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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