Long Island's Hidden Past: Protecting and preserving historic Long Island locations

Every two years, Preservation Long Island puts together a list of historic Long Island structures that are in danger of disappearing.

News 12 Staff

Apr 4, 2019, 8:30 AM

Updated 1,849 days ago

Share:

Every two years, Preservation Long Island puts together a list of historic Long Island structures that are in danger of disappearing.
One place in danger is the Summer Club Clubhouse on Fire Island. It was one of the original lifesaving stations along the Great South Bay. The Blue Point lifesaving station was moved to Fire Island and has been part of the Summer Club community since the 1940s.
In this companion podcast for News 12 Talks Long Island, Danielle and Sarah discuss the structures in danger:
"It's a vibrant place where everyone gathers for the summer," says Sarah Kautz, of Preservation Long Island.
However, because of rising tides, the beloved community hot spot needs to be saved.
Local historians are also keeping a close eye on a South Shore community that became a movie star mecca and rumored to be named after a famous resident, Clark Gable.
"Merrick Gables is a 1922 planned community and it was designed by, among others, Mr. Fox of 20th Century Fox," says Kautz.
The homes were built in typical California style. They were made to attract the Hollywood elite who worked on the East Coast.
"Unfortunately, some of them have fallen into disrepair and that makes them really prime for someone to buy and demo the property and rebuild," Kautz says.
Residents who live in the Merrick Gables and members of the Summer Club Clubhouse hope the endangered list will bring attention to their part of the Long Island story and keep it from being bulldozed or swept away.
"That's what preservation is all about," Kautz says. "Finding ways to keep these places alive and relevant."


More from News 12
1:42
Westchester commuters, residents weigh in on official congestion pricing rollout date

Westchester commuters, residents weigh in on official congestion pricing rollout date

2:10
Late-day showers for Saturday in the Hudson Valley; chance of thunderstorm for Sunday

Late-day showers for Saturday in the Hudson Valley; chance of thunderstorm for Sunday

0:52
Mother and daughter from Mount Vernon sentenced in pandemic-relief fraud scheme

Mother and daughter from Mount Vernon sentenced in pandemic-relief fraud scheme

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:32
Carmel police: Yorktown shoplifting suspects arrested

Carmel police: Yorktown shoplifting suspects arrested

0:52
'Kindness in a cup.' Sleepy Coffee, Too celebrates grand opening in Sleepy Hollow

'Kindness in a cup.' Sleepy Coffee, Too celebrates grand opening in Sleepy Hollow

1:53
Officials call for no-show Orange County legislator to step down after missing meetings for two years

Officials call for no-show Orange County legislator to step down after missing meetings for two years

0:34
Yonkers police: Man wanted for failing to appear in court for car break-in charges

Yonkers police: Man wanted for failing to appear in court for car break-in charges

1:57
White Plains dispensary pays it forward, spends green on legal help

White Plains dispensary pays it forward, spends green on legal help

0:49
Gov. Hochul signs $10 million literacy plan into law

Gov. Hochul signs $10 million literacy plan into law

0:28
Yonkers hip-hop legend Mary J. Blige, Pepsi team up to help women in the city

Yonkers hip-hop legend Mary J. Blige, Pepsi team up to help women in the city

0:32
Kingston man charged in barbershop stabbing

Kingston man charged in barbershop stabbing

2:13
MTA outlines new details on congestion pricing, including start date

MTA outlines new details on congestion pricing, including start date

2:04
Movie theater experience: A close look at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville

Movie theater experience: A close look at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville

1:35
 White Plains community memorializes impactful couple as part of 41st Arbor Day celebration

White Plains community memorializes impactful couple as part of 41st Arbor Day celebration

0:21
Funeral held for Westchester correction officer killed in Scarsdale motorcycle crash

Funeral held for Westchester correction officer killed in Scarsdale motorcycle crash

0:31
Police: 18-year-old Washingtonville man with autism has gone missing

Police: 18-year-old Washingtonville man with autism has gone missing

0:23
New Korean-style fried chicken restaurant opens in Mahopac

New Korean-style fried chicken restaurant opens in Mahopac

2:16
New Rochelle teacher receives birthday surprise from students, colleagues

New Rochelle teacher receives birthday surprise from students, colleagues

1:23
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally in Irvington during President Biden's visits to Westchester

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally in Irvington during President Biden's visits to Westchester