Southampton

The transformation of Southampton, NY, from a quiet Puritan settlement in 1640 to a fashionable resort by the early 1900s is vividly captured through over 200 photographs, many rare and unpublished. The arrival of the railroad in 1870 brought wealthy New Yorkers to this idyllic location, leading to the development of boarding houses and extravagant summer cottages. The images, sourced from local archives and private collections, highlight the evolution of small-town life amidst the rise of exclusive clubs, grand mansions, and celebrity residents.