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Riverhead commission moves to landmark more properties

Six more landmarks are under consideration in Riverhead Town.

The town’s Landmarks Preservation Commission has received applications from the owners of six properties to become town-designated landmarks.

There are currently 62 town-designated landmarks and 11 properties in town that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition, there is one historic district in Riverhead and another expected soon, according to LPC chairman Richard Wines.

Different owners are looking for different things from the designation, said Mr. Wines, whose Jamesport property has town landmark status.

“Some owners are really interested in doing what they can to assure the longtime preservation of their properties,” he said. “It also is prestigious and it can help obtain grants, specifically for nonprofits.”

While a landmark designation from the town is not as prestigious as a designation on the National Register of Historic Places, one of the properties seeking town landmark statues already has national status.

Landmark status is being sought for the following buildings:

Daniel Tuthill House

On the corner of Main Road and Tuthill Lane in Jamesport, the Daniel Tuthill House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015. Currently an office for Century 21 Albertson Realty, the house was built around 1840 by Daniel Tuthill, a cousin of James Tuthill, who founded Jamesport and named it after himself, according to Mr. Wines. Earlier this year, owner Dayna Corlito sought town approval to open a retail wine store in the house, but was denied by the town Zoning Board of Appeals.

Courtesy photo: J. Victor Wilson Barn. (Credit: Clifford Baldwin)

J. Victor Wilson Barn

Located across from Vineyard Caterers on Main Road in Aquebogue, the barn is largely hidden behind trees. It was built in 1908 by J. Victor Wilson, who was part of the Wilson & Brothers produce firm. According to Mr. WInes, the company was established around 1872 and specialized in shipping potatoes to Cuba, the West Indies and South America, according to Mr. Wines.

The barn is owned by Clifford Baldwin, a member of the LPC, and Marta Baumiller.

Photo: The Yellow Barn. (Credit: Tim Gannon)

The Yellow Barn

Also known as the Perkins Carriage House, the Yellow Barn sits on the grounds of Riverhead Free Library and was built around 1880 by John R. Perkins, who Mr. Wines described as “one of Riverhead’s leading businessmen.” Mr. Perkins was a justice of the peace for 20 years, beginning in 1861, and was Riverhead Town supervisor from 1878 to 1892.

The carriage house was built on the same property as the Perkins Mansion, which was demolished in the 1960s. The carriage house has been restored and maintained by Riverhead Free Library.

Photo: Preston House. (Credit: Tim Gannon)

Preston House

Across from the Hyatt hotel on East Main Street, the Preston House was built in 1905 by Henry H. Preston, who was born on Shelter Island, volunteered for the Civil War at age 16 and was wounded in battle. In 1902, he became Suffolk County’s first full-time sheriff and moved to Riverhead.

The house was largely falling apart and was slated for demolition when Joe Petrocelli, co-founder of the Long Island Aquarium, bought it and decided instead to renovate it as a restaurant, while retaining its original features, according to Mr. Wines. Mr. Petrocelli also is building a five-story hotel behind the restaurant. Both the restaurant and the hotel are under construction.

Photo: Riverhead Elks Lodge. (Credit: Tim Gannon)

Riverhead Elks Lodge

Built in 1921 as part of the Riverhead Country Club, one of the town’s first golf courses, this East Main Street building continued that use until 1936, when it closed due to financial problems, according to Mr. Wines.

It then became the Riverhead Post of the American Legion from 1946 to 1960, after which it became the home of the Riverhead Elks. The Elks Lodge was organized in 1957, according to Mr. Wines.

Photo: Second Street Firehouse. (Credit: Tim Gannon)

Second Street Firehouse

Owned by Bob Castaldi, who also owns the Suffolk Theater, the Second Street firehouse was built in 1931 as a new headquarters for the Riverhead Fire Department and underwent several additions over years. In 2008, the fire department moved to a larger new building on Roanoke Avenue and It was given to Riverhead Town in exchange for the Route 58 property the fire department used for its annual competitions. The town later sold it to Mr. Castaldi.

Both the firehouse and the Preston house would be part of a new “Second Street and Ostrander Avenue” National Register Historic district that has already been accepted by the state and is expected to be accepted into the federal program soon, Mr. Wines said. A section of Main Street also has the National Register of Historic districts designation.

The Town Board is expected to meet jointly with the LPC in the fall to adopt the new landmark designations. Board members voiced no opposition to the applications during a work session presentation from the LPC last Thursday.

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Top photo: Daniel Tuthill House. (Credit: Tim Gannon)