Hey everyone I'm here in Port Washington, New York. A town with beautiful views of
Manhasset Bay. A quick ride from NYC. The area's abundance of large estates
and its naughty reputation as a playground for the super rich,
Washington to honor this legacy. The town remained a small shell fishing community until the 1870s
when it became an important sand mining center. The area had the largest sandbank east of the
Mississippi with easy barge access to Manhattan thus providing a perfect location for large mining operations
The long Island Railroad built a station there in 1898 and throughout the early
1900s the town prospered. Over 140 million cubic yards of local sand were mined during this period,
which was used for concrete for NYC skyscrapers like the Empire State Building and the Chrysler
building as well as the subway system. This economic boom also led to further development
in the area just north of Port Washington called Sands Point, which quickly became a retreat for
wealthy families. Large country estates with hundreds of acres of land were soon built
and throughout the 1920s the area developed a reputation for its lavish house parties.
It's rumored that F. Scott Fitzgerald attended a few of these events while he lived nearby
and used the experiences as inspiration for his book The Great Gatsby. In fact, the novel is full
of references to Sands Point which was referred to as East Egg in the book. The residents of
East Egg were from old money and was where the fictional family the Buchanans lived, which had
the infamous green light. After World War II the sand mining operations in Port Washington slowed
and the economy suffered. Many of the large mansions in Sand's Point were demolished and
their land subdivided. In the 1960s the town began to rely more on tourism and started to protect its
remaining historic properties. The waterfront that used to be heavily industrial was fixed up
and parks were added to draw more visitors to the area. In 1998 the last remaining sand
mines were redeveloped into a golf course called Harbor Links. And today Port Washington has become
an affluent commuter town known for its golf courses, marinas, yacht clubs, and mansion tours.
Just off Main Street, there are tons of cute timber frame homes to look at,
but one in particular dates back to a time when Port Washington was mostly farmland.
On the opposite side the bay is La Motta's Dockside Restaurant
that's been open for over 30 years. It has an outdoor area that overlooks the marina below,
which is perfect for boaters who want to stop by for a quick drink.
Sunset Park is another area worth visiting. Located just off Main Street,
it's a beautifully landscaped park that covers a large part of the waterfront
in an area that was historically undesirable. Back in 1915 it was known as a sewer district
with a big treatment plant covering most of the property. Back then the shorefront was mostly
filled with marshes, sandbars, and shacks. It wasn't until the 1960s that the area was cleared
and landscaped. Nowadays the park hosts many festivals and events throughout the year
with a large stage used for musical acts. One of the largest events is Harborfest,
which has been held annually each summer for over 30 years. It includes live music,
talent shows, and handmade craft sellers that attracts over 10,000 visitors each year.
I'm in Sands Point Preserve, a huge estate located just outside of town.
It has three large mansions to explore, gardens, hiking trails, and great views of Hempstead Bay.
It's the most popular attraction in the area and a must see if you're interested in the gilded age.
As you approach the estate, you'll find a large metal fence circling the property with castle-like
guard towers near the entrances. These old stone relics of a bygone era will give visitors a
glimpse of the grandeur that's inside and provides a fairytale-like atmosphere to the whole area.
Howard Gould, who was the son of a wealthy railroad tycoon,
constructed the first house called Castle Gould in 1902
as a 100,000 square-foot medieval replica of Ireland's Kilkenny Castle.
However, his wife Katherine Clemmons didn't like the home's design so another house was planned in
the Tudor Revival style to be the main dwelling. This 50,000 square-foot building was named
Hempstead House with construction starting around 1909. But not too long after this, the couple
separated when Gould accused his wife of having an affair with William Cody aka Buffalo Bill. After
the divorce, Gould decided to keep building the home and when it was completed in 1912
he sold the property to Daniel Guggenheim. This surname should sound familiar since his brother
Solomon founded the Guggenheim Museum in NYC. When Daniel moved in, he remodeled the Castle
Gould building to become the stables and servants quarters. In the 1920s his son Harry was given 90
acres of land on the property's eastern end. He built a French Norman-style mansion called Falaise
on the bluffs overlooking the water. In 1942 the estate was donated to the Institute of
Aeronautical Sciences who then sold it to the U.S. Navy. The U.S. government then gave the
property to Nassau County in 1971. Today the 216 acres surrounding all three homes is a protected
park called Sands Point Preserve. Tours of the Hempstead House and Falaise mansions are
available. The Castle Gould structure is not open to the public, but can be used for private events.
The rest of the property is full of interesting places to explore. Just past the gardens and
through the trees is a slope that offers amazing views of Hempstead Bay below.
The grounds are full of gently rolling hills and large open spaces for visitors to enjoy.
Located further down from the homes, is a large woodland preserve with tons of hiking
trails and several ponds that offer a quieter place for those looking to escape the crowds.
If you continue walking along the narrow paths towards the coast, you will find Sand Point
Preserves best kept secret. Once you get out of the heavy tree cover, a hidden beach is revealed.
This rocky shoreline with its impressive bluffs above it, is without a doubt one of the most
beautiful places along Long Island's Gold Coast. The fact that it's seemingly hidden from the
Hope you guys enjoyed today's trip to Port Washington, New York. It's worth coming
just for the town's bay area. But definitely the star attraction is Sans Point Preserve.
It was really cool to walk around the estates grounds.
You get a glimpse of what life was like for the insanely rich. And the best part
is if you walk through the trails towards the water, you get to this secluded beach.
It's not that crowded. It's great. Thanks for watching. Please like and subscribe. Take care.