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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.