LOST

The East Williston Railroad Station, 1953. DAVID KELLER, COURTESY OF DAVID D. MORRISON.

East Williston Railroad Station
The third oldest in the Long Island Railroad system, and oldest remaining brick railroad station, was torn down in December due to its threat of collapse. The East Williston station, part of the Oyster Bay line, was constructed sometime in the early to mid-1880's, and was in use until 1996. It has the distinction of being the last on the Oyster Bay Branch from which a ticket was sold at a manned ticket office, on December 10, 1996. The structure was listed on both the National and State Registers of Historic Places, and was a contributing building in the locally-designated East Williston Historic District. SPLIA encourages LIRR aficionados to advocate for a comprehensive assessment of the railroad's historic stations, and the drafting of appropriate management plans to assure that they do not become so derelict, they must be torn down.

Source: David D. Morrison

Richard Mott, Sr. House, Bayswater, Far Rockaway, Queens, east facade, north side, Summer, 2004. CHARLA BOLTON

Richard Mott, Sr. House
A surprisingly early survival located in Bayswater, Far Rockaway, Queens, the Richard Mott, Sr. house was demolished this past October to make way for a new development of several houses. Originally, the land was part of the Mott farm which occupied most of the Rockaway peninsula. The house was constructed about 1850 and was Richard's home until his death in 1902. A life-long bachelor, he continued to farm until his death at 89, and was an involved civic leader. After his death, the house was inherited by his nephew Edgar H. Mott who most likely remodeled it, in the Colonial Revival style. In the 1920's it passed out of the Mott family, but until 2003 was occupied. The house was in excellent condition, as was a barn probably from the same period. SPLIA submitted a Request for Evaluation to the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, with an advisory to take immediate action due to the impending threat of demolition. However, the LPC failed to take action.