| Revision as of 19:03, 3 November 2007 editAmericasroof (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers33,960 editsNo edit summary← Previous edit | Revision as of 19:42, 3 November 2007 edit undoAmericasroof (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers33,960 edits smadbacks and christmas treeNext edit → | ||
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| Transportation is via foot on the ]s. If a person wishes to carry groceries the traditional way to do this is by pulling toy wagons (traditionally the popular ]). | Transportation is via foot on the ]s. If a person wishes to carry groceries the traditional way to do this is by pulling toy wagons (traditionally the popular ]). | ||
| ==History== | |||
| Fire Island Pines, derives its name from the ] trees in the area which according to legend started growing after a ship bound for the United States from England laden with ]s floundered off its coast in the late 1800s.<ref>[http://www.geocities.com/sylvanspoon/Smadbeck2.html Sites for Houses Are Being Offered In Division of Estate on Fire Island</ref> | |||
| The Pines was originally the site of a Coast Guard station built in 1876 and known as Lone Hill Saving Station. The area was purchased by the Home Guardian Company in 1924 |
The Pines was originally the site of a Coast Guard station built in 1876 and known as Lone Hill Saving Station. The area was purchased by the Home Guardian Company in 1924. | ||
| ===The Smadbacks=== | |||
| ⚫ | Former male model ] was to encourage its reputation as a gay destination after |
||
| Plans for development first began in 1952 when Warren and Arthur Smadbeck doing business as the Home Guardian Company announced plans to sell 122 lots in the new subdivision while building a private yacht harbor, large landing dock, and private park facing the harbor. The Smadbecks, who sold more than 700,000 lots around the country, had purchased the property from the Sammis family which owned it for several years. | |||
| The basic Smadbeck layout of the Pines remains to this day including the Botel which was designed by a simple no frills dormitory style acomodation for the yachts docked in its harbor. | |||
| The Botel and associated yacht club buildings burned on May 31, 1959.<ref>Blaze on Fire Island - New York Times - June 1, 1959</ref> | |||
| ===John B. Whyte=== | |||
| ⚫ | Former male model ] was to encourage its reputation as a gay destination after buying the rebuilt Botel Pines and Dunes Yacht Club in the 1960s (Cherry Grove was already a gay destination when Whyte developed the Pines). The Botel is now the Hotel Ciel and still the central landmark and only hotel in the Pines. Whyte bought the property after a May 31, 1959, fire destroyed the entire complex.<ref>Blaze on Fire Island - New York Times - June 1, 1959</ref> | ||
| Whyte, who owned 80 percent of the commercial property in the Pines, until his death at the age of 75 in 2004 instituted the community’s central social activity schedule of “Low Tea” (drinks -- particularly the "Blue Whale" ] of ] and ] that turned patrons' tongues blue -- at the Blue Whale from 5 PM to 8 PM) followed by “High Tea (drinks at the Pavilion from 8 to 10 PM) followed by an evening of dancing at the Pavilion <ref></ref> (all of which were Whyte establishments). | Whyte, who owned 80 percent of the commercial property in the Pines, until his death at the age of 75 in 2004 instituted the community’s central social activity schedule of “Low Tea” (drinks -- particularly the "Blue Whale" ] of ] and ] that turned patrons' tongues blue -- at the Blue Whale from 5 PM to 8 PM) followed by “High Tea (drinks at the Pavilion from 8 to 10 PM) followed by an evening of dancing at the Pavilion <ref></ref> (all of which were Whyte establishments). | ||
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| The central dance club was the Sandpiper which in 1979 became the Pavilion before being razed at the end of the 2006 season and replaced with the “New Pavilion” in 2007. | The central dance club was the Sandpiper which in 1979 became the Pavilion before being razed at the end of the 2006 season and replaced with the “New Pavilion” in 2007. | ||
| ==Hamlet Culture== | |||
| While all of Fire Island may have an official year-round population of 310, the summer population swells to much higher levels especially on weekends. In the Pines, the large houses are filled with summer shares and a 4 bedroom house can easily contain 8 people at a time. The population is primarily gay men from 20-50 years old. It is affectionately referred to as "Chelsea with sand." (] is one of Manhattan's gay neighborhoods.) | While all of Fire Island may have an official year-round population of 310, the summer population swells to much higher levels especially on weekends. In the Pines, the large houses are filled with summer shares and a 4 bedroom house can easily contain 8 people at a time. The population is primarily gay men from 20-50 years old. It is affectionately referred to as "Chelsea with sand." (] is one of Manhattan's gay neighborhoods.) | ||
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| *], Former Resident | *], Former Resident | ||
| *], Former Resident | *], Former Resident | ||
| *], Former Resident | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| {{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
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| {{Mapit-US-cityscale|40.665371|-73.068481}} | {{Mapit-US-cityscale|40.665371|-73.068481}} | ||
| {{BrookhavenNY}} | {{BrookhavenNY}} | ||
Revision as of 19:42, 3 November 2007
Fire Island Pines (often referred to as The Pines or simply Pines) is a hamlet in the Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York. It is located on Fire Island, a barrier island on the southern side of Long Island.
Fire Island Pines, along with neighboring Cherry Grove, comprise the gay community on Fire Island.
The Pines, which has the most expensive real estate on Fire Island, has approximately 700 houses on its square mile of location. It has two-thirds of the swimming pools on Fire Island. Its summer seasonal population is between 2,500 and 3,000 and in 2004 12 people listed it as their full time residence
Transportation is via foot on the boardwalks. If a person wishes to carry groceries the traditional way to do this is by pulling toy wagons (traditionally the popular Radio Flyer (company)).
History
Fire Island Pines, derives its name from the pine trees in the area which according to legend started growing after a ship bound for the United States from England laden with Christmas trees floundered off its coast in the late 1800s.
The Pines was originally the site of a Coast Guard station built in 1876 and known as Lone Hill Saving Station. The area was purchased by the Home Guardian Company in 1924.
The Smadbacks
Plans for development first began in 1952 when Warren and Arthur Smadbeck doing business as the Home Guardian Company announced plans to sell 122 lots in the new subdivision while building a private yacht harbor, large landing dock, and private park facing the harbor. The Smadbecks, who sold more than 700,000 lots around the country, had purchased the property from the Sammis family which owned it for several years.
The basic Smadbeck layout of the Pines remains to this day including the Botel which was designed by a simple no frills dormitory style acomodation for the yachts docked in its harbor.
The Botel and associated yacht club buildings burned on May 31, 1959.
John B. Whyte
Former male model John B. Whyte was to encourage its reputation as a gay destination after buying the rebuilt Botel Pines and Dunes Yacht Club in the 1960s (Cherry Grove was already a gay destination when Whyte developed the Pines). The Botel is now the Hotel Ciel and still the central landmark and only hotel in the Pines. Whyte bought the property after a May 31, 1959, fire destroyed the entire complex.
Whyte, who owned 80 percent of the commercial property in the Pines, until his death at the age of 75 in 2004 instituted the community’s central social activity schedule of “Low Tea” (drinks -- particularly the "Blue Whale" cocktail of Curaçao liqueur and vodka that turned patrons' tongues blue -- at the Blue Whale from 5 PM to 8 PM) followed by “High Tea (drinks at the Pavilion from 8 to 10 PM) followed by an evening of dancing at the Pavilion (all of which were Whyte establishments).
All of the commercial buildings are located in the "harbor" area which is where the ferry from Sayville docks. The harbor also includes docks for yachts. Regularly scheduled seaplanes during the season from New York City connect disembark their passengers at the Harbor.
The central dance club was the Sandpiper which in 1979 became the Pavilion before being razed at the end of the 2006 season and replaced with the “New Pavilion” in 2007.
Hamlet Culture
While all of Fire Island may have an official year-round population of 310, the summer population swells to much higher levels especially on weekends. In the Pines, the large houses are filled with summer shares and a 4 bedroom house can easily contain 8 people at a time. The population is primarily gay men from 20-50 years old. It is affectionately referred to as "Chelsea with sand." (Chelsea is one of Manhattan's gay neighborhoods.)
Two of the Pines's most famous events are the Pines Party, AKA "Miss Fire Island", an all-night dance party held each August on the beach, and the Invasion of the Pines, a drag-queen parade held each year on July 4th, commemorating the time when Whyte refused service to a drag queen. The drag queens from Cherry Grove after promenading through the Pines proclaim victory and return to Cherry Grove.
People associated with Fire Island Pines
- Calvin Klein, Former Resident
- David Geffen, Former Resident
References
- Fire Island Pines Chamber of Commerce - Retrieved October 31, 2007
- Havens: Fire Island Pines, N.Y. – New York Times – May 14, 2004
- [http://www.geocities.com/sylvanspoon/Smadbeck2.html Sites for Houses Are Being Offered In Division of Estate on Fire Island
- Blaze on Fire Island - New York Times - June 1, 1959
- Blaze on Fire Island - New York Times - June 1, 1959
- The Dearly Departed, Class of '04; John B. Whyte -- Mr. Fire Island Pines – New York Times – December 26, 2004
External links
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