(all photos taken by me, The Globetrotting Gamine 2010)
Excerpt from one of my favorite sites (not by me!):
"The History of Greenport, LI
East of Manhattan, beyond some of the world's most renowned vineyards and at the edge of Long Island's vast farmlands, you will find yourself at the end of the earth, immersed in one of the hottest spots on the East Coast -- Greenport. This small seaside village has become famous for its quaint retail establishments, fine dining, and nightlife like no other, but what makes Greenport so unique is its rich maritime history, which has been tastefully preserved for more than three centuries.
First settled in 1682, Greenport was originally comprised of two settlements. Stirling, located on the West side of Stirling Basin on the North edge of what is now Greenport, ran along King's Highway (now known as Route 48 or North Road) and faced the Long Island Sound. The other, named Green Hill, overlooked the harbor. As the two settlements flourished the residents of Stirling and Green Hill officially merged the two and, in 1831, officially adopted the name Greenport. In 1838, it became the second incorporated village in the State of New York.
In the years that followed, Greenport became a prominent whaling port and, at the height of the whaling boom, the Long Island railroad was extended to village, making it the main link in the rail-steamboat route between New York and Boston. By 1856, Greenport boasted 250 homes, 16 stores and 3 shipyards. As the whaling industry faded, commercial fishing increased, keeping the local boat yards in business. During Prohibition, rumrunners became active off Greenport and a Coast Guard station eventually opened in the village. Local shipyards further profited, doing business for both the good guys and the bad. To catch a glimpse of Greenport's past, make sure that the East End Seaport Museum, Bootleg Alley, and some of the villages remaining shipyards are on your "to do" list.
It's not just the maritime industry, however, that helped put this village on the map. Historically, Greenport has also been attractive to some of America's most renowned artists including Walt Whitman; playwright William Gillette; painter Whitney Hubbard; and author & illustrator Marjorie Flack. Many of their homes, or the homes of those who connected them to the village, still stand today. Visitors can spend an entire day just exploring the historic homes of Greenport.
Today, artists continue to find a home in Greenport, including award-winning actress Peg Murray; sculptor Arden Scott; craftsperson Gail Horton and award winning songwriter Hugh Prestwood. With outdoor theater, live music events, and a plethora of galleries, the arts are still very much alive in the Village of Greenport.
Most recently, the Village of Greenport has upped the ante on fun with the creation of the expansive Mitchell Park, which overlooks Greenport Harbor. Although some of the park is still under construction, the outdoor amphitheater, harbor side boardwalk and public docks are quite active during the busy summer months. The icing on the cake, however, is Greenport's famous carousel. Built in the 1920s as a carnival ride in North Tonawanda, New York, the 40-foot carousel was donated to the village of Greenport in 1995 by Northrop-Grumman. Greenport boasts a population of just over 2,000 and, although the village seemingly bursts at the seams when thousands more visitors descend during the tourist season, there is plenty of room for everyone. To get an extra dose of Greenport's arts and culture, ring in the New Year during the village's annual First Night festival or celebrate its rich nautical history, during the village's annual Maritime Festival, which takes place each September. Nevertheless, no matter what time of year you visit, you will find a warm welcome in Greenport and, we are sure, you will have a great time! "
The pictures I've posted are from the Greenport Jail, now a museum. I didn't know this, but i looked it up and http://www.greenportvillage.com/activities.html said this:
"Greenport Jail and Police Museum
1917 Jail featuring memorabilia, pictures andhistoric items from the Greenport Police Department including photos, patchs and items of other police forces in the U.S."
It's just awesome
and you should visit!
love me,
the globetrotting gamine <3
No comments:
Post a Comment
heart to hearts...