A Look Back | West Point Long Island Association

A LOOK-BACK
by Jean Stack

This community began in 1970. We (my husband and I) arrived in 1976, so I can only speak from that time forward. But, I thought it would be interesting for our new neighbors to see a few pictures from the past. The beach area has changed a great deal over the years with the help of some of the families that have been here a long time.

Click through the images below to see a little glimpse of West Point living in the 70s and 80s, thanks to the Stack family.

You can also find the original West Point brochure, thanks to the Bryns family, by clicking the box below or swiping through the images!

1976 - From the beach

In this first picture from 1976, you’re looking at the beach area which is much lower than today, and the first docks that I can remember. Notice there are no boats on the dock and only a couple on moorings. The beach isn’t much to look at either at this point. There weren’t many families in the community at this time, probably around 15.

1982 - Save the beach

In 1982 we decided to try to “save the beach.” It seemed like we had to bring more and more sand in every year. We thought by creating a rock wall we wouldn’t lose as much of the beach. So, the “women” all pitched in and took the rocks from the water and began to build a rock wall. Later, a company was hired to complete the wall. It worked! We don’t have to replace the sand nearly as often as we did. You can also see the plastic gallon jugs that once separated the swim area from the pipe docks (an upgrade from the first docks shown, but they had to be taken in and out each season).

1982 - A rocky beach

Look at all the rocks! Before the pylon breakwater there was a very rocky bottom to our swimming area. By this time (1982) our daughter was about four years old, and she is seen here on the right playing with another little girl in the water. They didn’t seem to mind all the rocks. In fact many people preferred the town beach to our beach because of all the rocks. The sand that we put in every year used to wash away to our neighbor’s to the right. They had a wonderful sandy bottom! The breakwater took care of the rock problem. However, it was not easy convincing the state we needed one, and they wouldn’t let us put in a rock breakwater, therefore the pylons.

1984 - Pipe docks

In 1984 our pipe docks were getting a little more crowded. Although at this time, some families had two dock spaces just to fill them up! The ”pipes” that held the dock in place were not very good for the boats. The bolts that held them together, stuck out toward the boats! If you look closely, you can see bumper material tying to cover the bolts. Thank goodness people were willing to put up the money for the permanent docks of today!

The Byrns and their 1st boat

This is a close up of one of the “fingers” of the pipe docks. If you look closely, you can see the bolts sticking out. The boys are Joe and John Byrns with their first boat. In the background you can see boats and canoes on the ground. Shortly after this, a number of residents got together to build the boat racks and picnic tables that we have today. We could use some new ones, anyone up for it?

Click through the images below to see a little glimpse of West Point living in the 70s and 80s, thanks to the Stack family. You can also find the original West Point brochure, thanks to the Bryns family, by clicking the box below or swiping through the images!

Click through the images below to see a little glimpse of West Point living in the 70s and 80s, thanks to the Stack family.

You can also find the original West Point brochure, thanks to the Bryns family, by clicking the box below or swiping through the images!