The Old Southside Sportsman’s Club - Connetquot River State Park, Oakdale, NY

Since the early part of the century, sportsmen have been coming to Long Island for hunting and fishing. Snedecor’s, an old stage coach resort, was a popular place for them to stay. A group of prominent businessmen, that were also guests, learned that the property was for sale, they formed an association to purchase it. In 1886, the South Side Sportsman’s Club of Long Island was established as a recreational club which catered to the wealthy class. Its main focus was for gentleman’s sport of hunting fish and fowl as well as other outdoor activities. The club served members from 1886 though the 1960’s, and then through the 1970’s as the Connetquot River Club.

The club closed in the 1970’s and the club house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, and the entire property is now owned by the New York State Parks Commission and called the Connetquot River State Park.

Here is what caught my eye; I hope you enjoy!

The main portion of the former club house building was originally Snedecor’s Tavern, built in 1820 by Eliphalet Snedecor. The Club purchased the tavern and cut the building in half, and the taller central portion of the building was added.

There are a few guest rooms setup to show how it was when the club operated. This was the room of American financier, banker and railroad magnate Harry Bowly Hollins.

H. B. Hollins was a partner of J.P. Morgan and had memberships at the Knickerbocker Club, the New York Yacht Club, the Union Metropolitan, and the Garden City Golf Club as well as the South Side Sportsman’s Club.

Everything carried the monogram of the Club, SSSC, even the sheets.

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Along the Great South Bay (Illustrated Edition): From Oakdale to Babylon, the Story of a Summer Spa, 1840 to 1940

By Havemeyer, Harry W.

One Little River: The Story of the Connetquot River: Millionaires Sportsmen's Paradise

By Giffen, Robert Graham

Oakdale (Images of America)

By Holliday, Diane, Kretz, Chris

Another few shots of H.B. Hollins’ room

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Inside the large billiard room there are books with recordings of what member caught.

Some of the Sportsman’s Club memorabilia in the billiard room

The Annex was constructed by twenty-three members so that they could have their own private rooms. Today it is the Preserve Administration Office and restrooms.

The original main entrance of the club house

Portions of the Club House date from the early 1800’s.

The New Annex building overlooking the main pond

This was Daniel E. Pomeroy’s room. Mr Pomeroy was President of Bankers Trust Company, Condé Nast, and Chairman of the Republican National Committee.

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The wash basin here in Mr. Pomeroy’s room is original. A family member donated the portrait of Mr. Pomeroy, resting on the fireplace mantle.

The Ladies’ dining room (an 1889 addition) has original silverware

Original South Side Sportman’s Club silverware with the Connetquot River Club dinner service.

An original South Side Sportsman’s Club plate

The ladies’ dining room

The wolf motif can be found throughout the building.

This is the gentlemen’s dining room. The only time women were allowed in here and the billiard room was on New Year’s Eve.

A food warmer concealed inside the radiator.

The original electric circuitry box

I was told this is the last intact original gas light glass shade that the club used for lighting. Halls and rooms were originally lit with oil lamps and then replaced with gas lips like this one.

The cabinets in prep area of the kitchen

A heating stove in the kitchen area

Old colored bottles

Here are a few torpedo bottles, in the their stands, in one of the cabinets in the prep area of the kitchen. Torpedo bottles were used by the middle and upper class between 1870’s and 1910’s. They were also known as Hamilton bottles, and they were deliberantly designed so they could not be stored upright, the goal was to keep the cork wet so it did not dry out and crack.

The original Vulcan stove

The dairy bill from Westbrook Farms hanging in the kitchen area

The chefs uniform

Another staff member jacket

The large ice box

More cabinets in the kitchen area

This is the locker room with rows of lockers that remain untouched and are in great condition. The members would store their fishing and hunting gear in here.

The locker of S. K. Farrington an avid fisherman, hunter and railroad man.

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More of the. lockers

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Some memorabilia in the locker room

The main club house entrance

The staircase in the main entrance

The Guide’s Closet was used during hunting season to store extra shot guns and ammunition for pheasant and duck hunting.

One of the original restrooms

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This room would be manned at all time. It contained the call bell system for the entire building.

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The Billard room with small bar was original to Snedecor’s Tavern.

The bar in the billiard room which hosted men like Andrew Carnegie, George Lorillard, William K. Vanderbilt. The small doors with locks behind the bar would contain the members’ liquor.

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This Franklin stove came from the Tea Room of the Astor House Hotel in New York City, the first luxury hotel in America.. The stove was donated to the Club during the late 1800’s and sold at auction to Robert Goelet in 1973 when the building was closed. It was donated to the New York Historical Society storage until it was brought back here where it remains today.

In the billiard room

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The Ice House was built in the late 1800’s before electricity. The ice required to keep food and beverages cold was stored here in layers. The top was layer was accessed by the highest door and then they would work their way down. The gin mint cocktail “South Side” can be traced back to 1916 and is said to have been invented at the club.

The porch where members would sit looking out over main pond.

The main club house

The new Annex building was designed by Isaac H. Green for eight club members that wanted more space and privacy for their families and guests vacationing on the club grounds.

The Nicoll Grist Mill building was original to the property, first constructed in the early 1700’s and has been rebuilt and moved several times over the years.

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These are the stables where the member’s horses and carriages were kept during their visits. Some rode or drove their own horse and carriage to the Club while others took the train from New York City to the Club’s (members only) whistle or flag stop located just south of the Club.

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What you should know:

• You could spend a couple of hours the entire day here, depending on your level of interest.

• There are walking / hiking trail.

• Reservations can be made on-line for guided main club house and mill tours. Check website for dates and times.

• Public restrooms are available.

• Entrance fee includes on-site parking. They do accept the New York State Empire Pass.

• Check website for days and hours of operation and special events.

Location: 4090 Sunrise Highway, Oakdale, NY 11769

For more information: Connetquot River State Park