Theodore Roosevelt County Park
Encyclopedia
Theodore Roosevelt County Park (formerly Montauk County Park) is located approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Montauk, New York
. The park is 1157 acres (4.7 km²) in size, running from Montauk Highway
north to Block Island Sound
and is bordered on the east by Montauk Point State Park
. Montauk County Park was created from 1971 to 1986 through a series of land acquisitions by Suffolk County
with the help of Hilda Lindley
and the Concerned Citizens of Montauk http://www.ccom-montauk.org/, and was renamed for Theodore Roosevelt
in 1998 to commemorate the centennial anniversary of his return to Long Island
following the Spanish-American War
. The park includes:
was designated as a registered National Natural Landmark in 1973. It represents ecosystems that sit on the confluence between fresh water and brackish water, as the pond itself is fresh but some of the wetlands that border it are brackish. The local sand
y soil and high rates of precipitation create a fragile homeostatic balance between fresh water and saltwater. The maintenance of the County Park as open space helps to maintain this balance.
The Montaukett tribe originally occupied this area of Long Island. In the late 17th century Chief Wyandanch
gave much of the South Fork
of Long Island to Lion Gardiner
, although the tribe remained in the area until the Montauk peninsula was purchased by Arthur Bensen in 1879. The ruins of a sweat lodge and part of the village are still visible. The Pharaoh Museum is located in a small cabin near Third House and contains displays of the tools and pottery used by the Montauketts. Stephen Talkhouse, whose round trip walks of 30–50 mi (48.3–80.5 km) inspired the Paumanok Path
, is buried in the cemetery.
Deep Hollow Ranch claims to be the birthplace of the American cowboy
after being founded as a cattle ranch in 1658. It has been operating continuously ever since and now offers horseback riding and hay rides.
From 1990 through 1999, Deep Hollow Ranch was the site of several "Back at the Ranch" concerts to raise funds for local charities. Most of the events were produced with the help of singer–songwriter
Paul Simon
, who owns a home near the ranch. The summer concerts had performers including The Allman Brothers Band
, Edie Brickell
, James Brown
, Jimmy Buffett
, The Cars
, Ray Charles
, Foreigner
, Don Henley
, The Highwaymen
, Billy Joel
, Lyle Lovett
, Paul Simon and James Taylor
, drawing as many as 10,000 attendees to each event.
Running from west to east, First House, Second House and Third House were the first residences constructed on the eastern tip of Long Island after the keeper's quarters at Montauk Point Lighthouse
. They were built in the 18th century for cattle keepers that drove horses, sheep, and cattle to graze in Montauk each year from May through November. During the summers, as much as 6,000 cattle, horses and sheep roamed pastures in Montauk and were brought from as far west as Patchogue
, a distance of approximately 70 miles (112.7 km).
First House was located near Hither Hills State Park
in Napeague
and no longer exists, Second House is located at the west end of Montauk village and now operates as a museum and Third House operated as the headquarters of Deep Hollow Ranch. In 1879 Arthur Bensen bought virtually all of the land on the eastern end from Napeague to Montauk Point. The purchase was to force the Montauketts off the land. Benson made Third House his home and hoped to make the area a resort after Austin Corbin
extended the Long Island Rail Road
to Montauk.
Benson's plans failed to work out and he sold much of the land to the federal government for Army, Navy, and eventually Air Force, bases.
Camp Wikoff which was used to quarantine 29,000 soldiers including Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders at the conclusion of the Spanish-American War to prevent the spread of yellow fever
and other tropical diseases.
Camp Wikoff, named for Col. Charles A. Wikoff
of the 22nd U.S. Infantry who was killed in the San Juan Heights assaults, was constructed on 5000 acres (20.2 km²) of land.
Camp Wikoff was to eventually be broken up. However, in World War II
, sections of the camp were to be used for massive gun emplacements and concrete observation bunkers as part of the New York coastal defense. During the Cold War, a large radar tower was built at the Camp Hero section. Three state parks that still include portions of the federal military complex and its infrastructure have emerged:
Other portions of the camp were sold to private developers.
Third House, formerly Camp Wikoff headquarters, now serves as the park headquarters and contains a Spanish-American War exhibit with photo and memorabilia from the war and Roosevelt’s disbanding of the Rough Riders. Camp Wikoff is open to the public May through October.
Montauk, New York
Montauk [ˈmɒntɒk] is a census-designated place that roughly corresponds to the hamlet with the same name located in the town of East Hampton in Suffolk County, New York, United States on the South Shore of Long Island. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 3,851 as of 2000...
. The park is 1157 acres (4.7 km²) in size, running from Montauk Highway
New York State Route 27
New York State Route 27 is an east–west long state highway extending from Interstate 278 in the New York City borough of Brooklyn to Montauk Point State Park on Long Island, New York, United States...
north to Block Island Sound
Block Island Sound
Block Island Sound is a strait in the open Atlantic Ocean, approximately wide, separating Block Island from the coast of Rhode Island in the United States...
and is bordered on the east by Montauk Point State Park
Montauk Point State Park
Montauk Point State Park is located in the hamlet of Montauk, at the eastern tip of Long Island in the Town of East Hampton, Suffolk County, New York. Montauk Point is the easternmost extremity of the South Fork of Long Island, and thus also of New York State...
. Montauk County Park was created from 1971 to 1986 through a series of land acquisitions by Suffolk County
Suffolk County, New York
Suffolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York on the eastern portion of Long Island. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,493,350. It was named for the county of Suffolk in England, from which its earliest settlers came...
with the help of Hilda Lindley
Hilda Lindley
Hilda Lindley founded the Concerned Citizens of Montauk in 1970. At the time, she lived in a private house in the middle of what is now Theodore Roosevelt County Park in Montauk New York...
and the Concerned Citizens of Montauk http://www.ccom-montauk.org/, and was renamed for Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
in 1998 to commemorate the centennial anniversary of his return to Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
following the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
. The park includes:
- Big Reed Pond, a National Natural LandmarkNational Natural LandmarkThe National Natural Landmark program recognizes and encourages the conservation of outstanding examples of the natural history of the United States. It is the only natural areas program of national scope that identifies and recognizes the best examples of biological and geological features in...
. - Montaukett Village - a home and burial ground of the MontaukettMontaukettThe Montaukett is an Algonquian-speaking Native American group native to the eastern end of Long Island, New York and one of the thirteen historical indigenous centers...
tribe of Native Americans, which includes the grave of Stephen TalkhouseStephen TalkhouseStephen Talkhouse was a Montaukett Native American of the late 19th century who was famed for his 25-50 mile daily round trip walks from Montauk, New York to East Hampton and Sag Harbor... - Deep Hollow Ranch - the first cattle ranch in the United States, established in 1658
- Third House - the third residence constructed in the 18th century for cattle keepers that brought cattle to graze in Montauk each summer. The house is open seasonally.
- Camp Wikoff - where Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough RidersRough RidersThe Rough Riders is the name bestowed on the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry, one of three such regiments raised in 1898 for the Spanish-American War and the only one of the three to see action. The United States Army was weakened and left with little manpower after the American Civil War...
were quarantined after returning from the Spanish-American War in 1898
Big Reed Pond
Big Reed PondBig Reed Pond
Big Reed Pond in Montauk, Long Island in New York State is a freshwater pond that is mostly undeveloped. It was where the Montaukett tribe lived until the mid-19th century. It is a National Natural Landmark and is connected to Theodore Roosevelt County Park.There is a hiking trail open to the...
was designated as a registered National Natural Landmark in 1973. It represents ecosystems that sit on the confluence between fresh water and brackish water, as the pond itself is fresh but some of the wetlands that border it are brackish. The local sand
Sand
Sand is a naturally occurring granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles.The composition of sand is highly variable, depending on the local rock sources and conditions, but the most common constituent of sand in inland continental settings and non-tropical coastal...
y soil and high rates of precipitation create a fragile homeostatic balance between fresh water and saltwater. The maintenance of the County Park as open space helps to maintain this balance.
Montaukett Village
Chief Wyandanch
Wyandanch was a sachem of the Montaukett Indians in the mid 17th century on eastern Long Island...
gave much of the South Fork
South Fork, Suffolk County, New York
The South Fork of Suffolk County, New York, United States is a peninsula in the southeast part of the county on the South Shore of Long Island. The South Fork includes most of the Hamptons. The shorter, more northerly peninsula is known as the North Fork....
of Long Island to Lion Gardiner
Lion Gardiner
Lion Gardiner , an early English settler and soldier in the New World, founded the first English settlement in what became the state of New York on Long Island. His legacy includes Gardiners Island, which is held by his descendants.-Early life:...
, although the tribe remained in the area until the Montauk peninsula was purchased by Arthur Bensen in 1879. The ruins of a sweat lodge and part of the village are still visible. The Pharaoh Museum is located in a small cabin near Third House and contains displays of the tools and pottery used by the Montauketts. Stephen Talkhouse, whose round trip walks of 30–50 mi (48.3–80.5 km) inspired the Paumanok Path
Paumanok Path
The Paumanok Path is a hiking trail from Rocky Point, New York to Montauk Point State Park on Long Island, New York.It travels through five towns -- Brookhaven, New York, Riverhead, New York, Southampton , New York and East Hampton , New York....
, is buried in the cemetery.
Deep Hollow Ranch
Cowboy
A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
after being founded as a cattle ranch in 1658. It has been operating continuously ever since and now offers horseback riding and hay rides.
From 1990 through 1999, Deep Hollow Ranch was the site of several "Back at the Ranch" concerts to raise funds for local charities. Most of the events were produced with the help of singer–songwriter
Singer–songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Paul Simon
Paul Simon
Paul Frederic Simon is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.Simon is best known for his success, beginning in 1965, as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, with musical partner Art Garfunkel. Simon wrote most of the pair's songs, including three that reached number one on the US singles...
, who owns a home near the ranch. The summer concerts had performers including The Allman Brothers Band
The Allman Brothers Band
The Allman Brothers Band is an American rock/blues band once based in Macon, Georgia. The band was formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1969 by brothers Duane Allman and Gregg Allman , who were supported by Dickey Betts , Berry Oakley , Butch Trucks , and Jai Johanny "Jaimoe"...
, Edie Brickell
Edie Brickell
Edie Arlisa Brickell is an American singer-songwriter best known for 1988's Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars, the debut album by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, which went #4 on the US Albums Chart.-Life and career:...
, James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
, Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Buffett
James William "Jimmy" Buffett is a singer-songwriter, author, entrepreneur, and film producer. He is best known for his music, which often portrays an "island escapism" lifestyle. Together with his Coral Reefer Band, Buffett's musical hits include "Margaritaville" , and "Come Monday"...
, The Cars
The Cars
The Cars are an American rock band that emerged from the early New Wave music scene in the late 1970s. The band consisted of lead singer and rhythm guitarist Ric Ocasek, lead singer and bassist Benjamin Orr, guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboardist Greg Hawkes and drummer David Robinson...
, Ray Charles
Ray Charles
Ray Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
, Foreigner
Foreigner (band)
Foreigner is a British-American rock band, originally formed in 1976 by veteran English musicians Mick Jones and ex-King Crimson member Ian McDonald along with American vocalist Lou Gramm...
, Don Henley
Don Henley
Donald Hugh "Don" Henley is an American singer, songwriter and drummer, best known as a founding member of the Eagles before launching a successful solo career. Henley was the drummer and lead vocalist for the Eagles from 1971–1980, when the band broke up...
, The Highwaymen
The Highwaymen (country supergroup)
The Highwaymen were an American supergroup comprising four country music artists well known for, among other things, their involvement and pioneering influence on the outlaw country subgenre: Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson...
, Billy Joel
Billy Joel
William Martin "Billy" Joel is an American musician and pianist, singer-songwriter, and classical composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man", in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to...
, Lyle Lovett
Lyle Lovett
Lyle Pearce Lovett is an American singer-songwriter and actor. Active since 1980, he has recorded thirteen albums and released 21 singles to date, including his highest entry, the number 10 chart hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, "Cowboy Man"...
, Paul Simon and James Taylor
James Taylor
James Vernon Taylor is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. A five-time Grammy Award winner, Taylor was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000....
, drawing as many as 10,000 attendees to each event.
Third House
Montauk Point Lighthouse
The Montauk Point Light is a lighthouse located in Montauk Point State Park at the easternmost point of Long Island, in the Town of East Hampton, Suffolk County, New York...
. They were built in the 18th century for cattle keepers that drove horses, sheep, and cattle to graze in Montauk each year from May through November. During the summers, as much as 6,000 cattle, horses and sheep roamed pastures in Montauk and were brought from as far west as Patchogue
Patchogue, New York
-Notable citizens:* Franc D'Ambrosio, Broadway Actor, best known for being the longest running Phantom in Phantom of the Opera. Graduated Pat-Med HS 1981* Michael Fagan, professional bowler...
, a distance of approximately 70 miles (112.7 km).
First House was located near Hither Hills State Park
Hither Hills State Park
Hither Hills State Park is a state park located on the southern shore near the eastern tip of Long Island in Suffolk County, New York in the USA.The park is located on the South Fork of Long Island at Napeague, New York...
in Napeague
Napeague, New York
Napeague is a census-designated place that roughly corresponds to the hamlet with the same name in the town of East Hampton in Suffolk County, New York, United States...
and no longer exists, Second House is located at the west end of Montauk village and now operates as a museum and Third House operated as the headquarters of Deep Hollow Ranch. In 1879 Arthur Bensen bought virtually all of the land on the eastern end from Napeague to Montauk Point. The purchase was to force the Montauketts off the land. Benson made Third House his home and hoped to make the area a resort after Austin Corbin
Austin Corbin
Austin Corbin was a 19th-century American railroad executive and robber baron. He consolidated the rail lines on Long Island bringing them under the profitable umbrella of the Long Island Rail Road....
extended the Long Island Rail Road
Long Island Rail Road
The Long Island Rail Road or LIRR is a commuter rail system serving the length of Long Island, New York. It is the busiest commuter railroad in North America, serving about 81.5 million passengers each year. Established in 1834 and having operated continuously since then, it is the oldest US...
to Montauk.
Camp Wikoff
Camp Wikoff which was used to quarantine 29,000 soldiers including Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders at the conclusion of the Spanish-American War to prevent the spread of yellow fever
Yellow fever
Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease. The virus is a 40 to 50 nm enveloped RNA virus with positive sense of the Flaviviridae family....
and other tropical diseases.
Camp Wikoff, named for Col. Charles A. Wikoff
Charles A. Wikoff
Charles Augustus Wikoff was a United States Army officer serving from American Civil War until he became the most senior ranking American Army officer killed in the Spanish-American War-Early life:...
of the 22nd U.S. Infantry who was killed in the San Juan Heights assaults, was constructed on 5000 acres (20.2 km²) of land.
Camp Wikoff was to eventually be broken up. However, in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, sections of the camp were to be used for massive gun emplacements and concrete observation bunkers as part of the New York coastal defense. During the Cold War, a large radar tower was built at the Camp Hero section. Three state parks that still include portions of the federal military complex and its infrastructure have emerged:
- Montauk Point State Park
- Camp Hero State ParkCamp Hero State ParkCamp Hero State Park is a park located on Montauk Point, New York that offers a beach, fishing, hiking, a bridle path, biking, and cross-country skiing. It is the former site of Montauk Air Force Station.-Post-military use:...
- Shadmoor State ParkShadmoor State ParkShadmoor State Park is a state park located in Suffolk County, New York in the USA. The park is in the East Hampton , New York on the South Fork of Long Island, east of Montauk village....
Other portions of the camp were sold to private developers.
Third House, formerly Camp Wikoff headquarters, now serves as the park headquarters and contains a Spanish-American War exhibit with photo and memorabilia from the war and Roosevelt’s disbanding of the Rough Riders. Camp Wikoff is open to the public May through October.