HISTORY

From The Sag Harbor Historical Society

Founded in 1707, the Port of Sag Harbor lies on the South Fork of Long Island, roughly 100 miles east of Manhattan. By the onset of the Revolutionary War, Sag Harbor had already established itself as a center of vibrant coastal and international trade. In 1789, President George Washington designated Sag Harbor as an official Port of Entry for the newly formed United States—at that time, the village boasted more square-rigged vessels in commercial service than even the Port of New York.

Sag Harbor holds a remarkable place in American history: it was home to the nation’s first Custom House, New York State’s first volunteer fire company, and Long Island’s first printed newspaper.

The lower business district—rebuilt three times after devastating fires—rose again and again, thriving through the whaling boom, an era of industrial innovation, and later transforming into a beloved seaside destination where summer visitors and pleasure craft now fill the harbor.

23 Howard Street, built circa 1820 for Erastus Bassett, appears on the earliest known maps of the village.

Through more than three centuries of change, Sag Harbor has preserved its distinctive character—its rich history, enduring beauty, and independent spirit remain unmistakably its own.