for and by the old Jamaica turnpike which n1any years furnished the famous de­ joined the other road in the present vil­ licious bivalves, the Woodmere oysters, lage of Lawrence. ., At the junction of and incidentally provided a good means these two roads was the famous Jen­ of livelihood for many persons, are show­ nings corner, a general store and the ing signs of decadence. "Eel" grass first Far Rockaway post office. Mail for has begun tq grow on the floor of the residents of every part of the Rockaways bay. was left at Jennings corner to be called Hewlett has three churches used also for and numerous old residents distinctly by residents of Woodmere. They are recall the days when they went to Jen­ Trinity (Protestant Episcopal), St. Jo­ nings corner, not only to get their mail seph's (Roman Catholic) and the Meth­ but to play the then regular game of odist Episcopal. "forty fives" and to get a drink of gin There is no police force in He-wlett. and sugar-which was also regular. The streets are cleaned by the local _im­ The residents between the Rockaway provement Society. The cesspool system Turnpike and Hewlett, half a century of drainage, called by some the "subsoil ago, consisted of Cornelius Vandewater, drainage system," is employed in Hew­ Warren De Mott, John W. De Mott, lett and Woodmere alike. Nathaniel Pearsall, Ebenezer Carman, Fifty years ago the- present beautiful Abram Lawrence, George M. Hewlett, village of Woodmere consisted of about John Hitchcock, William Doughty, David half a dozen farms, most of whose own­ Andrews, James H. Jennings, Gilbert ers or tenants eked out a moderate living Craft, Stephen Carman, Mott Pettit, Mi-

WOODMERE RAILROAD STATION AND Ar"PROACH. 66 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

cajah Pettit, John C. Hicks and Charles the suggestion of the post office authori­ Hicks, Treadwell Hewlett, Venus Law­ ties who often confused with the section rence, William Chichester, Daniel D. mail directed to residents of Woods­ Lord, George T. Hewlett, Robert Car­ burgh, N. Y., and Woodbury, L. I. The man, John R. Hicks, Abraham Hewlett, local post office was in Koch's Drug Store. John Lott, Charles McNeill. After the death of Samuel Wood in Modern developments left Brower's 1878 his estate passed into the hands of Point practically Ui1touched until the Abraham Hewlett, and Woodsburgh de­ coming of the railroad and the real es­ veloped gradually. The interests of the tate developer. In 1868 the South Side various owners were represented by the Railroad Company of Long Island com­ Woodmere Land Improvement Company menced construction of a branch line in the management of which Divine

SAILING ON ,vooD:.\'lERE BAY.

from Valley Stream to Far Rockaway, which it completed and over which it DIVINE HEWLETT. operated steam trains in 1869. The pres­ ent station was located at Brower's Point on land given for the purpose by Samuel Hewlett, Thomas W. Martin, Joseph S. Wood. At that time the name of the Wright, George M. Hewlett, Edward place was changed to Woodsburgh, after Schenck and Julian T. Davies were ac­ the owner of the entire section, Samuel tive. Wood, whose hobby and pride it was to The rapid modern building growth ot possess his own little town. Wood was the village is due entirely to Robert L. a retired importer, in which business he Burton of New York City, who, in the had amassed a fortune. He bought up year 1901 purchased from the Samuel all the farms in the vicinity, which he Wood estate, represented by the Wood­ called Woodsburgh. mere Land Improvement Company, the About the time of the railroad coming entire tract of land south of the railroad through Wood caused to be built the fa­ track, consisting of 200 acres of pleasant­ mous Woodsburgh Pavilion Hotel which ly wooded upland and 100 acres of marsh b~came a resort of wealthy and fash... meadow land. The purchase price was ionable persons. This hoteT faced the $125,000. In addition to this purchase, present Broadway and Woodsburgh Burton immediately acquired land to the Boulevard. It accommodated :100 guests, north of the railroad track, consisting of and to build and furnish cost the sum of about 50 acres of upland and 50 acres of $400,000. Contempor~neously ·F:if . its meadow land. construction some very fine res~aence&" His first step after he acquired title were built and "high life" was thE Jrder was to tear down the large pavilion hotel of the day. The needs of retinues of which had been closed for about four servants brought by the fashionable vis­ years. Every residence, excepting only itors created business in the vicinity and that owned by Divine Hewlett, was either tt'\"1"'1"'1 rl f'\"'{~1"'n I"\,,. ,,.O"""' l'"'l~-ro,-1 +A +l-, l:l ,...... , s+,...,-.1..,. ,...,,.. ~ Htore~ were established t0 ('?_tet to their """v..._ .&.A. -.....v ,., .&..&. V.&. ..1.. '-,,.LJ..&.V Y '-'\A. 1.tV VJ.J.\,.., C,GL, 1.,C,.L .lj' CJ.LU. wants. A separate post office district of the village in the section adjoining was created for the villag0, which again Hewlett and a new order of things for changed its name from "\Voodsburg-h to· Woodmere was inaugurated. With Woodmere. This change ·was made at strong financial backing and inspired BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 67 with a desire to emulate the style of home for the excellent standard of teach­ Tuxedo Park and Lenox, in making ing. Woodmere the highest type of restricted The school board of the district con­ suburban residential development, Bur­ sists of "-rilliam H. E. Jay, Dallas ton laid out streets, dredged the creeks Brower, Smith Carman, Garry Brower in Woodmere Bay, built a bridge, and Emil Darmstadt. laid out tennis courts and golf links, There is no police force in Woodmere, erected a club house and connected but unifarmed men are employed in some gas, water, electric lights and the tele­ sections as watchmen. There is a well phone system. Burton spent more than equipped post office, streets are lighted a million dollars in improvements. by gas and electricity, and The Wood­ Many residences of great architectural mere Improvement Society cares for the beauty were built on portions of the cleaning of them. The drainage, like that property sold to individuals, and some of the best known people made vVood­ mere their home. From that time on it filled rapidly, and to-day the permanent population is estimated at about 1,800 persons. This is increased somewhat in the summer months by season visitors. In 1909 Robert L. Burton sold his en­ tire interest in the section to· the Hudson Realty Company, headed by Maximilian Morgenthau, which company has- contin­ ued to develop and improve it where pos­ sible. The old steam railroad has given place to the excellent express electric train service of the Long Island Railroad Com­ pany and the two or three old stores have been succeeded by a village business cen­ tre on Broadway which includes the full equipment of a modern business section. The vVoodmere Club's golf links are fa­ mous throughout New York. The oldest resident of the Rockaways ROCKAWAY'S OLDEST RESIDENT. lives at Woodmere in the person of Jo­ .JOSEPH SKIDMORE ,vRIGHT, AGE 90 YEARS. seph Skidmore Wright, father of Mrs. Divine He";"lett of Woodmere Boulevard. of Hewlett, is the "subsoil" or cesspool The venerable gentleman, who was 90 system. The land is rich and loamy, years of age on November 11th, is in well wooded and watered. an excellent state of health and, in a con­ Woodmere has a fine frontage to the versation with the writer a few days ago, bay of that name and there is good fish­ recalled numerous incidents of his boy­ ing, bathing and anchorage for yachts hood and earlier manhood days, and par­ and motor boats. The air is remarkably ticularly referred to the funeral and fine and invigorating. burial at the old Sandhole Church of the Woodmere is efficiently protected 43 victims of the wreck of the Mexico againt damage by fire by the Woodmere in 1837, at which mournful occasion he Fire Department. This is a volunteer was present. organization of about eighty members, The Woodmere Union Free School, and is composed of the Woodmere Hose under the direction of the principal, Company, the Empire Hook and Ladder Charles S. Wright, educates about 350 Company and the Empire Hose Company. children residing in Woodmere and Hew­ The two latter companies share the same lett. The grades covered are kindergar- fire house, which is located on Brower --nrim~rv o-r~mm~~ .-:i-nrl "hig"h s,..i,.,.._,.._1 ten- ---; iJ- ____ ..,...,_ .J , o- ...., •• .,...... 1.""".a...... ,.._ ... \,,A. .&..&..A. ~.a. '-,,J.J.V\..JJ. avenue. The entire equipment consists training. A competent staff of teachers of two modern combination chemical­ is employed and the fine new brick and hose engines, one horse-drawn apparatus terra cotta school now nearing comple­ and one hook and ladder apparatus, also tion will prove a suitable and worthy horse-drawn. 68 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

The Department officers are: Clarence Hewlett, E. L .. Tuthill, Edward L. Mail­ Dixon, chief; George Combs, assistant ler and John W. Latham members. chief, and John J. McCarthy, secretary The first apparatus, known as a and treasurer. "jumper," being a two-wheel affair pulled The company officers are: Woodmere along by members of the company, is Hose-C. A. Schiffmacher, president; W. shown in the illustration. H. Latham, secretary; W. A. Juch, Many old Rockaway residents well re­ treasurer, and John J. McCarthy, fore­ member Woodsburgh as the place where man. they cast their first votes in To,vn of Empire Hose Company-Thomas Hempstead elections. The old Neptune Ward, foreman; Harold Ward, assistant House Hotel, or Woodsburgh House, foreman. which formerly stood opposite the large Empire Hook and Ladder Company­ Pavilion Hotel and was where the Gram­ Henry Hoffman, foreman; Robert Mur­ ercy Market now is, was conducted by ray, assistant foreman. Martin V. \Vood, brother of Samuel The Woodmere Hose Company owns Wood, and the votes were "taken" in the its fire house building on Franklin place, hotel. There are numerous interesting the entire equipment, and also the enor­ and humorous stories of election day mous fire bell, weighing nearly sixteen incidents in which some of our best hundred pounds, and tower, near the known men figured and we reluctantly railroad track at Franklin place. This pass them over, lacking space to devote bell was formerly the Far Rockaway fire to their recital. David Felio recalls that bell and was purchased by the Wood­ a stage started from his place at Seaside, mere Hose Company from the Far Rock­ and one year he with four other demo­ away Fire Company, when that village crats shared the vehicle with five Rock­ was absorbed in Greater New York. away Beach republicans led by Roland The Woodmere Hose Company No. 1 Seaman. Other voters were picked up was permanently organized on October on the way to Woodsburgh and a rest 17th, 1902, at the residence of C. A .. was given to the horses when a stop was Schiffmacher, Sr., and the following were made at Far Rockaway. The journey be-

,vooDMERE HOSE COMPANY NO. 1. Left to right: Charles A. Frost, C. A. Schiffmacher, Willia1n A ..Juch, C. A. Schiff­ n1acher, Jr.; Dr. E. C. Sn1ith, A. Burtis, Edward Rich, Joseph Schiff111acher, Willian1 H. Lathan1, Edward L. Mailer and Warren Brower. the first officers and charter members : ing continued and the voting accom­ Dr. E. C. Smith, president; Divine Hew­ plished, many acquaintances were met, lett, vice-president; George H. Schiff- greeted and treated and by the time home -rn~~hP-r t-ro~c:n11•0-r • p ~ 1\,f n++ t:l+-n ...... • ______....,_, "".- _...... ,...,...,._..., .._. , ..a.. • J..J• ..... ,iv1.11.1, s".l,..\::;,\.,.L .... "-'l.lc.4r.L:f !l was reached it could easiiy be caiied a C. A. Schiffmacher, Sr., foreman; '~full day." Charles A. Frost, assistant foreman; and An old landmark is the oldest house C. · A. Schiffmacher, Jr., Joseph L. A. in the place, known as the Brower's Schiffmacher, Joseph S. Hewlett, Herbert Point Homestead, reputed to be built BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 69 about 1772 by John Brower, shortly be­ spired sentimental reasons for the rest fore the Revolutionary War. The house of the inscription. However that may be, v1hich stands on East Broadway Wood~ there is no room for doubt that the monu­ mere, near Brower avenue, remained in ment does not mark any grave. It first · constant possession of the Brower fam­ stood on Broadway, but was later moved ily, who added to the original four-room to its present site. cottage, until the year 1909, when Sea­ man Brower sold it to Charles R. Price, The Woodmere Country Club an old Woodmere resident, the present owner and occupier. Mr. Price, with The vVoodmere Country Club was praiseworthy purpose, caused the old organized in 1910 and a well equipped house to be thoroughly repaired in such clubhouse was then opened on Club a manner that the original framework Drive, near the railroad station. The and characteristics remain unimpaired. first directors and officers were: George Other places of interest in Woodmere are C. DeLacy, president; Watson Vreden­ the Keystone Yacht Club on Woodmere burgh, vice-president; Clarence G. Gals­ Bay, Woodmere Gun Club, the Woodmere ton, treasurer; W. K. McDonald, secre­ Club and golf links. tary; Frederick Gurney, James Frank, J. C. lVIorgenthau and J. Lawrence The Culluloo Monument Phipps. The club ,vas immediately successful An interesting old Woodmere lankmark is the Culluloo Monument, which now and its accommodations were insufficient stands at the junction of Wood and Keene lanes, Woodsburgh. The fallowing is the inscription on the stone; "Here lived and died "Culluloo Telewana, A. D. 1818, The last of the Rockaway Iroquois In­ dians, who was personally known to me in my boyhood. I, owning the land, have erected this monument to him and his tribe. "Abraham Hewlett. 1888.n The facts are that Abraham Hewlett THE FIRST WOODMERE COUNTRY CLUB. was a boy five years old when Culluloo died and his recollection of the Indian for the needs of the n1embers, so that could not have been very distinct. Before larger premises became necessary very he died Mr. H 0 ,vlett told relative~ that shortly after the club was incorporated. he remembered "Culluloo, the Indian, The present magnificent clubhouse at whom I saw mornings and evenings when \Voodsburgh was erected and opened in he went to and returned from work, that l 914. The building is well equipped he was very kind and that I last saw him and fitted, and its accommodations in­ lying dead in a room when several col­ clude dormitories, bowling alleys, bil­ ored men came and carried him away, but liard and pool roon1s, dining room, re­ where they buried him was never known ception and lounge rooms, ballroom and to me." parlors. There are, also, a beautifully Doubts have been expressed as to situated 18-hole golf course near the whether Culluloo was an Indian or a black shores of Woodmere Bay, several ten­ man. The late lVIrs. William J. Kava­ nis courts, and a fine open air, salt nagh, a resident of Lawrence for many water bath, making deep and shallo,v years, and a well known Indian scholar water available for swimn1ers and and literary woman, is authority for the bathers. definite statement that he was a negro The membership of the club now num­ named T ,on and that he 1vas called "Co1- bers about 250 persons, an

The Woodmere Private School o:-­ the purpose, but the accomodations of Academy on "\Voodmere Boulevard is this building were not sufficient and an admirable institution, organized five three years ago the fine structure now years ago by a number of prominent used was erected at a cost of $50,000 Woodmere gentlemen. Seventeen pupil~ and the number of scholars has already were then taught in a house leased for increased to about 135.

A BEAUTIFUL VISTA, WOODMERE.

CEDARHURST

EDARHURST, like other villages in sf ruction of this important thoroughfare the Rockaway peninsula, owes its through the extent of the Marsh prop­ C modern development to the excel­ erty, and the value of this work was lent railroad service. The South Side greatly enhanced by the continuation of Railroad Company, in 1869, established the new highway through the adjoining a station where the electric power house village of Lawrence, which was accom­ now stands, on land donated by Thomas plished in that village by Alfred Law­ E. Marsh, and named the place Ocean rence, the owner. Numerous streets were Point. The same year Thomas E. Marsh opened and graded and shade trees were and his brother Samuel A. W. Marsh, planted. who were engaged in the grain business In 1872 another railroad route was con­ in New York City, went to Ocean Point structed from Rockaway ~Junction at Ja­ as developers. Thomas E. Marsh was maica to Ocean Point by Oliver Charlick, the active worker. Together they pur­ president of the Long Island Railroad in chased several farms and acquired land opposition to the South Side route and extending from West Broadway to Broad­ the tracks were continued from the vil­ way in one direction and from the Woods­ lage to Far Rockaway parallel with those burgh boundary at Prospect avenue to of the South Side road. This was a the Lawrence boundary at °\Vashington shorter route operated through Spring­ avenue in the other direction. At that field. time Central avenue did not exist. One Several houses were then being buiit of the first improvements was the con- by investors at Ocean Point, but in order BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 71 to expedite the growth of the place, the Many new and handsome houses and Marsh brothers offered all their unsold stores were erected by settlers who property south of the railroad tracks. sought the blessing of the health-giving for sale by auction; in small plots, in atmosphere in a location easy of access 1872, and numerous sites were sold to to the great city, yet within a few min­ residents of New York. These buyers utes' walk or ride of the glorious ocean mostly held the plots for investment and beaches and of the bay. The real mod­ kept them vacant, anticipating a rapid ern development commenced about that increase in values. time. When the Rockaway Hunt Club wa~ Realizing the need for street improve­ formed by Charles Cheever and others ments the leading residents applied for in 1884, a post office was established on and obtained a charter and the village the club premises and the members was incorporated on September 10th,

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF CEDARHURST VILLAGE.

Left to right: Top row-William D. Reilly, George W. Craft, Albert T. Moon, Lewis 1\1. Raisig, Fred L. Gilbert. Lower row-Arthur M. Lockhart, David H. Weyant and John G. McNicoll.

named it Cedarhurst. The few residents 1910, under the name of the Village of then living in what is now called Cedar­ Cedarhurst, whose interests are cared hurst obtained their mail from Lawrence for by three trustees. The first trustees Station. In those days the geographical were James H. P. Vandewater, president; lines of the village of Cedarhurst included Abram Adelberg and John J. Campbell, the present incorporated village and all Sr. Mr. Vandewater died May 8th, 1912, the area south of Broadway to the Bay, and was succeeded by the present presi­ taking in the present Rockaway Hunting dent of the .village, David H. Weyant, Club. This latter area, however, was whose fellow trustees are: John G. Mc­ taken into the village of Lawrence after Nicoll and Arthur M. Lockhart. The that village was incorporated. officers of the village are George W. The Town of Hempstead built the Craft, treasurer; Albert T. Moon, col­ present handsome public school house for lector; Lewis M. Raisig, clerk; William the use of children of Cedarhurst resi­ D. Reilly, highway commissioner; Dr. dents and opened it in 1902. The build­ Robert F. Hutcheson~ health officer. and ing-up of the village was greatly accel­ Fred L. Gilbert, village attorney. erated when Althause and Smith of Far One of the earliest improvements prior Rockaway and '\\Tilliam L. Kavanagh be­ to incorporation had been installed at the came selling agents of plots of land. instance of James H. P. Vandewater. ,...) ' .... BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS About ten years ago this gentleman, al­ Department furnishes the village with ways foremost in works of progress, fire protection for which the trustees pay aided by leading residents, worked for the firemen the sum of $1,200 annually. and obtained the establishment of a spe­ The drainage is by the cesspool system. cial lighting district in Cedarhurst. Streets are well lighted by electricity and The first important act of the new- vil­ traffic rules are properly enforced. lage board of trustees was to provide for The assessed valuation of the village making, paving and curbing all roads of Cedarhurst for the year 1917 was in the village and laying of storm sewers. $1,593,225, and the present bonded in­ The credit of the village was pledged debtedness is $90,000. and secured by bonds given for the pur­ pose and the present excellent condition of the village .streets, which are well Local Landmarks graded, paved and shaded by fine trees, The most noteworthy landmark in Ce­ is a direct result of the incorporation and darhurst was the old toll gate and gate the progressive spirit of the village gov­ house, which was demolished early this ernors. year to make way for widening the an­ Up to five years ago there were very cient Rockaway and Jamaica turnpike few houses north of the railroad track. road. The old toll gate stood opposite That section, which is bordered on one Burnside avenue and barred the way of side by the old Rockaway turnpike, is passengers. The last toll gate keeper was now known as Cedarhurst Park North. Mrs. Frances Pettit, wife of Stephen An area of about 100 acres was purchased Pettit, but toll charges over the highway by Abram Adelberg, who immediately were abolished when the electric trolleys caused the old farm lands to be l~id out began to run over the road about twenty for a high-class residential building de­ years ago. At the time, several mar­ velopment. Roads were cut through and shals visited the gate house, opened the paved and gas, electric, water and tele­ gate and fastened the latter back against phone systems were installed. There are the walls of the house, forbidding its fur­ now upwards of thirty fine residences ther use or the charging of tolls. It built and occupied by their owners. To had been the practice for years to charge add to the attractiveness of this section, Mr. Adelberg caused the Cedarhurst Country Club to be erected, and it was opened on June 1st, 1914. It immediate­ ly became the centre of social activities and has been the scene of many festive iratherings. When war was decl~red bv this country against Germany, the club was disbanded and Mr. Adelberg placed the handsome, well-equipped and com­ modious building at the disposal of the United States Government. It has been used as a state armory. since. In addi­ tion to furnishing the use of the build­ ing, Mr. Adelberg also pays for its up­ keep and heating, and will do so during OLD TOLL GATE AND HOUSE. the continuance of the war. Cedarhurst to-day represents the best tolls and many men living to-day remem­ type of a progressive, thriving village. ber paying 30 cents to pass and repass Excellent and moderate price stores through the gate with their vehicles. No around, a well-equipped picture theatre, charge was made to pedestrians. As an hotefa, garages, transportation facilities instance of the age of the toll gate we re­ are up-to-date; there is a modern post produce an entry from the records of the office (Postmaster John Drum), public Town of Hempstead in 1766: and parochial schools, Roman Catholic 1.-. 1.. ( S"" T , • ' " , - - , - - , ,_ - - .. .::. Cu.Urcu. \. l,. "oac.111n1 SJ, anu a l;lUU HUU~h.... The population is estimated at 3,500 per­ January ye 16th 1766. Whereas there sons and there is an adequate police has been a swinging Gate on the Road force. The Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire that leads to Far Rockaway for some BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 73 years past which was put up by the Con­ Henry H. Mott and his wife, Mary Bond, sent of the Neighbors which of late hath Letty Ann Mott, Elkanah and Abigail been pulled down they have made appli­ Mott. The dates inscribed are from cation to us Leuit. George Reirson, Cap't 1813 to 1844. One of the stones is near John Williams and Peter Titus Com­ the sidewalk and the plot shows regret­ misinois for to Lay out and Regulate table signs of consistent neglect. The Highways this year and wee having place is in a sad state of repair, and Vewed and examjned into the same wee one wonders in passing if there are not do think fit to allow the same to be put some living relatives of the departed, up Againe provided it is kept in good whose pride of race, or respect for the Order. As Witness our hands, dead, can be awakened to inspire them George Reirson, John Williams, Peter to make proper and decent repairs. Titus. Dan Hanlon's house on Central avenue Another place of interest is a small is a very old building and parts of it are plot of land on West Broadway near the reputed to have been built more than a corner of Madison avenue, once used as century ago. a burying ground. The plot is about 60 A more modern landmark is the Cedar­ feet deep by 40 feet front, and contains hurst Country Club, ·which no visitor six headstones recording the burial of should fail to insp€ct.

LAWRENCE

HE beautiful village of Lawrence, and a new highway between Far Rock­ which deservedly possesses a coun­ away and Woodsburgh was thus formed. T try-wide r~putation as beng a It was originally intended for the new model and exclusive residential village, Central avenue to be cut right through was first heard of about the year 1870. to Broadway at Hewlett, but a house was Up till then, that portion of Rockaway built across the proposed new roadway N eek now occupied by the village, con­ at Irving place, Woodsburgh, and the sisted of farms and thickly wooded lands project became unfeasible. sloping on the east to the shores of Suitable lots ,vere parcelled out and Woodmere or Brosewere Bay. The open­ offered for sale and wealthy and influen­ ing of the South Side Railroad attracted tial residents of New York admired.. the the attention of many wealthy New .York fine building sites situated amidst such real estate speculators, and Newbold beautiful surroundings, became purchas­ Lawrence and his two brothers, Alfred ers and began to settle in Lawrence. N. Lawrence and George N. Lawrence, These included Daniel D. Lord, Albon chose this spot as the scene of their in­ Porter Man, A.lexander H. Stevens, Dr. vestment- and operations. J. Carl Schmuck, William Voss, Harold These three men purchased all the Herrick, Samuel P. Hinckley, John F. farms in the neighborhood and proceed­ Scott, Samuel L. Rodgers, Fretj.erick A. ed to lay out the entire section as an ex­ Marquand, Frank Storrs, George C. clusive and high class residential district. Rand, Alfred Neilson, Anson W. Hard, A railroad station ,vas donated by the Frederick Pinkus, Russell Sage, Middle­ Lawrences, located on the property and ton S. Burrill, William A. Hazard, Jo­ called Lawrence Station. seph S. Auerbach, George Hewlett, The · first important improvement James R. Keene, Foxhall Keene, Mc­ undertaken was the cutting through of Pherson Kennedy, Franklin B. Lord, Dr. Lawrence avenue from the station to Francis W. Murray, T,onis Neilson, J. F. Broadway and of Central avenue to Far Schenck, A. Clifford Tower and Baron Rockaway. The latter was accomplished Rudolph de Wardener. with- the co-operation of Thomas E. Numerous noble and costly mansions Marsh of Oceanpoint (now Cedarhurst), were erected and while, in other devel- 74 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

opments, the average "lot" was acquired Isle of Wight Hotel was destroyed by for building purposes, in Lawrence home fire about the year 1895· and a few years builders purchased by the acre, although later G. Howland Leavitt foreclosed a land was held at a high figure. The mortgage he held on the property, took greatest skill and inventive po,vers of title and afterwards sold it to a syndi­ some of America's most able architects cate known as the Lawrence Cedarhurst were employed in the erection of build­ Company. This company was formed for ings worthy of their ideal surroundings the purpose of retaining the property as and commensurate with the means and a highly restricted section, which it still needs of their owners. The writer ven­ remains. Lawrence Beach, an ideal tures to affirm that there are few commu­ bathing beach just off shore, is reached nities in America posses.sing the beauties, by a privately owned ferry boat plying conveniences and attractions of this de­ in the summer months from the main­ lightfully-situated and exclusively-peo­ land of the village. pled village. In the meantime, the main section of This development was, of course, grad­ the village was being built up. Streets ual and marked by various events of im­ were laid out, lighted and sewered, gas portance. Considerable impetus was and electric service installed and shade given when, in 1884, the Rockaway trees planted. All these improvements Steeplechase Association with John D. \Vere accomplished by the residents who, Cheever of Far Rockaway, president, laid out a fine turf race track, and built a spacious club house on land partly donated and partly purchased from the Ocean Point Company of Cedarhurst. The Steeplechase Association then leased the house they built to the Rock­ a,vay Hunt Club. (vide chapter on Rockaway Hunting Club.) The new club brought many prominent and wealthy men into the community and some of them purchased land and built fine homes in the immediate vicinity. About the same time the southerly sec­ tion of the village, bordered by the At­ lantic Ocean, attracted the attention of other developers, and Rufus W. Leavitt acquired from the Lawrences the prop­ DR. J. CARL SCHMUCK. erty called the Isle of Wight, after the famous English watering place. A large in a somewhat informal manner, met, hotel was erected there about the year decided upon them and contributed their 1885. This hotel became the fashionablB pro rata shares of the attendant expense. summer resort of artists, sculptors, lit­ The Lawrence Association was incorpor­ erary men and dilettanti. Oscar Wilde, ated in August, 1891, by ·George C. Rand, the Irish poet, playwright and wit, whose Franklin B. Lord, Dr. J. Carl Schmuck fame was then at its zenith, spent an en­ and others, and at the cost of $35,000 tire summer at the Isle of Wight Hotel erected the building used by the Law­ and many times the ample accommoda­ rence private school on two acres of land tions of this and the Osborne House, an­ acquired for the purpose. This building other local hotel, could have been utilized. also contains the public hall, which in An ocean driveway was built to the July, 1897, was the scene of a meeting beach and storm sewers laid in the prin­ of great importance to the future of the cipal streets. village. To expedite building operations in that As a result of that meeting a petition section an auction sale was held on the 1f or incorporation of the village of Law­ property October 19th, 1889, and an en­ rence was presented to the Town · of deavor was made by Mr. T ,eavitt to divide I-Ien1pstead, which body granted a village the property into small plots and sell for charter. The boundaries of Lawrence the building of private residences only. village were then defined by the Long The sale was not successful. The large Island railroad tracks on the north, Ban- BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 75 nister Creek on the south, the Rockaway $125,000. There is a court room and turnpike on the east and the boundary lock-up in the village and regular court line of the incorporated village of Far sittings· are presided over by Lewis M. Rockaway at McN eill avenue on the west. Raisig, Justice of the Peace for the Town Under the Greater New York City of Hempstead. charter, which became effective January, The system of street lighting is elec­ 1898, the city took in as part of the Fifth b·ic and the drainage is the Waring sys­ Ward of the Borough of Queens all the tem. The police force is adequate and land up to the Lawrence school house, fire protection is furnished by the Law­ thereby including with the Fifth Ward rence Cedarhurst Fire Department, to the village of Inwood and greater part which the village pays the sum of $2,100 of the village of Lawrence, leaving that annually. village only a small gore piece between The present trustees of the village are : the school house and turnpike road. Charles C. Adams, president; John J. In 1898 the Doughty bill was passed Wood, Norton Perkins, Joseph Fried and in the legislature at Albany again taking w. EllS'\VOrth Sprague. The officers are: from the City of New York all of In­ J. Russell Sprague, village justice; Peter ,vood, and that part of the village of B. Olney, Jr., treasurer; Cornelius L. Lawrence which had been included in the Both, clerk; Henry Worthington, tax col­ Greater New York Act. These were re­ lector, and Andrew Peterson, street com­ stored to the Town of Hempstead. Law­ missioner. Dr. Edward H. Pershing is rence then extended its boundaries and health officer. repeated the original boundaries, also The estimated population is 1,500 per­ including that portion of the village line sons. south of Bannister Creek and west of a The assessed valuation of Lawrence line which would be formed by continuing for 1917 is $4,777,036. The present the turnpike road through to the ocean. bonded indebtedness is $240,000. Several years later the village again ex­ In all its history Lawrence has been tended its boundaries and took in all that the richest village in point of assessed territory south of Broadway east of its valuation for population in New York boundary line to Auerbach Lane and in­ State. One village bond of considerable cluding the land occupied by the Rock­ size was issued by a vote of six qualified away Hunting Club. Later yet, the vil­ voters. lage again extended its boundaries east Lawrence p·ossesses the additional in­ of Rockaway turnpike to the centre of terest of claiming the;- site of the first Washington avenue on the east, the Long church ever built on Rockaway Neck. Island Railroad on the north and Broad­ This was in 1831 when McThendre's way on the south. The foregoing defines chapel was built on the site of the pres­ the present boundaries of the incorporat­ ent Lawrence Methodist Church on the ed village of Lawrence. turnpike road ( vide chapter on local When the village was incorporated in churches). The first Rockaway post July, 1897, the first president was Frank­ office was for years ·1ocated at Jennings lin B. Lord, and the first trustees were house and country store at the junction George C. Rand and George Hewlett. The of the old Indian paths of Broadway first public improvement of the new vil­ and the Jamaica turnpike. Until devel­ lage was the raising of funds for mak­ opment of the neighboring and interven­ ing, sewering, curbing and grading the ing villages, all mail for Far Rockaway roads, and further beautifying the vil­ residents was delivered from and called lage. Bonds were issued and the model for there. In more recent years a fine roads now existing were constructed. It pleasure grove known as Jenning' s Grove is said that the sum of $25,000 was ex­ was the scene of pleasurable outings en­ pended on the park like approach to the joyed by thousands of visitors. This railroad station. grove was on property now owned by There are several stores and garages Mr. Wicke opposite the old store which at the east end of the village, a ba·nk, a has served its usefulness and day as a church, a church mission, a well equipped country store, and is now solely occupied post office and a handsome weii arranged as a private dwelling house by Miss M. building recently constructed for the ac­ L. Jennings. commodation of high school and gram­ The oldest and most famous building mar school students at an expense of in the Rockaways, Rock Hall, is in Law- 76 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKA\VAYS rence. We refer our readers to the The company is composed of about one special. chapter on the history of this old hundred and twenty members, all volun­ mansion. teers, and protects against fire the incor­ Local Places of Interest. porated villages of Lawrence and Cedar­ Places of interest in Lawrence include hurst. In addition to its fire duties, the Rock Hall (built in 1768), the Rockaway company provides many of the entertain­ Hunting Club, Lawrence Beach, Law­ ments and social events of the two vil­ rence Private Academy, and the old Jen­ lages. The large brick building known as nings Homestead. Firemen's Hall, valued at $50,000, is owned by the company and the building serves for headquarters, club rooms, hal~ Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department and fire house. In addition, a portion is The Washington Hook and Ladder leased to the Bank of Lawrence and other Company of Lawrence, now popularly parts are leased for court house, lock-up called the Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire De- and village clerks' offices. The old frame building first used no,v stands at the rear of a blacksmith's shop on Central avenue, Lawrence. The fire apparatus and equipment of the department are up-to-date and belong to the Lawrence Company. There are two steam fire engines, one automobile chemical engine and hook and ladder truck, combined, one hose apparatus, one Simplex automobile, and one horse-drawn ho~k and ladder truck. .. The Fire Commissioner for Lawrence i:~ Assemblyman Thomas A. Mc Whineny, FIRE:.vIEX'S HALL, COURT HOUSE AND BANK and for Cedarhurst, J. J. Campbell. The OF LAWRENCE. fire chief is Edward Horn; assistant chief, William D. Reilly; treasurer, Ed­ partment, was chartered about the year mund Wood; financial secretary, Edwarrl 1883. The first chief, or foreman, was J eal, and recording secretary, Allen J. C. Ebenezer L. Smith. Schmuck.

ROCK HALL, LAWREN CE

Rock Hall at Lawrence is one of the George's Church, Hempstead. Money oldest and most notable residences on was spent lavishly in constructing the Long Island. It was built in 1768 by residence with its outbuildings, overseer's Josiah Martin, the British ex-Governor and ·slaves' quarters, and in laying out of the Province of North Carolina, a the estate. The house was and is still strong Tory who became obnoxious to the approached by a fine avenue lined with Whigs of that Province, from which he ·well-grown trees. The interior decora­ fled, leaving a large landed estate which tions attracted considerable attention was confiscated (vide Sabin's Loyalists). and many visitors have admired the fine Governor Martin purchased 400 acres oil painting by the famous artist, Sir of land at Rocka\vay from John Cornell. John Copeley, representing a young boy for t,vo thousand pounds, on September piaying with a dog. Rock Hall was the 21st, 1767, and bui!t the famous Rock scene of entertainments and the centre Hall. The architect was Timothy Clowes for hunting parties on a lavish scale until of Jamaica, who also designed St. the death of Governor Martin there on BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 77

November 21st, 1778. His body was Thomas Hewlett of Hewletts, where she buried at St. George's Church Hemp­ died. She left all the pictures and works stead. His widow survived him but did of art in Rock Hall, which she claimed, to not inherit Rock Hall. She died in 1825 Thomas Hewlett. Two or three years in New York City. Governor Martin later the Rock Hall estate was sold by

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ROCK· HALL IN 1874, SHO,VING QUOKKO HOUSE, THE OLD SLAVE QUARTERS, AT EXTREME RIGHT.

left the property to his son, Dr. Samuel order of the trustees, Dr. Ebenezer Lock­ Martin, who liyed there and entertained wood and Dr. Bannister. These two men on a large scale and was a very popular were trustees under Dr. Martin's will. man. He died, unmarried, on April 19th, The sale was by auction in order to pay 1806, aged 66 years. His remains were the family debts, and Thomas Hewlett interred at Old Trinity Church, Broad­ . was the purchaser. Portions of the es­ way, New York City. He left Rock Hall tate have since been sold, but the residue, to his two sisters, Rachel and Alice. not exceeding in all one hundred acres, Alice died unmarried. Rachel married still remains in possession of members Thomas Bannister, and their joint title of the Hewlett family, who reside at to the property was confirmed in the Cor­ Rock Hall in the summer time. nell partition suit of 1808. Bannister The slave quarters, which formerly creek was named for them. After Alice stood at the southerly end of the prem­ Martin's death, Thomas Bannister pur­ ises, were removed in 1881. chased her half share in the estate for The illustrations of Rock Hall show $5,425, on September 12th, 1817, thus the original building, which is still in a becoming the sole owner. Another sis­ good state of preservation. The house ter of Dr. Samuel Martin had a son, is illuminated by the aid of oil lamps, as Major Charles McNeill, who served in +l,. O "'nn"\ ,o-.,.(:f h '"1 "11'.'TO ,..o-f11 sort -f-A l, C'l "11'.'TO +h O I"\ 1rt the war of 1812. The f amiiy appears to \l.&..A.V V WW.&..&.\,.,.&..,;,) .&.,&.'-4, W V .&. '-'..1. Y. '-'"'4. IJV .&..&.'4, W '"""' '-'..L,._""" V_.,....._ have been in financial difficulties later timbers disturbed by installing gas or and the property fell into a bad state of electric services. 't'wo years ago, how­ repair. Major McNeill deserted his wife ever, they allowed a telephone to be in­ and she went to live at the home of stalled. 78 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

THE ROCKAWAY HUNTING CLUB

The early foundation of the Rockaway of Far Rockaway, leased Reilly's house Hunting Club is of great interest. This and barn and hunted over all the local event took place one Saturday afternoon country side which then had compara­ in September, 1877, when twelve riders, tively few residents, and these were including E. N. Dickerson, Jr., W. J. mostly farmers. Louis Neilson was Mas­ Sloane, Arthur Dodge, Nathaniel Jarvis ter of Hounds. In 1878 the first Rock­ and others, all wealthy young Rockaway away Hunt Club was organized with residents, with John D. Cheever as the Alexander Stevens, president; William leading spirit, started out from Bernard Voss, treasurer, and Edward Spencer, C. Reilly's barn near the Jamaica turn­ secretary. John D. Cheever was Master pike, Far Rockaway. The barn -;vas near of Hounds. A lease of "Aunt Sally a hill close to the present junction of l\fott's" homestead on Mott's Lane (now the turnpike road and Burnside avenue, avenue) was taken from Mrs. Seaman, Inwood. and several English hounds were im­ The hunt was on the lines of the old ported. "paper chase," in which the "hares" led lVIany of the members took lodgings and dropped paper. After the "hares" adjoining the club house, which was near had disappeared the "hounds" chased the railroad station, and dined at the them, tracking them down by the pieces club. Live pigeon shooting was prac­ of paper thrown away by the "hares.'' ticed and became a favorite sport, and This historic chase ended at Valley polo was inaugurated, for which sport a Stream, and was greatly enjoyed by the field was leased, where Dr. J. C.

ROCKAWAY HUNTING CLUBHOUSE, DESTROYED BY FIRE, 1893. riders. The next Saturday afternoon an­ Schmuck's residence now stands, oppo­ other chase took place and six native site Lawrence Station. hounds were used. This was a "drag" The club organized one 8teep1echa se hunt, in which a bag treated with ani­ n1eeting each year, the riders all being seed, was dragged along by the hare, and amateurs and mostly members of the was extremely successful. As a result club. A rough course was laid out to the a number of the young men, residents eastward of the club house in Bays- BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 79 water, which was not then built up. One being members of the Rockaway Hunt­ of the most celebrated race meetings was ing Club, the Meadowbrook club or other that held in 1882, when there were kindred clubs. eighteen starters in the steeplechase, all The Steeplechase Association was not a being gentlemen jockeys. This famous financial success on account of the great race was won by Harry Harwood, on a expense attending the meetings, and horse called "Tonkaway," owned by Ed­ the fact that the legislature was engaged ward Jackson. in making laws to abolish betting on In 1883 Frank Gray Griswold was ap­ race tracks. In July, 1893, the club house pointed Master of Hounds, and he was totally destroyed by fire and the brought with him his own pack, which Rockaway Steeplechase Association sub­ he had formerly hunted under the name sequently went into liquidation. of the "Queens County Hounds." This The Rockaway Hunting Club, having pack became known as the "Queens collected inurance on the building, exer­ County Hounds of the Rockaway Hunt" cised its option and purchased some sev­ and the hunting grounds were enlarged enteen or eighteen acres of land which to cover portions of Long Island towards formerly belonged to the Rockaway the North Shore, which had formerly Steeplechase i\.... r,sociation. The remain­ been hunted by Mr. Gris,vold. ing part of the land left by the asso­ In 1884 a land company, known as the ciation was divided between members Ocean Point Company, which owned ,vho had advanced money to the com­ large tracts of land at Cedarhurst, of­ pany on certificates of indebtedness. fered to give about four acres of land After the destruction of the club house to the club, provided a company was a temporary home was leased from Mr. formed for the purpose of establishing Elliott. The club added to the house a a fine steeplechase course. Such a com­ kitchen and piazza, and remained there pany was organized with John D. Cheever until the completion of the present club as president. Stock was issued and sub­ house on July 1, 1894, when the club wa~ scribed for, money provided and a club incorporated, taking possession of the house, with spacious balconies and pi­ new club house with the following offi­ azzas from which the full course could cers: George C. Rand, president; Mid­ be seen, was built. The company, known dleton S. Burrill, vice-president; New­ as the Rockaway Steeplechase Associa­ bold Lawrence, secretary, and Rennie La tion, purchased some thirty to forty ac1:es Montagne, treasurer. Hunting with the of additional land from the Ocean Point pack was continued until 1899, when it Company. A turf race track was laid out was abandoned owing to building devel­ and racing was established. A railroad opment in the neighborhood. siding for race track trains was built The membership of the club to-day is from· Woodsburgh to the course. The approximately 350, and more land has company leased the house they built to been purchased during the past few the Rockaway Hunt Cluh; and the name vears. The club now owns about 90 was changed to the Rockaway Hunting ~cres. The nine-hole golf course is be­ Club. The club was to insure the build­ ing enlarged by the construction of an ing and to have the option of purchas­ additional nine hole course, a bridge ing the remaining land of the Rockaway across Burton's creek has been erected, Steeplechase Association if they so de- . there are eighteen lav\rn tennis courts, a sired. fine polo field, squash courts and a trap Mr. Edward La Montagne was the sec- shooting ( clay pigeon) outfit. ond president of the club, and Edward Fo'reign sportsmen of note visiting H. Harriman, vice-president. . America count their visit incomplete un­ The membership of the club, which less they have seen the famous and beau­ amounted to about sixty at Far Rock­ tiful home of the Rockaway Hunting away, had increased in 1884 to about Club. one hundred, and this accession. was due The president of the club is William to the organization of the Rockaway A. Hazard. The other officers are : H. • -- .! ..., ___ J..= T7"--;--,.---=!~, .. Steeplechase. Hobart Porter, v 1ce-pres1ueu.lt, .r .1 t 11t.1 J.\;,ll From 1884 to 1889 two Steeplechase H. Hatch, treasurer, and Newbold T. meetino-s were given yearly, and proved extrem~ly popular, most of the riders Lawrence, secretary. 80 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

INWOOD

HE village of In,vood is a well Indians and white men took place as defined but unincorporated area .,/ related in another chapter. The early T of Nassau County adjoining Far settlers were a more or less lawless lot Rocka-\vay proper and has a population and although they were not numerous of about four thousand persons. they were periodically troublesome to It was first settled a hundred years other Rockaway· residents. Many inci­ ago by a number of fishermen and at dents in which rough horse play and that time was known as North West harsh physical conduct were the main Point, taking that name from its geo- features are directly traceable to these graphical position in relation to the hard North West Pointers. About fifty more central part of Far Rockaway, of years ago the section became generally ,Yhich it was then a part. The turn- known as Westville and participated pike road to Jamaica bounds it on the in the rapid growth of the peninsula east side; the Long Island railroad which occurred with the opening of the tracks and the Village of Lawrence railroad. At that time the few houses bound it on the south side, and Jamaica existing were reached by paths con­ Bay bounds it on the north and most necting with old Broadway and the of the west side, the remaining westerly turnpike road. When the Lawrences portion adjoining Far Rockaway terri- developed Lawrence the In-wood end of tory. Lord avenue was made, and ,vas the

THE INWOOD COUNTRY CLUB.

The "North West Pointers," as the first road constructed. That event was early settlers were called, were men. the beginning of development and who worked on, owned, or operated o.pene_d up the section ,vhich rapidly fishing boats on Jamaica Bay, which grew from that time on. Main streets comes to a head at that part and has and cross streets were laid, houses numerous inlets and minor harbors or were erected and a steady influx of docks. The westerly point of Inwood home seekers and builders occurred. occupies high land and parts of it are The seGtion covers a considerable still thickly covered with woods, the area. parts of which are very beauti­ remnants of a former forest. The place ful. The spacious Inwood Country is the centre of many interesting Indian Club is delightfully located in its own legends and stories and it is at Inwood grounds of about 300 acres at the that the earliest meeting of Rockaway actual north west point of the BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 81

peninsula. The ~xtensive golf links of automobile apparatus and is a most the club, which has a memoership of efficient body of men who have repeat­ about 325,- are admirably laid in park edly established records for speedy and like surroundings. good ,vork. Last year they established The first post office was established a world's record in a tournament dis­ on February 25, 1889, and the name of play. The first Inwood fire company the village was then changed to In­ was the Electric Hook and Ladder Com­ wood. The first postmaster was Mr. pany of Westville, established about J. D. Crosby, who still holds that office. thirty-five years ago. Some years later The post office authorities refused to the Citizen's Hose Company was also allow a post office named Westville be­ farmed. These two companies were cause there was already one existing later merged and form the present In­ in the state by that name, hence the wood Fire Department which owns the change from Westville .to the present fire house building and equipment. The village name of Inwood. Although officers are: John Grady, chief; Lester numerous families of the early settl~rs Alger, first assistant chief; Louis still reside at Inwood, it has come to Leder, financial secretary and Solomon be known generally as an Italian settle­ Wanser, recording secretary. The ment and a majority of the four thou­ treasurer is Alexander Wanser, who sand residents are Italians. Until re­ has held that office for many years. cently and for a period of years the The old rendezvous of the baymen is rough horse play of the old baymen still the meeting place of a number of was overlooked on account of the gun­ fishermen and is called the "Dock" on play of the foreigners and the name the foot of Bayview avenue at Jamaica Inwood for quite a while conjured up Bay. The interested visitor may even thoughts of dark deeds of violence. yet meet some of the old timers there The foreign element is of Albano-Ital­ in their daily work and view with won­ ian birth or extraction, and is quite dis­ der the physical feats of some of those tinct from pure blooded Italians, speak• hardy old men whose ages in some cases ing a distinct and separate language. have . considerably exceeded man's al• The lawlessness of the bad parts of In• lotted "six-score years and ten." wood has been greatly overcome of re­ The Inwood Country Club was in­ cent years mainly owing to the zealous corporated in 1901 and opened a small efforts of the priests there who set club house at Inwood managed by a body themselves the difficult task they of twelve directors, Jacob Wertheim have so well performed and in which being the first president, and Frank they have been greatly aided by the Lewine, treasurer. The club was well local Justice of the Peace, Lewis M. supported from the outset and has al­ Raisig. \vays been strong financially. The The community spirit in Inwood is n1embership rapidly incLeased and the very strong and it is common~y kno-wn _accommodations of the first club house that any social or business affair which were taxed to the utmost limit so that it Inwood residents take up as a body is soon became necessary to plan for in­ assured of success and undivided sup­ creased facilities. In 1914 the present port. property of the club, comprising 300 Nearly all the buildings in Inwood­ acres of valuable land, was purchased which is well equipped with good and the new and luxurious home of the stores, a fire department and a post club was shortly afterwards built and office-are of frame construction. There occupied. are two large public schools, two The present membership of the club churches and that admirable institu­ is 325 men and there are 125 associate tion, the Sage Industrial School, where boys and girls from the public schools lady members. In addition to the at­ are taught, without charge, useful tractions of the club house itself there trades in order to equip them to earn is a splendid golf course of eighteen their own livings when they arrive at holes, a gun club and tennis courts. suitable age. The officers are Samuel Eisman, presi­ The Inwood Volunteer Fire Depart­ dent; D. A. Aronson, vice-president; ment, consisting of about forty mem­ Albert T. Steiner, treasurer and I. I. bers, is well equipped with modern LE-wine, secretary. 82 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS HONOR ROLL OF OUR BOYS Up to the time of going to press it has been impossible for the writer to gather a complete list of "OUR BOYS" in the Rockaway peninsula, who have so willingly volunteered their srervices on their country's behalf, and are now risking their lives in the army, navy and aerial service. The following list, how­ ever, gives the names of a considerable number whose names we have been able to gather and publish on this permanent HONOR ROLL: Adams, Lewis G. rlerrick, Fiarold, Jr. Pratt, Wm. R. Arnold, Henry N. Hazzard, Wm. A., Jr. Rizzo, John Bannard, J. Augustus I-Iewlett, .James A. Ryan, Gerald Bentley, Edward M., Jr. Hewlett, "\Villis Rand, Gordon L. Brasee, Crosby 1Ieywood, MHton E. Rand, Curtis Bowker, Edward Hard, De Courcey L. Rode, Stanley Bruhn, Harry Ivison, :Maynard Resua, Gustave Ball, Grosvenor .Jacob, l\1orris Rhinelander, Philip N. Burr, Robert Johnson, Austin Stephenson, Joseph Burr, Winthrop Johnson, Cortland Stephenson, Richard, Jr. Bitner, John Arthur Johnson, l{:enneth :Maxwell Sullivan, Leonard Bedell, Otis Hudson Judas, Gerald Stephen, Byron K. Burmann, Otto A. E. Jordan, John F. Schaumloefell, Ernest Chauncey, Raymond Kahn, Alexander Scanlan, Lawrence Carney, William Kelly, Frederick L. Scanlan, David Crocker, Stanley Kiles, Gerard Smith, Everard Cannomara, Louis Klein, Cyril P. Schleif, .John Chave, Walter Kleinfeller, .John E. Slavon, James Cook, Lindley Wilkinson Lund, Wm. Peterson Safford, Wm. R. Carter, Walter Lanman, Ludlow B. Stone, Herman T. Cunningham, Walter Levy, Albert Steiner, Harold A. Charmers, Arthur La Montagne, Wm. A. Shanley, Patrick J. Condon, Jas. H. Ludlum, I-Ierbert Jas. Smythe, John Dickinson, E. B Moss, Johnson Leslie Schreiber, Fabian Dehnert, Arthur l\iarter, Arthur C. Sterling, Stewart De Mott, Edward i\1:cGinn, Clarence Seaman, Everit White Dale, C. Whitney l\'Iarsh, Edward Schnieisin, I-Ienry Donnelly, George McNamara, Am brose Simonson, Eugene De Lacy, George C. McGuire, Thomas Sunberge~ John H. Douglas, John J. lVlillner, Herbert Toleman, Harold Donaldson, Clark McGinn, Francis Taylor, Wm. R. K., Jr. Davenport, l\'.lcHugh l\'.IcGinn, Harold Taylor, Anson Hard Flemming, George Mayer, John Thoinpson, Lionel Flemming, San1uel l\'Iott, Fred G. Thun1, Karl Algier Fletcher, Arthur Martin, JOS. N. Van Dine, Merle Fagan, Thos. lVIurray, Lawrence Vail, Edward Goodn1an, Eddie Norton, Walter Van Wicklen, Alvin F. Graham, R. E. Norton, Berge Walsh, James Gallagher, Francis Olney, Sigourney Winlock, Herbert E. Gasser, Bernard O'Rourke, Thomas \i\,..hite, Thomas F. Hicks, Howard O'Callahan Wood, John Horton, Henry Philips, Kenneth Walton, Lawrence R. Hicks, Morris Philips, John Walton, Ernest E. Herrick, Newbold T. Philips, Wm. \Vood, l\lilton Henry

THE 24TH COMPANY, NINTH COAST DEFENSE COMMAND-ROCKAWAY'S QUOTA. C'aptain, Foulke 0. E. Farri!1gton, John I. Gaffney, Otto Hoffvitz, Jr., David Jaffe, Knudson; first lieutenant, Jr., F _ost~r Gunther, Leon~rd Charles J. Kane, Walter F. Walter Seligman; second lieu- H. Gidding, Harry A. Hirt, Keenan, Roy Langdon, Gilbert tenant, Jacob G. Davis. Joseph G. J~cobs, Jo~n C. _Le F. Lindner, John McCumis- First sergeant, Daniel E. Roux, Edwin ~- Liebowitz, key, Clarence J. McGinn, Barry; supply sergeant, Ed- H~rold T. McGinn, Albert J. Frank J. McGinn, Harold A. ward D. Lee. l\1Ilan, Howard C. :i\:Iont&"om- l\:IcGrevy, Charles J. Mazzei, Sergeants, Howard S. Sterne, ery, Geor¥'e J. Morrison, J·ohn Mair, Anthony Marasco, Lewis 1\1. Stewart, William H. Howard Richmond, Alexan- Frank Modica, William l\L Doolittle, "\Villiam L. lVIeissel, der B. Rydell and Walter H. :Morrison, John E. Mount, Jr., James A. Caffrey, Harold Rose_. . . Frederick H. Muller, Charles Levy and William F. J.\,Iayer. Privates, Wilham A. Adams, H. Murray, Edward A Mur- Corporals, Joseph J. Arneth, Alexander Anderson, LeRoy phy, Frederick L. · Knoll Harold J.\,:Iott, Frank Kiernan, E. A?drews, Adam A. Balzer, Frank s. Pearsall, William H. Gerald A. Ryan, Stanley A. Pa trick R. Barrett, Bertram pfeiff er, Jr., Arthur E. Pries­ Werner, Jerome Levy, Leon Be_er_man, John H. _Boyle, ly, Mark K. Rairden, John R. Spear; Benjamin Law- Wilham .T. Brand, Elias _D. Rizzo, William R. Safford, rence, l\'.Iichael J. Barry, Jr., Bro~er, Ro..,bert J. Cahill, Henry A. Schilling, Leland H. and Richard J. Halpin. Daniel J. Callahan, Myron c. Schmeelk, Louis A. Shea, Cooks, Samuel Samuels and Combs, Walter H .. qombs, Philip L. Skelly Arthur Fr::ink A nilal~<'hE'k. i::r .... r ... -.• p rs..., ...... ,,...... ~,...,,.,.,~ T - . - ' ~~~· •.J ... ~ '--' ...... _.,_ ...... ,_.,_, • • .uua..1u e.J • clmitn, Hoyal Dewey Smith, l\Iechanics, Frank A. Seelig Curti~, .Jr., Albert Dave_nport, Harry c. Spatz, Adolph c. and John J. Devanney. Frank D. Dolan, Patrick F. Spitzer Richard M Thomp- Bu2"ler, Louis E. Daven- Ducro-an Jr Joseph F E l ' · ~ ob • ., • :..,ge ' w·11· J W 1 h ·1 port. George A. Featherson, ·vvn- s~n, i i~m. · a s , ~i - First class privates, Joseph liam Ferguson, Charles H. ham F. Wilkinson, Jr., Rich- 1\L Baum, Allen Glenn Chaf- Fey, Howard Fisher, Gustave ard A. Wolff and John B. fer, John H. Faber, John L. Glanzman, Jacques H. Herts, Wood. BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 83

FAR' ROCKAWAY

p to the time of the Cornell parti­ We reproduce the purchase agreP­ tion suit in 1809, and for a con­ ment verbatim. U siderable period afterwards, the Far Rocka ,vay section was the only por­ tion of the peninsula which attracted Rockaway Association serious attention, the westerly section In consideration of the sum of oue where Edgemere, Arverne, Rockaway dollar to me in hand paid receipt Beach and Rockaway Park now are, be­ whereof is her~by acknowledged, I ing used for grazing purposes only. for myself, and in behalf of my Co­ Here horses and cattle were turned trustees, Philip Hone and John A. loose and allovved to roam at will, seek­ King, do agree to purchase for the ing sustenance from the scattered Rockaway Association from Mr. Ben­ shrubs and herbage which decorated jamin C. Lockwood, all his houses, the sandy waste. barns,. stables and grounds at Rock- The section of the peninsula west of away, bounded by the road -rear of Wave Crest was all marsh land and his Barn, road to the Beach, land several creeks ran from ocean to bay. lately sold by him to J as. G. King and Up to six years ago one of these creeks, others-with all the privileges he kno-\vn as the Wave Crest Inlet, was_ in possesses for the sum of two thou­ existence and connected the ocean at a sand five hundred dollars and one point east of the Edg_emere Club with ' share in the association of five hun­ Jamaica Bay under Norton's. Bridge. dred dollars, to give possession on This was filled in at that time and the the first day of May next, and a clear n1ain boulevard carried over the present satisfactory Deed for same on or be­ Norton's Bridge. fore the 15 March next, he deducting The first man to recognize the value interest at 7% per annum until 1 of the Rockaways as a summer resort May. Vi1as John ~eake_ Norton, who in 1830 . New York 28 February, 1833. purchased from the Cornell heirs under Robert Ray, Trustee of the 1809 partition suit lots 9, 10, 11, 12, Rockaway Association. 13, 14 and 15 in the eastern division, Witness including the whole of Edgemere and Sam Ward. Far Rockaway, and the marsh land north of lots 14 and 15. In the year The exact site of the Marine Pavilion 1833 l\iir. Norton, who married a sister ·was just south of where Norton street of Governor George Clinton, induced a now joins Central avenue. The old yel­ number of wealthy and well-known New low frame building still standing at the York men to form the Rockaway Asso­ west side of Central avenue was for­ ciation and they purchased a tract of merly used as the kitchens of the hotel, land and erected upon it a fine hotel. ·which had a frontage of 230 feet over­ This was the famous Marine PaviHgn looking the ocean, its easterly end was known throughout America at that time. about where the fence of Bushel's It cost $43,000 to build, which ifi ·those American Hotel now is, and Central days was a tremendously large amount Avenue at that part now covers the of money to expend on a building of same ground as the hotel was built that character. \ across. The place was run in a splen­ The Rockaway Association, of which did manner and became the most fash­ Philip Hone, ex-mayor of New York ionable resort on the Atlantic Coast. City; RoLert Ray and John A. King It gave the Rockaways the first coun­ (Governor of New York State) were try-wide advertising this section ever trustees, also purchased property f ro1n had, and attracted the attention of Benjamin C. Lockwood, on which the numerous investors and developers who pavilion ,vas built. were quick to see the great possibilities 84 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS cf Rockaway as a summer resort. From There is a poem known as the Ode that time on its growth and advance­ to Rockaway, written by Morris and ment as a residential section vras as­ dedicated to this section, which is sup­ sured. posed to have been inspired by the In his history of Long Island pub­ measured rhythm of the breakers on lished in 1839 Thompson, the historian, the shore. Morris is said to have writ­ says of the Marine Pavilion: ten the well-known lines on the l\iarine "It is a large and splendid edifice, Pavilion porch. standing upon the margin of the At­ lantic, and has hitherto been kept in a On old Long Island's seagirt shore style not excelled by any hotel in the lVIany an hour I've whiled away, Union. The main building is 230 feet List'ning to the breakers roar front with wings, one of which is That wash the beach at Rockaway;

THE MARINE PAVILION-1833-1864.

seventy-five and the other forty-five Transfixed I've stood while nature's feet long.. The peristyles are of the Lyre Doric order, the piazza being 235 feet In one harmonious concert broke in length by 20 in width. The sleeping And, catching its Promethean fire, apartments number 160. The dining­ lv.Iy inmost soul to rapture woke. room is eighty feet long and the draw­ ing-room fifty. It was erected by an Oh, how delightful 'tis to stroll association of gentlemen of the City of ,vhere murmuring winds and waters New York, the cost, including the land meet. and standing furniture, $43,000, and Marking the billows as they roll was sold to the present owners, Stephen And break resistless at your feet; Whitney and Charles A. Davis, for To watch young Iris, as she dips $30,000. The atmosphere here is fresh, Her mantle in the sparkling dew, cool and delightful; invalids soon find And, chas'd by Sol, away she trips themselves benefited, and all experience O'er the horizon's quiv'ring blue. fresh inspiration and increased vigor by repeated plunges in the ocean." To hear the startling night winds sigh, The Marine Pavilion was completely As dreamy twilight lulls to sleep; destroyed by fire on .June 25th, 1864. While the pale moon reflects from high . . ~ During its- existence many men of note Her image in the mighty deep; ,vere visitor~. Longfellow, Washington lVIajestic scene where Nature dwells, Irving, Trumbell; the artist, and Gen­ Profound in everlasting love, eral George P. Morris are known to While her unmeasured music swells, have been frequent guests. The vaulted firmament above. BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 85

The san1e company-the Rockaway ing exercise were Benjamin C. Lock­ Association-which built the l\1arine wood and John L. Norton. They provid­ Pavilion also formed a Turnpike Com­ ed bath houses on wheels after the Eng­ pany ( under a special act of legisla­ }j sh style. In these, bathers changed ture) called the Jamaica and Rockaway their dress, were pulled into the surf Turnpike Company, which caused to be by horses hitched on for the purpose built a shell road across the, meado¥;s and when the bath house was hauled in shortening the distance between the to a sufficient depth, the horses ,vere city and Jamaica and Rockaway by taken off and the bath houses left in about eight miles. This road is today the water until bathers signified their known as the Jamaica and Jericho desire to be hauled back to the beach. Turnpike over which the trolleys be­ This method of bathing, which enabled tween Far Rockaway and Jamaica op­ persons to enter the water direct from erate. The road is in bad repair and bathing houses, would probably not find not fit for fast traffic. The city, county much favor today with the large num­ and state have pledged themselves to ber of bathers who seem to find more construct a fine modern road there and delight in the sun and sand bath on the "rork upon its reconstruction is now beach in scanty attire than in the real proceeding. and healthful ocean bathing. The old Up to the end of last year a pic­ "rays have changed and instead of the turesque old toll ·house and gate stood old cumbersome house on wheels the on the turnpike road, but has been torn ocean front is provided ,vith many down to make ,vay for widening of the thousands of bath houses used in the thoroughfare. Many persons now liv­ summer months and built row after row ing well remember passing through this on land adjacent to the beach. gate and paying toll to do so. The last The Marine Pavilion attracted atten­ toll gate keeper was Mrs. Stephen tion to the Rockaways throughout the Pettit. Union. Other commodious hotels were There are many persons in Rockaway built here and included United States today who remember the destruction of Hotel, Caffrey's Hotel, Wynn's Alham­ the Pavilion. Gunpowder was used to bra, Maguire's Ocean Hotel, New blow up adjoining ~cructures to prevent York Hotel, Roche's Union Surf, the the fire spreading. Pavilion, the Brunswick, the Hoffman, The daily arrival of the stage coach at Foss', Finucan's Mansion House, Fa­ the Pavilion was an event of consider­ ber's l\Ianhattan Hotel, Ducher's, the able importance, and the crack of the Arlington, the Madison, National, driver's whip as he wheeled his four­ Grove, Grand, Wavei:lY, St. James, the in-hand team driving up in style to the imposing entrance, was the signal for Shirley House and several others; in all hands to turn out to welcome the fact the place became a village of hotels guests. catering to the needs of summer visit­ It was after the Pavilion was opened ors. It was about the middle of last that sea bathing became fashionab1e century that it was first called Far and the first caterers to this rejuvenat- Rockaway to distinguish it from Near

A DIP IN THE OCEAN AT ROCHE'S BEACH, FAR ROCKAWAY. 86 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

Rockaway, which is now called East lVIott's" lane, and from there to Jamaica Rocka,vay. Bay "Aunt Sally's" lane, after Sally The steam railroad constructed t'J Far l\1ott, who resided in the old house, novv Rockaway in 1869 superseded the old the Seaman cottage, and which later stage coach and advanced values and came to be known as "Aunt Sally's but­ development wonderfully. It was first termilk house,., on account of that re­ intended for the railroad to enter Far freshing liquid which she sold there to Rockaway through woods about where Oak street is now cut, and so on down to the beach in a line parallel with what is now Greenwood avenue. Mr. Wynn, who kept the Alhambra Hotel, antici­ pating the line passing his place, paint­ ed a sign calling it "Railroad Hotel," - but owing to the gift by Benjamin Mott . '.:t•• of the site of the present station and .'~~-· seven acres of land, the direction of the ,: ~~:;: route (and as many persons think the whole future of the village) was "~,ssl changed.

Up to a little before this time the onJy .... ~ roads in Far Rockaway consisted of Broadway, being the old turnpike lead­ ing through to the beach as it does to­ day, Greell'\vood avenue, Cornaga ave­ nue, Mott's lane and Catherine street.

DAVID ROCHE ( "UNCLE DA VE") .

visitors. This is the oldest house in Far Rocka"\-vay. Catherine street was that portion of the present Central avenue starting at Mott avenue proceeding to the ocean and ending at the first Catholic church field and was named after Mrs. Cath­ erine Finucan. Anothe_:r early stQre was kept by E. A. Darragh, in the-· wo.ods, where Cornaga avenue is now, and \Vhite street was named after his wife's mother, Mrs. White. Simultaneous with the coming of the South Side Railroad, Central averiue ·was cut through from Mott's lane to the city line, about 1871, and connected with WILLIAM CAFFREY. Lawrence. The first railroad stop in Far Rockaway was on the present William Caffrey, who was 19 years siding close to the National Bank. old when he came from Ireland in 1834, There ""as no shelter or platform of any first ·worked as a laboring man, but in kind until the present line was used and 1844 opened Far Rockaway's first store the extension made to Rockaway Beach. on Greenwood avenue and later ran the The railroad siding passing in a line Transatlantic Hotel on the same avenue. parallel with and between Grove street There were then oniy about half a dozen and Central avenue led to Lockwood's houses besides the Pavilion. · Mott Grove, a famous pleasure park,· which avenue, from Broadway to the present '\\,.as later laid out in plots with the railroad crossing, was called "Dan beautiful Wave Crest development. BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 87

Far Rockaway at that period had two then it all formed part of Far Roc.K­ churches, a school, a number of hotels away. and a few stores and cottages. The physicians practising in the The following is a complete list of Rocka,vays then were Dr. Julius Auer­ residents about fifty years ago:- bach, Dr. Robert Hutcheson and Dr. Daniel Mott, Benjan1in B. Mott (Lit­ Robert Bazeley of East Rocka-way. tle Ben), Samuel Mott, Lucy Mott, Sally Definite sections were soon mapped Mott, Joseph Stringham (the hermit), out and development proceeded rapidly. La,vrence Duncan, Calvin Mott, Richard The headland, overlooking the ocean, Mott, John Mott, "Pop" Finucan, Mar­ ~as laid out as a private park, called tin Zingzam, Thomas D. Smith, John Wave Crest, and nun1erous fine resi­ Wynn, David Roche, Patrick Mulry, dences were built there. In this section William Caffrey, James McCarthy, such well known men as Horace F. James Hickey, John Bell, "Long" Ben Clark, Edward N. Dickerson, E. A. Mott, John Kavanagh, Julius Foss, Brinkeroff, 1\iiiles O'Brien, Martin B. Joseph McKim, James Sadlier, John Mc­ Brown, John H. Cheever, Henry D. Bab­ Kune, John Kelly, Patrick McTigue, cock, and School Commissioner William Mc Cale, Norton Carroll, John H. Chee- Lummis, made their homes. Other sec-

ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL, FAR ROCKAWAY. ver, Edward N. Dickerson, Horace F. tions gre,v rapidly; several magnificent Clark, Judge Charles A. Donahue, residences "\Vere built along Broadway Thomas Casey, Andrew Brady, Robert and in the Cedar Lawn section, near Elderd, Philip Hone, Richard Bain­ Jarvis lane; several lakes, including bridge, John S. Crary, James M. Brown~ Cutting's Pond, near the present gas Ivirs. Bull, vVilliam H. Bolton, David house and Isaac Remsen's ice ponds at Jennings, David Andrews, Mott Pettit, Chanler and Butler avenues, were filled Gilbert Craft, V~nus Hewlett, John in; the school house was enlarged and Abrams, Mrs. Margaret Hartford, John !and in all parts of the present village J. Healy, E. A. Darragh, Patrick which was then thickly covered with Griffin, Patrick Kane, Firman Pearsall, trees, was cleared for the building of Tn"hn T:~Tt"'\TIC! Tonio<:! 1\JTl"'IA't"lO"\"T r!ol'\'40'0 l-."nsos n-v,rl .... ,.,. ... ,:J,..,...... 1\/f,..,.,J.. ,...C ___ ,,.,.,J.. v"" ...... ,,_..J'-'••t..J, u.-:...... ~...., .,.... vv•.a.v..,, '--"''"-'V.1.t::,v .a. .. vu. '- a.&..a.u ..a.vauw\'•a~ s• .J..t'..LU.::>IJ VJ. V\'.1l

Here it ,vas that the first Rockaway avenue, where justice was administered Hunt with hounds started and the first by him. The system of ,vater supply yacht club was organized. John Cor­ by individual wells began to be super­ naga, ,vho served under the British in seded when the first ,vater company's supply was established in 1885. The village had by that tin1e grown so large that a charter of incorporation was ap­ plied for and issued in 1888, when the follovving village officials were chosen: Edmund J. Healy, president; Benjarnin B. Mott, F. L. Richmond and Joseph P. Kelly, trustees; ·vVillian1 A. ,vynn, treas­ urer; Benjamin C. Lockwood, collector, and J. Joseph 1\ilott, village clerk. ....\.t the time of its incorporation the village had a lock-up and two police­ men and ,vas lighted by oil lamps in the thoroughfares where stores existed. Otherwise there ,vas no lighting sys­ tem. Cesspools were the only means of drainage. Streets were not graded or paved and ,vhile the summer time provided a golden harvest for all, win­ ter weather provided many real hard­ ships. The Volunteer Fire Department consisted of the Protective Hook and Ladder Company and the Oceanic and EX-JUDGE EDMUND J. HEALY. Mohawk Hose companies. The Atlan­ tic Hose Company No. 1 of Far Rocka­ the Revolutionary vVar, had settled in \\·ay was the first fire company in the the same section. His son sold in 1848 village and is sho"rn on the picture to Calvin S. lvlott, who in (urn sold to illustrated, \\·hich was taken in 1879. John J. Healy. This is property now Shortly after incorporation a se,ver called Salomon's Castle, and the former site of the largest of the shell banks. In addition to the prosperity brought by the large number of summer visit­ ors, building activities on all sides add­ ed many workmen and employers, either temporarily or permanently, to the win­ ter population and stores and small cot­ tages begaR to be built to accommodate the gro,ving needs. It had been the practice of some residents in previous years to order food and other necessary articles to be brought by stage. Others GAS COMPANY'S OFFICE. obtained a weekly supply brought by ~ystem ·was urged, to be paid for by boat. Several Inwood boatmen for funds raised on village bonds and ex­ years supplied most of the needs of pended under the supervision of the the section. They visited Brooklyn and Sewer Commission. Local politics pre­ New York weekly in their steam vented the adoption of any such sys­ launches and returne-d with ample sup­ tem for several years, and it was not plies. until 1897 that a se--wer system was laid The first combined e:ff ort for improve- and disposal plant built. The village 1nents ·was an association formed in trustees also contracted with the gas i"f\"l"l"ll'Vl"n1T -frH•• +lio .....,...... ,;...., s+,..,...,...4-,s +-r. t--- 1880 "to plant trees; improve streets ._v.,.,••J:::'...,,.,.,.,""'J ..L.V~ 1.1.1..a.v .L.L.&.':"'J..L.L \.liCCll t.,V Ut;; ana walks, water streets, etc." In that lighted with gas, and various main year Edmund ~J. Healy, who was Justice thoroughfares were paved and curbed of the Peace for the Town of Hemp­ by the village officials after incorpora­ stead, built a court house on Mott tion. BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 89

Judge Healy served three consecu­ Far Rockaway, with the incorporated tive years as village president and was villages of Arverne-by-the-Sea and succeeded in that office by William Rockaway Beach, w·ere made the Fifth Wynn, Andrew McTigue, Philip Scott Ward of the Borough of Queens, gov­ and Brockholst Carroll. erned by the lvlayor of New York. The first post office in Far Rockaway, Justice of the Peace Edmund J. after Jennings' corner ceased -to be Healy ,vas appointed city magistrate, post office for the village, was at Bran­ and it is interesting to note that denberg's Swiss cottage, opposite Clark Thomas I. Conerty, who was then ap­ avenue, on Broadway. James Branden­ pointed magistrate's clerk; Harry berg ,vas first village postmaster. Oth­ Vaughn, court interpreter, and John J. ers "rho followed him were Eugene Healy, assistant clerk, ~till hold those Frank Cole, Edward Nostrand, David positions under the city.

ATLANTIC HOSE COMPANY NO. 1 IN 1879. Left to right: B. L. Carroll, R. H. Griffin, Ben West, J. Caffrey, Edward Roche, Jack Mimnaugh, J. Spelln1an, James Brandenberg, 1\1. Dwyer, Ben Harnett, Mike O'Brien, Ed·ward Canning, J. Coleman and Thomas Prendergast.

Jennings; Thomas Henderson, Andrew The old school house, the site of Mc Tigue and Dr. Henry J. France. which had been given solely for that After incorporation the civic spirit purpose by Benjamin B. Mott, was re­ and _advancement was the cause of leased from this restriction in 1893 many community improvements. A when the Union Free District school on local bank was established; stores aud State street was built, and was used storekeepers became very progressive; as a village hall until consolidation, the local n.ewspaper, the "Roc~away then for a few 1nonths as a police sta­ Journal," under the late Watkin \V. tion, and after August, when the pres­ Jones' management, was a real help ent police station on Broadway was to the village; the first part of the used, it became the Magistrates' Court, rresent fine school house was built, re­ and so remains. ligious bodies of various denominations Since consolidation the prosp_erity of organized and enlarged their spheres the village has not increased as in of action; transit facilities were i1n­ former years. All the sections have proved ,vith the growing demands; become built up with cottages, resi­ water and gas companies ,vere formed; dences and hotels ranging in value telephone services generally ,vere in­ from $3,000 to $50,000; transit facili­ stalled, and the essentials of local gov­ ties leave little to be desired, beyond ernment and the locally governed be­ elimination of the dangerous grade came established and created a real, crossings; the permanent · population if small, city by the sea. o,· and the number of summer visitors At the height of its properity the have increased greatly; amusements village lost its individuality and was and entertainments are pientifully pro­ absorbed in Greater New York when vided; there are many more stores; yet, that ·city was cre_ated on January 1st, - the spirit of civic pride has greatly 1898. Most of the local officials re­ "\\raned. The more intelligent, and tir:ed to private life and the village of those who have the best interests of 90 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

the place really at heart although al­ Ground on Greenwood avenue, and the ways ·working hard for betterment, are beautiful beach. apathetic in local elections_. knowing the futility of trying tc make them­ selves heard or being properly repre­ The Indian Shell Banks. sented in the councils of the Greater City, in order to secure greatly need­ Up to twenty years ago there was a ed improvements. The consequence is number of shell banks in the peninsula. that the old spirit of emulation and in­ There are still signs of the banks on terest in affairs of the village, does not the marshes of Woodmere Bay. Other exist with the class of men needed and banks existed at Inwood, Hog Island the same class. as formerly, so that lo­ (Barnum's Island) and Far Rockaway. cal politics are in the hands of men The Far Rockaway shell bank was..­ whose mentality and ability are not enormous and must have contained of the highest order. many thousand tons of clam shells. It There are no large employers of la­ ·was located at Bays water on Judge bor in Far Rockaway, which is a resi­ Healys' property, but was carted away dential village. Some of the pern1a­ and used for filling in purposes and nent residents work in New York Citv., road making. and "commute" daily; others are in­ The belief exists that these shell dependent, and a large number o-wn banks mark the former feasting places houses which they rent out in the sum­ of the Indians, who consumed, on those mer time and occupy during the win­ occasions, tremendous quantities of ter. There are four churches, two clams. When dried, these clam shells synagogues, a splendidly equipped and were made into wampum, which was the spacious hospital conducted by the Sis­ Indian equivalent for money. ters of St. Joseph; two banks; three newspapers; many spacious and elnb­ orate hotels; a cable terminal where the Secret Ballot First Tested in Village. Atlantic cables reach the shores of America; the Ocean Country Club and Far Rocka-\vay achieved state wide golf clubs; the Bayswater Yacht and fame on September 9th, 1890, when it Golf clubs; numerous tennis clubs; nu- v,as the scene of the first test of the 1nerous public garages; moving picture new election law which enforced secret theatres; numerous splendid stores ballots. Judge Healy was the first offering a complete market center, and a voter, and the voting took place in the post office. Court room (now Hetzel's Old Court The 279th precinct police station and House Hotel), on l\'.Iott avenue. Rep­ lock-up are located at Broadway oppo­ resentatives of all the great daily ne,vs­ site Mott avenue, and 44 men, including papers of New York were present, as captain and lieutenants, are permanent­ ·well as many politicians of note at th at ly stationed there and the precinct ex­ day, and ·we copy extracts from news­ tends from the Lawrence and Inwood paper reports which give a fairly vivid boundaries to Cronin's crossing at relation of the scenes which took place: Arverne. "The first election under the new The city fire department is housed Ballot Reform law was held yesterday in a fine brick building on Central in. the incorporated village of Far avenue and has the latest motor appara­ Rockaway, in the to-wn of Hempstead, tus as well as horse drawn equipment. Queens County. Twenty-three firemen are always sta­ "A large number of New York poli­ tioned at this fire house. ticians ·went down, to see how the re- The estimated permanent population form worked, and the whole village, of Far Rockaway (including Edgemere including the babies, were more or and the Half Way House sections) is less present to see the important 11,000 persons. voters do the important act. Local places of interest are the vari­ "Yesterday's election may be cal!ed ous churches, public library, St. Mary's an experimental election in this State. Star-of-the-Sea Academy, St. Joseph's The provisions of the law were ·not Convent, the Seaman cottage on Mott strictly observed. The public was al­ avenue, the ancient Cornell Burying lowed to occupy the space in front of BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 91

Some Pioneers in Civic Development of the Community

WILLIAM S. PETTIT. H. G. HEYSON. CHARLES R. BETTES.

CARLETON MACY.

ANDREW MCTIGUE. THOMAS I. CONERTY. WILLIAM J. MCKENNA. 92 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

the bar. Moreover the act says that friends, and end the proceedings by no electioneering shall go on within presenting the ballots to the inspec­ one hundred and fifty feet of the poll­ tor. ing place, and that was utterly disre­ "A man named Smith had been garded. It must be so in every local­ making himself conspicuously noisy ity where there is no police to see that for half an hour. He had been eject­ the la-w is carried out. ed from the space inside the rail and "It was very curious to see the can­ taken up a reclining position on top didates who were running for office, of it, where he held forth, assisted acting as inspectors, clerks and can­ now and then by his cronies, Hines vassers. It is according to the village and Cronin. He now demanded to be charter and the same system prevails allo,ved to enter a booth and prepare in some other towns. It is an anom­ a ballot for one James Finley, the aly and the attention of the Legisla­ ancient mariner of Hog Island, a ture may be called to it next year. modern reproduction of Capt. Cuttle, Not that there was any 'crooked' work on the ground that Fi1llzy ·vvas physi­ yesterday, for the contest seemed to cally incapable. The only thing the be carried on fairly and squarely, matter with Finley ·was that he was though with warmth. Still there was drunk and had lost his sea legs. But nothing to prevent ballot box stuffing he could read and write, he informed or doing the 'three card monte' act the Commissioners, and he was given with the ballots. At times there was a ballot. An old fellow named Mullin considerable confusion ,vhen chal­ now boisterously forced his way into lengers at the bar were shouting to the voting space and proceeded to the ballot clerk, and at these times it make a speech. He proceeded as far would have been easy for the receiver as 'it is my ambition,' when he was to have deposited the wrong ballot. grabbed by the throat and hurled bod­ "The Ballot Clerk was F. L. Rich­ ily out. mond, the Poll Clerk Joseph J. Mott; "Smith again became offensive. Ile the Chairman, Nathaniel B. Day. was manifestly against Healey, and "At 1 :13 President Healey an­ lost no opportunity to display his an­ nounced: 'Gentlemen, the Trustees tagonism. He brought forth three have given me the courtesy to cast the men, Finley, Martin Welch and first ballot under the new law.' He Thomas McTigue. 'These men can't selected a ballot and repaired to the write and they want my assistance. booth. Immediately after ex-Assem­ They are physically incapable.' The blymen Hines and Cronin fallowed. inspectors claimed that they must Hines reappeared within half a min­ vote without Smith's assistance. Old ute and deposited his vote. Cronin Finley had in the meantime stumbled was in the booth only thirty-five sec­ out of the booth. Smith called him onds. Healey was slow. He was in a over and talked for a minute or two. minute and a half. Then he appeared, The voter finally left him, tacked and, discovering that he had made a toward the ballot box, changed his mistake, he disappeared again for mind, and, ballot in hand, staggered half a minute to perfect his ballot. It out. Smith's other friends had ob­ was then learned that the inspector of tained their ballots, but when the in­ election had failed to put his initials spectors refused to allow him to ar­ on Mr. Healey's ballot. Hines ambled range them, Smith ordered them to back to the booth and Cronin discov­ leave the room. To the most dis­ ered he had left his ballots on resolu­ interested observer it was apparent tions behind him. No attention ,vha.t­ by this time that nothing would be ever was paid to the printed instruc­ left undone to frustrate the opera­ tions. The rule making it obligatory tions of the law. for every voter to remain in the booth "Within twenty minutes this con­ three minutes was flagrantly violated. tingent, with Finley at their head, Not one voter for the first half hour had returned. They had been taken had the faintest idea how to fold his out and instructed. Each held in his ballot. Voters would saunter out hand a crumpled ballot. Finley stag­ with ballots in their hands, walk gered in first, and threw his ballot in around the room, consult with their front of the inspectors. 'There it is,' BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 93

Some Pioneers in Civic Development of the Community

WILLIAM A. WYNN. BENJAMIN C. LOCKWOOD. BROCKHOLST L. CARROLL.

"WATKINS W. JONES. S:\HTH M. DECKER.

DANIEL BROWN. THORNDYKE C. MCKENNEE. WILLIAM J. BUCKLEY. 94 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

he stammered. 'Great Heavens!' ex­ five were cast in the first hour. The claimed Smith, 'he's giving up the result was: ticket we marked for him!' Then, "For President-Edmund J. Healy, turning to the other men, Smith 163; Joseph McKim, 140; blank, 3. yelled: 'Vote the ticket with the paster "For Trustee, two years-William on.' And again: 'Put your paster on A. Wynn, 295; blank, 8. one of those tickets. Go back in the "For Trustee, one year-Nathaniel booth and use your paster.' By this B. Day, 120; Andrew McTigue, 180; time the inspectors' patience was ex­ blank, 4. hausted and they forthwith ejected "For Treasurer-Samuel B. Alt­ Finley and his three confederates. ha use, Jr., 163; L. T. Mulhearn, 155; "When it came to the counting of blank, 6. the votes, the simplicity of the con­ For Collector-B. C. Lockwood, 304. "One of the resolutions, for raising ditions of this trial was again in fa­ a tax of $15,000, was carried by a ma­ vor of the election officers. They can-· jority of one. vassed the five-name tickets by offices, "The ,vatchers at the canvass were handling each ballot five times, and D. L. Starks, W. W. Jones, B. Smith announcing the result of the contest and Louis Walters. for each office as soon as it was "Judge Healy said it was one of the reached. They were two hours count­ quietest elections they had had and a ing the 306 votes that were cast in five great improvement on the old sys­ hours and six minutes, of which fifty- tem."

THE OUTER BEACH CALLED HOG ISLAND

The beach at Far Rockaway, and for beach, or Hog Island as it was called on many miles east and west, is undergoing account of its resemblance· to a hog's frequent local changes. Many times the back, that a large number of/ bath surf ·washes away several rods in width houses, owned variously by Friel, during a single storm, and perhaps the "\Vynn, Caffrey, Gipson, Lockwood and next storm adds more than has been re­ Sn1ith, were erected. The outer beach, n1oved by the preceding one. The sea about one thousand feet off shore, was often makes inlets to the bays and reached from the mainland by ferry marshes, and as often fills up others, boats. One of these was operated along and for this reason, if no other, it is a cable and another by sailboats, each impossible to correctly give a geographi­ being run by the bathing house proprie­ cal history of this section. The flow of tors, a fare of five cents per passenger the ocean is from east to west and while being charged. thousands of tons of sand are frequent­ The outer beach was formed grad­ ly washed away at easterly points and ually by the ocean depositing sand on entrances to inlets and small harbors, its westward sweep from Long Beach. this sand is deposited on and adds to Years ago the ocean came up to where the westerly portions of the same l\lr. Roche's tennis courts now are and places. laved the shore adjoining Roche's The bathing beach of the village Tack-a-pou-sha Hotel, Caffrey's "Ku­ which, of course, is the greatest 2t­ loff" and the United States Hotel. traction to the enormous number of When the outer beach became perma..: summer visitors, ,vas not always as it is nent enough~ ifa:; commercial possibili­ today. Up to fifteen years ago the bath­ ties were quickly taken advantage of, ing beach ,vas separated from the vil­ and, in addition to its bathing and pic­ lage beach proper by Far Rockaway Bay nic attractions, two or three restau­ and Inlet, and it was on this outer· rants furnishing refreshments and en- BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 95 tertainment were established. One principal establishment is that of Ed­ such place, owned by Patrick Craig, ·ward Roche and is illustrated herewith. ·was much frequented by Tammany It has two thousand modern sanitary Hall politicians who, in the summer bathhouses located directly at the time, made Hog Island the scene of their beach and every comfort and conven­ deliberations, as the Indians of old ience of bathers, old or young, male or time had made the other Hog Island, female, is thoughtfully catered to. On now Barnum's Island in Woodmere the beach itself are co1nf ortable chairs Bay, the scene of their pow wows. Many and shades, refreshment and cigar conferences of great import to New York City took place in this out-of-doors annex to Tammany Hall, and it was at _this time that the village ,vas called familiarly in certain political circles, the Irish Saratoga. During a great storm in the fall of 1893, the outer beach disappeared be­ neath the waves and every vestige of ·;f., . ·- .. ,I,·_, .. it and of all the buildings upon it was totally destroyed. Where one day had ·~, ,.~~~,e~:~#J appeared this excellent pleasure resort .~:-~~ ~~·:_~?~:~::~;{~~' of many thousands of people, ,vhich thousands of dollars had b()~n invested AFTER THE STORM IN 1903 AT FAR ROCKAWAY upon, next day nothing was to be seen BEACH. except an unbroken surface of water. Father Neptune had claimed his own again, but fortunately had taken no toll booths, shower baths, manicuring and in human Ii ves. hot salt water baths; there is a large The beach is again forming, however, parkway for automobiles; several splen­ and may yet be used as it formerly was, did tennis courts, and above all a great but nff\V there is no Inlet, as then exist­ stretch of glorious sandy beach. .At ed, flowing through ,vave Crest and certain times a small steamboat, the into Jamaica Bay. The beautiful Wave Oysterette, takes bathers without Crest lake, as it was termed, was filled charge to the new sand bar now form­ in about ten years ago when Frederick ing out in the ocean. And lastly, the J. Lancaster's c·ompany opened up the pleasure seeker, gently tired from the

ROCHE'S BATHING ESTABLISHMENT, ONE OF THE BEST EQUIPPED ON THE ATLANTIC COAST.

Edgemere section as a real estate de­ day's enjoyments in the health-giving l'\'7f\l'10 't'Ylc:I~.,. hA..,,..,::J ...... ,..1,.,.,..1..,4.:,., .1..,4-ll--- ~:--~ velopment. v~-v ... ~, .uu..J vva..L \.A. a.u. C.LC\.,1.,J. .I.\., l,J. U.l.l~.Y \;c;l.1 The bathing facilities formerly af­ ~~lmost outside his bathing house and forded on Hog Island are far outclassed in a few minutes be transported to the by the splendid modern bathhouse main part of the village or to the rail­ plants at Far Rockaway Beach. The road depot. 96 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

EDGEMERE

The Edgemere section of Far Rock­ parish of St. Mary's at Far Rockaway. away was first opened up and developed A large area of land north of the rail­ by Frederick J. Lancaster in 1892" The road tracks has been filled in, graded road between Arverne and Far Rocka­ and sold off in building lots. ·way had then been made, but only t,vo The Edgemere section is greatly ex­ or three houses existed in the whcle posed and although that fact renders area, which was a sandy waste, the it a most desirable summer resort and only building of any pretension west many fine houses have been built, there of Wave Crest being the Half Way are very few winter residents. House, a hostelry. The Half Way House section, extend­ l\ir. Lancaster first called the place ing from a point west of the railroad New Venice, but this was later changed station to the Arverne boundary, was a to Edgemere, and is so called today. In summer tent colony up to five years ago. addition to filling the marsh lands in Since that time various real estate de­ and making roads, the magnificent velopers have filled the land in on the

ST. MARY'S LYCEUM, BROADWAY, FAR ROCKAWAY.

Edgemere Club or Hotel was built. This ocean and bay_ sides of the railroad ·was at the ocean front and near the In­ b.'acks, and there are now hundreds of let. The hotel was equipped and fur­ small frame houses and bungalows and nished on a lavish scale and opened in a chain of stores. Those on the ocean 1894. At that time the beautiful Wave side are essentially for summer use, but Crest lake existed and connected Far many of the houses on the Boulevard Rockaway Bay with Norton's Creek and s_ide of the track are occupied during Jamaica Bay. The lake and the Inlet the summer and winter. There is a fine ,vere later filled in to make more build­ modern hotel, the Half Way House, ing lots. The early development of owned and conducted by Richard N. Edgemere ·was slow but during the past few years there have been numerous Noland, "rho is also the leading · and sales, and a large number of houses, a most aggressive worker for the sec­ few store~; and ~everal high-cla~~ ~um­ tion. He originated the Half Way mer hotels, erected. The Roman Cath­ House Improvement Society which suc­ olic Mission of St. Gertrude was opened ceeded in getting the Long Island rail­ at the pretty church built in 1911 near road trains to stop at that station the railroad station, and is part of the during the summer months. , ; :,.._~_. ~--,," -...... ,...... "~ '. . ~,,,- ' ,.,,'. ... , ''<,., , "',,

./:,~-2:..t···~-- ~""+'+'":'; :\ :~\r'::±t~-=- :·, '-~ ~ --~-~ ,.,.._,, _ ... t;j t=1 t_-l t_-l 0 ~

~~"·; , , !"~,:~~,~~~I.~;'.~) :,,,,.

BIRD'S EYE VIE\V OF FAR ROCKAWAY IN 1900. Observe the outer beach (llog· Island), since washed away, with its bath houses, restaurants and ferries. Also observe the inlet at Edgemere connecting J ai11aica Bay with the ocean. · Bayswater and east of Edgemere section was not then built up as it is today. D8 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

ARVERNE

RIOR to the year 1882 there straightening out the title to land he had were no houses in the sec­ already purchased, became, somewhat un­ P tion now known as Arverne, ·willingly, purchaser of a large area. He excepting two or three fishermen's aided his early neighbors who had faulty .3hacks. In that year four men erect­ titles to substantiate them. He retained €d houses. \Villiam Scheer built the and built up about two blocks for him­ first house, and soon afterwards Freder­ self and then sold the remainder to Ver­ ick Bessler, lVIartin Meyer and Reming­ nam for a nominal sum. ton Vernam built two more houses each. Another early developer was William The first house built by Mr. Scheer H. Amern1an, who unexpectedly discov­ stood about 500 feet south of the present ered that h~ owned a strip of land 800 boulevard on Cedar avenue, which, •with feet in width running from ocean to bay. Wave Crest avenue, became the first It appeared that in 1837, during the street in Arverne. At that time the plague of cholera then prevalent, Mr. section was a sandy ·waste, in parts of Amerman's father had purchased this which grew a number of cedar trees. land from the Cornell heirs, laid in a The gentlemen named, like others, had stock of food and isolated himself and purchased land in Arverne, being at­ returned to New York and apparentiy tracted by its wonderfully vitalizing forgotten he ever. owned the land. Many atmosphere and easy accessibility to the years later, when attention was attract­ city. In .those days a clear title to prop­ ed to the seashore, Mr. Amerman was erty in the section was a very scarce attracted with it and discovered his own­ thing, and the services of lawyers were ership. He built several houses and still in great demand to clear up the difficul­ owns a portion of his father's original ties. It is well known that many lRw­ purchase. yers made a great deal of money by spe­ Vernam and other owners set men to cializing in ciearing up "cloudy" titles, work leveling sand dunes, filling holes, and some of them became both owners clearing up and straightening the old and lawyers in the same transactions. sand path and making the property more Remington Vernam, a New York attor­ attractive to intending purchasers and ney, was apparently one of the latter home seekers. class, and he had a great deal to do ·with The Rockaway Railway, a steam route, the development of Arverne. The place branch of the South Side Railroad, was was named after him, "R. Vernam." running an infrequent train service ' Several purchasers of property in Ar­ through Arverne between Far Rockaway verne, including Mr. Scheer, paid for the and Rockaway Beach, on tracks laid par­ same property more than once. This allel with and near to the ocean front, was occasioned by their having been in­ about 100 feet south of the present bou­ duced to buy property from "squatters," levard. only to find, after parting with their Numerous wealthy residents of New money, that their title ·was not market­ York were attracted to Arverne and built able, and they would have to buy from fine houses. Gas and water mains were persons deriving title under the Cornell laid and streets mapped out. Ocean ave­ partition suit. nue was the name given to the main thor­ The section now known as .....\.rvern2, oughfare, and in 1887 the Long Island and Edgemere were the last parts of the Railroad Company, which succeeded the peninsula to be improved. Remington South Side, ,vas induced to remove its Vernam took up his residence at Ar­ tracks to the present track bed, and :i verne, and, after much bartering, bar­ station called Arverne was located at gaining, compromising and suing, be­ Gaston avenue which became the centre came the owner of considerabie area~ of the village. The .runner nearest :stop which he speculated in, and sold off in was Atlantic Park, a seaside hotel run smaller lots. by Mr. John Kreuscher. The railway William Scheer, a wealthy resident, in company had been promised a quit claim BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 99 to the site by Vernam, but it was not vious to this the inlet at Wave Crest, and delivered to them and they erected an­ the boggy land intervening, rendered other station further east at Straiton communication between these places dif­ avenue, ·where all trains stopped instead ficult, and sometimes impossible. A of at Gaston avenue. This expedited the boardwalk three feet above the beach development of the easterly end of the level, was also constructed by property

'. ,, .. - .' . ~ ......

. ~ ~- .' .,~::

RE:.VIINGTON VERN Al\T. \VILLIA1''.I SCHEER. LOUIS J. SOMERVILLE. village very greatly. The old residents owners about 300 feet north of the pres­ objected to the stoppage of· trains at ent board\valk. This walk held the sand, Gaston avenue, and retained the services became covered and made more beach for of the late Mayor of New York City, for­ the owners, who soon afterwards erected mer Judge '\,Villiam J. Gaynor, to fight another similar walk nearer the ocean, for a renewal of the service. Juqge Gay­ which again made more beach. nor waged a sharp but successful fight An ambitious project was the building against the railroad company, which was of the Arverne Hotel in 1888. This was ordered to renew the interrupted service. an imposing structure located on Rem-

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ct, • ,·. ~. _.:___~~ ·• r- :t.: ··- ··. -?,~--

THE ARVERNE HOTEL.

The Gaston avenue station continued to ington avenue at the ocean front. The hnilrlino- "{~T')c::! 'l-nr1 ;s l"\'nl'\ "{! +l-.,-.. 1 .... ,.,...,...;....i. be the main station until 1912: when the •- ~-----••o • • ...,~, ...,.._..,._., .., 1 VJ.J.\., V.L 1.,.1.J.C ,1a,,1 ~ C:i:::) l, present station was built. in the Rockaways. It was estimated About the san1e time, in 1886, a road­ to cost $60,000 but before it was com­ way \Vas built connecting Far Rockaway pleted it is saiq the total outlay was with Arverne and Rocka'\"\1ay Beach. Pre- about $200.000. 100 · BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

The summer train service was gradu­ sewers, curbed streets, lighted them by ally improved and the place became a gas lamps, and made and extended Ocean fashionable summer resort. Many avenue beyond Storm avenue toward wealthy families occupied summer homes Edgemere. Arverne streets are laid on and building proceeded in all directions. a model plan, running north and south, Stores were erected in the vicinity of the 200 feet apart. two railroad stations, and in 1888, a In the years 1900-1901 the Arverne Protestant church fronting Ocean ave­ boardwalk was built by the various ocean nue was built with funds raised by pub­ front owners, with one or two exceptions lic subscription, on land given for that and these were made up by the other purpose exclusively, by William H. Amer­ ocean front owners. This was an ele­ man. The church was known as the vated timber structure built on spiles "Union Church," erected for the use of high above the water at high tide, and is any and all Protestant denominations, a famous ocean promenade. It is about who were ministered to during the sum­ three-quarters of a mile in length and mer months by visiting clergymen. This has fronting it several blocks of stores, was the only Christian church ever in bathing houses and open beaches. Many Arverne. With the influx of the He­ people there are who claim that the brew population the church fell into dis­ boardwalk was always Arverne' s greatest use, and the structure was moved to the asset. It is a delightful place, affording Crippled Children's Home in Summer­ views of the broad Atlantic ocean and field avenue some months ago and con­ enjoyment of the pure ozone wafted in. verted into an extension of the home. Arverne came into the heyday of its The delights and benefits of surf bath­ popularity about this time. Pleasure and ing became increasingly popular and the family hotels and boarding houses sprang beautiful Arverne beach, clean and gently up all around, a greatly accelerated train sloping, free from treacherous currents, service was secured, private coaching became the chief attraction.· To accom­ parties from Brooklyn and Long Island modate the thousands of bathers of both made the village their resort, ,and a sexes, numerous large bath houses were large and handsome theatre was built erected on and adjacent to the beach, and south of the boardwalk over the ocean. formed one of the principal sources of This theatre, which had a seating ca­ revenue. pacity of 800, and was thoroughly With the advance of the place, and a equipped with a large stage, was com­ corresponding increase in the number pletely washed away on the night of of residents, a sense of ci vie pride im-­ January 5th, 1914, during a violent storm pelled them to combine in order to ef­ which tore up the ends of many streets, fect permanent improvements. washed away several houses and par­ Towards the end of 1895 a meeting of tially wrecked the boardwalk. Persons residents was held at the house of the who had seen the theatre intact on the late Benjamin Lichenstein for the pur­ preceding night were unable to find a pose of voting on a petition to incor­ vestige of the structure next morning, porate the village. There were then excepting half a dozen of those spiles about 125 residents and they decided to which supported it. incorporate. A charter was granted the The boardwalk has many times suf­ same year under the name of Arverne­ fered damage by violent storms, and al­ by-the-Sea. _The officers elected were: though always repaired, should be re­ John R. Waters, president; Willian1 placed with a new walk. Scheer, Isidor Stern and Henry Toste­ As the section south of the railroad vin, trustees; Henry E. Knight, treas­ tracks_ rapidly filled up, Vernam turned urer and Adolphus E. Karelsen, village his attention· to the marsh lands north clerk. The same gentlemen remained in and running to Jamaica Bay. This tract office until the village was consolidated was considerably larger than the older with the remainder of the Fifth Ward section of Arverne. Filling in opera­ in Greater New York, January 1st, tions were commenced and the task 1898. The most important work accom- proved to be a gigantic one. Vernam -· ·- ...... , ., • ◄ f""'\I""\~ - - . ·--- ...... ,, ., plished by the village ooara was 1n .1b~, ~ died. 1n l~U'I, a1ter nav1ng snoruy oe- when they raised, by issuing bonds, the f ore his demise sold the entire section to sum of $200,000 with which they estab­ the Somerville Realty Company, which lished grades at all street crossings, laid imm~diately proceeded to bulkhead the BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 101 property, fill it in with sand pumped There are no manufactures or indus­ from the bay, and lay out modern streets tries and the prosperity of the place de­ with parkways. This property is now pends entirely upon the patronage from known as Somerville Park and is so summer visitors who are attracted by the named after its developers. Where ten bathing, boating and fishing but above years ago existed swamps and marsh all by the wonderful health-giving and lands there are now stores, upwards of invigorating climate. The summer car­ two hundred cottages and valuable com­ nivals, until recently held at Arverne, mercial dock front lots. were among the earliest, most elaborate, Five years ago, William Scheer caused and best-known throughout the country. a large tract of land owned by him north There has been a government life-sav­ of the tracks, adjoining Somerville Park, ing station at Arverne for more than bounded by Jamiaca Bay on the west forty-five years past, the first keeper hav­ and Somerville Park on the east, to be ing been Daniel B. Mott. It is now bulkheaded and filled in to a high grade. termed the Coast Guard Station and is The immediate future of this section is at the easterly end of the village. There

ARVERNE SYNAGOGUE-DERECH E:.\IUNOH. pregnant with large commercial possi­ is a keeper, Joseph D. Meade, and nine bilities, as much of this property has men are stationed there. Thev.., . and the frontage to deep and navigable water. men at Rockaway Point, are in charge The Somerville Improvement Society of this section of the coast. The station efficiently looks after the territory north js well equipped, having two boats and of the tracks. I ts officers are Frederick all apparatus for rescue work. Several W. Avery,. president; Arnold Wetzler~ of the old mortar guns from which life vice-president; Howard Hosmer, treas~ lines were fired out to wrecks in stormy urer, and Charles R. Minnis, secretary. weather may be seen at the station. Credit should be given to the Women The train service is excellent and the of Arverne, who have been well to the system, like all others on the Rockaway front in its civic affairs and have raised branch, is electrified. Direct connection-, funds to pay for cleaning the streets are had with Flatbush a:venue, Brooklyn, and lighting the boardwalk. and Pennsylvania Station, Manhattan. Although Arverne is essentially a sum­ The running time is only about thirty mer resort, there are now several hun­ minutes. dred permanent aii-year residents. In The winter population is estimated at addition to the public school and tw8 1,000 persons. railroad stations, there are a post office, Among the early developers and re~1- · numerous stores, a synagogue, moving dents of Arverne should be mentioned picture theatre and public garages. 0. K. Eldridge, S. E. N. Derickson, 102 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

Henry E. Knight, H. M. Tostevin, I(aiser, William Sommers, Arnold Charles Dunham, Straiton, Storms, Wal­ Behrer, Kuttner and Sidel Tilghamn. ter Schiffer, Benjamin Lichenstein, \V. H. Amerman, M. J. Mulqueen, Florian The central fire house of the Fifth Rohe, William Scheer, Martin Meyer, Ward is situated at Arverne. Battalion Henry Shultheis, Ernest Ochs, John B. Chief William E. Lawrence is in charge Summerfield, B. A. Hard, lVIiss A. Bar­ of the section. The Arverne equipment rett, Nathaniel A. l\'.IcBride, Arnold includes up-to-date motor and horse­ Sampter, i\.. B. Ansbacher, Samuel Mos­ drawn apparatus and is handled by a bacher, Joseph P. Powers, Captain force of fourteen men.

ROCKAWAY BEACH

HE pioneer developer of Rock­ deposits made by the ocean. :i.\1:any mil­ away Beach ,vas James S. Rem­ Jicns of dollars' worth of property have T sen, the popular and affable in this manner been added to the west­ "Uncle Jim" of Jamaica, who in 1853 erly end of the peninsula and of late with John M. Johnson purchased from years modern dredging and filling in Charles G. Covert two-thirds of plot appliances have been brought to work No. 1, referred to at length in the chap­ by real estate operators, ,.vho have ter on Sales and Division of Lots. Rem­ availed themselves of Dame Nature's sen and Johnson's purchase was then kindness and augmented her efforts to between the United States land at the give them land by bulkheading it, in western end of the peninsula and the order to prevent it getting a,vay again Stringham tract. Two years later, in and, by filling in sand from ocean and 1855, James S. Remsen bought another bay, made it up to a suitable building plot of 300 acres from Lewis and Abram grade. Hewlett for $485.50, being about $1.62 When the first post office was an acre. In 1858 Remsen gave Johnson opened at Rockaway Beach the sec­ $20,000 for the latter's interest, and tion was called Ocean us and that thereby became the sole owner. name is still used by some post offices Michael P. Holland, also of Jamaica, today. purchased the section of Rockaway The oldest house is the old Dodge Beach named after him in 1857 and Homestead on the Boulevard at Dodge soon afterwards Louis Hammel ac­ Avenue, and this is no·w being demol­ quired the tract to· the east of Holland. ished. In addition to this, there were Sixty years ago, Rockaway Beach was only four fishermen's houses, little bet­ known as the Lo,ver Beach (from Far ter than shacks~ ·when Remsen, Holland, Rocka-\vay) and extended a little be­ Hammel and others came. They real­ yond the present entrance to the Belle ized the commercial possibilities of the Harbor section. Land was valued only place, which was a very narrow neck of for the salt hay it produced. It was land with a slightly eurving southerly reached either by boat across Jamaica frontage to the .A.tlantic Ocean, and a Bay or from Far Rockavvay by a rough much indented northerly frontage to wagon road across the meadows and Jamaica Bay, and the earliest efforts marshes where Edgemere and Arverne were directed towards securing good now are. The deep inlet which for­ transportation from New York City and ~To•n-r To...-so•p• r-ri-.'"' l-.r,...,,..~ +i..,..~ .c,...... -~~-' merly s-..vept st1·aight bet\veen the point ~,..., .. Uv.&. '-'.)• ...... _ IJC'4vl.l. l,.1..1.'1:.-.l.l J.Vl.J.J.H::u of the beach and Barren Is land was part of the Town of Hempstead. ·moving in a westerly direction year by In 1863 Remsen conveyed all the land, year, and the peninsula was rapidly excepting a strip 1,150 feet in width being added to ·by the enorn1ous sand running from ocean to bay, ,vhich he BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 103

Some Pioneers in Civic Development of the Community

MICHAEL P. HOLLAND. PHILIP CLOSS.

JAMES S. REMSEN ("UNCLE JIM").

JOHN W. WAINWRIGHT. DAVID J. FELIO. 104 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS named Seaside Park, to Dr. Thompson. and enabling stean1ers of heavy draft In doing this Remsen's chief considera­ to dock easilv. tion was to secure a railroad connecting Among the boats which docked there with Seaside Park, and Dr. Thompson were the Grand Republic; the Plymouth agreed to build- a railroad from East Rock, being the old Boston boat; the Ne,v York to Canarsie and maintain a Neversink; the Americus, built by Wil­ steam ferry route between Cannrsie and liam Tweed; the Tammany Tiger; the Seaside Park landing. This ferry route William Cook and the Twilight, all was established and, although .faulty in from N e-w York; the Maj en ta, from its service, was the beginning of big Newark, N. J.; the Marion, from Jer­ things for Seaside. In the meantime sey City; the first Iron steamboat from other sections were undergoing changes. Yonkers, being the Francis; and the As early as 1872 a steam railroad ex­ Blackbird and General Sedgwick. tension was run from Far Rockaway Houses were built everywhere to ac­ along the ocean front through Edge­ commodate and cater to the needs and mere and Arverne, and as the places pleasures of the many thousands who were built stops ,vere made at Kreus­ visited the beach; countless bath houses cher's Atlantic Park (now Park Ave­ were erected on or near the beach front nue, Arverne), Eldert's Grove, the Hol­ to accommodate the bathers desiring a land House, Remsen ~nd Wainwright's dip in the ocean, and many amusement Seaside House and the Neptune House. centers ,vere originated. At that time the entire beach was In 1878 Remsen and '\Vainwright covered with groves of fine cedar trees gave to the New York, Woodhaven and and, in addition to these shading de­ Rockaway Railroad Company, all the lightful pleasure grounds, they fur­ land forming the present Seaside Sta­ nished material for building many tion. About the same time Michael P. structures. Holland gave to the sam ~ company the William Wainwright joined Remsen site of the present Holland Station, and in various enterprises at the beach Louis Hammel gave the site of the when he went there in 1874 and their Hammel Station. The Rockaway first important project was the build­ Beach Park Association, of v1hich ing and opening of the Seaside House, Henry Y. Attrill was president, gave a fine hotel directly at Seaside landing the site of the present Rockaway Park on Jamaica Bay. Other hotels were railroad station. A condition of the erected and Rockaway Beach attracted gift in each case was to the effect that thousands of visitors and became firmly the stations should always bear those established .as a popular summer re­ names. In August, 1880, the first train sort. The first hotels included the Surf ran over the five-mile length of wooden Pavilion, Metropolitan Hotel and grove, trestle which had been built by this Atlas Hotel, lVIammoth Pavilion Ruland's railroad company across Jamaica Bay, Seaside Pavilion, Hiliyer's Surf House, reaching the beach at Hammel Station Grand Repubic Hotel, East End Hotel, and then proceeding westerly on a new Hammel's Hotel, Atlantic Park Hotel, line laid connecting the stations named. Holland House, Eldert's Grove and The old line nearer the ocean front was Hope's Centennial, all being located in later taken up. the Seaside, Holland and Hammel . sec­ The opening up of this new steam tions of the beach. line made traveling to and from New To Mr. Wainwright must be given York and elsewhere very easy. Instead considerable credit for the early suc­ of being a sparsely settled section, cess of Rocka\vay Beach as a summer building development proceeded evb_ty­ resort. Chiefly through his efforts and where and lots rapidly increased in perseverance numerous large pleasure value and demand. Speculators turned steamers brought thousands of visitors their attention to the wonderful new daily and they all landed at Seaside seashore development, and among other landing, where three piers ·were built. schen1es, one, which ended disastrously Seaside Avenue was the first street laid for those financially intere~ted; wa~ the out, and the site was chosen because it construction of the largest, hotel in the was the shortest distance from bay to world, known as the Rockaway Beach ocean and the channel was deep close Hotel and sometimes as Attrills Hotel. inshore, rendering dockage economical This hotel was built by the Rockaway BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 105

Park Association at a cost of $1,250,000. men on the building were never paid The pl um bing in the building cost and threatened to burn it down, but $90,000. It stood facing the ocean and later on they received certificates in the covered a site from the present First assets of the association in lieu of Avenue to Fifth A.venue. The hotel ,vas wages. James W. Husted had been ap­ described in the year 1881 as f ollo-\vs: pointed Receiver by the Court, and ''The Largest Hotel in the "\Vorld. John W. Wainwright, then a youth, was "In 1881, while not yet co1npleted, a his clerk or secretary in connection part of it was opened to the public with the affairs of the hotel. The struc­ about the 1st of August. The building ture was sold for $30,000 in 1884 and is about 1,188 feet long by 250 feet torn down, parts of the material being wide. It has several hundred rooms purchased by local men and utilized by and over 100,000 square feet of piazzas. them in building hotels and other Near the hotel are a large number of houses.

:: :t . ,· '::! ·:,_.; • • ..... 1.

,, . d!~ :. . ., .. ~· :l~--1~,:Jt).f!(il..• ~ • 1P"'' .. . ~ !'

THE MAMMOTH ROCK A "\VAY BEACH HOTEL. bathing houses. T};ie water and gas Another ambitious project was the· supply is furnished from the company's famous iron pier constructed at Seaside o,vn works, a Holly pumping machine by Theodore Havemeyer. It was then forcing the water from a large well to the largest pier in the United States all parts of the hotel. The drainage and extended about l,300 feet into the system is complete; all the refuse mat­ ocean, affording landing, at times, for ter is discharged through massive iron steamers. The pier head was 82 feet pipes at a point distant from the hotel, wide and the pier itself 32 feet in width. and is carried by direct currents into A portion of the pier still remains, but Jamaica Bay. The rooms are heated by the greater length of it has been washed steam. The observatory on the top of away by violent storms during the past the hotel is two hundred feet square few years. and there are two elevators to it~ An Among the early settlers and devel­ unobstructed view of the ocean, the bay opers of Rockaway Beach, in addition and the Long Island country for miles to those already mentioned, i. e., Rem­ around is obtained from this elevation." sen, Johnson and Wainwright, are the The hotel was never opened, with the following: Garr~t Eldert, Luke Eldert, n"'V~l"\V\+;l"\'V\ I"'\+ l"\Y\.""\ ~T.,.~.,....,..,,.. -/!"'°"' nhr.~-.+- n 1\tr.:,,1-.,_ ~1 T) TT-11--- .1 T .,. .. T m1'e 011 '-'•~'-''-'t,'V.I.V,U. V.L V.L.l\J YY.1..1.J.,S .LVJ.. GI.IJVU.IJ a, .1..u..11.,;..ua. 1t:a .1. • .r.tuuauu, d u1u1 ~ a s , month in August, 1881. It was sump­ John Bond, Louis Hammel, John Waters, tuously furnished. Forty average per­ Peter McGirris, A.I. Ruland, Harper & sons could have walked up the main Strumpf, E. E. Datz, Harry A. Failing, stairway arm in arm. Many of the work- Louis Phillips, Charles A. Schilling, 106 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS

Edgar L. Morrison, Sam Myers, Henry tary. James M. Wainwright was village Hilmyer, David J. Felio~ George constable. Burchell, John Healy, Phillip Clcss, At that time the assessed valuation Dr. Brandreth, Henry W. Isaacs, John of the village was $570,000 and imme­ J. Curley, Jacob Kohn, Emanuel Arn9ld, diately after incorporation village Richard A. Simpson, John Barry, Henry bonds for $57,000 were issued and that Schonke, Alfred C. Bedell, Benjamin amount of money raised and expended Ryder, William Henne, L. A. \Vollen­ in street construction and pavi:ag. weber, Frank Sheppard, John R. Mur­ The ·village was absorbed in Greater ray, Theodore Kruse, l\ilartin Meyer, New York on January 1st, 1898, and George Bennett, John R. ·v ail, John J. lost its individuality thereby. Kelly, P.,..ugust Wiedennann, John Han­ During the years of the development ley, Charles Crabbe, Albert l\ileisel, of the older sections of the beach the Charles A. Dashby, Valentine Seaman, ocean was constantly adding land at a George L. Lambert, Thomas J. Corning rapid rate to the ,vesterly end and since and William E. Meissner. consolidation the ne,ver districts of In 1886 the boulevard connecting Belle Harbor and Neponsit have come Rocka,vay Beach with Far Rockaway into being. was completed. The permanent popu­ These two districts are high class lation at the beach at that time was real estate developments formed by the estimated at one thousand persons. filling in and bulkheading of the west About the s~me time First Congrega­ end. In the year 1897 an electric trol­ tion Church and shortly after,vards the ley· line was constructed from Far Roman Catholic Church of St. Rose of Rockaway running through Edgemere, Lima were built. P.... rverne and all of Rockaway Beach, A great fire occurred at Seaside.on including Hammel, IIolland, Steeple­ September 20th, 1892, when a large part chase, Seaside, Rocka,vay Park, Belle of the main section, including all build­ Harbor, and .terminating at N eponsit. ing from ocean to bay · between Henry The fare charged is only five cents for Street and Centre Street, were de­ the entire distance and this line greatly stroyed. The fire occurred after the aided the develop1nent of Bel]e Harbor close of the season's business, but its and N eponsit, the nearest railroad sta­ effects were most disastrous. The dam­ tion to which places is at Fifth Avenue, age by fire and water was estimated at Rockaway Park. Many fine residences half a million dollars. are no,v built there and, in addition, the In the f ollo,ving year the section was rebuilt and many more places of enter­ tainment and amuse1nent soon sprang up. An elevated ocean front boardwalk from Holland to Seaside was erected and added greatly to the attractions of the place, which soon came to be one of the best known summer resorts 1n the country. On J·uly 1st, 1897, the Village of Rockaway Beach, Queens County, New York, was incorporated with the follow­ ing officers: John W. Wainwright, ON JAMAICA BAY. president; Louis Kreuscher, John J. Kelly and David J. Felio, trustees; Episcopalian Church- of St. .A.. ndrew, Thomas J. Corning, treasurer; Clarence and the Roman Catholic Church of St. vV. Sherwood, collector; Harry A. Fail­ Francis De Sales with its parochial school, are located at Belle Harbor. ing, clerk; Sanford Murray, street com­ ---The city owns a large area acquired missioner, and Dr. Obed L. Lusk, health for a seaside park and has erected a officer. .. ., • , ., , ., ,. - . . . l_ nuge nospna1 near tne ocean .1ro1n. The Board of Health consisted of The United States Government has re­ "\Villiam · G. Wainwright, president; cently constructed Fort Tilden near the Charles Crabbe, John J. Curley, .Michael same point, and has, also, a life saving P. Holland, and Albert Meisel, secre- station there. The peninsula terminates BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 107

Some Pioneers in Civic Development of the Community

·,;~ . \; /'._,•-- 'l'"w·., "'',. ' • • ; ' <,, •

CHARLES CRADBE. CHARLES A. SCHILLING.

> " .-:- . ' ?f:. . ' ...:

,_.,, '

\VILLIAM \VAINWRIGHT.

FRANKLIN C. NORTON. EDGAR L. MORRISON.

JOHN A. RUTH. ANDP.E\-V J. KENNY.

WILLIAM SCHONCKE. 108 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS at Rockaway Point, a little west of the Synagogue; a large public school a summer colony of Roxbury. branch public library; a splendid free Rockaway Park is ·well equipped with hospital well equipped with a staff of numerous fine hotels~ boarding houses, doctors, nurses and an ambulance; the modern stores, residences, garages, pub­ Rockaway Beach post office; two weekly lic school, fire house and picture thea­ newspapers, the Wave and the Argus; tre, in addition to which the beautifully numerous summer and winter hotels; clean, wide beach, ideal for bathing boarding houses, garages and thou­ purposes, is overlooked by a wide sands of bathing houses at the ocean boardwalk. St. l\'Ialachy's Home for front, as well as many private resi­ Boys and the Hebrew Home occupy dences. These sections are almost sol­ large sites near the ocean front, and idly built up. A cable station for re­ educate and clothe a large number of ceiving Transatlantic messages is at children. Fairview Avenue. The Seaside section is the summer The Jamaica Bay shore between amusement section, and there are Hammel and N eponsit is lined with located Morrison's Theatre, Wainwright docks used by private yacht clubs, or & Smith's Pavilion and Hoteis, Felio's where boats of all descriptions may be New York Hotel, the Seaside House, hired. Some of the clubs have elabo­ Healy's, Cunningham's, Schilling's, rate quarters and great memberships, Poggi's and numerous others, as well the two best known being the Jamaica as the innumerable attractior.s on the Bay Yacht Club and the Belle Harbor Bo,very and the Steeplechase section of Yacht Club. the boardwalk, where roller coasters, The 281st Precinct police station and picture theatres and the dark caves lockup are no-w in the old school house off er ample means of passing the time at Boulevard and Academy Avenue, pleasantly at the ocean front. Holland. The first station house (1898) The Holland and Hammel sections \Vas in a brick building near the ocean have a more permanent population, and in Henry Street, Seaside, "but a move the Boulevard is lined with stores from was made to the present quarters in one end to the other. In these districts 1901, when the public schoool was there are three churches; a J e,vish opened across the Boulevard. There

DISTRICT ATTORNEY DENIS O'LEARY. BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS 109

are fifty-t,vo men, including captain twenty-two men; an engine company and lieutenants, permanently stationed and fourteen men at Seaside; a hook there, and the precinct inc-I udes all and ladder company with fourteen men the territory from Cronin's crossing, at Holland, and an engine company Arverne, to Rockaway Point. with fourteen men at Grove Avenue, The City Fire Department has a sub­ Hammels. stantial brick fire house at Fifth Ave­ There are no f actorie3 at Rockaway nue, Rockaw~y Park, with motor and Beach, the total permanent population horse-drawn apparatus handled by of which is estimated at 12,000 persons.

THE SECESSION MOVEMENT

Prominent residents of the area occu­ the Rocka,vays with Brooklyn, across pied by the former incorporated villages Jamaica Bay, are needed. of Far Rockaway, Arverne and Rock­ To secure these improvements they away Beach, which now form the Fifth claim they must again have local self­ "\Vard of the Borough of Queens, have government, and accordingly in the during the past few years made stren­ spring of 1915 a bill was presented and uous attempts, well supported by a ma­ passed in the legislature at Albany jority of the residents and property creating of the Fifth Ward a separate owners, to secure more recognition from city called Rockaway City, At the time the Greater City, and an expenditure of of the presentation of the bill a great money on this section in return for the delegation went from Rockaway on annual taxes paid in. special trains to Albany and a pub!ic This area is assessed for the year hearing was given in the Assembly 1917 for taxes at the sum of $60,301,710 chamber. Hopes of success ran high and residents claim they do not receive until the bill, which passed in the Sen­ adequate attention to their needs in ate and Assembly by very large major­ return. They point out that an up-to­ ities, was vetoed and thereby defeated date sewer system; an ocean front for that year by John Purroy Mitchel, board,valk' from Far Rockaway to lVIayor of New York City, after a public N eponsit; a better highway or boule­ hearing in City Hall. vard through their territory; better The next year another bill was dra~-n main roads and a highway connecting and presented, but was not pushed for

NATIONAL BANK, FAR ROCKAWAY. 110 BELLOT'S HISTORY OF THE ROCKAWAYS passage. In 1917 the third measure ,vas commences ·on January 1st next year, strenuously urged and again success­ their needs will be better looked after fully passed both houses and ,vas again and some serious attempt made to fur­ sent to l\fayor Mitchel .:or signature or nish the most urgent of their require­ veto. The 1\1:ayor again vetoed the bill. r1ents. In that event they express them­ Leading residents are hopeful that un­ selves willing to remain a part of the der the administration of .T ohn F. greatest city in the world and forego Hylan, ,:vhose term of office as l\iayor their applications for local autonomy.

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PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE

-- Lawrence New York Ii

~ ~111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111,1111111111111111111i:11111n 11•11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111•11111111i1,111111111111111111111~ g ;'i 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 I I! 11111111 I :1; I: 1111111 \ 11° 1111111111111111111 I I I I11111! 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 l I I Ill ll_l~_I I I I Ill I IU1I111111111111111111111111 I Ill I I IIII II II Ill I IIIIUIIIIJlll 1111111111111111IIJ 1:r11111111111~ Established 1892 T elepbone 245 Hammels FRANK F. BASSETT AMERICAN Distributor and Service Station For the STEAM LAUNDRY ROCKAWAYS For

The Laundry That Serves

You On Time and Right

LECHTMAN LAUNDRY COMPANY The Largest Laundry Plant on Long Island

469-471 Boulevard MOTOR CARS Rockaway Beach, New York CENTRAL AVENUE LAWRENCE

Telephone, HAMM ELS 4 THE JAMIESON & BOND CO.

ICE, COAL, WOOD MASON MATERIALS HAY AND FEED CEMENT BUILDING BLOCKS - ROOFING SLAG

FOOT OF BOND AVENUE, ROCKAWAY BEACH Phone, Hammels 244 Tel. Call 173 Far Rockaway P. 0. Box 449

F. J. STAEHLE Far Rockaway and SONS ===Ice Co.=== Ne~ Seaside Market J. J. MICHELS, Treas.

J 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111, 111111

Meats Poultry ••• ICE ••• Provisions JIIJII

20-22 CORNAGA A VENUE 177 Boulevard, - - Rockaway Beach FAR ROCKAWAY, - - - N. Y.

Telephone 49 Far Rockaway GEORGE M. DIERINGER jfuntral 1!lirtctor

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CENTRAL A VENUE FAR ROCKAWAY, N. Y. .... 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111, •• 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111..

A. V. JONES, President and Treasurer Phone 17 Far Rockaway H. E. SHARP, Secretary

WATKIN W. JONES (INCORPORATED)

Oldest Established Real Estate and Insurance Agency in the Rockaways

1919 MOTT A VENUE FAR ROCKAWAY, L. I.

:'111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 THE Outside Inn PLAYHOUSE JOHN A. EKENBERG Lawrence Long Island Management of LLOYD L. CRAFT

'Phones Far Rock. 573-4 Cedarhurst VOEHL BROTHERS Choice Meats and Poultry The Home of Quality 282 Central Avenue Far Rockaway

PHOTO PLAYS 'PHONE. WOODMERE 3128 WILLIAM KERR MACDONALD BROADWAY. WOODMERE Cedarhurst's Only REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE Recreation and Amusement Centre HOUSES OF THE BETTER SORT FOR SALE AND FOR RF="NT

ACREAGE FOR SALE AT WOODMERE EVENING and MATINEE PERFORMANCES AND HEWLETT Ocean House RICHTER'S

Crest Hotel HALCYON Open from May 1st to October 1st CASINO Belmore Hotel BATHS --AND-- Open all Year Bachelor Apartments

Management of Mrs. E. Fitzsimmons ADAM RICHTER, Proprietor Proprietor

Boardwalk at Jessica Avenue Central Ave., Far Rocka,vay, N. Y. ARVERNE

TELEPHONE, FAR ROCKAWAY 595

Decker's Queens County Ice M'f'g Company, Inc. R. B. and S. I. DECKER, Props. FAR ROCKAWAY, N. Y. Pro01pt Deliveries to Far Rockaway, ln'Wood, Lawrence and Cedarhurst We Guarantee Our Ice Free from Disease Germs

Eatablished by I. B. Remsen 1880 ...... --.Je.J 1.. •• c "1 n_ ... ,. __ 1 ggo 5 U'-'-C:C:U u ..,, WO .... a.,C:'-A.C:& .a. 0 Succeeded by R. B. and S. I. Decker 1910 I 'Phone Far Rockaway 494 CHAS. SMITH, President J. EZRA SMITH, Treasurer

Thomas J. Nolan Smith Bros. Plumbing Co.

Tels., 1596 and 1597 Far Rockaway PLUMBING HEATING PLUMBING, STEAM and HOT WATER METALWORK HEATING

FURNACE WORK Estimates Furnished SHEET MET AL WORK

25 Cornaga Ave., ~i~KAWAY 239 Central Ave. FAR ROCKAWAY. N. Y.

'Phone, Far Rockaway 580 JOHN J. McCARTHY Stephen A. Kelly · Sanitary Plumbing

ESTABLISHED 1906 The PLUMBER who personally superintends Steam and Hot Water Heating every job he undertakes Copper and Sheet Metal Work

Get an estimate Branch at Far Rockaway 251 ½ CENTRAL A VE. Broadway (Near Cornaga Avenue) SHOW ROOM I and PIPE SHOP) Woodmere, Long Island I FAR ROCKAWAY l Tel. 2957 \Voodmere , Telephone Connection C. A. Schiffmacher CEDARHURST INC.

STORAGE Contractors and Builders WILLIAM D. REILLY, Proprietor Manufacturers of high grade Furniture Re01oved rustless Door and Window Screens and Stored Also dealers in GENERAL CONTRACTING Sash, Blinds, Doors and Trim MILL WORK A SPECIALTY

'Phone, Far Rockaway 1118

Offices: Spruce Street, Cedarhurst WOODMERE, L. I.

Established 1893 Telephone 2564 Far Rockaway Joseph Gottlieb Hensler and Callister Department Store Everything for Everybody ... BAKERS .•• 172-174 BOULEVARD Lawrence Long Island SEA SIDE STA TION ROCKAWAY BEACH

'Phone Far Rockaway 2114 FAR ROCKAWAY MIRROR WORKS MAX LEVENE, Prop. John G. McNicoll GLAZIER PLATE GLASS TOPS FOR EVERYTHING 706 Central Ave. Far Rockaway FLORIST SOLOMON'S Uepartrnent- !Storet"'; FAR ROCKAWAY Cedarhurst, L. I. Phone, Far Rockaway 2392

COAL ANoWOOD A. J. TANOUS

C. and H. T. WHITSON REAL LACES INC. Hand Embroideries

237 Central Ave. 1032 CENTRAL AVENUE FAR ROCKAWAY FAR ROCKAWAY

Half-Way House

RICHARD N. NOLAND J. J.KELLY PROPRIETOR The nrst house to be built

in Edgemere

Everything Many changes have since then been .Ill I 111111111111111111111111111 Ill I ...... I II 11111111111 Ill 111 effected, and the Half -Way good to eat House now stands out as 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111, 11111111111111 one of the best equipped hostelries from Jamaica to Neponsit FELIO'S New York Hotel

Established in 1878

OLD SEASIDE A VENUE and BOULEVARD

ROCKAWAY BEACH

Telephone Hammels 77 Phone 375 Hammels

William Schoncke HIGH GRADE

LUMBER COAL MOULDINGS Hay and Grain SASH Wood and Charcoal DOORS Wall Board Weather Strips JOHN H. FERRIL COMPANY ANDREW J. KENNY, President 11111111111111111

FOOT OF LINCOLN A VE. (Beach 77th Street) Foot of Kane Ave. Rockaway Beach, New York ROCKAWAY BEACH r-,_.,_,_,_____ o_,,_,,_,_,_,_,,_,_,_,_,, ____._,_,_o_~t : I I' Telephone Connection IC i I 0 I I HEWLETT BROS. I I I I Coal and Wood I I ! t Hay, Straw, Feed I 1 Ii POT A TOES FLOUR I 1 I I MASONS' MATERIALS i I ------!: I Bricks Lime Cement Sewer Pipe Flue Linings I I :

I .. • ...... C :! lrvmg t'tace and 'i ! Railroad Ave. WOODMERE, L. I. i I~~------·'---~---~---.o-.~J : Far Rockaway's Famous Bathing Beach ROCHE'S BEACH EDWARD ROCHE, Proprietor

2,000 MODERN BA TH HOUSES Special Season Rates Transients Accommodated

Efficient Life Guards Always on Daty

.111111111111111111111111111 ...... ,.:,;

- - - e~~r's - RESTAURANT

FAR ROCKAWAY ------.'111111 II I I I 11 I 11 I I II I I 111 I I II I 11 I 111 I I I I II II I I I II I 111 I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I II I 1111 I I II 111111IIII1111111111111 II I I I II II I I I 111111IIII111111111IIII11111II1111 I II I I I I I II 1111111 I II II II 111111 II 111";- TELEPHONE, FAR ROCKAWAY 56

Andre\-v McTigue Co., Inc.

REAL ESTATE• and INSURANC:E FAR ROCKAWAY, N. Y.

ANDREW McTIGUE, Pres. A. C. HAYNES, Sec. and Gen. M'g'r

ROBERT T. PAINE INSURANCE OF EVERY DESCRIPTION

His History is EFFICIENCY Prompt and Liberal Settlements and an Established Reputation for RELIABILITY I O;Kane Building Far Rockaway II WAINWRIGHT & SMITH Co. FACING THE OCEAN AT SEA SIDE, ROCKAWAY BEACH N. Y. CITY

]. \V. \V.-UN'\VRIGHT, PRESIDEKT AND GENERAL l\lANAGER

FOUNDED 1875 INCORPORATED 1885

SEA SIDE BATHING PAVILION RESTAURANT AND CAFE 2700 BATH HOUSES CLAMBAKES A SPECIALTY CONCRETE SWIMMING POOL SUPERIOR SERVICE FOR DINNER SUITS SCOURED BY STEAM PROCESS PARTIES

THE COLISEUM GRAND OCEAN DANCING PAVILION LUNCH PAVILION (Formerly Murray•.s) SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR OUTINGS ACCOMMODATED PICNIC PARTIES

FOUR LARGEST ESTABLISHMENTS ON THE BEACH A Bank of Strength and Character

GROWTH IN RESOURCES

November 16th, 1903 ...... $3,441,945.40 November 16th, 1907 ...... 5,447>665.88 November 16th, 1912 ...... 7,523,086.02 November 16th, 1917 ...... 15,700,423.92

Vv e cordially invite business on this record. BANK OF LONG ISLAND

111111111111111111111111111111111 J 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 ! , 111111111111111 I~ FINANCIAL PREPAREDNESS in the United States really began two years ago when the Federal Reserve System was organized. It will be complete when every citizen is doing his share towards the maintenance of the system.

By depositing your money with us you can help directly in developing and strengthening it, as we are required to keep on deposit with our Federal Reserve Bank in New York a portion of your balance with us.

At the same time, and without cost, you benefit directly from the protection the system affords us. The National Bank of Far Rockaway

::11111111111 I I I I I Ill II I Ill I I I II II II Ill I II I I I II I II I I II I I I II 11111111111111111111111111111111111 Ill I 1111111111111111111111111111 Ill llU 111111111111111111111111111I111111111111 I 111111111 h Historian -of Rockaway Beach for 25 Years

PUBLISHED WEEKLY LOCAL INTERESTS $1.50 Per Year LOCAL NEWS

A SUPERIOR PLANT for BOOK and JOB PRINTING

D. W. MURRAY, Pres. and Mgr

405-407 Boulevard •• Rockaway Beach, N. Y

-. • 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111,. - . - - - ~ Telephone 15 Hammels ~ ------CHARLES CRABBE CO. - - - - - MARY E. CRABBE, President and Treasurer ------HARRY H. HICKS, Vice~President - - - - EDWARD R. MURRELL, Secretary ------Lumber and Mill Work - - - Beach 80th St. and Railroad - - - ROCKAWAY BEACH - - ~II- Ill 111111111111111 II I 11 II 11111111111IIIII111111111111 I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I Ill I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 111111111111111111111111111111 II 111111111111111111111. afe atisfa:ctory erv1ce• Assured by the Use of Gas and Electric Appliances And proven by the won<;lerful increase in the number installed during the past fifteen years. The following comparisons are made between the years 1902 {the year this company took over the Gas and Electric business in the Rockaways) and the present year, 1917.

GAS: 1902 1917

Ranges . . • • • • • 550 9000 Water Heaters-Circulating Type 25 4000 \Vater Heaters-Automatic Type . 0 600

Heaters and Logs • • • • 100 20,000

Laundry Stoves • • • • 100 3000

Flat Irons • • • • • 0 400 ELECTRIC:

Flat Irons • • • • • 10 2190

Vacuum Cleaners • • • • 0 501 Toasters • • • • • • 0 377 Fans • • • • • • 10 562 Radiators • • • • • 0 158 Washing Machines • • • 0 107 The results shown above indicate clearly the rapidly growing demand for Gas and Electric Appliances.

Realize Real Co1nfort and Econorny-Equip Your Ho1ne Now Queens Borough Gas and Electric Co .. FAR ROCKAWAY LYNBROOK