Sag Harbor, Shinnecock Historic Properties Earn Town Landmark Status

Two building in the Town of Southampton from the turn of the last century were recently recognized for their historical and architectural significance.

The Southampton Landmarks & Historic Districts Board recommended the White-Collins-Mulvihill Residence at Spring Farm in Sag Harbor and the former Shinnecock Hills Train Station and Post Office, for designation as town landmarks and they have since been deemed as such. They join 16 other properties on the list.

The White-Collins-Mulvihill house at 820 Brick Kiln Road in Sag Harbor is still owned by the descendants of Daniel Francis Mulvihill, who purchased the property in 1921, and his wife, Anna C. McDonough.

The property was once a part of Spring Farm, which encompassed 110 acres before a 75-acre preserve was established in 2001 in memory of them. In 2006, another 25 acres was preserved in memory of their son, William P. Mulvihill, who was a history teacher and an author of many published works, including “South Fork Place Names.”

The main residence was built around 1900 on a foundation of moraine stone in the form of a vernacular folk “I-House,” which was common in pre-railroad America, according to a statement from the Town of Southampton Landmarks & Historic Districts Board.

"The home retains a very high level of historic integrity," the board said. "The main portion of the cedar-shingled home has a full-width front porch (now screened in), original windows with six-over-six light patterns and an offset brick chimney."

“Preserving these structures is critical to maintaining the character and heritage of our town and truly gives us a window into the past,” said Councilwoman Bridget Fleming said in the statement. “Moreover, now that the residence at Spring Farm is a landmark, the Town can offer further protection by considering the acquisition of the house and 10-acre parcel through the Community Preservation Department.”

The Shinnecock Hills Train Station and Post Office, at 100 Hills Station Road, was built in 1887.

"With its cylindrical two-story tower based with stonework and topped with a turned wood finial, the Shingle-style building with jack-arched windows on the western half survives as one of the most aesthetically pleasing and architecturally unusual train structures on Long Island," the board said.

In 1932, the Long Island Rail Road stopped offering service to the Shinnecock Hills station and the U.S. Postal Service bought the property. It was used as a post office until 1966. Ellen Kirwin purchased the property with her late husband and it has been in their family for over 40 years, during which time they restored it. It still has the original waiting room and ticket window.

Town landmarks are eligible for a tax abatement program and a preservation easement acquisition.