Archives
Fire Island Pines People: Robin Byrd
Among the personalities known to frequent Fire Island Pines, none stood out quite like Robin Byrd. Robin Byrd is a former American porn actress, host of “The Robin Byrd Show,” and current Pines resident.
Pines People-Bill Riordan & Angelo Bosica, a love story…
In the 1950’s drug stores not only filled your prescription, but there was usually a food counter, ice cream and coffee. Pines resident Bill Riordan would go to a drug store where a young man named Angelo Bosica worked as a soda clerk to flirt with him. At a time when being gay could cause you to be arrested, Bill Riordan and Angelo Bosica fell in love…
The Meat Rack on Fire Island Est. 1950’s
The stretch of land between The Pines and Cherry Grove in Judy Garland Memorial Park is officially known as the Carrington Tract for the historic Carrington House, but to insiders, it’s simply known as the Meat Rack. The Meat Rack on Fire Island was a safe haven for repressed homosexuals to fully express and experience their sexuality.
1960’s Beefcake comes to Fire Island: Jim Stryker
When you think about gay culture in the 1960s on Fire Island, one icon comes to mind: Jim Stryker. This blonde, blue-eyed, physique model epitomized an era of muscle-headed beefcakes, free-spirited playboy jocks, and beach boys.
Jim Stryker was discovered by photographer Walter Kundzicz and it was through his (frequently semi-nude or fully-nude) portraits against the natural setting of Fire Island, that Stryker rose to fame.
Fire Island Celebrity history-Priscilla Presley
Priscilla Presley former wife of singer Elvis Presley finds love, life, and Fire Island Pines.
Art history- Ferron Bell
Artist Ferron Bell was a painter of dreams and whimsy that he realized on not only canvas, but wood and other objects. He was deeply involved in the Pines community and has left a legacy to be cherished and remembered by.
Fire Island Celebrity history- Elizabeth Taylor
1982. Actress Elizabeth Taylor arrives in the Pines. She dines at the "The Cultured Elephant" (now Canteen). She was there for lunch July 15, 1983 staying on her mexican boyfriends yacht "Chiquitita". Manager Thom Finn sent her over a Strawberry Daiquiri she turned around to thank him, and this photo was taken and published in People magazine the next week.
The Superman House Est. 1987
It’s a bird, a plane, no its the Superman House. Established in 1987 Superman appeared in 2012, to protect, and add a sense of color, comic senseabilty, and photo op’s a Fire Island community.
Celebrity history- Andy Warhol Fire Island Diaries 1982, and more…
In 1989 the Andy Warhol Diaries edited by his frequent collaborator and long-time friend, Pat Hackett. was published allowing Fire Island memories to be seen and read for the first time. We connect the dots by supplying the photos to go with the story.
The Fire Island T-Shirt
T shirts are wearable postcards of your journey through life. The Pines T Shirt was your stamp on a year of memories. See our vintage logo merchandise to own a piece of history!
2020 A Covid-19 season for the history books…
A season for the history books. A pandemic changes our world in every way. Virtual becomes the way we live, communicate, and see. Fire Island becomes a year round community with stories we all will never forget.
The Sandpiper Est.1965-1979
The Sandpiper in Fire Island Pines started as a simple restaurant , then evolved as the Disco revolution began into the place to go. Designed with rustic simplicity it is where loved memories lived.