Bartending School in Lonelyville, NY

It is unclear when the first dwelling was built in Lonelyville, but speculation suggest that fishermen probably used the area as a camp site in the late 1890s.

By 1908, it appears that three structures had been built in the community by three businessmen and friends from Bay Shore, NY who “spend their time in killing ducks … catching ‘suckers’ and other things out in the bay when there is nothing else to do, and between intervals of sleep, dining at the expense of each other and swapping stories”. The three structures were built by ex-Justice of the Peace, Harry M. Brewster — “Brewster’s Bungalow”, ex-cashier of the South Side Bank, Harry S. Raven –“Raven’s Ranch” and ex-Tax Collector of Bay Shore, Selah T. Clock –“Clock’s Castle”.

At one such dinner, Brewster came up with the idea of calling the place “Lonelyville” and “with due éclat and champagne, the resort was christened and launched upon the sea of fame”