Thursday, September 24, 2009

Sag Harbor, New York - Then and Now

This Tm Logo community has no southern coastline along tm net email Atlantic but does have one of the area's most historic ports. There are three semi protected bay water bodies that are found on the northern portions of the Village: Upper Sag Harbor Cove, Sag Harbor Cover and Sag Harbor. The later is relatively open to the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and it is here where you will find the region' most fascinating port. The village originally grew and prospered as a whaling community and there are many remnants of this past found throughout its commercial and private properties.

Whaling industry commerce was centered at Long Wharf so this is typically a good place to start if you want to see what Sag Harbor is all about. At the foot of Main Street, not far from Long Wharf, is the Chamber of Commerce Windmill. A visit there will provide access to maps and brochures about the local area. The Main Street shops in some ways are no different from what they once were in the whaling days. Seamen and boat owners bought provisions in Sag Harbor for their trips and for their land internet firewall local households. Today you can buy fishing tackle, boat related supplies and anything else you may need during your own visit. Just like in the days of old, you can also arrive here by sea or land.

In and around Long Wharf there are numerous public and private marinas. You can arrive here by boat or alternatively rent a boat and spend some time out in the bays or the ocean. The bay waters just off of Long Wharf offer a natural deep water harbor, which is big reason the port was of some importance in years past. During the late 1700's the docks here served as the official port of entry into New York. Whaling had begun before this designation, and the port was still growing in its importance at that time. The industry reached its peak in the years from 1820-1850 and then, at least in Sag Harbor, faced a swift decline.

After the rise and fall of whaling's importance the village gained a second economic lift when the Long Island Railroad began service here in 1870. Railroad building at this time was important for many coastal communities, for both the development of industry and tourism. After the arrival of the railroad there were a number of large industrial interests in and around the village. The slow decline in the importance of these industries over the course of the 20th century somewhat coincided with the rise of an economy that was and now is largely supported by tourism dollars.

Now that you have a little bit of an idea about what was once found in Sag Harbor, and what you might find today, you can visit the village and enjoy knowing more about its history. If your visit is during the summer, you may also want to check out one of the more popular areas in the village - Haven's Beach. It is found to the east of Long Wharf and a parking area is located just off of Bay Avenue. There you can lie on the beach or go for a swim. If you do get in the water, imagine what it must have been like to have been swimming in the same waters hundreds of years ago. You would have been able to see all kinds of sailing ships, busily heading into or out of a the busy port that is just to your west.

Dave Handons has enjoyed many Hampton vacations. He also likes sharing what he has found during his travels there. You can find out some more about local Hamptons' history by visiting other articles Dave has written, including this one http://www.hamptonvacations.net/hamptons-history

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