ARTIST LAKE
The Many Names of Artist Lake: Artist Lake is a kettle hole lake with no water flowing in or out, its sole source of water is rainwater. Throughout Longwood's history, Artist Lake, of Middle Island has been called many different names by many different people. Early Brookhaven Town records have it being called Hurtin's Pond and Southampton Pond. During the Revolutionary Era, the pristine lake was known as Corwin's Pond in honor of local resident Reverend, and Revolutionary War veteran Jacob Corwin. The 1838 United Sates Coastal Survey Map shows the name Glovers Pond.
Local residents referred to the Pond as "Blooming Lake" for the White Lilies found on the lake. A reporter for the Long Island Farmer made reference to this in the December 2, 1835 issue of the newspaper. " Bryant Davis's hotel and stagehouse (Pfieffer's General Store in later times) is a recently built good inn, uniting the many requisites for effecting an immediate cheerfulness on the sojourner through these unfrequented forests and Arabian roads. Good stabling attached. Onwards to Blooming Lake (Artist Lake) a beautiful, pure, small sheet of water, adorned with the White Lily, and a pretty residence on its eastern border to the Horn Tavern." However, during the 1880's, a dispute arose as to whether Artist Lake was a proper title. Middle Island resident and Brookhaven Town Clerk, Benjamin T. Hutchinson, objected. Preferring the aesthetically pleasing "Blooming Lakes." Hutchinson contended that Artist Lake was an inappropriate title since only one artist had ever made his residence at the lake. Although Hutchinson sneered at the naming of the lake by a "foreigner" not from our area a case can be made for it being called Artists Lake. 1870 Middle Island census lists two lake view residents, Alonzo Chappel and Ole P. Balling, both of whom listed their occupations as "Artists". An article appearing in a local newspaper at the time gives additional information. "George Chappel (brother of Alonzo Chappel) bought a tract of about 170 acres adjoining the "Home by the Lake" and has lately sold two small farms from it to artists in New York, who are expected to soon come and build, and probably more will soon purchase homes here." It appears that George Chappel might have had something to do with the renaming of the lake, perhaps for greater real estate appeal. Artists Lake eventually gained acceptance through popular usage. The 1873 Beers- Comstock shows the lake being called Artists Lake (plural) . Later maps refer to the lake as Artist Lake (singular).
At the time of the debate, Artist Lake was in fact two distinct lakes, one on each side of Middle Country Road (Route 25). The second lake would be located today where K-Mart parking lot now stands. Torrential rains would often trigger an overflow of water across Route 25, making Middle Island's main road impassable. In order to provide drainage control, ten men were hired in the late 1890's to construct a drainage ditch, which is still visible in Prosser Pines.This solution did not end the flooding problem. Part of the problem was resolved, rather tragically, during the construction of the Fairy Town Amusement Park. The builder of the amusement park, which no longer exists, filled in the second lake, to make more room for parking. In the late 1970's, the Brookhaven Town Highway Department dug a canal and installed pipes to carry the excess water to the lakes in Yaphank. Today, one Artist Lake remains. Amidst the surrounding commercial and residential developments, Artist Lake is an oasis of beauty. In harmony with the elements, the lake provides an opportunity for ice-skating in the winter and fishing in the summer. Yet, the mystery lingers. Was Artist Lake named after Alonzo Chappel alone or was the scenic area home to other artists? And was Town Clerk Hutchinson right when he disputed the name "Artist Lake?" |
Artist Lake, Photo from
Queensborough Public Library
Artist Lake, Photo from
Queensborough Public Library
