For those arriving from the east at the Vanderbilt estate, the East Gate House, designed by Richard Morris Hunt, the Vanderbilt architect, was their first glimpse of the premises. Situated at the northeast corner of the estate, the two story English cottage is a well-survived example of the nineteenth century architecture favored by the Vanderbilts. A smooth brick first floor is topped by a half-timbered and stucco second floor.
All windows are diamond pane casements.
The well across from the gate house marked the eastern end of the famous Century Run for cyclists at the turn of the nineteenth century. As thirsty cyclists reached the well, they would take a much-needed draught of water, sign a log at the gate house, and proceed on their return ride to Brooklyn. It is said that Willie K. Vanderbilt, Jr., once took his school lessons in the East Gate House. Today it still stands at the corner of Montauk Highway and Vanderbilt Boulevard as a gracious entry marker to the Idle Hour section of Oakdale.