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SPOTLIGHT PHOTOS

Having so many neat photos scattered over all these 300+ pages on this websight, and with new ones arriving and being found from all over, I hit upon the brainstorm that it might be nice to single one out from time to time. And it will also call attention to a specific part of the websight that has grown far past what I ever thought it would. So this page will be updated frequently, but not on any specific schedule. When it is, the date will change on main menu. Former photos will be archived with a quick link to them.

"PARR FOR THE COURSE"

A few weeks ago I was contacted by Moriches historian Mary Field, asking me if I had any information about the Hawkins Mastic Liqour store that is about to be declared a historic landmark by Brookhaven town. I told her I did, but also told her although most people remember it as a liqour store (which it still is) it really started out as Lewis Parr's variety store and gasoline filling station circa 1918. I also told her I thought I might be able to come up with a photo of it for her to pass on to the town. A call to my oldest friend in the world Larry Schulz who is the great grandson of Lewis Parr resulted in what you see here. One of the oldest commercial buildings in Mastic.

It was built with two entrances on both the North and South side because originally the north side of the building was were Montauk Highway passed by it. "Old Montauk Highway" still passes by the original entrance though I'm sure it has changed quite a bit. Mr. Parr knew there were plans to re route the highway so he had a front put on the backside too which is what we see here in this photo looking westerly.

"ALWAYS OPEN"

There is at least 4 different (possibly five) brands of gasoline being sold here in this photo from the 1920's. Texaco, Gulf (?) No Nox, H C Sinclair (?) and Tydol. And if they didn't suit your fancy or your Stutz Bearcat's thirst, you could drive 1 block westward and buy Shell from Mr. Parr's sons William & Walter, as that is the Parr Brothers Service Station just on the other side of the Parr home. The home is now the Davin Funeral home . The station (see next photo) is long gone and a parking lot. Quite the entrepenour who was "ALWAYS OPEN" Lewis Parr also had alligators in a aquarium here as a roadside attraction. I believe the aquarium is still in the store today?

PARR BROTHERS STATION

On The Corner Of Washington Ave. & Montauk Hwy With The Old Mastic Post Office On The Left Side. You Can See Much More Of The Parr Brothers Station, Including The One In They Ran In Mastic Beach Next To The Beach Tavern 1930's & '40s

HERE

Center Moriches Record : Sept 6 , 1926

GOT PHOTOS????

If you have some photos that are relevant to anything on this websight and would like to share them, then please get in touch. Condition is not important as I can restore them. Several I am actively seeking are: Bob DeCordova's Service Station (Aspen & Whiitier), Fannie's Spaghetti House (on Diana Dr.) Birdsall Hardware , The Stop & Shop, Jean's, HC Grand 5&10 cent store and of course it goes without saying ANY OF THE KNAPP MANSION AND ESTATE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR!

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