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Image provided by: Freeport Memorial Library
Beautiful Freeport Homes Have Interesting Pasts... The Village of Freeport was settled in 16S9 in and near the site of today's Freeport. Recreation Center, the, loca tion of the 1981 Oak Park ^change . Congress. ' , Nothing is left.of the structures those early farmer^' and {isherfoik called home, for those in the'fsmily following them took pride in replacing the original . homestead with new houses so that all could see how they had prospered in what was first Raynortown and ' eventually Freeport. These \new” homes of the Raynors, Smiths, Carmans,. Bedells,, .^ihaleys. Pities, Millers and Randalls were, over the years, joined hy summer bungalows and clammers and oystermen shacks. In the 1920’s and 30’s, show business greats joined in to build fine residences. . Post-World War II saw Freeport boom as a New York City \bedroom.” The most modern of houses now nestle a'ihong the oldest as ill the ensuing decades, waterfront living appealed to - more and more as the car in every garage grew to mean the owning of at least one boat as well. Freeport’s housing stock spanning many generatioos was something taken for granted by Viilage residents until the 1970’s-when the stabilization of the community became a concern. Those who had been watching a great surge in the popularity of house tours in such places as Manhattan and Brooklyn Heights, said, “ Why not in Freeport? Not only do we have the houses, we have the greatest waterfront as well.” The rest ik history. Designed not-for- profit but siinply to “ show off,” house tours tun by the Freeport Association, the Village's Homefinders Service and the Freeport Khvanis Qub are tradi tionally booked before details are settled, with waiting lists for future ■ tours. Introduced two years ago by the Village government, boat tours of Freeport's residential can^s could easily be tun each weekend during the ■warm weather, such ate tfieir jiOpu- larity'. . . Oak Park delegates, due to limitation of time, will be offered only a mini-boat tour and a bus tide through the Village. - The- following list of houses is pro vided for those delegates who may have the time during or after the Congress to do a tour on their own. Local residents, who have not had an opportunity to enjoy the organized tours, are also • urged to walk, drive or cycle past these , houses and appreciate their village. PLEASE NOTE: We suggest only, that it might be of interest to drive or walk by these houses. It is important to remember that these homes are occupied by . families, they are not “ museums.” Many of the owners have graciously allowed hundreds to pass through their living quarters, but it was on a one-time basis. 236 Smith Street . This house is over 100 years old and was .moved to its present site. It is colonial in style and the owners have chosen to decorate ii iin a combination of turn-of-the-century oak and con temporary. The house has three chimneys —.one of which goes nowhere and another which is crooked to prevent the entrance of witches. j 53 Miller Avenne Moved to its present site from Ocean Avenue, tfiis bouse was built in 1864 and was occupied by William WUer for whom the Avenue was named. N.Y. State Senator Norman J. Levy •xtonds warm parsonal grootlngs to all dologatoi at tha Oak Pork Exchange Congress at Freeport, N.Y. 10 We»t Woodbine Drive This is one of the most outstanding Victorians on Long IsUnd. It was one^hatf of a mansion built by John Randall in the I890’s. Randall, along with William Miller (ste above). - developed FreepOrt as s watcrhi:>nt ’ community by* dredging cartels,. The present owners restored the house which* had fallen into disrepair. The house features a Byzantine onion dome and stained glass windows. 272 Soatb Ocean Avenne , .*. Built during the I920*s tWs house is a Tudor Revival drawn from the ISOO Tudor Period in England. The sprawling homes features half-timbering, diamond-shaped panes and oriel . window. The bar room has beautiful carved walls. 730 South Bay^-few Avenne This Georgian Revival house was originally a yacht club and stands on the open bay allowing for a magnificent view. The 'house also features an tn-ground pool and servants' cottage which is presently rented. 296 Pine Street Tills home in Queen Anne Victorian style has an imposing turret. It was the home to the ^ n e family in the 19th century, thus Pine Street. 470 Pennsylvania Avenue A thatched country cottage, this was once the home of radio commentator Gabriel Heatter. The house contains a circular entryway, leaded glass win dows, a handsome fireplace wall and traces of Mr. Heatter's residency. The lugh hedges in front of the house W'ere planted by. the Heatter family for privacy. 426 PeanayivaBbi^A venue Described by its owners u **a Catskill Mountains resort with Creek ^ pre- tension.\ tlus was* once the bpme-of actor atid vaudevillian Victor M oo^. It . is loaded with architectural gems including stained glass windows and traiisoms, oak walnscotfing. 12' high try ceilings and a grand staircase. 176 P e im a ^ a a U Aycuae This stately house was the childhood, home of actor, Broderick Crawford. U was built for his parents. ‘ Helen Broderick and Lester Crawford, who . were vaudevilltans and movie actots. Expanded -and 'modernized, it still retains its charm as exemplified by the porte-cochere and the lovelyTUllos and gardens. 145 WUaoQ Place Actor Leo Carillo. most famous for his role as Panebo to Duncan Rinaldo's television and Gilbert Toland's movie portrayals of “ The Crisco Kid,“ was the proud owner of this Freeport estate. How the house is literally the reverse of its former self. What was the front is ' now the back and vice versa. On Lena Avenue','which runs behind the house. - there are four stone posts which marked the entrance to the circular driveway when the house faced in the other direction. 92 Lena Avenue This is another Gabriel Heatter home. U was originaUy, built in the 1920’s for Olive Post Smith, a member of one of the founding families of Freeport, by her father. According to the present (Continued on page fourteen/sf Town of Hompatoad Profiding Suporviaor Thomas S. Gu lotto sxtandi Grootlnga from all Tho Roaldantf of Hompatoad Town to tho dologotoa at tho Oak Park Exchange Congress at Freeport N.Y. Come back sooril T'fte Leader'Oc' ■ ' 9 S ‘ page eie'^en/%
