125 Years Ago - 1897
From The East Hampton Star, May 7
There is considerable talk going on about the advisability of dividing the town of Southampton at the Canoe Place canal, and setting aside the western section for the town of West Hampton. This suggestion seems worthy of consideration, especially as the residents of the western part of the town are said to favor the movement, although they disagree with their eastern neighbors as to where the division should be made. The former would make the line east of the Shinnecock Hills and the latter at the canal.
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The hand-organ man was around yesterday. Next will come flies and June bugs.
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A good bicycle path is being built along the Sag Harbor road from the village to Hardscrabble, which we believe is the limit of the road district. From the depot to Mr. Gould’s place the path was made by the Goulds, from that point to the corner the work was done by Mr. Chas Dayton, and from there to Hardscrabble we understand the work is being done by the district under charge of Mr. Nathan Dayton. The bicycle is surely beginning to receive recognition.
100 Years Ago - 1922
From The East Hampton Star, May 5
It can be definitely announced this week that Douglas Fairbanks’ photo-play version of Alexander Dumas’ stirring tale, “The Three Musketeers,” will be shown at the Edwin C. Halsey Post benefit performance at Maidstone Club next Friday evening, May 12. The show will start at 7:30 o’clock.
In this spectacular photo-feature Fairbanks will be viewed in a new type of characterization. In the picturesque trappings of a seventeenth century chevalier, he is expected to give a sensationally dramatic interpretation to the role of D’Artagnan, dashing swordsman and adventurer.
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Judging from the interest that is being manifested by the members of the Southern New York Volunteer Firemen’s Association, the annual convention and tournament of that organization to be held in Riverhead on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, June 13, 14 and 15, will be one of the biggest and most successful that has ever been held under its auspices.
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Another long and busy session of the Village Board was held at Village Clerk Dayton’s office Tuesday evening, it being twelve after twelve before the meeting adjourned.
A petition was presented to the board by Wm. M. Wood, representing the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church and signed by five residents of the village, requesting that the village widen the Pantigo road at the turn in front of the M.E. Parsonage. At this point the inside of the turn now extends up to the embankment on the parsonage property and leaves no room for a side walk or wing for the road.
75 Years Ago - 1947
From The East Hampton Star, May 8
The suggestion that surplus potatoes be used in the making of potato flour was offered this week by Ferris G. Talmage, potato grower, who has long been identified with the potato growing industry, as an answer to the threat of reduced potato consumption. In a letter to The Star Mr. Talmage points out that already three hundred bakers in the country are using potato flour today.
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Billy Coyle, 14 year old son of William F. Coyle of the Village Highway Department, was wounded in the eye by B-B shot on Saturday afternoon while cleaning his gun. Billy was out by the garage at his home on Newtown Lane, polishing up the gun and looking down the barrel. Something gave way, and the gun fired into the boy’s eye at close range. He was taken to Dr. David Edwards, who removed a shot from his eye and advised going to an eye specialist. On Sunday Mr. Coyle took his son to Dr. Charles Taintor at Port Jefferson, who was very encouraging and told Billy to keep that eye covered and to stay out of school for a few days.
Like most adults, Billy now thinks B-B guns are dangerous.
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The Ladies Village Improvement Society met on Monday afternoon at the home of Mrs. Percy Ingalls on David Lane. Mrs. Russell Hopkinson presided. Reports from standing committees were heard. Mrs. George Hand reported for the Tree Committee that the trees here have suffered little winter damage. A spray for elm disease and Japanese beetle is sought, which will be harmless to man or beast.
50 Years Ago - 1972
From The East Hampton Star, May 4
East Hampton, like other communities around the nation, is witnessing or participating in, as the case may be, a political spring this year, reminiscent to many of 1968. Keen interest is being focused now as it was then on the National Democratic Convention and the primary elections that precede it.
Even on the Republican side, where Richard M. Nixon is the undoubted national standard bearer and Suffolk’s East End claims one of the State’s strongest Republican areas, an unusual primary challenge is anticipated.
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The Montauk Air Force Station will be visited on May 9 and 10 by representatives of the General Services Administration. Under a Presidential order requiring the agency to determine periodically the status of Federal land, they will conduct a survey to find whether the government needs all of its property there.
Part of the base, known as Camp Hero, earlier Fort Hero, is now vacant.
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Mary Ella Reutershan of Amagansett will speak on “Women in Politics” Tuesday at a meeting of the South Fork Women’s Liberation Coalition in the natural sciences building of Southampton College. Mrs. Reutershan is eastern coordinator of the new Suffolk Women’s Political Caucus and State legislative chairman of the American Association of University Women.
25 Years Ago - 1997
From The East Hampton Star, May 8
Representatives of some 85 organizations turned out on the morning of April 30 to hear Bruce Collins, chairman of the East Hampton Town 350th anniversary committee, describe how the pieces of the yearlong celebration are falling into place.
At the committee’s first public meeting, a breakfast at the American Legion Hall in Amagansett, Mr. Collins reported plans were afoot to hold a parade, strike a commemorative coin, sponsor an exhibit of historical documents, and publish a souvenir book and a comprehensive calendar of events.
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The Hamptons International Film Festival, conceived as a showcase for independent filmmakers and as a community-based, year-round organization, is taking on some high-powered board members and intends to make its presence felt in New York City.
The goal is to reinforce the festival’s shaky financial base and to enhance its programming with corporate support.
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Even as East Hampton Town attempts to implement the “final chapter” of its new Open Space Plan, local real estate brokers are facing a strong demand for vacant land, both south and north of the Montauk Highway. The problem is finding it.
At the high end of the market, vacant land is a scarcity, brokers agree, and available oceanfront land, virtually nonexistent. So what’s a millionaire to do?
The dwindling number of premium south-of-the-highway lots — coupled with the burgeoning real estate market — is having an impact on land prices in other parts of town and fostering some new trends.
