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Benjamin Frankfin's Milestotres
One of the oldest landmarks remaining in Southold Town is the set of mile-
stones that marked the King's Highway from the Courthouse in Riverhead to the
ferry at Oysterponds, now known as Orient Point. When they were emplaced by
Benjamin Franklins crew in 1755, the milestones marked every mile from the center
of Riverhead to the point, and all were in Southold Town. In 1992 the western part
of the Town became a part of Riverhead Town and, sadly, the milestones along the
highway were not maintained.
Of the original 23 milestones that were emplaced between Laurel and the
Point, two are missing and three have been replaced. All have been moved short dis-
tances from their original sites to accommadate the widenings and relocations of the
roadway that has served Southold's growth over more than two-and-a-half centuries,
That so many of the original markers are still in place, is a tribute to the public
spirit of the Town. This is well exemplified by the work of Robert Long who, in
1.990 and 1991, organized a work group to locate and reset all the milestones. As
part of the work and to record their achievement, he published a pamphlet, Ben-
jamin Franklin's North ForkMILESTONES.
The Town of Southold, through the Town Board and the Register of Desig-
nated Landmarks, recognizes and records these .milestones to honor Franklin and all
the townspeople who kept these markers as part of their unique heritage.