A COTTAGE INDUSTRY
in
THE MASTICS
When the Smadbeck Brothers ran this
ad in the New York Times for Mastic Park on May 2, 1926, they
were just weeks away from
announcing their newest development just a few miles to the
south called Mastic Beach. Both towns were developed the same
way. Take a 3 month subscription to the Brooklyn Citizen newspaper
and you could buy building lots at a "very good price".
This practice set up another cottage industry of sorts , the building
of bungalows. Though some landowners built their own which resulted
in some unique looking structures, many were built by local lumber
yards, carpenters and builders like "Denny" Barnes and
some from the city including the future W&A Construction Co.
(Warren & Arthur) which most likely just sub contracted the
work.
NY Times 1930
With heavy advertising, promotion (like free
train rides out to Mastic) and six salesman working out of an
office on the Forge River. They were selling land like hotcakes,
until the fall of 1929 when the financial world nearly came to
a halt in the US. Entrepenuers that they were, one or both came
up with an offer that probably saved the Mastic area from being
abandoned, as was the Tangiers Manor Project of Fred Quimby &
Co. over by Smith's Point in 1912.
Arthur Smadbeck, one half of Home Guardian
Corp. If anyone has a photo of his brother, Warren feel free to
send it on.
So for $386.00 you got yourself a piece
of land 100' deep x 80' wide and a cottage (albeit a cozy one)
with a Kitchen, Living Room, Bedroom, many homeowners used outhouses
back then which were still legal and some paid extra for another
room with indoor plumbing. The cottage below was many that were
expanded early on. There are still a few "originals"
around but most have been altered beyond recognition. The one
below has sprouted wings on both sides.
"THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME"
Last House On Left of Lafayette
Drive
Built in 1941 in Section
10 for the John S. Folk Family, of Valley Stream this bungalow
is on the east side of the road and is on a tee area of the former
Knapp Golf Course. The pond (water
hazard) lies just south ( to the right ) in the woods. Thanks
to Virginia Folk Streader of Florida for the pic of her parents
home.
Ad In Mastic Beach Directory 1942-43
I would like to be able to add more
photos of original Mastic Beach bungalows and some of the log
cabins that were built during the '20's through '40's to this
page. Then and Now photos would be fine also.
If you have them feel free to send
them in or just get in touch
MEET THE FERNANDES FAMILY
On The Riveria At Mastic Beach 1944
Chris Amodeo sent these photos of
his grandparents Rose & Luigi Fernandes and their three children
Dorothy (Chris' Mom) Richard and Eugene. Chris would like to make
contact with anyone whom may of known his family, as he says they
spent many summers in their Mastic Beach cottage. It was very
close to the bay,but he is not sure of the exact location. His granparents and mother and uncle Richard have passed away.Chris hopes to get the location soon from his uncle Eugene. Anyone out there remember playing with the Fernandes kids? Get
in touch with me.
Here Is A Good Example That Some
Cottages Improve With Age
The "tar papered" boarded
up house on the left stood unfinished for years near the east
mouth of the lagoon. We
passed it many times on our way
to Beach #1 whose pagoda red roof is visible on the right.
August 1960
Pride on the Riveria.......here
it is in Sept 2001 looking mighty fine indeed
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