Pepperidge
Hall
I thought we would
take a little side trip about 15 miles west of Mastic Beach to
take a look at Christopher Robert's "other country place".
The history of Pepperidge Hall seems to have run parralel to Chris's
life. Both were filled with extremes. In a slight touch of personal
irony I was discussing my Robert findings with Dan Acernio the
marine engine restorer who rebuilt William Dana's "Wa-Hite".
It turns out Dan has some items in his home that came from Pepperidge
Hall.
The description below
and the photos above are from the book
Long Island Country
Houses and Their Architects 1860-1940
by Robert MacKay, Anthony
Baker & Carol A. Traynor
It was reported that
he had about 1.5 million dollars invested in this place. They
lived in it part time
for 7 years when he
traded it off for some property on Wall Street, NYC.
The NY Times reported
the sale at $1,826,000.00. I've read that the Robert's were the
last family to actually live there. It went through a succession
of owners and total decline as most plans each had for it never
seem to materialise.
The Big Plans in 1939
of The Royal Fraternity Of Master Metaphysicians are but one example.
I offer it up because it has some of the history of the estates
hay days.
As the years went by
the price got lower and lower and the 1000 acres of land got divided
up.
And finally in 1941
RAZE
an odd English word
that means
"To Flatten"
NEXT
Back to Mastic to
MEET THE LANIERS