Sag Harbor, New York - Then and Now

This Hamptons community has no southern coastlineserved as the official port of entry into New York.
along the Atlantic but does have one of the area'sWhaling had begun before this designation, and the
most historic ports. There are three semi protectedport was still growing in its importance at that time.
bay water bodies that are found on the northernThe industry reached its peak in the years from
portions of the Village: Upper Sag Harbor Cove, Sag1820-1850 and then, at least in Sag Harbor, faced a
Harbor Cover and Sag Harbor. The later is relativelyswift decline.
open to the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and it isAfter the rise and fall of whaling's importance the
here where you will find the region' most fascinatingvillage gained a second economic lift when the Long
port. The village originally grew and prospered as aIsland Railroad began service here in 1870. Railroad
whaling community and there are many remnants ofbuilding at this time was important for many coastal
this past found throughout its commercial and privatecommunities, for both the development of industry
properties.and tourism. After the arrival of the railroad there
Whaling industry commerce was centered at Longwere a number of large industrial interests in and
Wharf so this is typically a good place to start if youaround the village. The slow decline in the importance
want to see what Sag Harbor is all about. At theof these industries over the course of the 20th
foot of Main Street, not far from Long Wharf, is thecentury somewhat coincided with the rise of an
Chamber of Commerce Windmill. A visit there willeconomy that was and now is largely supported by
provide access to maps and brochures about thetourism dollars.
local area. The Main Street shops in some ways areNow that you have a little bit of an idea about what
no different from what they once were in thewas once found in Sag Harbor, and what you might
whaling days. Seamen and boat owners boughtfind today, you can visit the village and enjoy
provisions in Sag Harbor for their trips and for theirknowing more about its history. If your visit is during
land based local households. Today you can buythe summer, you may also want to check out one
fishing tackle, boat related supplies and anything elseof the more popular areas in the village - Haven's
you may need during your own visit. Just like in theBeach. It is found to the east of Long Wharf and a
days of old, you can also arrive here by sea or land.parking area is located just off of Bay Avenue. There
In and around Long Wharf there are numerous publicyou can lie on the beach or go for a swim. If you do
and private marinas. You can arrive here by boat orget in the water, imagine what it must have been like
alternatively rent a boat and spend some time out into have been swimming in the same waters
the bays or the ocean. The bay waters just off ofhundreds of years ago. You would have been able to
Long Wharf offer a natural deep water harbor, whichsee all kinds of sailing ships, busily heading into or out
is big reason the port was of some importance inof a the busy port that is just to your west.
years past. During the late 1700's the docks here