Thanks to Nick Carr for his research & highlights of his trekking around what we knew as kids as The Ruins. For those of us who grew up on the adjacent streets on the East Norwich side (Locust, Walnut & Vernon Avenues) it served as our playground. The mile or so distance between our suburban homes & the mansion (or what remained of it - not much - when my family moved to the area from Queens in 1959 were known as The Fields, much of which were under cultivation by a local farmer, Mr. Socket. Tomatoes, sweet corn & pumpkins were the crops I remember (which we availed ourselves of freely) but there may have been others. Old Man Socket as we called
him travelled to the fields in a creaky horse drawn wagon with a shotgun, which he was known to have fired on the occasion of kids raiding his fields. There were 7 ponds which we skated on & played hockey in winter and swam in during the Summer months. We also camped out quite regularly - usually with campfires (most of us had been or still were Scouts so we were quite careful (though on one occasion we were visited by the police who had been tipped off by someone who thought the woods were on fire. (there was someone who had set fires, so their fears were not unwarranted).
As for what was left of King Zog’s by that time were primarily the servants quarters (or so we thought - including rooms with bathtubs) which were situated above what must have been stables (with a few old leather horse harnesses & other paraphernalia. There was plenty of broken glass scattered about (to which we added our own contributions). The swimming pool with stairs and the head (Ancient Greek?) that served as a fountain was still there, though all cracked & in broken. There were a few outbuildings, one quite substantial which we took to be a caretakers. The remains of tennis courts were still in evidence, though thoroughly taken over by weeds. There was also a row of pedestals (about a dozen) which someone seemed to know had once held the busts of Roman emperors & Greek philosophers.
Thank you for posting these wonderful photos of a successful restoration. It’s so interesting to see the
technology employed to grind grain back in the day.
What a treasure.
Kindly inform the author that marriage between these families was likely not "intermarriage". Also, people are not "INterned" in cemeteries, they are "inTERRED". That said, is there a published history of these families that someone can recommend?
Writing this from Virginia…..In the mid-1950’s I had my tonsils removed there. I was probably around six years old. I recall, after the surgery, I was wheeled in to what appeared to a large sun porch with bright, airy, multi-paned windows. In retrospect it seems a very civilized way to recuperate.
The Horsfields settling mainly in Manhasset & Herricks. Unless you realized this already, Howard & Greg; I believe the property owned up until 1909 by “ I U Horsefield” in Herricks is in relation to Horsfield Family. To maintain access to I U Willets Rd from the Horsefield property, the LIMP organization built a overpass when developing the parkway. Bridge was known as the IU Willets or Horsefield overpass. Horsefield family then sold this property to the Cedar Heights Association, Refer to - www.vanderbiltcupraces.com
Comments
Thanks to Nick Carr for his research & highlights of his trekking around what we knew as kids as The Ruins. For those of us who grew up on the adjacent streets on the East Norwich side (Locust, Walnut & Vernon Avenues) it served as our playground. The mile or so distance between our suburban homes & the mansion (or what remained of it - not much - when my family moved to the area from Queens in 1959 were known as The Fields, much of which were under cultivation by a local farmer, Mr. Socket. Tomatoes, sweet corn & pumpkins were the crops I remember (which we availed ourselves of freely) but there may have been others. Old Man Socket as we called
him travelled to the fields in a creaky horse drawn wagon with a shotgun, which he was known to have fired on the occasion of kids raiding his fields. There were 7 ponds which we skated on & played hockey in winter and swam in during the Summer months. We also camped out quite regularly - usually with campfires (most of us had been or still were Scouts so we were quite careful (though on one occasion we were visited by the police who had been tipped off by someone who thought the woods were on fire. (there was someone who had set fires, so their fears were not unwarranted).
As for what was left of King Zog’s by that time were primarily the servants quarters (or so we thought - including rooms with bathtubs) which were situated above what must have been stables (with a few old leather horse harnesses & other paraphernalia. There was plenty of broken glass scattered about (to which we added our own contributions). The swimming pool with stairs and the head (Ancient Greek?) that served as a fountain was still there, though all cracked & in broken. There were a few outbuildings, one quite substantial which we took to be a caretakers. The remains of tennis courts were still in evidence, though thoroughly taken over by weeds. There was also a row of pedestals (about a dozen) which someone seemed to know had once held the busts of Roman emperors & Greek philosophers.
It really was a magical place to grow up around.
From News: Nearby Historic Hikes: Exploring the ruins of Charles Hudson's and King Zog's Knollwood in the Muttontown Preserve
The flyer is a great idea and the illustration of the Mill in the Colonial era is very nice.
From News: New flyer on the Roslyn Grist Mill: Its history, restoration timeline and construction highlights
Thank you for posting these wonderful photos of a successful restoration. It’s so interesting to see the
technology employed to grind grain back in the day.
What a treasure.
From News: A second Roslyn Grist Mill team tours the historic 18th century Van Wyck-Lefferts Tide Mill in Lloyd Harbor
I just hope it can’t be torn down and property subdivided!
From News: The historic Lynrose 5-building compound , 26 Glenwood Road in Roslyn Harbor, is on the market for $15.9 million
What a shame, but good that no one was hurt. About 20 years ago, my brother Greg used to be security here. Also met his now wife here, Jussary.
From News: New York Post: Robbers with sledgehammer snatch watches from London Jewelers in Wheatley Plaza
Elaine, good catches! Thanks!
From News: Restoration of the Horsfield Monument uncovers new discoveries for the Townsend Cemetery in East Hills
Kindly inform the author that marriage between these families was likely not "intermarriage". Also, people are not "INterned" in cemeteries, they are "inTERRED". That said, is there a published history of these families that someone can recommend?
From News: Restoration of the Horsfield Monument uncovers new discoveries for the Townsend Cemetery in East Hills
Under the Viaduct and on the way to Bar Beach
From News: Two amazing Fairchild aerials of the Village of Roslyn, the Viaduct and Hempstead Harbor taken on March 30, 1950
I see my childhood home on West Shore Road and my mothers store at 1376 Old Northern Blvd! Great pictures! Thanks for the memories!
From News: Two amazing Fairchild aerials of the Village of Roslyn, the Viaduct and Hempstead Harbor taken on March 30, 1950
This is really exciting! Keep it up
From News: The Roslyn Grist Mill Million Dollar Match Challenge: ended on June 30, 2021: The results will be announced in July
Writing this from Virginia…..In the mid-1950’s I had my tonsils removed there. I was probably around six years old. I recall, after the surgery, I was wheeled in to what appeared to a large sun porch with bright, airy, multi-paned windows. In retrospect it seems a very civilized way to recuperate.
From Profiles: Belrose (Bonnieview/Roslyn Park Hospital/Long Island Doctors Hospital)
The Horsfields settling mainly in Manhasset & Herricks. Unless you realized this already, Howard & Greg; I believe the property owned up until 1909 by “ I U Horsefield” in Herricks is in relation to Horsfield Family. To maintain access to I U Willets Rd from the Horsefield property, the LIMP organization built a overpass when developing the parkway. Bridge was known as the IU Willets or Horsefield overpass. Horsefield family then sold this property to the Cedar Heights Association, Refer to - www.vanderbiltcupraces.com
From News: Restoration of the Horsfield Monument uncovers new discoveries for the Townsend Cemetery in East Hills