Friday, December 24, 2010

Old Long Island Turns 3!

Today is the third anniversary of the creation of Old Long Island. After all this time there have been 980 posts, over 280 estates featured, thousands of pictures uploaded, over 110,000 visitors and over 725,000 page views. Once again thank you to everyone who has ever contributed pictures, information or just comments, it has really helped keep OLI afloat for this long. And like I said last year, I hope I have enough material to keep going for another 3 years. Above, the garden wall at 'Spring Hill', originally the William L. Stow estate designed by John Russell Pope c. 1903 in Old Westbury and later the Henry Carnegie Phipps estate.

23 comments:

HalfPuddingHalfSauce said...

Absolutely the BEST online website devoted to Long Island's Gold Coast Mansions!

mfitz said...

Just love the site. I really enjoy the history.

magnus said...

Zach: Keep up the good work. My mornings wouldn't be the same without OLI.

Best Holiday wishes to you and your devoted readers

The Down East Dilettante said...

Nor would my mornings---it's an impressive work, and collectively has created an astonishing bibliography. It was one of the first three blogs I ever discovered, and haven't missed a day since--and in fact, it was one of the prime inspirations for starting a blog about my own region.

Its amazing the gold you've brought to surface, and the comments that your work has engendered---and we're all grateful.

The Down East Dilettante said...

Oh, and please tell me that the developer is going to fix the central section of the terrace before it's too late?

The Devoted Classicist said...

Zach, I cannot tell you how much I enjoy your blog. Although close to Manhattan, even these wonderful houses that can be seen by the public can be difficult to reach without a car. And the old photos, especially the real estate sale brochures, are great supplements to your recent snapshots. Keep up the good work!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday OLI!! I first discovered this blog while preparing for a "Mansion/Ruin Tour". My bff ( a Carnegie heir) and I live in Boca Raton, FL and we headed up the east coast with stops in Palm Beach, Cumberland Island, GA, Savannah,GA Beautfort, SC, Asheville, NC, Deleware, LI New York, Newport ,Saratoga and ending in Camden, MA...Zach your blog is awesome and an invaluable research tool...we are now planning a similar tour for the late summer-fall of 2011 heading west to LA and up to St. Louis ending in Charlevoix, MI area. Any suggestions??

Richard D said...

I live in SF and have never been to LI. Your great blog has inspired me to visit and see some of the Open to the Public mansions. Thanks for a super site!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!! Like others have said before, my mornings would be alot more dreary without this site. I look forward everyday to what you'll post next, and you've inspired me to get off my lazy ass and explore the island I live on. Thanks Zach and keep up the great work!!

And a Happy and Healthy holiday to all......

Charles said...

Happy birthaday Old Long island! Coffee and your site get me up happily in the mornings. I live within minutes of many Gold Coast mansions and your site has inspired a new hobby for me- searching out these houses and discovering other ones. I drive down an interesting looking road, see an old alle of trees and am sometimes rewarded with a mansion sitting in the midst of a development. What fun! Many thanks and may your site go on and on and may your commenters continue with their fascinating information.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Zach on your 3-year anniversary with Old Long Island! I very much appreciate the hard work and dedication you put into your wonderful blog and enjoy visiting as often as I can. I look forward to another 3 years and wish you and yours the best of the holiday season.
-- CDR from San Marino (formerly of NYC)

Anonymous said...

Zach, I cant say anything to you that has not been stated above. Congratulations.Your a hit.

Zach L. said...

Thanks everyone, and happy holidays!

Oh and DED, I believe the plan is to restore the wall...the whole wall and not just the central section.

TinaL said...

Zack- I agree with everyone else, I love to read your blog every morning! It brings me back to the place I grew up and miss very much. Thanks for all your hard work.
All the best in the New Year to you and all your readers.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! Visiting OLI is part of my daily routine. OLI is one of my favorite websites and THE best about Gold Coast mansions. Keep up the excellent work.

Zorfnog said...

There is no better source for learning about and enjoying The Long Island Gold Coast Mansion.The "insider knowledge"expressed in the comments section is unique and invaluable.
From the Gardener to the Renaissance man it's an on-screen Elixir.
Bravo

Anonymous said...

We should all gather together (those of us on the Island), and explore some of these ruins as a group.

Turner Pack Rats said...

congrats, zach and happy holidays. keep up your excellent work. i discovered this site when reading bill mclaughlins excellent site on Harbor Hill which if you haven't read it, you oughta. then from this site, i discovered DED who covers all the stuff in Maine I always loved but didn't know all of DEDs' incredible comprehensive trivia. so, keep going zach - you're the best.

security word def - "emonbul" - a contracted Jamaican saying expressing disbelief

Old (Former) Long Islander said...

Zach,

Many happy returns. Having grown up in the epicenter of the Gold Cost in the 50s and 60s, your efforts are greatly appreciated. Plus, the collaborative spirit of your blog is great. Collectively, we impart a great deal of perspective about a place and a period of time that no one individual could supply. Every team needs a captain, and you've been more than up to the task. In my opinion, there's no other blog that comes close to acomplishing what you set out to do (and I don't mean just about Long Island).

To be able to see (pictures and information of) the North Shore as I remembered it and as my parents and their parents and friends knew it, is very special and keeps me connected.

Best wishes for continued sucess in all your endeavours.

Sincerely,

OFLI

Laura from RI said...

Zach,

"Salutations" & Happy Birthday to Old Long Island.

RI (Newport) cannot compare to the estates of LI. Nope. Not in my book.
Newport has it's Bailey's Beach, but not the bridle paths to which Long Island was comfortable with.

If anyone is an equestrian like me, I'm sure you can understand, like Monica Randall did riding those beautiful trails while she was getting material/photos for her books, was ethereal.

Thank you Zach.....: )

lil' gay boy said...

Let me just add my thanks for years of memories restored & enhanced by your efforts!

Maintaining a blog is a full-time job; for those like Zach, who manage to do so and work ITRW as well is astonishing to me ––– truly a labor of love.

Security word - bobion: a strange subatomic particle that bounces.

Anonymous said...

Happy anniversary to one of the most exquisite and amazingly researched blogs, ever. Although I live in the Chicago area now, I'm originally from Manhasset, and love learning the history of the Gold Coast. "Old Long Island" is truly a treasure, Zach. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

For years i did alot of bicycling on the North Shore, but after seeing this blog, coupled with the Wikimapia updates of Half Pudding Half Sauce, my riding has become a much richer experience. Thanks Zach!