ABOUT US/EARLY HISTORY

A project by Anna LaViolette & Meryl Ortiz
Edited by Craig Newman

EARLY HISTORY
The original name for the Fire Island Summer Club was the "Fire Island Beach Club", which was incorporated in the summer of 1946. The founders were members of the New York Athletic Club of New York City.

The organization and control of the club was vested in an association patterned closely after that of Point of Woods. The club secured property on Lot #14, west of an area known as "The Breakers". The western part of this lot cost $15,000. The eastern part is now Corneille Estates.

The original survey map of December 1946 indicated a total area of 15.16 acres. The land was to be divided into 79 plots, each 60 x 100 feet. In addition, the plan called for a 200ft x 250ft area on the westerly side at the bay for the development of a Clubhouse. Land for two tennis courts was reserved to the south of the clubhouse property.

At inception, Mr. Edward Cahill was Chairman, Frank Sieverman Jr. was President and a Board of Governors were elected. In the original concept for membership, at least 50 founder members would pledge an initiation fee of $150.00, which would be applied towards the purchase of land and the building and equipping of a clubhouse. After that, the annual dues were not to exceed $50.00 per family. Being a founding member of the club did not automatically include an option to buy land or participate in the development project. If a person wanted to be part of the land developing project, he would have to pay an additional $150.00.

HISTORY OF THE CLUBHOUSE
In November 1946, the club purchased the Blue Point Coast Guard Station for $3,500. This was one of the seven original United States life saving stations (U.S.L.S.S.) on Fire Island, each located about 5 miles apart: Fire Island Station, Point of Woods, Lone Hill (F.I. Pines), Blue Point (Water Island), Bellport, Smith Point and Forge Rive (Moriches Inlet). The stations together serviced 721 vessels and saved 7086 lives. Our Club House was the station originally at Blue Point. Built in 1913, it was the last of of several at the Blue Point site. It is a Lorain type building, designed by Victor Mendleheff.

The Blue Point station had an extremely interesting history. Most of the "surfmen", as they were known, at Blue Point were from Patchogue. These seven surfmen and the keeper were involved in the famous rescues of the John B Manoring and the Louis V. Place in 1885. All the members of the Blue Point station received recognition from New York State for their heroic efforts. The Blue Point station took part in approximately 80 rescues during its period of operation. These men helped to insure the health and welfare of the barrier beach inhabitants.

One surfman, George Goddard Sr. from Patchogue served at this station for 18 years under the keeper, Mr. Frank Rorke. Mr. Rorke served as keeper of Blue Point station from 1887-1914. Later Mr. Goddard was the keeper at the Lone Hill station and directed efforts for the Princess Irene in 1912, rescuing almost 2000 passengers and crew. Mr. Goddard Sr. retired in 1915 at the age of 71, after 35 years of service.

Today, of the original 7 stations on Fire Island, two are at Ocean Bay Park, comprising part of Flynn's Hotel, and one is at Summer Club, the only one in its original form. The other 4 stations at are gone; all are monuments to a great maritime period.

In 1915, the U.S.L.S.S. were decommissioned and the United States Coast Guard took them over. The Blue Point station became known as station Number 80. It was the center of rum-running during Prohibition, according to the Fire Island Express, June 19, 1997. Bribes were paid to guarantee safe arrival of bootleggers, who regularly scheduled deliveries to their chosen destinations near the Blue Point site. Landings were made close to the shore where tractor-led farm wagons hauled the cases of whiskey past the station to the bay to meet boats waiting to ship to the mainland. Some bootlegged whiskey found its way to a speakeasy at Water Island.

During World War I and World War II the Coast Guard stations on Fire Island kept vigilant surveillance along the coast for enemy submarines and aircraft.

In 1944, the Fire Island stations were declared inactive. The Blue Point station was purchased as surplus and floated down the bay to the Fire Island Beach Club in May, 1947.

As previously stated, the purchase price was $3500.00. The building was 58ft x 38ft in size together with an annex, 25ft x 40ft, both two stories high and modern in every respect. During the Spring and Summer of 1947, the clubhouse was under construction in the hope that the it would be ready for that season. Alterations included a porch and cement sidewalk connecting the Clubhouse with Surf Road in Ocean Beach. Light and water were to be provided. According to Mr. Palmer Bevis, a member at that time, the Clubhouse was to be moved to a permanent foundation prepared on site in the Spring of 1948.

EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMMUNITY
On May 9, 1947, in a report to the membership of Fire Island Beach Club, it was decided that $1500 was to be set as the maximum amount for full rights for one plot, which included a 99 year lease. Further, it was resolved that all such rights were to be uniform for each plot. It is known that the price of lots in 1949 was still $1500. A member could take up to two lots, but no more. Ownership change required approval of the club membership. An applicant had to appear before an admission committee with two letters of endorsement from sponsors. Sponsors were to be either founders or current members of the club. On May 12, 1947, Mr. Fred Fisher, Treasurer, urgently requested that everyone obtain new development members or, at the least, two club members to help fill the roster and eliminate financial worries.

During that period, the following costs were listed:
$15,000 for the land $400 for closing costs, title guarantee, insurance, etc. $400 for the survey $3,500 for the club building $5000 for moving expenses $1500 for the clubhouse foundation $4500 for laying cement walks $800 for water lines $2700 for clubhouse fittings and furnishing

The members were notified that the Village of Ocean Beach was going to permit the club to hook up to their water system at Surf Walk and Midway. This solved the water problem for a time until at some later point the club could construct their own wells and water pumps. In January, 1949, the club gave out a contract for their own water supply which they felt would be in operation April 1949 (in 2000, the community water system came under the jurisdiction of Suffolk County Water Authority).

During the Spring of 1949, 6 members intended to start construction on their plots. They were required to adhere to a strict building code, though wide latitude was to be given in the selection of architectural motif.

In a letter sent to Mr. George Owns, Assistant Vice-President of the Brooklyn Gas Co. dated February 9, 1950 it was stated that the clubhouse was serving meals on Saturday and Sunday. They were hopeful to be able to serve light lunches and snacks during the entire week. The bar included all standard brands of liquor at very reasonable prices. It was also stated that 2 houses were completed, and expected 10 more during the 1950 season.

The membership was at that time was drawn from summer residents of Ocean Beach and Seaview who were dissatisfied with the existing conditions in those communities and who wanted to mix with friends of their own choosing. This was very likely a less than egalitarian inclination on the part of those persons. The reputation of the club at that time was of a restricted community.

Fred Fisher became President in 1951 after Frank Sieverman. All members held annual dinners in NYC. Food was served at the club until the 1960s on Friday, Saturday and Sunday by chefs from the Cornell Institute. During the 60s there were dances on Saturday night where Woody Allen played with his Jazz Band.

ACQUISITION OF THE WIMMER PROPERTY
In a letter from Mr. Frank Sieverman, President of the Fire Island Beach Club, to Edward Cahill, Chairman, dated June 26, 1950, it was stated that the Beach Club was expecting to take title of a Dr. Wimmer's land, adjoining property Lot #13, west of the Beach Club for $17,625. This purchase was to give the club protection and room for future expansion. The plan for this additional property included direct freight service and passenger service from Bay Shore, and most importantly, a basin for boats. Although it is reported to have had a small dock, it never realized its original intentions.

The cost of a boat basin and dock including dredging was about $15,000. In addition, $5,000 for cement walks and water and a $10,000 mortgage brought the total to $30,000. The President proposed a plan for 10 members to each pay $3,000 (the purchase price of 2 lots), which they could then release to new members. The following members took the mortgage; George Ederle, Edward Cahill, Robert Healy, Dale Rode, Edson Schmid, Joseph Geradi, Conrad Luhman and his wife, Anna Luhman. The mortgage was taken for lot #13 from Dr. Wimmer on September 1, 1950.

This land was given to the National Park Service of the United States in the 1970s. It is, in perpetuity, part of the Fire Island National Seashore.