HomeMy WebLinkAboutPI-3 D 3/0. O000z 7
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
"BUILDING-STRUCTURE INVENTORY FORM
UNIQUE SITE NO.464fPllghl-*� PI-3
DIVISION FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION QUAD
NEW YORK STATE PARKS AND REC'RE-ITIONSERIES
ALBANY,NEW YORK (5191) 474-0479 NEG. NO.
YOUR NAME: Town of Southold/SPLIA DATE: March 1988
YOUR ADDRESS: Town Hall, Main Rd. TELEPHONE: 516 765 1892
Southold LI NY 11971
ORGANIZATION (if any): Southold Town Community Development Office
IDENTIFICATION
I. BUILDING NAMEM: Plum Island Light House
2. COUNTY: Suilolk TOWN/CITY: Southold VILLAGE: um Is an
ia
3. STREET LOCATION: West end of Plum Island, facing Plum. Gut and Long - '5 Rv(cz o.
4. OWNERSHIP: a. public C1 h private ❑ Island Sound.
5, PRESENT OWNER: ADDRESS:
O. USE: Original: light house and dwelling Present: vacant
7. ACCI:SS11311-ITY TO PUBLIC. Exterior visible from public road: Yes ❑ No 12
Interior accessible: Explain restricted area
DESCRIPTION
93. BUILDING a. clapboard ❑ b. stone KI c. brick ❑ d. beard and batten ❑
MATERIAL; e. cobblestone ❑ f. shingles ❑ g. stucco ❑ other: wood
t). STRUCTURAL a.. wood frame with interlocking joints ❑
SYSTEM: h. wood frame with light members 0
{il' kn(awn) c. masonry load bearing walls FXI
d. metal (explain)
e. other
Ill. CONDITION: a- excellent 0 h. goad ❑ c. fair ❑ d. deteriorated ❑
11. INTEGRITY: a. original site Ei h. moved ❑ if so,when?
c. list major alterations and dates (if known):
12. PHOTO: neg: KK XIII-34a, fm SE 13. MAP: IVYS DOT Plum Island quad
37 )2
73 �,. 4'" R E S T R I
49
n
7.7 .i
_ Plum Gut ,G"'
�► 1 e° Middle72 Harbor'
15
Tine Pte,
168 164 Pine
- - - - 7s
HPI ?,
t4 r
Pi
t
14. THREATS TO BUILDING: a, none known ® b. zoning ❑ c. roads ❑
d. developers ❑ e. deterioration ❑
f. other:
15. RELATED OUTBUILDINGS AND PROPERTY:
a. barn❑ b. carriage house ❑ c. garage ❑
d. privy ❑ e. shed FC7 f. greenhouse ❑
g. shop ❑ h. gardens ❑
i, landscape features: on_ grassy
j. other: oil vault (?)
16. SURROUNDINGS OF THE BUILDING (check more than one if necessary):
a.open land 12 b. woodland ❑
c. scattered buildings ER
d.densely built-up ❑ e. commercial ❑
f. industrial ❑ g. residential ❑
h.other: Laboratories to E and NE.
17. INTERRELATIONSHIP OF BUILDING AND SURROUNDINGS:
(Indicate if building or structure is in an historic district)
Plum Island Light House occupies a prominent site at the
western end of the island, overlooking Plum Gut and
Long Island Sound. A brick oil vault and clapboard storage
shed are on the light house reservation directly adjacent,
18. OTHER NOTABLE FEATURES OF BUILDING AND SITE (including interior features if known).
22 story, 3 bay with center entrance, gable roof, rock-faced
stone building. 1 story, octagonal light tower at front (SW)
end of roof over attic story window surround with large con-
soles and date "1869". Light tower with e)liptical windows
and decorated lintels under gallery deck, - see attachment -
SIGNIFICANCE
I1). DATE OF INITIAL CONSTRUCTION: 1869/70
ARCHITECT:
BUILDER:
0, HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL IMPORTANCE:
This light house was once the leading beacon for vessels
passing through Long Island Sound and Plum Gut. Tt is a
well preserved example of the integral dwelling house/
light tower type popular during the second half of the
19th century. The site retains its historic integrity,
with no modern intrusions in the vicinity of this build-
ing. This light house has been declared elligible for
the National Register of Historic Places 3/22/73.
21. SOURCES: Lights and Legends, Harlan Hamilton, 1987, pp.
141-144.
George B. Brainard Photographs, 1879, Coll. SPLIA.,
22 U_f5 3 ast Guard Photograph, c. 1954.
H, Ir p
Form prepared by Kurt Kahofer, research assistant.
PI-3
Plum Island Light House
18 - (continued)
and lantern room with finial . Main entrance with slightly
projecting , flared gable and segmental arch door with transom .
Windows 6/6 with stone surrounds , lintels , and sills . ':Wings
on rear .
00,27
ENCLOSURE (1) TO C014UTNOTE 11011
P 1•n V 1 077
INVENTORY FORM Or HISTORIC PLACES
Agency : Third Coast Guard Dist. ict Date : 7 Dec 1972
1 . name of property : Plum Island Light Station
2. Location of pi upe, c cy :
A. State .and Counter: i ew York, Suffolk County
B. Latitude and Longitude : N41° 10 ' 25" , W72 12 ' 43"
C . Township, Range and Section : N/A
D. other legal description : N/A
E. 114ap Reference : U. S . Geol . Survey, Plum Island , NY - Conn .
3 . Nature of Property : Quad , 7 . 5 min series
A. . District ( j Site ( ) Building ( x } Object ( j
B. Description, present condition and use :
2 story dale l l?ng 321 X 32 1 with 50 s town—r above roof line ,
stone construction, good condition, occupied, aid to '
navigation, constructed in 1869 . `
4 . Importance of Property :
See Enclosture (1 ) .
5 . Names and adresses of persons preparing this inventory :
Allan Zammit, Chief , Structures Section
Civil Engineering Branch, Bldg 107
Third Coast Guard District
Governors Island
r New York, New York 10004
x
?34 # 175
144 -
re4
rs3
rR0 —
154 1SL
l39 141
C�
res
!33 103 Ft
"9
r?0
165
r02
% q4 ss
i Ysi
r
9070 115 } 70 0 i k
f
75
?2
50 `"
35
50
W 0 .�.
/1 .6 13 37 50 f,
114 E2 25 f ti�r _"� 3
JF
Se.on57
e �r
77 J.9/95
121 ,
✓' o .+ ,Plum,. :Ste h, a
41 6 .ir /!f ■i '— --�_rte /, i. � f 15
Ovx -U Dr*PT-QF-A(;MC&L LTR& # *r !
O 44
- f" - '7S5 lx DANGEROUS JA$F: FS
!8 r4 j1 ° dY101
15 17
20 10
�
* s }
` e.g R1, EDk —` I 32 r2
p y 1 01?
?2 {:
3� �• "G/ ,� - �`� � ;rneti it
16 28
F Jm7 2�-�' 73 \� 7
Lig„th7 1 �' T t /
'± fflu i Gtc! sa Q i
1 , j
"•Si ,ldtz Cil 1` T ri 1 i .
,round'
j.r�
30
27 � 40 5 '� 1�7 /1• i -'S
Pme Pt f - 4
Y
n - I
IMPORTANCE OF PROPERTY
Ref : (a) CG-193
Lighthouses are established, at various points along the
Nation ' s coast and navigable waterways as markers and guides to
enable mariners to determine their position with relation to the
land and to hidden dancers .
Lighthouses assist mariners in making landfalls when ap-
proaching from . overseas , mark isolated dangers , make it possible
for vessels, to• follow natural and improved channels ; 4nd provide:
$,_coritinuous chain. o .ah'ar.ted .:,a a ks .or coastaI piloting .
Lighthouses are established where they will be of most use ;
on prominent headlands , at entrances , on isolated dangers , or at
other points where it is necessary that mariners be warned or
guided _ Thur principal purpose is to support a light at a con-
siderable height above the water . ,
Lighthouses have been referenced as "those lonely watchers
that have guided ships to shore for nany -centuries , have captured
men ' s imaginations since tame immemorial , have stood as sentinels
of maritime safety" .
x
To mariners approaching land there is no' more welcome sight
than the friendly beam of light that flashes telling him he is
on course or warning of possible danger .
The location of some lighthouses stand as a monument to
man ' s perseverance . It is a lasting symbol of man ' s determination
to conquer the furies of the sea 9nd to build a lighthouse where
once it seemed no structure could be built , let alone endure .
g
Enclosure (1 )
1 ..
• - t '
k
00 fb
lQ hO'S _ -
OP
^
Ell
yyr I
W 1 1 -
cn w
t7' W Ir
H W
Q
O
#372 8131/179
Lighthouse _
PL[7M ISIAN'
w
h `r`�i`�y,s'�
� {� e._e
7117 r F �-1
cn
ao rD
.
.,
a 4
i
Lighthouse &
Shoreplum Isl
ou� vizoi
x
�7`x•7-'a-"ate.'- 1 �-
_ r
is CHAPTER 24
al
n
ie PLUM ISLAND LIGHT, Plum Island NY (1827)
7, Old Light List No.: 146 (Obsolete)
ze Location: Latitude 41° 10.1' N
-'- Longitude 720 12.2' W
`s Height: 34' (HAW 63')
Range: 14 miles
Lg Lens: Fourth Order, Revolving
yz Rebuilt: 1869
_- Discontinued: June 1, 1978
lc
i- When Plum Island Light was discontinued, Plum. Gut Light (LLN
:e 937.50)was established to replace it. Orient Point Light(LLN 940),oper-
ts ated from New London,was upgraded at the same time to compensate for
�g the loss of this historic 158 year lighthouse which marked the treach-
i- Brous Plum Gut waters for so many years. However, with its 350,000
h candlepower and range of 14 miles, the old light in its heyday was more
x powerful than Plum Gut Light and Orient Point Light combined.Now it
It stands like a gaunt specter oblivious to its glorious past
In its day, Plum Island Light was a leading beacon to vessels passing
d up and down Long Island Sound and was useful to mariners sailing into
is Gardiner's Bay, either from the east or through the narrow passage be-
tween Plum Island and Oysterman's Point on Long Island. Discontinu-
ing Plum Island Light is part of a nationwide Coast Guard move to elimi-
X nate manned lighthouses for economic reasons. Citizens sent in few let-
ters of protest to the Coast Guard when it announced the closing of the
light. Apparently the sailing public was content with the two substitute
lights.
Plum Island is located 110 miles east of New York City, about 10 miles
from Connecticut, and about 1.5 nautical miles from the northeastern
end of Long Island.The island is slightly more than 840 acres(1.3 square
miles); it is 29 miles long and is 1.7 miles wide at its western end. About
two miles west of Great Gull Island, Plum Island is hilly and bare of
? eet ees except near the southwest end, and has several large buildings
(more of which later), a prominent tank and flagpole. g
,Y The island is a fed-
eral government (Agriculture Department) reservation and is closed to
the public.
Plum Gut Harbor, on the southwest side of Plum Island, has an en-
trance between jetties with private seasonal lights on dolphins off the out-
er ends. The lights are shown daily from sundown to 0130.A private fog
signal at the west jetty light is sounded occasionally when Department of
Agriculture vessels are navigating in the area.A depth of about 14 feet is
in the entrance. Small yachts seeking shelter in an emergency may lie
along the wharves. The harbor is under the supervision of the Depart-
Lights and Legends, Harlan Hamilton, 1987.
• Plum Island Light House
4.
y` r
went of Agriculture and the Coast Guard and may be used only with per-
mission.
Plum Island was anciently known as the "Isle of Patmos." Later, ex- sv:
plorers observed many beach plums growing along its shores and a new
name, "Plum Island," was subsequently accepted. The island was
occupied by the Circhug tribe of Indians who owed allegiance to the
Montauk tribe and who recognized Wyandanck, Sachem or the Montauk
tribe,as the Grand Sachem of Paumanake,or Long Island.The first writ-
ten deed read:
Know all men by these presents that I, Wyandanck, the Montauk
Sachem, for me and my heirs forever, for and in consideration of a
coat, a barrel of biskitt, 100 muxes(iron drills Indians used to make
wampum beads from different shells) or Fish hooks, at these sub-
scribing by mee,received of Samuel Wyllys and his heirs forever; 1,
the said Sachem, hereby declare myself to bee the rightful owner of
the sayd Island and I covenant with the said Samuel Wyllys, his
�= heirs and assigns, that I Yvill never molest him or his assigns in the
possession of same and will prohibit my men from doing so,by kill-
ing any of his cattle that shall bee put upon it.And for the true per-
formance hereof, I have set my hand at Gadiner's Island, April 27.
1659.
(Signed) Wyandanck
His X Mark
For two centuries,Plum Island was owned privately and used for farm-
ing and raising sheep. The original deed to the land on which the light-
house now stands belonged to Richard Jerome and his wife. They sold
three acres of their property for$90 to the United States Government on
t'
August 29, 1826, and the Government promptly began constructing a
lighthouse on the site.One of the early keepers was William Boothe who
was appointed on May 19, 1853 at an annual salary of $350.00. In his
Annual Reports, the inspector of lighthouses had the following to say
about Plum Isalnd bight:
1868. 121.Both the tower and keeper's dwelling are in bad condition and
should be rebuilt. The tower, built in 1827, leaks badly; the masonry is
soft and crumbling; the lantern is of the old pattern and with small lights
and large astragals,and it leaks badly.It is thought that the old buildings
1, are not worth the money which would be required to put them in good or-
dcr, and it is therefore proposed to rebuild them. . . .
The light was subsequently rebuilt in 1869/70.
1878. 158. The slate roof of the dwelling house at this station, which
leaked badly, has been replaced by a shingle roof, and no further leaks
have been reported.The fog bell has been raised about ten feet higher on
the bell frame where it is believed it will be better heard in fogs and
storms.
Lt.George M.Bache,USN,was an early lighthouse inspector.He wrote
many annual reports (but not this one) on the lights until at least 1838.
Lights and Legends, Harlan Hamilton, 1987.
142
y
s s
�•. k f K. ' �r. a` ''' a'•s"'mt
r
Plum Island lei ht H use
Students of lighthouses will find his reports worth reading. Bache wrote
practically all of the early reports.
Like other nearby islands.Plum Island was often the stopping place for 0 R
rhe tall ships that sailed along the Atlantic coast and eventually became
part of the observation system established to protect Long Island Sound
and New York Harbor.The United States Government bought the entire
island in the 1890s and established Fort Terry, a coast artillery post.The
island was considered important to the defense of Long Island during the
Spanish-American War.It was used also as a training camp for young re-
cruits in World War I and World War Il.During World War II,the Army
built the Plum Island Rail Road(now defunct)to move submarine mines
to and from boats.The island was assigned to the Army Chemical Corps
after the second world war. Orient P
In 1950,your editor hiked across Plum Island from the northeast bight Iocals)is ci
to the lighthouse to obtain aid from the Coast Guard to tow our disabled dation.A b
centerboard sloop through Plum Gut to Orient Point where we could get brown at tl
repairs. I found remnants of Fort Terry, and the three Coast Guardsmen house, the:
had landscaped their lighthouse beautifully with flowers and nice lawn to prevent
all around.I spent a couple of hours there with one of the mein.The other of the towe
two had taken their boat to Greenport for supplies. On their return,they foundation
towed us through Plum Gut,which was having one of its bad days.After The light
the Agriculture Department took it over,they used some of the disarmed connects Ls
gun emplacements for cattle pens.While I appreciate the need for econo- and west,a;
my, the Coast Guard's Search and Rescue capabilities have certainly in 1836,bec
been hurt by lighthouse automation. Private and other public rescue op- of Long Isl;
erations have sprung up all over the Sound to take up the slack. converging
On July 1, 1954, Plum Island was formally transferred to the United gerous cum
States Department of Agriculture to establish a laboratory to study hoof- knots, and
and-mouth disease and other exotic diseases of economically important current. The
domestic animals. A new, high-containment laboratory was opened in larger bodic
1956. Since then, diagnostic,research, and training programs at Plum Is- named after
land Animal Disease Center have been extended to cover many foreign Orient Po
animal diseases. No visitors are allowed on the island.About 350 people of rocks sub
are employed at the Center, most of whom commute daily from Orient nearly one 0
Point.From the Sound,substantial buildings are visible as you sail by the Pers depths c
west shore or the northwest shore. Island Soun
Persons wishing to send samples collected for diagnostic evaluation or vous at Shelt
other materials known to contain infectious micro-organisms should first lent harbors
contact: ~ Description
Director, PIADC The shell
P.O. Box 848 diameter an,
Greenport, NY 11944-1298 Reef which v
The preferred method of submitting samples to the Plum Island Ani- son is made.
mal Disease Center is to hand-carry them.If this is not possible,arrange- tine shell's in
ments should be made to ship via nonstop (or at least the same plane) The cast-iron
service to New York. But contact the director first! Orient Point
Lights and Legends, Harlan Hamilton, 1987.
144
1 • !
J y ,
r ...t.-.._ _ _ � i-..w:�,r•.�•-�1;�_k+'•.,.ss��. s..'_.'.A a:.`ate. v.'+T--'�'• -/ 7�_.'.�.-- ,'=1•ie�fil'a,.._+••'-�.tlY����� d(51��'F�w'i'ihs. �. ._ _
4
Y'�`='G`•'-�1 •<"t'-"""�'Gt�w�:�ur'"� �j:�. �f� �F_s�a1+7 ti� � �, i ,.>r�
.. - 47'
1
f. � A Y! k N. Y., -. l.S1. ► ,rte r Ft - -
'I �� ff �'wr ,{ i.j ..:ue Y �rs•l:sio..a'=�9tl�T '.,.A .�` .rp J�` Zsy-.'.
i��+i-4.i•w�SSliiw-1iE_-....�r_�.liu`idr.�ifa.drii 7isdlJr'.x.�(r._i�r..�i'VL�Ow/tiv�c�#3?'�.K�✓'�..wFl.s,wtia�+e�•�. .ra+x'.Iir i.Clxiy"_• w.`�- - - .
A.w �L`b.Y•aa.w7tL� _rL":.a5.hwz..