West Islip, New York, is an attractive suburban community with an interesting history. The Dutch first settled the area in the early 17th century, and then the English took control in 1664. In the 19th century, it was a popular place for wealthy travelers. Here are some historic places near West Islip that you and your family can visit.
Image “Fire island Lighthouse” by Erik Anestad, used under CC BY 2.0
The La Grange Inn
The La Grange Inn was built in 1750, and it’s been an inn, a restaurant, a hotel, and a hostelry. It’s had several expansions over time, but it was vacant between 2010 and 2014. CVS leased the space and decided not to use it for a retail store. In 2014, the company started restoring the inn to its appearance in the 1800s. Additions were demolished, a new first floor was constructed, and the rest of the building was moved away from Montauk Highway and turned to face Higbie Lane.
The inn now houses the West Islip History Center, a museum about the history of the area.
Sagtikos Manor
Built in 1697, Sagtikos Manor was the British Army headquarters during the Revolutionary War. Its owners expanded it in 1772 and 1902, and President George Washington stayed there in 1909 during his tour of Long Island.
Docents in period costumes provide guided tours of the first and second floors, allowing you to view a variety of architectural styles, furniture, and accessories from the 1600s to the 1900s. Your tour will take you through the first and second floors, and you can see the bedroom where President Washington slept. The 10-acre property also includes a carriage house built in 1924, a walled garden with a fountain, and a cemetery that contains the graves of many early residents.
This interesting attraction is in West Bay Shore about 15 minutes from West Islip. In June and September, there’s a tour on weekends from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. In July and August, there’s also a tour at the same time on Friday.
The Fire Island Lighthouse
The Fire Island Lighthouse is located about an hour away from West Islip. It’s on the western end of Fire Island, a barrier island off Long Island’s southern coast. The lighthouse is part of Fire Island National Seashore, and it’s a short walk away from Robert Moses State Park. The picturesque building has been part of several TV shows, including “The Following” and “The Guiding Light” soap opera.
The tower was constructed in 1826, and the U.S. Coast Guard decommissioned it in 1974. In 1981, it became part of the National Register of Historic Places, and in 1982, the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society (FILPS) raised more than 1.2 million dollars to restore it. The lighthouse became active again in 1986, and it’s still a private aid to navigation on nautical charts. Tours are available for a small fee.
There are lots of historic buildings in the area, and these places are perfect for learning about West Islip’s history. These memorable locations are great for kids or adults.
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