Archeological Site Inventory Form

Historical Sites

Archeological Site Inventory Form

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Unless indicated below, this is a transcript of the original Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities/Town of Brookhaven survey form. Corrections to obvious typographical and spelling errors have been made. Corrections to factual errors, updates or comments on the information are either enclosed in [square brackets], or will be clearly indicated as updated material. Since most of the surveys were conducted in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, much of the information reflects that time period. Included in this category are sites for which some documentation may exist but are no longer extant often with little or no modern evidence at the site.

Sites which have a suffix of “S” are supplemental sites not included in the original surveys.

Archeological Site Inventory Form

Fire Place & Old Inlet Beach Clubs

If checked, this is a Supplemental Form, not in the original surveys.

Inventory Code: Br01.6-S

Prepared Date: 03-06-2011

Last Modified: 01-01-1970

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Photo

People

Submitter

Submitter Name:

John Deitz

Submitter Address:

7 Locust Rd.

Brookhaven, NY 11719
631-286-3178

Organization:

Identification

1-Site Name:Fire Place & Old Inlet Beach Clubs

2a-County:Suffolk

2b-Town:Brookhaven

2c-Village:Hamlet of Brookhaven

Ownership

4a-Public Site

4b-Private Site

4-Present Owner:Fire Island National Seashore

5a-Address:Fire Island National Seashore 120 Laurel Street Patchogue, NY 11772-3596 631-687-4750

Historic and Architectural Importance

There were originally two private clubs situated very close to each other in the eight mile zone of the Fire Island National Seashore known as Old Inlet. One was the Old Inlet Club and the other was the Fireplace Beach Club. The Fireplace Beach Club consisted of 1.04 acres; the Old Inlet Club consisted of 3.2 acres. Both sites were bay to ocean. Since the Seashore at its inception in 1968 had no immediate plans for these areas, the two clubs were permitted to use the areas (for a fee). These permits were not renewed in 1974. The facilities at the Fireplace Beach Club were removed. Most of the facilities at the Old Inlet site were removed. Today, the Old Inlet site contains boat slips and restrooms, and access to the beach. Only day-use only is permitted.

The Old Inlet Club was strictly a membership only club; only members and guest of members were permitted to use the Club facilities. While the Fire Place Beach Club was also privately owned, its shares were owned and the facilities were maintained by the Brookhaven Village Association; all residents within the boundaries of the BVA were welcome to use the facilities. As a result, the Old Inlet Club membership tended to be from the Village of Bellport. Sometime before the National Seashore became a reality, the Village of Bellport purchased a site on Fire Island as a village beach. This property was to the west of the Old Inlet Club. Since this property was owned by a public entity, the National Seashore was not able to purchase it; and it remains today as a village owned beach accessible only to Village of Bellport residents.

A more comprehensive history of these two beach clubs may be found at the additional pages links.

6- Description, Condition, Evidence of Site

6a-Standing Ruins

6b-Cellar Hole with Walls

6c-Surface Traces Visible

6d-Walls Without Cellar Hole

6e-Under Cultivation

6f-Erosion

6g-Underwater

6h-No Visible Evidence

7- Collection of Material from Site

7a- Surface Hunting

By Whom:

Date:

7b-Testing

By Whom:

Date:

7c-Excavation

By Whom:

Date:

7d-None

7e-Present Repository of Materials:

8- Prehistoric Cultural Affiliation or Date

9-Historical Documentation of Site

10- Possibility of Site Destruction or Disturbance

Most of the original beach club structures have been razed by the Fire Island National Seashore.

11-Remarks

12- Map Location

[If an original form, the source map images were not reproducible.]

12a- 7 1/2 Minute Quad. Name:

12b- 15 Minute Quad. Name:

12c- U.S.G.S Coordinates:

12d- D.O.T. Coordinates: (if known):

Other Maps:

13- Photographs

Supplemental Material

The Fire Island National Seashore: a history: H. Lee Koppelman and Seth Forman. SUNY Press. 2008. A comprehensive account of the history of the Fire Island National Seashore since its creation in 1964.

Prepared By

John Deitz