OLD PURCHASE PROPERTIES

From  earliest times the waters off Bellport have influenced and charmed the lives of those who live nearby. Offshore whaling and the digging of clams for food and wampum were pursuits of the Indians.

Bellport Bay is landlocked on three sides and until the middle of the seventeenth century this was the home of the Unkechogue Indians. They called the section now Bellport, Occumbomock, meaning "opposite the fishing place," which was the inlet through the great south barrier beach from the Atlantic. Tobaccus, Sachem of the Unkechogues sold the land that is now Bellport, Brookhaven Hamlet and the lands to the north of these two villages to a group of men who settled in Setauket in 1655. They wanted the abundant grasslands on the south side of the island to furnish salt hay and grass as bedding for their livestock. They also had their eyes on the whaling industry and fishing in the bay, especially the shell fishing. On June 10, 1664 an agreement was signed between Tobaccus and a group of men represented by Richard Howell and John Cooper. For fifty fadum of wampum, which was actually paid by four fur coats and $16.25 in cash, the men bought a substantial tract of south shore land and the fishing rights off its shore. In March 1667 Tobaccus deeded all whales to the Brookhaven settlers and the Indians continued to be employed by the settlers as whalemen. This land bought from Tobaccus was called The Old Purchase South.

Today the ocean offers fishing, swimming, surf boarding and sunning on incomparable beaches, while Bellport Bay provides skating, ice boating and scootering over the frozen ice in winter and sailing and crabbing in summer.

Captain Thomas Bell first came to Occumbomock with his brother as an employee of the American Coast Wrecking Company to wreck the Vessel Irene that had foundered off Great South Beach opposite present day Bellport. He was so attracted by the region that in a short time he returned to make this his home. Today the heritage and amenities of the Bellport-Brookhaven area continue to attract old and new residents. Welcome! 

WHETHER YOU DESIRE AN INVESTMENT IN REAL ESTATE, A PRIMARY RESIDENCE, A VACATION HOME, OR A SUMMER RENTAL THE DECISION TO CHOOSE WONDERFUL BELLPORT VILLAGE AND BROOKHAVEN HAMLET WILL PROVIDE A LIFETIME OF BENEFITS. SINCE MANY ATTRACTIONS ARE PRIVATE, LIKE BELLPORT'S 16 ACRES OF BEACH ON FIRE ISLAND, YOUR PRIVACY IS ASSURED.

• The Bellport Village and Brookhaven Hamlet land was purchased from the Unkechogue Indians on June 10, 1664. 

• On July 4, 1980 The National Register of Historic Places added over eighty houses from Bellport Village.

• The Village of Bellport has a population of just 2,900.

• Magnificent country club where all Bellport residents are automatically members. Enjoy golf at the Bellport Country Club. A par 71 championship course that overlooks the Great South Bay. Tennis at the country club with five highly maintained, lighted tennis courts.

• Ocean: Bellport Village owns a 16 acre parcel on Fire Island at the center of the National Park Service's 8 mile wilderness zone. The village also operates it's own private ferry to transport you to this fabulous environment. Or if you wish cruise over on your own boat. Visit www.fireisland.com for additional information.

• Bay: The Village maintains two bay front beaches on the shore of the Great South Bay.

• Theatre: At the Gateway Playhouse or Professional Theatre.

• Bellport Bay Yacht Club: Arranges sailing activities and provides sailing lessons for adults and children.

• Boating: Bellport Bay, known for it's protected waters and magnificent sunsets allows you to fulfill all of your nautical passions. The sheltered marina with boat slips, moorings, launching ramp, and dry storage areas provides an ideal home base.

• Fishing: Round fish, flat fish, fin fish and shell fish. In Bellport you can catch snappers and blue claws from the village dock. You can fish for flounder, blues, bass, weak fish, hard clams and black fish. Nearby Fire Island offers surf casting or fly fish at South Haven Park.