1950’s A community called Fire Island Pines begins…
1952. Sales begin at the new Fire Island Pines community by the Home Guardian Company of New York.
They have a clear vision of the community they want to create. The Home Guardian Company with Edward Olson as their sales person were developing their promotional materials to help sell the new Fire Island Pines community, gearing it as a summer getaway for the family.
Home Guardian Company applies to Brookhaven Town for their certificate of occupancy for their real estate office.
The families arrive.
New Realtor Arden Catlin with the sign of things to come…
New York Times 1952
1952.
The Home Guardian Company of New York started the development of Lone Hill, as the area’s previous name was called. The Harbor basin is carefully planned by a study of the tides. For the cost of $130,000 it is dredged out of an existing mosquito ditch. It is the plan for it to be a boating community with 76-78 berths.
In 1953 the bulk heading of the Harbor is completed.
The Ferry service was crucial in bringing over supplies to help build the walks as surveying and walk layouts begin by the Home Guardian Company. The building of the walks begins in 1953. The walks will be the road map for the community.
A General store, community club house and hotel were also part of the plan. They too were encouraged to build quickly in order to present a community atmosphere.
Peggy Fears the Broadway Showgirl…
had discovered Lone Hill on an outing to a neighboring Fire Island community. She decides to invest and also encourages others in the show business community to do likewise. She builds The Pines Yacht Club, and Botel complex.
Peggy Fears brings a certain aura to the new community giving it an upscale feel as a destination for Hollywood and Broadway personalities. This is all mixing with the locals from neighboring Long Island as the community grows.
1957 (R to L) Peggy Fears, Zachary, and Ruth Scott
1957 Outside deck
1959. A late night fire destroys both the Yacht Club and Botel. The community steps up helping with the fire, and a formalized Fire Department is created.
