HomeMy WebLinkAboutCompletion Report- Central Sect 1986-1987
TOWN OF S0UTHOLD
Central Section
Completion Report
SOCIETY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES
Setauket, Long Island
Project Director Research Assistant
Barbara Van Liew Rosemary Skye ~oritt
CartoEraphy
Rosemary SRye Noritt
TABSE OF CONTENTS
A. Survey Methodology ............................... 1
B. Summary Description of Historic
Resources .................. 2
C. Summary Statement of Significance ................ 3
D. Recommendations .................................. 5
E. Dist of Structures Worthy of
Further Research ..................... 6
Completion Report
Town of Southold Survey
1986-1987
CENTER SECTION
A. Survey Nethodolo~y
After preliminary research in former studies, publi-
cations, old atlases and maps, collections of photographs,
National Register lists, and SPLIA source files; and
after consultation with the Town Historian, local libraries,
local historians, and residents, an infield windshield
survey was conducted with project director and research
assistant making a visual examination of every older
st~cture in the subject area.
At this time decisions were made as to which struc-
tures would be inventoried, each was given a code number,
and a brief analysis was made stating the reason for the
structure's significance following the New York State
Historic Resources Survey Manual criteria. The decisions
were based on the quality of significance in history,
architecture, archeology, and culture. The integrity
of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship,
feeling, ~nd association was given primary consideration.
New York State inventory forms were then prepared
and arranged in folders in geographical sequence.
Xeroxes of New ~ork State inventory forms that were
already on file in Albany were incorporated into the
folders in the same geographical sequence.
Bo Summary Description of Historic Resources
The comprehensive inventory Town of Southold, Year
II, 1986-1987, involved 326 forms and covered the hamlets
of Peconic, Southold, and Arshamomaque which hamlets
comprise the central section of the Town. The area is
bounded by Cutchogue on the west, by the Long Island Sound
on the north, by Greenport on the east, and Hog Neck Bay
and Southold Bay on the south. The large peninsula Great
Hog Neck (Bayview) projects to the southeast between
Southold Bay and Hog Neck Bay.
The area is bisected from west to east by the Long
Island Rail Road, by historic Nain Road which was the
original Kings Highway, and by County Road 48. Sound
View Avenue is parallel to the Long Island Sound shore.
Bluffs along the Long Island Sound shorefront
ar~ part of the Harbor Hill moraine. They are inter-
rupted in Peconic by a major estuary - Goldsmith Inlet.
Also among the Long Island Sound shorefront bluffs is a
large inland body of fresh water, Great Pond, which was
formed by glacial action. South of the bluffs is the
fertile farmland for which the Town is famous.
The southern shoreline is an irregular series of
necks which are separated by creeks and wetland areas
with a major estuary, Hashamamock Pond, extending north
from ~outhold Bay almost to Song Island Sound.
The area is agricultural with medium-to-low
density residential development along Main Road and
the shore fronts. There is commercial development on
Peconic Cane and along Nain Road in Southold.
C. Summary Mtatement of Si~uaificance
The hamlet of Southold was the location of the
first settlement of this town, which reportedly was
the first Mnglish settlement on tong Tsland. There
are a number of pre-historic archeological sites
that recall the Tndians who lived here before the
~nglish arrived. (See P~ 15 and SD 87.)
^ccording to research by architectural histor-
ians the first houses were 2½-story structures but
these soon gave way to the 1½-story Cape Cod style
house which since the 17th century has been the typi-
cal North Fork house. The home of the Hon. Robert
Hempstead (not extant) purported to have been built
in 1647 was a good example of that type. (See form SD 64.)
~ocal historians have identified about twelve old
houses that are at least in part from the 17th century.
(See 18a, SD 25, SD 69, SD 88, SD 102, SD lll, SD
SD~149, SD 159~ SD 181, SD 186, SD 221.) The Old Burying
Ground is probably the oldest landmark from the original
settlement. (SD 42°)
Surviving from the 18th and early 19th centuries
there are an unusually large number of ho~ses many of
which retain their integrity so that they contribute
to the ambience of this historic hamlet. Also from
this period are the milestones which have been tenderly
preserved through the years. (Mee ?e 12, SD lOa, ~D .~5,
SD 83, SD 215, and ~D 227.)
Before the development of Greenport, Southold
was the commercial center for this prosperous area
of successful farmers and mariners. From that period
there are on ~ain Road a remarkable number of well
preserved old commercial buildings that remain with-
out distractin~ modernization. (See SD 4, ~D 5, SD 51,
SD 55~ SD 58, SD 59, and ~D 60.)
With the advent of the railroad regular summer
boarders and cottagers arrived, including a small
group of artists who settled in Peconic. (See Pe 21,
Pe 22, Pe 23, and Pe ~6.) By the first quarter of the
20th century the Sound and the Bay and its inlets
were reported to have been lined with beautiful estates.
Of these very few survive intact. (See SD 90, SD 97,
~D 245, and SD 247.)
C. Summary Statement of Significance continued:
Brick making had been an important local industry
from the time of the earliest settlement and was con-
tinued until very recently. (See AS 2 and AS 2B.) A
turn-of-the century lumber yard (SD 205) and former
fertilizer plant (SD 206) are very interesting complexes
that recall the development of the area.
The historic ~ain Road, which is N.Y.S. Route 25,
today is a valuable historical continuum reflecting the
shifting styles, ideas, and social and economic move-
ments which are the unique personality of the area.
Along this entire route there are relatively few modern
intrusions. House after house exhibits characteristics
of the 18th and 19th centuries. Of particular interest
are the two "basement houses." (Pe 13 and SD 71.)
D. ~ecgmmendations
All of the buildings for which forms have been
prepared are worthy of protection from inappropriate
remodeling which would damage the ambience of this
historic community. It is suggested that many of
these structures might be given landmark status by
the Town of Southold.
On each form the significant architectural
details have been briefly described. In the para-
graph entitled "Integrity" inappropriate alterations
have been noted so that they can be removed if the
owner so desires.
There are at least 23 individual buildings in-
cluding 6 stores that might be considered suitable
for National Register listing.
Of unusual architectural significance are the
Universalist Church and nearby Charnews house. With
the Catholic Church across the road and the Civil
War monument opposite, this might well be Southold's
first historic district. The Universalist Church
and Charnews house were designed and built by William
D. Cochran in association with Richard Lathers· In
1978 forms were prepared for all of the structures
built by Cochran as a Cochran thematic district. See
SD 30, SD 32, SD 48, SD 64, SD 66, and SD 186. The
Charnews house, which is one of the earliest resi-
dences on Long Island to have been designed by an
architect, is especially noteworthy for its unalter-
ed interior and fine grounds with contemporary barn,
outbuildings, and hitching post. Town landmark
designation for this property should be of primary
importance. It is one of the most important hist-
oric architectural and cultural resources in the
town.
E. 5ist of Etruc_tures Worth~ of Further Research
Hempstead/Hartranft wing (SD 64 and SD 203) - to
locate 17th century wing which reportedly
was removed to some nearby site.
Budd house (SD 186) - examination of the fabric
of this 17th century house by architectural
historians to determine its original appear-
ance.
Gaffga house (SD 180) - examination by architectural
historians, and research into the history of
this very interesting house.
Dr~ Whitaker house (SD 41) - to research the con-
struction date and builder of the dormers on
eastern part of this house.