Around Westhampton

by Meredith Murray

Overview

A land of breathtaking beaches and bays situated on the south shore of Long Island, Westhampton has evolved from an agricultural and fishing village to summer resort to a year-round oceanfront community.

Just 65 miles east of New York City, the area renowned as part of the Hamptons—the area known today as Westhampton, Westhampton Beach, Quiogue, and West Hampton Dunes—was named Catchaponack by the Algonquin tribes who lived in the area when the English sheepherders arrived in the 1660s. Fortune 500 chief executive officers and celebrities, such as Cary Grant, Charles Addams, and Marvin Hamlisch, have lived quietly amid locals. Together they have survived hurricanes, outlasted raucous night clubs, rebuilt eroded dunes, and fought off real estate developers. Around Westhampton depicts how an area blessed with uncommon physical beauty has managed to remain unspoiled in the face of natural disasters and international fame.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780738572499
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	04/26/2010
Series:	Images of America Series
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Meredith Murray is a Westhampton resident whose family first came to the area in the 1890s. A longtime researcher and writer of local history, she has written two previous books about Westhampton. The images contained in Around Westhampton come from the Westhampton Beach Historical Society's extensive archives and personal collections.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 6

Introduction 7

1 Catchaponack: 1650–1850 9

2 Wisteria Summers: 1850 to Early 1900s 29

3 Tires and Wires: 1900–1925 43

4 A Peaceful Interlude: 1919–1938 55

5 Hurricane and World War II: 1938–1945 73

6 Recovery and Rebuilding: 1945–1970s 87

7 Bonding the Old with the New: 1970s to Present 101

8 Footprints in the Sand: Building the Character of Westhampton 115

Editorial Reviews

Title: Author Meredith Murray Celebrates Westhampton's Area History

Author: Eileen Casey

Publisher: Hamptons Online

Date: 4/15/2010



A delightful new book by local author Meredith Murray highlights much of the history of the Westhampton area.



Referring to the Westhampton area as "the hidden jewel" Murray has managed to make this book both interesting and informative. Accompanied by over 200 vintage photographs, "Around Westhampton" encompasses not only Westhampton, but Westhampton Beach, Quiogue and Westhampton Dunes as well.



Beginning with the history of the Apocock Indians and their contribution to the English settlers, the book spans the history of the area from 1650 to the present. Westhampton, or Catchaponack as it was named by the Algonquin tribes in the 1660s, is revealed to be not only a beautiful and scenic area, but an area whose inhabitants and residents have survived and overcome hurricanes, civil and world wars, and other life altering circumstances, and to have grown and flourished from argricultural and fishing villages to what is now considered to be one of the most desirable summer vacation resorts on the East End. The determination and fortitude of these residents is reflected and apparent in the photographic treasures displayed in the book, with insightful and obviously thoroughly researched text by Murray.



If you have spent even just an evening in the Westhampton area, perhaps enjoying a sunset or walk in the enchanting village(s), this book is a must read for those who are interested in knowing who traversed these areas long ago. Bravo to Murray for compiling both a written and photographic testament to some rather remarkable citizens.



Proceeds from the sale of the book will go towards the restoration of the Foster-Meeker House as an educational center to help promote and preserve local history. Many of the vintage photographs contained in the book are also available as postcards.



About The Author

Murray has written two previous books about Westhampton, "Steamed Crabs and Cranberries" and "The Magic Boat." Adhering to a mainstay of journalist integrity - 'write what you know' - Murray brings a particular expertise to this subject matter as her family has lived in Westhampton since the 1890s - six generations have lived on Apaucuck Points. An alumna of Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism, Murray has been a columnist and associate editor for People Magazine Online, as well as the Book-of-the-Month Club submissions reader.



This multi-talented lady is also a paramedic, midwife's assistant and Tennessee Walking Horse manager, and researcher for the Westhampton Beach Historical Society. She is currently a real estate broker with The Corocoran Group in Westhampton Beach.



There will be a book signing and exhibit opening cocktail party held on Friday, June 18 at Starr Boggs Restaurant in Westhampton, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Additional book signings will be held on June 19 at Borders in Riverhead (1 p.m.), and June 26 at The Open Book in Westhampton Beach (6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.)



"Around Westhampton" is published by Arcadia Publishing under the Images of America Series, (128 pages, soft cover, $21.99).

From the Publisher