Did you know that 755 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, the site of the former Robert's restaurant, is known as the Half-Way House or the Warren House?
This two-story five-bay residence was constructed in two parts, one of which (probably the western two bays) was moved from elsewhere. The two are not entirely flush on the front (north) façade, as evidenced by the vertical seam. Both of the halves may have been built in the 18th century, and were likely joined in the mid-19th century, when the building would have acquired its Greek Revival-style features, including pilasters, cornice, and door frame. The structure was a former stagecoach stop known as the Half-Way House because it was half way between other stops in Patchogue and Montauk. Did you know that 2339 Montauk Highway in Bridgehampton, most recently the site of Pulver/Suburban Propane, used to be a Studebaker dealer and still has a Studebaker logo up top?
You do now! Those and other fascinating facts can be gleaned from Southampton Town's two year long study of the town's historic resources. This includes nearly 1,000 historic properties, and best of all, everything is easily found online.
Architectural historian Jacqueline Peu-Duvalion of Historic Preservation Consulting worked with consulting firm AKRF and the Southampton Landmarks & Historic Districts Board to documenting 992 historic properties located throughout 15 hamlets of Southampton, the unincorporated portions of Sag Harbor and Sagaponack, and other distinct areas. Incorporated villages and the reservation of the Shinnecock Indian Nation were not included in the survey area.
For each included hamlet, there's a brief history and a summary of the potential landmarks and historic districts. Maps show the locations of the historic resources and individual photographs depict landmark eligible properties. Each repot concludes with a table of the recommended potential landmarks and an index of properties deserving further analysis.
Sally Spanburgh, chair of the Landmarks & Historic Districts Board, says, "It is important to note that not all areas were as thoroughly documented as others, but the survey, overall, is an excellent resource that the town has never had before and which can be built upon in the future."
Well done to all involved.
· Southampton Historic Resources Survey 2014 [Official]