In 1640 a small group of settlers from Connecticut landed in Southampton, NY to
establish homesteads there. After many years spent securing the basic necessities
for existence, the settlers were able to turn their attention to the expansion of
their land holdings.
John Ogden purchased a tract of land lying from Canoe Place west to the area now
known as Hampton Bays, East Quogue and Quogue from the Indian Sachem, Wyandanch,
on May 12, 1659. Canoe Place was an area of land about one-quarter mile in width
separating Peconic Bay to the north from Shinnecock Bay in the south. In this area
Native Americans portaged their canoes to get from one body of water to the other,
hence, the name Canoe Place. In the original deed of land by the Indians to the
settlers, dated December 23, 1640, Canoe Place was designated as the western boundary
of Southampton Town. After Ogden’s purchase the land was subsequently owned by John
Scott and later by John Topping who sold the property to the Town of Southampton.
This land was called the “Quogue Purchase-Canoe Place Division” and it was divided
into lots by the original proprietors (landowners) of Southampton in 1738/39.
Gersham Culver purchased land on the west side of Canoe Place from the Southampton
Town Trustees in 1687 and again1697. When Culver’s son, Jeremiah Culver, acquired
additional land at Canoe Place prior to the creation of the Canoe Place Subdivision
in 1738/39, the Town Trustees stated, “...(Culver) binds himself and his heirs not
to hinder any carts to pass through said land, and there shall be a passing road
through said land at all times…” (Southampton Town Records, Vol. III) This road
was later called the South Country Road, Quogue Road and finally, Montauk Highway.
Canoe Place became a natural resting place for travelers. The first actual document
to reference an inn is the will of Stephen Herrick, dated April 26, 1756. His will
states, “…my house at the Canoe Place, with the land on which it stands…” is to
be sold and the money divided among his children.
Whether the famous Canoe Place
Inn had its origins in Mr. Herrick’s home or in the home of his predecessor has
not been determined. Records show that the inn was the only house in the wilderness
between Riverhead and Southampton. Stephen Herrick’s son, George, purchased the
property from his siblings and operated the inn sometime after 1756 until 1785 when
he sold it.
During his proprietorship, the inn served as a home to British officers
during the American Revolution. (Research by Henry W. Moeller) The officers were
there because the British maintained a fort consisting of over two acres of earthworks
located on the hill behind the inn that overlooked the main road and the isthmus
at Canoe Place. Its location straddled both Peconic and Shinnecock Bays. In 1921
the Canoe Place Inn burned to the ground with the exception of two chimneys which
survived the fire. The inn was later rebuilt and enlarged. It is reported to be
the oldest inn site in America by historian, Elise Lathrop who researched, Early
American Inns and Taverns.
The railroad came through Good Ground in 1869. Its ticket office and station were
situated in the Good Ground area which proceeded to make this area the center of
activity. The advent of the railroad transformed the rural nature of eastern Long
Island. Tourists discovered Good Ground through outings on the Long Island Railroad.
Demands for lodgings caused numerous boarding houses and hotels to be built. As
summer tourists returned year after year, many decided to build their own residences.
‘Estates’ may be a more appropriate word to use to describe private properties of
400 or more acres.
Today, a tour of Main Street, Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, will appear to many
to be similar to countless other small American towns. Yet, how many small towns
can recount a history as rich as Hampton Bays? Many of the original homes and
businesses that comprised our ‘Main Street’ are long gone, but memories of their
grandeur linger on.
And in a few instances, such as the Prosper King House, the
original circa 1790 house remains and through the efforts of the local community it is in the process
of restoration and preservation.
