Montauk New York
Montauk Manor
It was built upon many graves; desecrating the remains for another purpose…
A spirit used his restlessness for good; others became angry and tried to start trouble!
DESCRIPTION
“Situated on a hilltop with sweeping vistas of the Atlantic Ocean, Gardiner’s Bay and Block Island Sound, the Montauk Manor offers an extraordinary setting and an unparallelled experience. The building is majestic, it’s grounds are breathtaking and the accommodations, amenities and services are to be savored.” (montaukmanor.com)
Once known as “The Miami Beach of the North,” the 120,000-square-foot Montauk Manor sits on top of Fort Hill, over-looking the beach front and sea. It is located in a upscale residential neighborhood. By the time Tom and I arrived, we were rather frazzled and grumpy, but were first taken by the glorious views of Fort Pond Bay, the green spaces and glorious Montauk Manor itself.
Wow, this expansive 4 story, English Tutor restored castle-like masterpiece, complete with turrets and spires is quite impressive in size and architecture. One doesn’t see a vaulted 18 foot, beamed ceiling in its 5000 sq. ft entrance lobby with a restored “throne-room-like splendor” every day.
Because it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, most of the original opulent treasures found in the outside or inside of this structure are still here for all to enjoy.
While all of its former one room to three room suites are now privately owned as condos, these condos are rented out as hotel rooms when their owners are not going to use them as vacation homes. Some retired folks who love the Montauk area, do stay most of the year, but a lot of owners do not.
HISTORY
Cal Fisher, who was wildly successful in developing Miami Beach resort areas, had a vision for the lovely, gloriously beautiful, peaceful area of Montauk Point. Cal was inspired to build a jaw-dropping, castle-like hotel and recreational playground for the wealthy; to be a “jewel in an encircling crown of unparalleled resort facilities.”
Montauk Manor, a “250-room fantasy castle” opened for business during 1927; at the height of the financially successful roaring twenties. For two years, successful patrons flocked to Montauk Manor, to enjoy their holiday in style inside and outside of the building. Many activities and amenities that were offered were very popular indeed.
The Great Depression caused the decline of well-to-do patrons. By 1933, this property went into receivership. While Cal Fisher and his Development Company lost their shirts, the beauty of the building and its prime location has inspired others to try to make a profit with this grand old dame throughout the years, with some success, but not enough to keep them in the black financially. Many went bankrupt in the process.
From 1970-1980, Montauk Manor was vacant; forlornly sitting up on Fort Hill. Finally, an innovative New York City company, Sybedon Corporation that was made up of successful bankers came up with the economic plan that has sustained Mantauk Manor throughout the eras up to present day, 2017.
They offered to those folks who were in the market for buying a resort vacation home, an opportunity that many couldn’t refuse. Montauk Manor offered not only individual condos; one to three bedroom suites with a kitchen, but also offered other perks to purchasing here.
These hotel-like condominiums, were not only vacation homes, but also presented the opportunity of making money by being rented out to other vacationers in season and off season.
Because Montauk Manor was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, fixing up a condo could earn a legal tax break that would apply for the first buyers of these rooms in need of TLC.
Planning to spend 17 million dollars to restore and shore up this magnificent building, Sybedon Corporation had to go over budget 5 million dollars because of circumstances beyond their control. In the end, 140 studio to three bedroom units went on the real estate market, but another company took over the sales.
This strategy has brought economic stability to Montauk Manor, which continues to stay in the black financially. The owners of this property also get a 25% commission fee from each rental, which pays for the hotel amenities that are available to guests.
HISTORY OF MANIFESTATIONS
When people lose their land or favorite structure in this world due to unpleasant circumstances, they like to visit or reside there when they are in spirit form, enjoying what they loved about their special places.
The scenic spot and the land around Montauk Manor once belonged to the native tribes. Right next to the Montauk Manor property, there is plot of land that originally was used as a cemetery for Native Americans, a large area called “Meeting Rock” near this cemetery was used as a place to discuss tribal politics.
The native tribes at some point lost their land and the right to bury their dead in their cemetery that was located on the land next to Montauk Manor. Other non-native people were buried there instead. Today, a sign in this still existing cemetery points to where the “Meeting Rock” is located.
Spirits who are connected to a piece of land for some reason, have been known to move into any buildings that have been built on top of their land. The land upon which Montauk Manor was built upon, was the place of a major bloody conflict in 1663 where the Montaukett Indians were ambushed and slaughtered by a New England tribe, the Narragansetts.
In 1890, a lot of American soldiers died of Yellow Fever on the grounds of Montauk Manor. Their bodies were temporarily buried on top of the Indian graves, but were dug up and sent back to relatives at some point.
Disturbing graves and/or disrespecting the remains can cause spirits to be active in this world once more.
When they built Montauk Manor, they dug up many bones, suggesting that the land was a burial ground as well for naive Americans, probably the chiefs and tribal leaders. They crushed the bones and mixed them in with the building foundation of Mantauk Manor. Uh oh!
MANIFESTATIONS
Entities of Native Americans
Inside Montauk Manor, people have heard drum beats, and doors have mind of their own; opening and slamming.
Guests and staff have heard chanting and drumbeats coming from the surrounding property where the Montauk Manor sits today.
Most probably, “Meeting Rock,” is a place that draws spirits back.
Entity of a male Native American
He is dressed in traditional Native American attire of a native tribe chief. He is a bold and brave fellow with a good attitude. He sees the glass half-full instead of half-empty.
This chief has made the best of his restlessness, caused by the disrespect of his grave. The chief apparently volunteered to be on the security staff and helped in his own way. The chief moved into the Manor and chose his home on the 4th floor, though he did float through and patrol other floors as well in full sight of the living.
He has made himself visible to the living all over the building; especially in the corners and shadows found in the hallways, notably on the 4th floor.
The good chief apparently makes house calls occasionally to check up on guests.
Three young men were in town and staying at the Montauk Manor to enjoy a golf tour. One young man woke up in the night and saw the solid apparition of the Indian Chief standing at the end of his bed, studying him. Because the young man woke up his friends, they too saw this apparition studying them. When the chief was satisfied, he slowly disappeared.
Four Fuzzy Apparitions
Probably spirits whose bones were ground up and mixed into the Manor’s foundation.
Appeared in a first floor room. They were a surly group of annoyed spirits as they glowered at some female guest who felt that they wanted to kill her.
Luckily, they haven’t appeared in the years after this incident, probably because the chief became the protector of the living.
STILL HAUNTED?
Probably so. Though reports say that this chief hasn’t been as active lately, he probably is still there, but perhaps has gained some peace in his after-life with his job as protector of the place, from both spiritual menaces and the bad apples of the living.
He has discovered that he doesn’t have to appear to the living much to do his job, unless it is to let possible bad ones know that he is there and on the job.
Staff, guests and owners of the condos have had personal experiences throughout the years, pointing to the 4 grumpy spirits who are probably the ones slamming the doors, and in other ways expressing their anger for the disrespect that was shown their graves.
Other reports point to the good chief who also has moved in, picking a favorite floor and giving himself a job of helping Montauk Manor security.
Sounds of the drum beats have been recorded inside.
Not much scientific data has been caught to back up people’s personal experiences that have long been reported. Owners throughout the years have not been open to psychics or other paranormal investigators because they were trying to make a profit on this huge investment.
LOCATION
236 Edgemere Street,
Montauk, NY 11954
Montauk Manor is located near the beach front recreation area that is on the very eastern tip of Long Island.
Tom and I have a tip to people who want to drive there: The roads have never been expanded, and traffic to this fancy beach resort area is awful in the summer. The population of Long Island has grown since these roads were built. It is better to take the train there.
SOURCES INCLUDE
- Historic Haunts of Long Island , by Kerriann Flanagan Brosky, Haunted America, 2015
- liparanormalinvestigators.com
- beliefnet.com
- shadowsoftheparanormal.com
- patch.com/new-york/huntington
- nytimes.com
Our Haunted Paranormal Stories are Written by Julie Carr
