New-York tribune., 1908-07-19
SEASIDE PARK
Fire Island Beach to Become q PUB
Ec Bathing Resort. q

T. Oh. davs of Governor Flower Fire Island
Beach Long Island, purchased by the state
to be used hospital In case OF 'he spreac %
expected cholera In the emergency Governor
Flower himself advanced the SS,orS demanoeo
bv the Sammis estate for the property In ail II
contains I25 acres and cost S2loV1 Incuoeo wore
the old Surf House. a number of small cottages 3
boardwalk extending from Great South Bay 10 the
ocean and many roomed bath houses
The quarantine reservation. however, proved b
he of little service. The passengers OF only one
steamer the Normanna, were taken TO FTe lsiano
for observation. The scenes accompanying the
landing of the passengers. among whom were -
NJ Palmer. the theatrical manager, sHn "a L.
C;odkin created marked sensation at sne rffre.
They were held side wheel excursion steamer
for more than two days, practically WITHOUT lpo0
or sleeping accommodations, owing to Shs vfeasnS
opposition to landing made oy the ps0oAs "siAS
in the nefghborhoot-
During the intervening years the state was never
able to sell it's white elephant, and was able 70
obtain only lessee of the hotel for TWO seasons.
the amiable Peter Wall. who abandoned It for the
ooencx Of a nopuIar brand of beer. In conse-
o,,snce the state was forced 10 allow its AGENT
Smith Oakly TO the hotel without remunera~
ton to it and much to his financial benefit, as eue
of his profits he has erected a big hotel on the
nearby Oak Island
The Legislature, being advised OF the loss OF No
agent who now purposes running his own new busa-
ness and unable after extensive advertising 70
obtain a successor. even on fortune making termss
decided convert the property into a pubic park.
the only state seaside park in fact, In the United
States.
The commission appointed comprised John HI.
Vail president; Edward c. Blum, Of Brooklyns
Samuel H. Parrish OF Southampton; j. Clinton
Robbins of Babylon, and Colonel Henry W.
Sackett of New York At its meeting at 1siip on
"Wednesday it appointed Charles ". Lowrie lands
Acap~s artist to make plans for the improvements
proposed
Five of the cottages have already been sold for
removal The remaining cottages and the hotel
and it's furniture VIII be auctioned on In september.
The bathing features will be retained the ocean
and hay sides and the bay wharf a boat landing.
Otherwise the property will be developed along nat
uraI lines The commission also controls the state
wharf at Babylon which will be put and kept in
proper repair
The states sole lessee is the Western Union Tele-
graph Company which maintains the ocean
front a tower for sighting vessels The commission
in due time will decide whether 10 refuse to
the lease or build another observation tower Il,
balance it, The Fire Island Beach Lighthouse and
.Iifesaving Station adjoin the park on tho
west and the Commercial Cable Conpany's ne.y
tower on the east. Adjoining the latter are two
bungalow parks. which. with Oak Island Babylon
and Bayshore will in the future have to furnish
hotel accommodations for the people of the state
who come down dip IN the briny-
The commission has been given unusual powers
II may police the park and maintain a steamboat
line between the beach and Long Island without
further legislative action except the appropriation
of funds. Ii to unite the still bath
ing beach the north side OF the park fronting on
Great South Bay with the surf bathing on the
ocean front BY covered promenade. II possible
it will devise some means OF causing trees and
grass to grow In the park. 1t is already studyin8
this problem.