Hear Ye - Here Ye - About Horton House/Hotel

BY DANNY McCARTHY

Where will your DNA take you? - well - I'm DAN{NY} and I’m a genealogist.
I know of another DAN. We’re not related – as in a genealogical sense – but this DAN I’m referring to is Southold resident DAN SHAY.
Thursday morning, May 9, 2019 -
Southold resident Dan Shay visited the Southold Free Library asking for information about a possible hotel on Hyatt Road by the Horton Point Lighthouse. Dan Shay also asked for an update to be e-mailed to him about my writing background. I located the Horton Point House {Hotel} on SPLIA and also found two listings within the Suffolk Historic Newspapers website. I contacted Stacey Norklun and she e-mailed me other SPLIA-related material showing that the Horton Point House {Hotel} is still there {damaged}. I created the original e-mail Stacey Norklun e-mailed me into a pdf. I e-mailed Dan Shay the links carrying my original two findings, then too, that pdf, and “not to overstay my welcome,” I shared my background with Dan Shay.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, {2020}, Dan Shay e-mailed me regarding that May 9, 2019 e-mail I sent him:
“Dan, Thanks so much for getting this info for me, sorry that I have not replied until now, so late in getting back to you. FYI, that structure is now being demolished.
Dan Shay”

I got “write-back to him” ~
“Dan –‘Thanksalatee’ for replying. Your letting me know that the building is being demolished is some news. I am going to “go-write-on-ahead” and compose an item about the Horton Point House to be added online
to both my LINKEDIN.COM & northforkpatch.com websites. Here’s to you in 2020 and that you too literally see 20/20 {!} – DANNY”

Keeping in-tune, I proceeded with a follow-up e-mail to Dan Shay:
“Dan - Southold Free Library {the Cahoon Memorial Library} building re-opened this past Saturday and my regular shift is Mon-Fri from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. I started yesterday and just made sure to double-check Suffolk Historic Newspapers using keywords Horton Point House and I came across these matches for Horton Point House.
I have a beginning to my article that I will be doing on my own time and I just wanted to get “write-back-to-you” to thank you so much for informing me that that Horton Point House is being demolished - IT IS AMAZING.”

Dan Shay got back to me immediately:
“Dan, you are very welcome, they have been working for about a week or so. Sad to see historic homes torn down. I guess this one was in too bad repair for it to be saved.”
Dan Shay then stated:
“Dan,
Not sure what my offerings of info would be, I know nothing of what is being done other than the demo work that is currently happening.
If the info that I shared with you is of interest for a story and my input is of value, great.
Dan”

AGAIN, Folks – I was so SURE that this is something – and so - I contacted Dan Shay again - AGAIN – ALWAYS THE PURSUER:
“DAN - Originally our exchanges were about PAUMANOK INN as I misunderstood at first and then learned about Horton Point House from you and your diggings.
Having you as a source would be terrific with what you’ve shared w/ me since we first discussed about Horton Point House.”
SO MUCH THANKS GO TO DAN SHAY FOR INITIATING THE THOUGHT BY DIGGING AND LOCATING MATERIAL AND INFORMING ME THAT THAT HORTON HOUSE/HOTEL IS DEMOLISHED.
NOW GET THIS … ’CAUSE I GOT SOMETHING SENSATIONAL …
I THEN RECEIVED AN IMAGE from Dan Shay “of the items” that Dan Shay “had uncovered” around his own property. { THAT IMAGE IS A-TOP THIS MY POST (!) }
From me to Dan Shay: “You are so generous {!} – ‘THANKSALATEE’ and I'll begin, okay?”

From Dan Shay to me: “Sounds good, thanks!”
From me to Dan Shay: “Write-back at ya!”

February 4, 2020 – Dan Shay e-mailed me:
“Dan, they have been working for about a week or so. Sad to see historic homes torn down. I guess this one was in too bad repair for it to be saved.”
– BUT NOW THAT THE HORTON POINT HOUSE/HOTEL IS DEMOLISHED – I THOUGHT TO TAKE A STAND AND SHARE MORE INFORMATION AS IS “WRITE-FULLY” NEEDED … AND HERE YOU GO FOLKS …

NOTE …
Arcadia Publishing Images of America – HOTELS and INNS OF Long Island’s NORTH FORK by Geoffrey K. Fleming and Amy Kasuga Folk includes:
“All rights reserved. The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. It is offered without guarantee on the part of the authors of The History Press. The authors and The History Press disclaim all liability in connection with the use of the book.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be transmitted in any form whatsoever without prior written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.”

HOTELS and INNS OF Long Island’s NORTH FORK does feature a caption on page 48: “Opposite top: Conway’s Horton Point House, 2009” and the photo does appear a-top page 49 – BUT there is NOT ENOUGH DISCUSSION in that paperback relating to the Horton Point House other than what I just stated {!} ~

Permit me to speak in loud voices – as the HOTELS and INNS OF Long Island’s NORTH FORK volume is available from Southold Historical Society:
https://www.southoldhistoricalsociety.org/product-page/hotels-inns-of-long-island-s-north-fork

The Long Island Traveler-Mattituck Watchman dated July 10, 1958:
“The Horton’s Point House was filling up rapidly with summer guests.”

A Letter {CARD} of Thanks was published in The Long Island Traveler-Mattituck Watchman dated May 2, 1963:
“To the People of Southold
On behalf of my mother, my brother and sister, and myself, I am writing to the Traveler to express our sincere thanks publicly for to all of the fine people, Catholic and non-Catholic, clergy, religious and laity, who extended their wonderful hand of Christian Friendship to us at the time of my father’s death. Words are inadequate to express the consolation that your kindness gave to us. …
… I know that my ancestors who settled in Southold so many, many years ago{,} would indeed be proud and happy to see that the spirit of sacrifice and friendship remains just as strong today. I know that my great-grandfather, Patrick Conway, who donated the land for the Church and cemetery so many years ago{,} would be happy that the spirit of Christian Charity remains so strong in Southold.
With a promise of a remembrance at the altar for all of these people,
I remain
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Edward W. Offenheiser”

The name and contact telephone number of Robert Hyatt were listed in The Long Island Traveler-Mattituck Watchman dated March 18, 1968 in an advertisement listing -
“SOUTHOLD TOWN BUILDERS ASS’N
Builders you can rely on for dependability in construction and proper insurance coverage. Contact and member for your building needs …”

The standard Fifty Years ago column appeared in The Long Island Traveler-Mattituck Watchman dated November 6, 1969 stated:
“… Patrick Conway, for many years proprietor of the Horton’s Point Summer Hotel died at the age of 80. …”

I checked Southold SPLIA (Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities} and located SD-238 as two individual entries on-board the Town of Southold Laserfiche {website}.
I’ve taken the opportunity to include highlights from both Southold SPLIA SD-238 pages as “sort-of” random listings - by actually NOT taking ALL of the information – just what I found significant to “display” further “historical-related documentation” about the Horton Point House {Hotel}. { (x} was originally found within those SPLIA SD-238 pages and signifies the location of the actual placement of an “x” within a box {like a box one checks} to define the correct answer as a description to match the subject matter within the corresponding numbered statement/category. ~ I chose NOT to scan the SD-238 pages and place them as attachments within this my post since sometimes there happens to be difficulty placing attachments.
It is thrilling, however, that the INK SPOT printing & copy center located at 175 Boisseau Avenue yet again provided the jpgs of the two photos that originated from SD-238 for me to make use of for this my post! { Thanksalateee ink spot printing & copy center – you folks – as I ALWAYS say – do “think before you ink” (!) }
One SD-238 shares:
1. BUILDING NAME(S): “Horton Point House” (Hotel)/Mrs. P. Conway
…
3. STREET LOCATION: on hill above intersection of Hyatt Rd & Anderson
4. OWNERSHIP: b. private x
5. PRESENT OWNER: Rbt. Hyatt ADDRESS Hyatt Road
6. USE: Original hotel Present residence
7. ACCESSIBILITY TO PUBLIC: Exterior visible from public road Yes x
DESCRIPTION
8. BUILDING
MATERIAL: f. shingles x
9. STRUCTURAL a. wood frame with interlocking points x
SYSTEM: b. wood frame with light members x
10. CONDITION: excellent x
11. INTEGRITY: …
Small new 1-story wing on east
…
14. THREATS TO BUILDING: a. none known x
15. RELATED OUTBUILDINGS AND PROPERTY:
c. garage x
i. landscape features: pumphouse with hand-dug
well 92’ deep
16. SURROUNDING OF THE BUILDING (check more than one if necessary)
b. woodland x
17. INTERRELATIONSHIP OF BUILDING AND SURROUNDINGS:
(Indicate if building or structure is in an historic district)
A wooded, low-density residential area on the high bluff overlooking Long Island Sound.
18. OTHER NOTABLE FEATURES OF BUILDING AND SITE (including interior features if known)
2 ½-story, 5-bay, brown shingle, gable roof house with cross-gable at west end. 6/6 windows.

According to Mrs. Hyatt {-} the building was originally larger.*

SIGNIFICANCE
19. DATE OF INITIAL CONSTRUCTION 1858*
ARCHITECT: {no entry}

BUILDER: {no entry}

20. HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL IMPORTANCE:
Was Conway in 1909 and P. Conway in 1873.

This interesting old landmark is a rare survivor from the days when hotels were popular with summer guests.

21. SOURCES: * Beers, Comstock, Cline. Atlas of Long Island . 1873
Interview with Mrs. Rbt. Hyatt, 2/18/87
E. Belcher-Hyde, Atlas of Suffolk County, L. I.
Vol. 2: North Side. Sound Shore. 1909

22. THEME:
Form prepared by Rosemary Skye Morritt, research assistant.”

The second version of SD-238 includes:
…
“4. Current Status of Historic Building(s) or Place(s): -Extant (see Notes)
“5. Evidence of Structural Modifications: -Renovation to southwest portion of the roof occurring during 2013 survey.
6. Notes: -S.P.L.I.A. Tax Map list claims house was considered to have been “no longer standing or erect,” but was located in 2013 survey, and also through aerial imagery (see second image below). House is heavily obscured from view of public and also private roads by dense vegetation and trees.”

RE: ROBERT HYATT –
An AD appeared in The Long Island Traveler-Mattituck Watchman dated January 11, 1968:
“Armando’s
OPENING
Monday, January 15, 1968
11:30 A. M.
WITH DELICIOUS FOOD
AND SUPERB COCKTAILS
Luncheons From 11:30 A.M.
Dinners From 5:00 P.M.
A R M A N D O ‘ S
Main Street, Southold
Tel. 765-2111
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
Remodeling Designed and Built By Robert Hyatt, Southold”

The Long Island Traveler-Mattituck Watchman dated June 17, 1976:
“Local Priest Needed
The Most Reverend Francis J. Magavero, D. D., Bishop of Brooklyn has announced the appointment of the Reverend Edward W. Offenheiser as Administrator of St. Joseph’s Parish in Astoria
Father Offenheiser is a resident of Southold whose family played an important role in the development of the Catholic community in this town. His mother, the late Mae F. Offenheiser (nee Conway) was the granddaughter of Patrick J. Conway who migrated from Ireland to Southold in the late 19th Century. Mr. Conway was the proprietor of the Horton Point House, a large hotel on the Sound near Horton’s Point. Often a Priest would come to the Hotel to offer Mass for the small number of Catholics in the community. The main section of the Hotel still stands and is the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Hyatt.
Patrick Conway deeded a property which he obtained from the late Jonathan Horton over to the Church and the Catholic Church was erected on the land that is now the site of the Town Hall on Main Street. In later years, he and his brother Michael deeded another parcel of land to the Church which became the site of St. Patrick – St. Michael Cemetery.
Father Offenheiser was ordained June 1, 1957 and served in the following parishes: St. Leonard and St. Martin of Tours, Brooklyn. In 1963, following the death of his father, he requested a transfer to be closer to his mother in Southold and was appointed to St. Kevin’s in Flushing where he remained until 1972. At that time{,} he was appointed to St. Joseph’s in Astoria as Administrator where he {was} responsible for all ‘temporal and spiritual operations of the parish.’ …
Father Offenheiser was born and raised in Queens Village. His parents returned permanently to Southold following his ordination in 1957. He {was} a nephew of Mrs. Barbara Howard of Horton’s Point.”

The Peconic Bay Shopper dated March 6, 1991 -
The First St. Patrick Church
1863-1946
by Paul Hunter
(1973- was placed before this entry so I'm not exactly sure when Rev. Paul Bie was assigned to St. Patrick Church}
" ... The Rev. Paul Bie, assigned to St. Patrick Church last year (“the Rev. William H. Flaherty, is directly to one of the funding families through his mother's family - the Offenheisers whose ancestry is traced to Patrick Conway, one of the first Laymen {who had} served on the Board of Trustees of the new parish. ...”

A hand-out/announcement that members of the North Fork Chorale {would} be appearing in a 2004 Summer Showcase Concert Series at Silversmith's Corner on the Village Green, Main Road, Southold – included an Historical Vignette by Antonia Booth - Southold Town Historian ~
“A MORE HEALTHFUL SPOT CANNOT BE FOUND”
In the 1890's, Margaret Kelly Conway and her husband Patrick opened Horton's Point House with-in mile-long frontage on Long Island Sound in Southold. Here brochure, presenting the amenities of the resort, boasted a large oak grove in which residents could relax and breathe ‘pure air, free from malaria,’ and ‘Plenty of fresh eggs, milk from their own Alderley cows and vegetables,’ the latter, all raised on the hotel grounds, were offered to those to took their meals at the hotel. After the Conway era, John Lellman of Greenport owned and operated the hostelry as did a Mrs. Sands. Charles J. Hannabury, a Mattituck farmer, also leased and ran the Horton's Point Hotel for a while.”

The beginning of my item about the Greenport American Legion {Burton-Potter Post #185} mentions Charles Lellman:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/good-place-skate-dan-mccarthy/

MY FRIEND MARIE LANIER WHO PREVIOUSLY RESIDED IN SOUTHOLD –CAPTURED THE PHOTO OF THE PATRICK CONWAY gravestone seen within the link below - and I wish her well now – as ALWAYS – She and her husband Steve are now residing in Florida. A salute also goes out to JOY ANN STRASSER for her participation in gathering information re: the tombstone included:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15534096/patrick-conway

~ WHAT A TRUE SHAME ~ YET ANOTHER WHAT DID SEEM-TO-BE-AN-HISTORICAL-PROPERTY/HOUSE IS NO MORE IN SOUTHOLD TOWN {!}. ~

IN CLOSING …

I CAN’T “Let It Go”